Scene IV. COMEDY OF ERRORS. Ant. S. What gold is this? what Adam dost thou mean? Dro. S. Not that Adam, that kept the paradise, but that Adam, that keeps the prison: he that goes in the calf's-skin that was kill'd for the prodigal; he that came behind you, sir, like an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty. Ant. S. I understand thee not. Dro. S. No? why, 'tis a plain case: he that went like a base-viol, in a case of leather; the man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives them a fob, and 'rests them: he, sir, that takes pity on decayed men, and gives them suits of durance; he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his mace, than a morris-pike. Ant. S What! thou mean'st an officer? Dro. S. Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band; he, that brings any man to auswer it, that breaks band: one that thinks a man always going to bed, and says, God give you good rest. Ant. S. Well, sir, there rest in your foolery. Is there any ship puts forth to-night? may we be gone? Dro. S. Why, sir, I brought you word an hour since, that the bark Expedition put forth to-night; and then were you hindered by the sergeant, to tarry for the hoy, Delay: Here are the angels that you sent for, to deliver you. Ant. S. The fellow is distract, and so am I; Enter a Courtezan. Cour. Well met, well met, master Antipholus. I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now; Is that the chain, you promis'd me to-day? Ant. S. Avaunt, thou witch! Come, Dromio, Dro. S. Fly pride, says the peacock: Mistress, Ant. S. Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me Dro. S. Master, is this mistress Satan? Dro. S. Nay, she is worse, she is the devil's dam; and here she comes in the habit of a light wench;| and thereof comes, that the wenches say, God damn me, that's as much as to say, God make me a light wench. It is written, they appear to men like angels of light: light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn; ergo, light wenches will burn; Come not near her. Cour. Your man and you are marvellous merry, sir. Will you go with me? We'll mend our dinner here. Dro S. Master, if you do expect spoon-meat, bespeak a long spoon. Ant. S. Why, Dromio? Dro. S. Marry, he must have a long spoon, that must eat with the devil. Ant. S. Avoid then, fiend! what tell'st thou me Thou art, as you are all, a sorceress : Or, for my diamond, the chain you promis'd; A rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, Master, be wise; and if you give it her, (1) Correct them all. [Exit. SCENE IV—The same. Enter Antipholus of Ephesus, and an Office.. Ant. E. Fear me not, man, I will not break away; I'll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money To warrant thee, as I am 'rested for. My wife is in a wayward mood to-day; And will not lightly trust the messenger, That I should be attach'd in Ephesus: I tell you, 'twill sound harshly in her ears.— Enter Dromio of Ephesus, with a rope's end. Here comes my man; I think, he brings the money. How now, sir? have you that I sent you for? Dro. E. Here's that, I warrant you, will pay them all.1 Ant. E. But where's the money? Dro. E. Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope. Dro. E. To a rope's end, sir; and to that end am I return'd. Ant. E. And to that end, sir, I will welcome [Beating him. you. Off. Good sir, be patient. Dro. E. Nay, 'tis for me to be patient; I am in adversity. Off. Good now, hold thy tongue. Dro. E. Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands. Ant. E. Thou whoreson, senseless villain! Dro. E. I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows. Ant. E. Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass. Dro. E. I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears. I have serv'd him from the hour of nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service, but blows: when I am cold, he heats me with beating: when I am warm, he cools me with beating: I am waked with it, when I sleep; raised with it, when I sit; driven out of doors with it, when I go from home: welcomed home with it, when I return nay, I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat: and, I think, when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with it from door to door. Enter Adriana, Luciana, and the Courtezan, with Pinch, and others. Ant. E. Come, go along; my wife is coming yonder. Dro. E. Mistress, respice finem, respect your|| I know it by their pale and deadly looks: end; or rather the prophecy, like the parrot, Be- They must be bound, and laid in some dark room. ware the rope's end. Ant. E. Say, wherefore didst thou lock me forth Ant. E. Wilt thou still talk? [Beats him. Cour. How say you now? is not your husband Adr. His incivility confirms no less.— Ant. E. There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. Pinch. I charge thee, Satan, hous'd within this To yield possession to my holy prayers, Ant. E. Peace, doting wizard, peace; I am not Adr. O, that thou wert not, poor distressed soul! Did this companion! with a saffron face Adr. O, husband, God doth know, you din'd at Where 'would you had remain'd until this time, Dro. E. Sir, sooth to say, you did not dine at home. Dro. E. Perdy,2 your doors were lock'd, and you shut out. Ant. E. And did not she herself revile me there? Dro. E. Certes, she did; the kitchen-vestal scorn'd you. Ant. E. And did not I in rage depart from thence? Dro. E. In verity you did;-my bones bear witness, That since have felt the vigour of his rage. Adr. Is't good to sooth him in these contraries? Adr. Alas, I sent you money to redeem you, Dro. E. Money by me? heart and good-will you might, But, surely, master, not a rag of money. to-day, And why dost thou deny the bag of gold? Adr. I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth. both. Ant. E. Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all; [Pinch and his assistants bind Ant. and Dro. Adr. O, bind him, bind him, let him not come near me. Luc. Ah me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks! Ant. E. What, will you murder me? Thou gaoler, thou, am thy prisoner; wilt thou suffer them To make a rescue? Off Masters, let him go; Off. He is my prisoner; if I let him go, you. [Exe. Pinch and assistants, with Ant. and Dro. Say now, whose suit is he arrested at? Off One Angelo, a goldsmith; Do you know him? Adr. not. Cour. When as your husband, all in rage, to-day Came to my house, and took away my ring (The ring saw upon his finger now,) Ant. E. Went'st not thou to her for a purse of Straight after, did I meet him with a chain. To have them bound again. Off Away, they'll kill us. [Exeunt Off. Adr. and Luc. Ant. S. I see, these witches are afraid of swords. Dro. S. She, that would be your wife, now ran from you. Ant. S. Come to the Centaur; fetch our stuff from thence: I long, that we were safe and sound aboard. Dro. S. Faith, stay here this night, they will surely do us no harm; you saw, they speak us fair, give us gold: methinks, they are such a gentle nation, that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to stay here still, and turn witch. Ant. S. I will not stay to-night for all the town: Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard. [Exe. Ang. I am sorry, sir, that I have hinder'd you ;| But, I protest, he had the chain of me, Though most dishonestly he doth deny it. Mer. How is the man esteem'd here in the city? Ang. Of very reverend reputation, sir, Of credit infinite, highly belov'd, Second to none that lives here in the city; His word might bear my wealth at any time. Mer. Speak softly: yonder, as I think, he walks. Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse. Ang 'Tis so; and that self chain about his neck, Which he forswore, most monstrously, to have. Good sir, draw near to me, I'll speak to him. Signior Antipholus, I wonder much That you would I put me to this shame and trouble; And not without some scandal to yourself, With circumstance, and oaths, so to deny This chain, which now you wear so openly: Besides the charge, the shame, imprisonment, You have done wrong to this my honest friend; Who, but for staying on our controversy, Had hoisted sail, and put to sea to-day: This chain you had of me, can you deny it? Ant. S. I think, I had: I never did deny it. Mer. Yes, that you did, sir; and forswore it too. Ant. S Who heard me to deny it, or forswear it? Mer. These ears of mine, thou knowest, did bear thee: Enter the Abbess. Abb. Be quiet, people; Wherefore throng you hither? Adr. To fetch my poor distracted husband hence; Let us come in, that we may bind him fast, And bear him home for his recovery. Ang I knew, he was not in his perfect wits. Mer. I am sorry now, that I did draw on him. Abb. How long hath this possession held the man? Adr. This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad, And much, much different from the man he was; But, till this afternoon, his passion Ne'er brake into extremity of rage. Abb. Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck at sea? Bury'd some dear friend? Hath not else his eye Adr. To none of these, except it be the last : Namely, some love, that drew him oft from home. Abb. You should for that have reprehended him. Adr. Why, so I did. Abb. And in assemblies too. Abb. Ay, but not enough. Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.. Abb. And thereof came it, that the man was mad: The venom clamours of a jealous woman Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth. It seems his sleeps were hindered by thy railing: And thereof comes it that his head is light. Thou say'st his meat was sauc'd with thy upbraid ings: Unquiet meals make ill digestions, Luc. She never reprehended him but mildly, When he demean'd himself rough, rude, and wildly. Why bear you these rebukes, and answer not? Adr. She did betray me to my own reproof.Good people, enter, and lay hold on him. Abb No, not a creature enters in my house. Adr. Then, let your servants bring my husband forth. Abb. Neither; he took this place for sanctuary, And it shall privilege him from your hands, Till I have brought him to his wits again, Or lose my labour in assaying it. Adr. I will attend my husband, be his nurse, Diet his sickness, for it is my office, And will have no attorney but myself; (3) i. e. Go into a house. (4) Theme. And therefore let me have him home with me. Therefore depart, and leave him here with me. Adr. I will not hence and leave my husband here; And ill it doth beseem your holiness, Abb. Be quiet and depart, thou shalt not have 3 Mer. To see a reverend Syracusan merchant, Who put unluckily into this bay Against the laws and statutes of this town, Ang. See, where they come; we will behold his Luc. Kneel to the duke, before he pass the abbey. Enter Duke attended; Egeon bare-headed; with the Headsman and other officers. Duke. Yet once again proclaim it publicly, Adr. Justice, most sacred duke, against the abbess! Duke. She is a virtuous and a reverend lady; Whom I made lord of me and all I had, By rushing in their houses, bearing thence (1) i. e. To bring him back to his senses. (2) Part. (3) Sad. (4) Importunate. (5) i. e. To take measures. (6) Know. (7) ie Successively, one after another. Serv. O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself! My master and his man are both broken loose, Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor, Whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire; And ever as it blazed, they threw on him And that is false thou dost report to us. Serv. Mistress, upon my life, I tell you true; I have not breath'd almost, since I did see it. He cries for you, and vows, if he can take you, To scorch your face, and to disfigure you: . (Cry within. Hark, hark, I hear him, mistress; fly, be gone. Duke. Come, stand by me, fear nothing: Guard with halberds. Adr. Ah me, it is my husband! Witness you, That he is borne about invisible: Even now we hous'd him in the abbey here; Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus. me justice! Even for the service that long since I did thee, Ant. E. Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there. She whom thou gav'st to me to be my wife; That she this day hath shameless thrown on me. Neither disturb'd with the effect of wine, Duke. Why, this is strange :-Go call the abbess hither; I think you are all inated, or stark mad. [Exit an attendant. Ege. Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word; Haply I see a friend will save my life, Duke. Speak freely, Syracusan, what thou wilt. Dro. E. Within this hour I was his bondman, sir, There did this perjur'd goldsmith swear me But he, I thank him, gnaw'd in two my cords; down, That I this day of him receiv'd the chain, Which, God he knows, I saw not: for the which, He did arrest me with an officer. I did obey; and sent my peasant home For certain ducats: he with none return'd. To go in person with me to my house. By the way we met My wife, her sister, and a rabble more Of vile confederates; along with them Now am I Dromio, and his man, unbound. Æge. I am sure, you both of you remember me. Ege. Why look you strange on me? you know Ant. E. I never saw you in my life, till now. Ege. Oh! grief hath chang'd me, since you saw me last; And careful hours, with Time's deformed hand, They brought one Pinch; a hungry lean-fac'd vil- Have written strange defeatures2 in my lain, A mere anatomy, a mountebank, A thread-bare juggler, and a fortune-teller; For these deep shames and great indignities. him; That he dined not at home, but was lock'd out. Duke. But had he such a chain of thee, or no? Ang. He had, my lord; and when he ran in here, These people saw the chain about his neck. Mer. Besides, I will be sworn, these ears of Heard you confess you had the chain of him, Duke. Why, what an intricate impeach is this! Cour. He did; and from my finger snatch'd that ring. face: But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice? Æge. Dromio, nor thou? Dro. E. No, trust me, sir, nor I. I am sure, thou dost. Dro. E. Ay, sir? but I am sure, I do not; and whatsoever a man denies, you are now bound to believe him. Ege. Not know my voice! O, time's extremity! Ant. E. I never saw my father in my life. ge. But seven years since, in Syracusa, boy, Thou know'st, we parted: but, perhaps, my son, Thou sham'st to acknowledge me in misery. Ant. E. The duke, and all that know me in the city, Can witness with me that it is not so; Duke. I tell thee, Syracusan, twenty years Abb. Most mighty duke, behold a man much Dro. S. I, sir, am Dromio; command him away. Abb. Whoever bound him, I will loose his bonds, (3) Furrowed, lined. |