[In front of the house where Lucentio has been staying while in Padua. Enter the elderly suitor Gremio who stands to one side. Enter Lucentio (no longer dressed as the schoolteacher Cambio), Bianca, and Lucentio’s servant Biondello.]
Biondello
Softly and swiftly, sir, for the priest is ready.
Lucentio
I fly, Biondello, but they may chance to need thee
at home, therefore leave us.
[Exit Lucentio and Bianca]
Biondello
Nay, faith, I'll see the church at your back, and
then come back to my master's as soon as I can.
[Exit Biondello. Gremio comes forward, not realizing that the well dressed Lucentio who has just left is the same person he knows as the teacher Cambio.]
Gremio
I marvel Cambio comes not all this while.
[Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Petruchio’s servant Grumio, and Lucentio’s father Vincentio.]
Petruchio
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.
Vincentio
You shall not choose but drink before you go;
I think I shall command your welcome here,
And by all likelihood some cheer is toward.
[He knocks]
Gremio
They're busy within, you were best knock louder.
[Merchant looks out of the window]
Merchant-as-Vincentio
What's he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?
Vincentio
Is Signor Lucentio within, sir?
Merchant-as-Vincentio
He's within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vincentio
What if a man bring him a hundred pound or
two to make merry withal?
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself. He shall
need none so long as I live.
Petruchio
[To Vincentio] Nay, I told you your son was well
beloved in Padua. [To Merchant] Do you hear, sir?
To leave frivolous circumstances,
I pray you, tell Signor Lucentio that his father
is come from Pisa and is here at the door to speak
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Thou liest. His father is come from Padua and here
looking out at the window.
Vincentio
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Ay, sir, so his mother says, if I may believe her.
Petruchio
[To Vincentio] Why, how now, gentleman!
Why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Lay hands on the villain. I believe a' means to cozen
somebody in this city under my countenance.
[Re-enter Lucentio’s servant Biondello, who, at Tranio’s request, found the merchant to impersonate Lucentio’s father.]
Biondello
God send 'em good shipping.
[Seeing the real Vincentio]
But who is here? Mine old master Vincentio!
Now we are undone and brought to nothing.
Vincentio
[Seeing Biondello] Come hither, crack-hemp.
Biondello
I hope I may choose, sir.
Vincentio
Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?
Biondello
Forgot you? No, sir. I could not forget you for I
never saw you before in all my life.
Vincentio
What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see
thy master's father, Vincentio?
Biondello
What, my old worshipful old master? Yes,
marry, sir. See where he looks out of the window.
Vincentio
[He beats Biondello]
Biondello
Help, help, help! Here's a madman will murder me.
[Exit]
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Help, son! Help, Signor Baptista!
[He leaves the window]
Petruchio
Prithee, Kate, let's stand aside and see the end of
[Enter from the house the Merchant, Baptista, and Tranio (as Lucentio)]
Tranio-as-Lucentio
Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?
Vincentio
What am I, sir? Nay, what are you, sir?
[Recognizing Tranio as another of his son’s servants, but dressed as a nobleman.]
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.
Tranio-as-Lucentio
How now, what's the matter?
Baptista
What, is the man lunatic?
Tranio-as-Lucentio
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.
Vincentio
Thy father! O villain, he is a sail-maker in Bergamo.
Baptista
You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray, what
do you think is his name?
Vincentio
His name! As if I knew not his name. I have
brought him up ever since he was three years old,
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Away, away, mad ass! His name is Lucentio and he is mine
only son, and heir to the lands of me Signor Vincentio.
Vincentio
Lucentio? O, he hath murdered his master! Lay hold
on him, I charge you in the duke's name. O, my son,
my son! Tell me, thou villain, where is my son Lucentio?
Tranio-as-Lucentio
[Enter someone with an Officer of the Law]
Carry this mad knave to the jail. Father Baptista, I charge
you see that he be forthcoming.
Vincentio
Gremio (elderly suitor)
[Thinking he recognizes the real Vincentio, but confused because Tranio (the man he believes to be Lucentio) doesn’t recognize this man as his father.]
Stay, officer. He shall not go to prison.
Baptista
Talk not, Signor Gremio. I say he shall go to prison.
Gremio
Take heed, Signor Baptista, lest you be cony-catched
in this business. I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
Merchant-as-Vincentio
Gremio
Nay, I dare not swear it.
Tranio-as-Lucentio
Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.
Gremio
Yes, I know thee to be Signor Lucentio.
Baptista
Away with the dotard! To the jail with him!
Vincentio
Thus strangers may be haled and abused. O
[Enter Lucentio, Bianca, and Lucentio’s servant Biondello.]
Biondello
[Pointing out to Lucentio the unexpected presence of his real father]
O, we are spoiled and yonder he is. Deny him,
forswear him or else we are all undone.
[Exit Biondello, Tranio, and Merchant as fast as they can]
Lucentio
[Kneeling] Pardon, sweet father.
Vincentio
Bianca
Baptista
Lucentio
Right son to the right Vincentio,
That have by marriage made thy daughter mine,
While counterfeit supposes bleared thine eye.
Gremio
Here's packing with a witness to deceive us all!
Vincentio
Where is that damned villain Tranio,
That faced and braved me in this matter so?
Baptista
Why, tell me, is not this my Cambio?
Bianca
Cambio is changed into Lucentio.
Lucentio
Love wrought these miracles. Bianca's love
Made me exchange my state with Tranio,
While he did bear my countenance in the town,
And happily I have arrived at the last,
Unto the wishèd haven of my bliss.
What Tranio did, myself enforcèd him to;
Then pardon him, sweet father, for my sake.
Vincentio
I'll slit the villain's nose that would have sent me
Baptista
[To Lucentio] But do you hear, sir, have you married
my daughter without asking my good will?
Vincentio
Fear not, Baptista, we will content you, go to.
But I will in to be revenged for this villany.
[Exit Vincentio]
Baptista
And I, to sound the depth of this knavery.
[Exit Baptista]
Lucentio
Look not pale, Bianca, thy father will not frown.
[Exit Lucentio and Bianca]
Gremio
My cake is dough, but I'll in among the rest,
Out of hope of all but my share of the feast.
[Exit Gremio]
Katherina
Husband, let's follow to see the end of this ado.
Petruchio
First kiss me, Kate, and we will.
Katherina
What, in the midst of the street?
Petruchio
What, art thou ashamed of me?
Katherina
No, sir, God forbid, but ashamed to kiss.
Petruchio
Why, then let's home again.
[To Grumio] Come, sirrah, let's away.
Katherina
Nay, I will give thee a kiss.
[They kiss]
Now pray thee, love, stay.
Petruchio
Is not this well? Come, my sweet Kate.
Better once than never, for never too late.
[Exit]
