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Baptista, Lines 38-77
Performance Videos
Act 4,
Scene 4
Lines 38-77

Baptista performs lines 38-47 of Act 4, Scene 4 of myShakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. 

myShakespeare | Taming of the Shrew 4.4 Performance: Baptista, Lines 38-47

Baptista

Sir, pardon me in what I have to say,
Your plainness and your shortness please me well.    
Right true it is, your son Lucentio here
Doth love my daughter and she loveth him,
Or both dissemble deeply their affections;    
And therefore if you say no more than this,
That like a father you will deal with him
And pass my daughter a sufficient dower,    
The match is made and all is done,
Your son shall have my daughter with consent.

Tranio-as-Lucentio

I thank you, sir. Where then do you know best
We be affied and such assurance ta'en    
As shall with either part's agreement stand?    

Baptista

Not in my house, Lucentio, for you know
Pitchers have ears, and I have many servants.
Besides, old Gremio is hearkening still,    
And happily we might be interrupted.    

Tranio-as-Lucentio

Then at my lodging an it like you.    
There doth my father lie, and there, this night,    
We'll pass the business privately and well.    
Send for your daughter by your servant here;
My boy shall fetch the scrivener presently.    
The worst is this, that at so slender warning,    
You are like to have a thin and slender pittance.    

Baptista

It likes me well.     
[To Lucentio-as-Cambio] Cambio, hie you home,    
And bid Bianca make her ready straight;    
And, if you will, tell what hath happened:
Lucentio's father is arrived in Padua,
And how she's like to be Lucentio's wife.    

Lucentio-as-Cambio

I pray the gods she may with all my heart!

Tranio-as-Lucentio

[To Biondello] Dally not with the gods, but get thee gone.    
[As Lucentio’s leaving, Tranio discreetly signals him to return after Baptista departs.]
Signor Baptista, shall I lead the way?
Welcome. One mess is like to be your cheer;
Come, sir, we will better it in Pisa.    

Baptista

I follow you.
[Exit all except Biondello. As soon as Baptista and Tranio are out of sight, Lucentio returns. Although he and his servant Biodello can speak freely with no one else around, Biondello continues to refer to his fellow servant Tranio who’s been impersonating Lucentio as “my master.”]

Biondello

Cambio!

Lucentio

What say’st thou, Biondello?

Biondello

You saw my master wink and laugh upon you?    

Lucentio

Biondello, what of that?

Biondello

Faith, nothing, but he's left me here behind to