Act 5, Scene 1

[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
with him.

Merchant-as-Vincentio

Thou liest. His father is come from Padua and here
looking out at the window.

Vincentio

Art thou his father?

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     
man's name.

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

[Aside] I have seen them
in the church together;     
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

Is't so, indeed?
[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
this controversy.
[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,
and his name is Tranio.

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

Call forth an officer.
[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

Carry me to the jail?

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

Swear, if thou dar’st.

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    
monstrous villain!
[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

                                                      Lives my sweet son!   

Bianca

Pardon, dear father.

Baptista

                                How hast thou offended? 
Where is Lucentio?

Lucentio

                                Here's 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     
to the jail.

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]