Taming of the Shrew

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


Say as he says, or we shall never go.

 

[Guru]

KATHARINA


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

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


I say it is the moon.

 

[Guru]

KATHARINA


I know it is the moon.

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


Nay, then you lie: it is the blessed sun.

 

[Guru]

KATHARINA


Then, God be bless'd, it is the blessed 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 Katharina.

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won.

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run,
And not unluckily against the bias.
But, soft! company is coming here.

Enter VINCENTIO


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?
Fair lovely maid, once more good day to thee.
Sweet Kate, embrace her for her beauty's sake.

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


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

 

[Guru]

KATHARINA


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 favourable stars
Allot thee for his lovely bed-fellow!

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


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

 

[Guru]

KATHARINA


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.

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


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

 

[Guru]

VINCENTIO


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

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


What is his name?

 

[Guru]

VINCENTIO


Lucentio, gentle sir.

 

[Guru]

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 dowery 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.

 

[Guru]

VINCENTIO


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

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


I do assure thee, father, so it is.

 

[Guru]

PETRUCHIO


Come, go along, and see the truth hereof;
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.

Exeunt all but HORTENSIO

 

[Guru]

HORTENSIO


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

 

[Guru]

ACT V
SCENE I. Padua. Before LUCENTIO'S house.



GREMIO discovered. Enter behind BIONDELLO, LUCENTIO, and BIANCA

 

[Guru]

BIONDELLO


Softly and swiftly, sir; for the priest is ready.

 

[Guru]

LUCENTIO


I fly, Biondello: but they may chance to need thee
at home; therefore leave us.

 

[Guru]

BIONDELLO


Nay, faith, I'll see the church o' your back; and
then come back to my master's as soon as I can.

Exeunt LUCENTIO, BIANCA, and BIONDELLO