Comedy plays; Man-woman relationships -- Drama; Married people -- Drama; Padua (Italy) -- Drama; Sex role -- Drama
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.
[_Knocks._]
GREMIO.
They’re busy within; you were best knock louder.
Enter Pedant above, at a window.
PEDANT.
What’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?
VINCENTIO.
Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
PEDANT.
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?
PEDANT.
Keep your hundred pounds to yourself: he shall need none so long as I
live.
PETRUCHIO.
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.
PEDANT.
Thou liest: his father is come from Padua, and here looking out at the
window.
VINCENTIO.
Art thou his father?
PEDANT.
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.
PEDANT.
Lay hands on the villain: I believe a means to cozen somebody in this
city under my countenance.
Re-enter Biondello.
BIONDELLO.
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.
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._]
PEDANT.
Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!
[_Exit from the window._]
PETRUCHIO.
Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy.
[_They retire._]
Re-enter Pedant, below; Baptista, Tranio and Servants.
TRANIO.
Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?
VINCENTIO.
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.
TRANIO.
How now! what’s the matter?
BAPTISTA.
What, is the man lunatic?
TRANIO.
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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