Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

ACT FIFTH-SCENE I-PADUA

BEFORE LUCENTIO'S HOUSE

GREMIO discovered. Enter behind BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA BIONDELLO

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]

Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, VINCENTIO, GRUMIO, with

Attendants

PET. Sir, here's the door, this is Lucentio's house: My father's bears more toward the market-place; Thither must I, and here I leave you, sir.

VIN. You shall not choose but drink before you go: 10 I think I shall command your welcome here, And, by all likelihood, some cheer is toward.

[Knocks.

GRE. They're busy within; you were best knock louder.

Pedant looks out of the window

PED. What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?

VIN. Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?

PED. He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal. VIN. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal?

PED. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall 20 need none, so long as I live.

PET. Nay, I told you your son was well beloved in Padua. Do you hear, sir? to leave frivolous circumstances, I pray you, tell Signior Lucentio, that his father is come from Pisa, and is here at the door to speak with him.

PED. Thou liest: his father has come from Padua, and here looking out at the window.

VIN. Art thou his father?

PED. Ay, sir; so his mother says, if I may believe her.

PET. [To Vincentio] Why, how now, gentleman! why, 30 this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man's

name.

PED. Lay hands on the villain: I believe a' means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.

Re-enter BIONDELLO

BION. I have seen them in the church together: God send 'em good shipping! But who is here? mine old master Vincentio! now we are undone, and brought to nothing.

VIN. [Seeing Biondello] Come hither, crack-hemp.

BION. I hope I may choose, sir.

VIN. Come hither, you rogue. What, have you for- 40 got me?

BION. Forgot you! no, sir: I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life.

VIN. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy master's father, Vincentio ?

BION. What, my old worshipful old master? yes, marry, sir see where he looks out of the window. VIN. Is 't so, indeed?

me.

[Beats Biondello. BION. Help, help, help! here's a madman will murder

PED. Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!

[Exit. 50

[Exit from above.

PET. Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside, and see the end of this controversy.

[They retire.

Re-enter Pedant below; TRANIO, BAPTISTA, and Servants

TRA. Sir, what are you, that offer to beat my servant?

VIN. What am I, sir! nay, what are you, sir? O immortal gods! O fine villain! A silken doublet! a

velvet hose! a scarlet cloak! and a copatain hat! O, I am undone! I am undone! while I play the good husband at home, my son and my servant spend all at the university.

TRA. How now! what's the matter?

BAP. What, is the man lunatic?

TRA. Sir, you seem a sober ancient gentleman by your habit, but your words show you a madman. Why, sir, what 'cerns it you if I wear pearl and gold? I thank my good father, I am able to maintain it.

VIN. Thy father! O villain! he is a sail-maker in Bergamo.

BAP. You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what do you think is his name?

60

VIN. His name! as if I knew not his name: I have to brought him up ever since he was three years old, and his name is Tranio.

PED. Away, away, mad ass! his name is Lucentio ; and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.

VIN. Lucentio! Lay hold on him, I O, my son, my son! my son Lucentio ?

O, he hath murdered his master! charge you, in the Duke's name. Tell me, thou villain, where is

TRA. Call forth an officer.

57 copatain hat] a hat with a high crown in the form of a sugar-loaf. The word "copatain" is not met in this form elsewhere. It seems a variant of "copintank" or "copentank," of unknown derivation," which is found in a like sense in 16th century English.

80

Enter one with an Officer

Carry this mad knave to the gaol. Father Baptista, I charge you see that he be forthcoming.

VIN. Carry me to the gaol!

GRE. Stay, officer: he shall not go to prison.

BAP. Talk not, Signior Gremio: I say he shall go to prison.

GRE. Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be conycatched in this business: I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.

PED. Swear, if thou darest.

GRE. Nay, I dare not swear it.

TRA. Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.

GRE. Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
BAP. Away with the dotard! to the gaol with him!
VIN. Thus strangers may be haled and abused:
O monstrous villain!

Re-enter BIONDELLO, with LUCENTIO and BIANCA

BION. O, we are spoiled! and — yonder he is: deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.

Luc. Pardon, sweet father.

VIN.

[Kneeling.

Lives my sweet son?

[Exeunt Biondello, Tranio, and Pedant, as fast as may be.

BIAN. Pardon, dear father.

ВАР.

Where is Lucentio ?

Luc.

90

How hast thou offended? 100

Here's Lucentio,

« PreviousContinue »