Pet.
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.
Vin.
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.
Knock.
Gre. They’re busy within, you were best knock louder.
Pedant looks out of the window.
Ped. What’s he that knocks as he would beat down the gate?
Vin. Is Signior Lucentio within, sir?
Ped. He’s within, sir, but not to be spoken withal.
Vin. What if a man bring him a hundred pound or two, to make merry withal?
Ped. Keep your hundred pounds to yourself, he shall need none so long as I live.
Pet. Nay, I told you your son was well belov’d 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.
Ped. Thou liest, his father is come from Padua and here looking out at the window.
Vin. Art thou his father?
Ped. Ay, sir, so his mother says, if I may believe her.
Pet. [To Vincentio.] Why, how now, gentleman? Why, this is flat knavery, to take upon you another man’s name.
Ped. Lay hands on the villain. I believe ’a means to cozen somebody in this city under my countenance.
Enter Biondello.
Bion. 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.
Vin. [Seeing Biondello.] Come hither, crack-hemp.
Bion. I hope I may choose, sir.
Vin. Come hither, you rogue. What, have you forgot me?
Bion. Forgot you? no, sir. I could not forget you, for I never saw you before in all my life.
Vin. What, you notorious villain, didst thou never see thy [master’s] father, Vincentio?
Bion. What, my old worshipful old master? Yes, marry, sir—see where he looks out of the window.
Vin. Is’t so indeed?
He beats Biondello.
Bion. Help, help, help! here’s a madman will murder me.
[Exit.]
Ped. Help, son! help, Signior Baptista!
[Exit above.]
Pet. Prithee, Kate, let’s stand aside and see the end of this controversy.
[They retire.]
Enter Pedant [below] with Servants, Baptista, Tranio [as Lucentio].
Tra. Sir, what are you that offer to beat my servant?
Vin. 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.
Tra. How now, what’s the matter?
Bap. What, is the man lunatic?
Tra. 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.
Vin. Thy father! O villain, he is a sailmaker in Bergamo.
Bap. You mistake, sir, you mistake, sir. Pray what do you think is his name?
Vin. 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.
Ped. Away, away, mad ass, his name is Lucentio, and he is mine only son, and heir to the lands of me, Signior Vincentio.
Vin. Lucentio! O, he hath murd’red 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?
Tra. Call forth an officer.
[Exit Servant, who returns with an Officer.]
Carry this mad knave to the jail. Father Baptista, I charge you see that he be forthcoming.
Vin. Carry me to the jail?
Gre. Stay, officer, he shall not go to prison.
Bap. Talk not, Signior Gremio; I say he shall go to prison.
Gre. Take heed, Signior Baptista, lest you be cony- catch’d in this business. I dare swear this is the right Vincentio.
Ped. Swear if thou dar’st.
Gre. Nay, I dare not swear it.
Tra. Then thou wert best say that I am not Lucentio.
Gre. Yes, I know thee to be Signior Lucentio.
Bap. Away with the dotard, to the jail with him!
Enter Biondello, Lucentio, and Bianca.
Vin. Thus strangers may be hal’d and abus’d. O monstrous villain!
Bion. O, we are spoil’d and—yonder he is. Deny him, forswear him, or else we are all undone.
Exeunt Biondello, Tranio, and Pedant as fast as may be.
Luc.
Pardon, sweet father.
Kneel.
Vin.
