The Taming of the Shrew · Act 4, Scene 5

Listen in app

Original

Modern English

Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, HORTENSIO, and Servants
Enter PETRUCHIO, KATHARINA, HORTENSIO, and Servants
Petruchio

Come on, i’ God’s name; once more toward our father’s. Good Lord, how bright and goodly shines the moon!

Petruchio

Let’s go, in God’s name; once more toward our father’s. Good Lord, how bright and beautiful the moon looks!

Katharina

The moon! the sun: it is not moonlight now.

Katharina

The moon! The sun: it’s not even moonlight right now.

Petruchio

I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

Petruchio

I say it’s the moon that’s shining so brightly.

Katharina

I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

Katharina

I know it’s the sun that’s shining so brightly.

Petruchio

Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s myself, It shall be moon, or star, or what I list, Or ere I journey to your father’s house. Go on, and fetch our horses back again. Evermore cross’d and cross’d; nothing but cross’d!

Petruchio

Now, by my mother’s son, and that’s me, It will be the moon, or a star, or whatever I want, Or before I go to your father’s house. Go ahead and bring our horses back. Always arguing and arguing; nothing but arguing!

Hortensio

Say as he says, or we shall never go.

Hortensio

Just say what he says, or we won’t leave.

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.

Katharina

Alright, I’ll do as you say, since we’ve come this far, And whether it’s the moon, or the sun, or whatever you like: If you want to call it a rush-candle, From now on I’ll agree, it shall be that for me.

Petruchio

I say it is the moon.

Petruchio

I say it’s the moon.

Katharina

I know it is the moon.

Katharina

I know it’s the moon.

Petruchio

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

Petruchio

No, you’re wrong: it’s the blessed sun.

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.

Katharina

Then, God bless, it’s the blessed sun: But it’s not the sun if you say it’s not; And the moon changes just like your mind. Whatever you want to call it, that’s what it is; And so it will be for Katharina.

Hortensio

Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won.

Hortensio

Petruchio, go ahead; the battle is won.

Petruchio

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

Petruchio

Well, let’s go, let’s go! This is how the game should be played, And not badly, like it’s going the wrong way. But wait! Someone is coming here.

Enter VINCENTIO
Enter VINCENTIO
To VINCENTIO
To VINCENTIO
Petruchio

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.

Petruchio

Good morning, kind lady: where are you off to? Tell me, sweet Kate, and tell me honestly, Have you ever seen a more beautiful lady? Such a mix of white and red in her cheeks! What stars light up the sky with such beauty, As those two eyes in that heavenly face? Fair and lovely maid, once again, good day to you. Sweet Kate, give her a hug for her beauty’s sake.

Hortensio

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

Hortensio

He’ll drive the man crazy, trying to make a woman out of him.

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!

Katharina

Young, blooming virgin, fair and fresh and sweet, Where are you going, or where do you live? Lucky are the parents of such a beautiful child; Even luckier the man, whom the stars favor And give you as his beautiful wife!

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.

Petruchio

What’s this, Kate? I hope you’re not going crazy: This is an old man, wrinkled, faded, and withered, Not a young woman, as you said he was.

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.

Katharina

Sorry, old man, my eyes were mistaken, I’ve been dazzled by the sun, So everything I look at seems green: Now I see you’re a respected father; Sorry, I beg you, for my crazy mistake.

Petruchio

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

Petruchio

Go ahead, good old man; and tell us, Which way are you heading? If you’re going the same way as us, We’ll be happy to have your company.

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.

Vincentio

Good sir, and you, my cheerful lady, Who surprised me with your strange behavior, My name is Vincentio; I live in Pisa; I’m headed to Padua, to visit A son of mine whom I haven’t seen in a long time.

Petruchio

What is his name?

Petruchio

What’s his name?

Vincentio

Lucentio, gentle sir.

Vincentio

Lucentio, kind sir.

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.

Petruchio

What a lucky coincidence! It’s even luckier for your son. And now, by law, as well as your respected age, I can call you my dear father: My wife’s sister, this lady, Has married your son. Don’t be surprised, Or upset: she’s highly regarded, Her dowry is large, and her family is respectable; Also, she’s well-suited to be the wife Of any noble gentleman. Let me hug you, old Vincentio, And let’s go see your honest son, Who will be so happy to see you.

Vincentio

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

Vincentio

But is it true? Or are you just joking, Like travelers who like to play pranks On the people they meet?

Hortensio

I do assure thee, father, so it is.

Hortensio

I assure you, father, it’s true.

Petruchio

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

Petruchio

Come, let’s go, and we’ll prove it’s true; Our first joke has made you suspicious.

Exeunt all but HORTENSIO
Exeunt all but HORTENSIO
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.

Hortensio

Well, Petruchio, this has cheered me up. Off to my widow! And if she’s stubborn, Then you’ve taught Hortensio to be difficult.

Exit
Exit

End of Act 4, Scene 5

That's the end of this scene. Want to keep going? Pick up the next one below — or hear it narrated in the app.

Get the iOS app Get the Android app

Read the summary & analysis →

♪ Listen with the app Get it free →