Act 4, Scene 5

[The road from Verona to Padua. Enter Petruchio, Katherina, and Hortensio on their way to Signor Baptista’s house.]

Petruchio

Come on, i' God's name, once more toward our father's.
Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!

Katherina

The moon? The sun — it is not moonlight now.

Petruchio

I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

Katherina

I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

Petruchio

Now, by my mother's son — and that's myself —
It shall be moon, or star, or what I list,    
Or e’er I journey to your father's house.    
[To Hortensio] Go on and fetch our horses back again.    
Evermore crossed and crossed, nothing but crossed!    

Hortensio

[To Katherina] Say as he says, or we shall never go.    

Katherina

Forward, I pray, since we have come so far,
And be it moon, or sun, or what you please;
And if you please to call it a rush-candle,
Henceforth I vow it shall be so for me.

Petruchio

I say it is the moon.

Katherina

                                 I know it is the moon. 

Petruchio

Nay, then you lie. It is the blessèd sun.

Katherina

Then, God be blessed, it is the blessèd sun,
But sun it is not when you say it is not,
And the moon changes even as your mind.    
What you will have it named, even that it is,    
And so it shall be so for Katherine.

Hortensio

Petruchio, go thy ways, the field is won.    

Petruchio

Well, forward, forward! Thus the bowl should run,    
And not unluckily against the bias.
But, soft, company is coming here.    
[Enter Vincentio, Lucentio's real father.]
[To Vincentio] Good morrow, gentle mistress. Where away?    
Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me truly too,
Hast thou beheld a fresher gentlewoman?
Such war of white and red within her cheeks!    
What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty    
As those two eyes become that heavenly face?
[To Vincentio] Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.

Hortensio

[Aside] A' will make the man mad, to make a woman of him.

Katherina

Young budding virgin, fair and fresh and sweet,
Whither away , or where is thy abode?
Happy the parents of so fair a child;
Happier the man whom favorable stars    
Allot thee for his lovely bedfellow.

Petruchio

Why, how now, Kate! I hope thou art not mad.
This is a man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered;
And not a maiden as thou say'st he is.

Katherina

[To Vincentio] Pardon, old father, my mistaking eyes
That have been so bedazzled with the sun,
That everything I look on seemeth green.
Now I perceive thou art a reverend father;
Pardon, I pray thee, for my mad mistaking.

Petruchio

Do, good old grandsire, and withal make known
Which way thou travellest. If along with us,
We shall be joyful of thy company.

Vincentio

Fair sir, and you, my merry mistress,
That with your strange encounter much amazed me,    
My name is called Vincentio, my dwelling Pisa,
And bound I am to Padua, there to visit
A son of mine, which long I have not seen.

Petruchio

What is his name?

Vincentio

                                Lucentio, gentle sir.   

Petruchio

Happily we met, the happier for thy son.
And now by law, as well as reverend age,
I may entitle thee my loving father.    
The sister to my wife, this gentlewoman,
Thy son by this hath married. Wonder not,    
Nor be grieved. She is of good esteem,    
Her dowry wealthy, and of worthy birth,
Beside so qualified as may beseem    
The spouse of any noble gentleman.
Let me embrace with old Vincentio,
And wander we to see thy honest son,    
Who will, of thy arrival, be full joyous.

Vincentio

But is it true? Or is it else your pleasure,    
Like pleasant travellers, to break a jest    
Upon the company you overtake?

Hortensio

I do assure thee, father, so it is.

Petruchio

Come, go along, and see the truth hereof,    
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.    
[Exit all but Hortensio]

Hortensio

[Speaking to himself] Well, Petruchio, this has put me in heart.    
Have to my widow, and if she be froward
Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward.
[Exit]