Let me embrace the father of Lucentio, and then we’ll
journey on to see your son, who will rejoice at your arrival.
75
VINCENTIO
But is this true, or is it else your pleasure,
Like pleasant travelers, to break a jest
Upon the company you overtake?
VINCENTIO
Is all this true? Or is this your way of livening up your
travels—playing jokes on people you meet on the way?
HORTENSIO
I do assure thee, father, so it is.
HORTENSIO
I assure you, sir, it’s true.
PETRUCHIO
Come, go along and see the truth hereof,
For our first merriment hath made thee jealous.
PETRUCHIO
Look, come along with us and see the truth for yourself. Our
earlier joke has made you understandably suspicious.
Exeunt all but HORTENSIO
Everyone but HORTENSIO
exits.
80
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, all this is very encouraging. I’ll visit
my widow now, and if she proves difficult to manage, I’ll
know how to make myself impossible.