Act 4, Scene 5

Original Text

SCENE V. A public road. Enter Petruchio, Katherina, Hortensio and Servants.

Modern English

Scene 5. A public road. Petruchio, Katherina, Hortensio, and Servants enter.

Original Text

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

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. Come on, for God's sake — onward to her father's house. Lord above, how bright and beautiful the moon shines tonight!

Original Text

KATHERINA. The moon! The sun; it is not moonlight now.

Modern English

KATHERINA. The moon? That's the sun. It isn't moonlight now.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. I say it is the moon that shines so bright.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. I say it is the moon shining so brightly.

Original Text

KATHERINA. I know it is the sun that shines so bright.

Modern English

KATHERINA. I know it is the sun shining so brightly.

Original Text

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!

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. I swear on my own life — and that's my own word against no one else's — It will be the moon, or a star, or whatever I choose to call it, Before I take another step toward your father's house. Turn the horses around and go back. Crossed at every turn — nothing but contradiction, always!

Original Text

HORTENSIO. Say as he says, or we shall never go.

Modern English

HORTENSIO. Just agree with him, or we'll never get there.

Original Text

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

Modern English

KATHERINA. Let's move on, I beg you — we've come so far already. Call it the moon, the sun, or whatever you like. Call it a rush-light candle if that pleases you — From this point on, I vow, that is what it will be for me.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. I say it is the moon.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. I say it is the moon.

Original Text

KATHERINA. I know it is the moon.

Modern English

KATHERINA. I know it is the moon.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. Nay, then you lie; it is the blessed sun.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. No — then you're lying. It is the blessed sun.

Original Text

KATHERINA. 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 nam'd, even that it is, And so it shall be so for Katherine.

Modern English

KATHERINA. Then, God be praised, it is the blessed sun. But it is not the sun when you say it is not, And the moon shifts as readily as your mind does. Whatever you want to call it, that is what it is — And so it shall be, for Katherine.

Original Text

HORTENSIO. Petruchio, go thy ways; the field is won.

Modern English

HORTENSIO. Petruchio, go your way — the battle is won.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. Well, forward, forward! thus the bowl should run, And not unluckily against the bias. But, soft! Company is coming here. Enter Vincentio, in a travelling dress. [_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.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. Good — forward, forward! That's how the game should go, Running with the curve, not against it. But wait — someone is coming. Vincentio enters, dressed for travel. [_To Vincentio._] Good day to you, gentle lady — where are you headed? Tell me, sweet Kate — and tell me honestly — Have you ever seen a fresher, lovelier young woman? Look at the color in those cheeks — red and white at war! What stars in all of heaven shine with the beauty That shines from those two eyes in that lovely face? Fair maiden, good day to you once more. Come, Kate — embrace her, she deserves it for her beauty.

Original Text

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

Modern English

HORTENSIO. He'll drive the poor man out of his mind, turning him into a woman.

Original Text

KATHERINA. 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 bedfellow.

Modern English

KATHERINA. Young budding virgin, fresh and fair and sweet — Where are you bound, and where do you call home? How lucky are the parents of such a beautiful child, And luckier still the man the favorable stars Have chosen to be your husband and bedfellow.

Original Text

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 sayst he is.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. Now, now, Kate — I hope you haven't lost your mind. This is a man — old, wrinkled, worn, and withered — Not a girl, whatever you say he is.

Original Text

KATHERINA. 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.

Modern English

KATHERINA. Forgive me, good father, for my mistaken eyes. I have been so dazzled by the sun That everything I look at seems fresh and new. Now I see plainly that you are a worthy elder gentleman. Pardon me, I beg you, for my absurd mistake.

Original Text

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

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. Please do, good old grandsire — and while you're at it, tell us Which way you're traveling. If it's alongside us, We'd be glad of your company.

Original Text

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

Modern English

VINCENTIO. Good sir, and you, my merry lady — You've given me quite a bewildering greeting. My name is Vincentio; I live in Pisa. I'm on my way to Padua, to visit A son I haven't seen in a long time.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. What is his name? VINCENTIO. Lucentio, gentle sir.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. What is his name? VINCENTIO. Lucentio, good sir.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. Happily 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 not griev'd: she is of good esteem, Her dowry 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.

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. A lucky meeting — and luckier still for your son. By family ties, as well as respect for your years, I can now call you my father too. My wife's sister — this very gentlewoman — Has married your son. Don't be alarmed, And don't be troubled either. She comes from a good family, Her dowry is generous, her birth honorable, And her qualities are exactly what you'd want In a wife for any gentleman of standing. Let me embrace you, old Vincentio — And let's go together to find your fine son, Who will be overjoyed to see you.

Original Text

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

Modern English

VINCENTIO. Is this actually true? Or is it your pleasure, Like cheerful travelers passing the time on the road, To have a little fun at the expense of a stranger?

Original Text

HORTENSIO. I do assure thee, father, so it is.

Modern English

HORTENSIO. I assure you, father — every word of it is true.

Original Text

PETRUCHIO. Come, go along, and see the truth hereof; For our first merriment hath made thee jealous. [_Exeunt all but Hortensio._]

Modern English

PETRUCHIO. Come, come along with us, and see for yourself. Our little joke earlier has made you suspicious. [_All exit except Hortensio._]

Original Text

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._]

Modern English

HORTENSIO. Well, Petruchio — you've put some fight back in me. On to my widow! And if she turns out to be difficult, Then you've taught Hortensio how to handle that too. [_Exit._]

The Taming of the Shrew

Act 4, Scene 5

Act 4, Scene 5