Ant. E. Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a One, whose hard heart is button'd up with steel; And told thee to what purpose and what end. Dro. S. You sent me, sir, for a rope's end as A back-friend, a shoulder-clapper, one that coun soon: You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark. Ant. E. I will debate this matter at more leisure, [Exeunt Mer. Ang. Off. and Ant. E. Luciana. Adr. Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so? Might'st thou perceive austerely in his eye Look'd he or red, or pale; or sad, or merrily? Luc. First, he denied you had in him no right. Luc. Then swore he, that he was a stranger here. Adr. And true he swore, though yet forsworn he were. And what said he? Luc. Then pleaded I for you. Luc. With words, that in an honest suit might move. First he did praise my beauty; then, my speech. Luc. Who would be jealous then of such a one? Adr. Ah! but I think him better than I say, curse. Enter Dromio of Syracuse. termands The passages of alleys, creeks, and narrow lands; A hound that runs counter, and yet draws dry-foot well; One that, before the judgment, carries poor souls to hell. Adr. Why, man, what is the matter? Dro. S. I do not know the matter: he is 'rested 'on the case. Adr. What, is he arrested? tell me, at whose suit. well; But he's in a suit of buff, which 'rested him, that can I tell : Will you send him, mistress, redemption, the mo- Adr. Go fetch it, sister.-This I wonder at Dro. S. No, no, the bell: 'tis time, that I were Adr. The hours come back! that did I never hear. Dro. S. O yes, if any hour meet a sergeant, a'turns back for very fear. Adr. As if time were in debt! how fondly dost thou reason! Dr. S. Time is a very bankrupt, and owes more Nay, he's a thief too: Have you not heard men say, Adr. Go, Dromio; there's the money, bear it And bring thy master home immediately.Come, sister; I am press'd down with conceit ;• Conceit, my comfort, and my injury. [Exeunt. SCENE III.-The same. Enter Antipholus of Syracuse. Ant. S. There's not a man I meet, but doth As if I were their well-acquainted friend; Dro. S. Here, go; the desk, the purse; sweet And, therewithal, took measure of my body. Luc. How hast thou lost thy breath? (1) An allusion to the redness of the northern (3) Marked by nature with deformity. Sure, these are but imaginary wiles, Enter Dromio of Syracuse. Dro. S. Master, here's the gold you sent me for: What, have you got the picture of old Adam new apparell'd? (5) The officers in those days were clad in buff, which is also a cant expression for a man's skin. (6) Hell was the cant term for prison. (7) i. e. Bond. (8) Fanciful conception. Ant. S. What gold is this? what Adam dost Dro. S. Fly pride, says the peacock: Mistress, 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 answer it, that breaks his band: one that thinks a man always going to bed, and says, God give you good rest. that you know. [Exeunt Ant. and Dr. Cour. Now, out of doubt, Antipholus is mad, Else would he never so demean himself: A ring he hath of mine, worth forty ducats, And for the same he promis'd me a chain! Both one, and other, he denies me now. The reason that I gather he is mad, (Besides this present instance of his rage,) Is a mad tale, he told to-day at dinner, of his own doors being shut against his entrance. Belike, his wife, acquainted with his fits, On purpose shut the doors against his way. My way is now, to hie home to his house, And tell his wife, that, being lunatic, He rush'd into my house, and took perforce My ring away: This course I fittest choose; For forty ducats is too much to lose. SCENE IV.-The same. Enter Antipholus Ephesus, and an Officer. Ert Ant. S. Well, sir, there rest in your foolery. Is there any ship puts forth to-night? may we be gone? Ant. E. Fear me not, man, I will not break away; Dro. S. Why, sir, I brought you word an hour I'll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money since, that the bark Expedition put forth to-night; To warrant thee, as I am 'rested for. 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 ; And here we wander in illusions; Some blessed power deliver us from hence! 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. Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me not! 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 of supping? Thou art, as you are all, a sorceress : Cour. Give me the ring of mine you had My wife is in a wayward mood to-day; I tell you, 'twill sound harshly in her ears.- 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. Ant. E. Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope? Dro. E. I'll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate. Ant. E. To what end did I bid thee hie thee home? 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 1 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, at 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. Or, for my diamond, the chain you promis'd; A rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, A nut, a cherry-stone: but she, more covetous, Master, be wise; and if you give it her, The devil will shake her chain, and fright us with it. Cour. I pray you, sir, my ring, or else the chain;] I hope, you do not mean to cheat me so. Ant. S. Avaunt, thou witch! Come, Dromio, let us go. Enter Adriana, Luciana, and the Courtezan, with Pinch, and others. Ant. E. Come, go along; my wife is coming yonder. (1) Correct them all. 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. to-day, And why dost thou deny the bag of gold? Adr. I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth. Ant. E. Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all; 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. shut out? Dro. E. Perdy, your doors were lock'd, and Ant. E. And did not she herself revile me there? Dro. E. Certes, she did; the kitchen-vestal 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. Alr. Is't good to sooth him in these contraries? Pinch. It is no shame; the fellow finds his vein, And, yielding to him, humours well his frenzy. Ant. E. Thou hast suborn'd the goldsmith to arrest me. Alr. Alas, I sent you money to redeem you, By Dromio here, who came in haste for it. Dro. E. Money by me? heart and good-will you might, But, surely, master, not a rag of money. [Pinch and his assistants bind Ant. and Dro. Adr. O, bind him, bind him, let him not come near me. Pinch. More company;-the fiend is strong within him. 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; it. Off. He is my prisoner; if I let him go, you. Ant. E. Out on thee, villain! wherefore dost thou mad mc? Dro. E. Will you be bound for nothing? be mad, Luc. God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk. me. [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? not. Cour. When as your husband, all in rage, to-day Came to my house, and took away my ring, (The ring I 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. 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? Dro. S. Faith, stay here this night, they will surely do us no harm; you saw, they speak us fair, Adr. This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad, give us gold methinks, they are such a gentle And much, much different from the man he was; nation, that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that But, till this afternoon, his passion claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to Ne'er brake into extremity of rage. 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. ACT V. SCENE I.-The same. [Exe. 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: Angelo. 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 put me to this shame and trouble; hear thee: Fie on thee, wretch! 'tis pity, that thou liv'st To walk where any honest men resort. Ant. S. Thou art a villain, to impeach me thus: I'll prove mine honour, and mine honesty, Against thee presently, if thou dar'st stand. Mer. I dare, and do defy thee for a villain. [They draw. Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtezan, and others. Adr. Hold, hurt him not, for God's sake; he is mad: And in assemblies too. Abb. Ay, but not enough. Abb. And thereof came it, that the man was mad: Unquiet meals make ill digestions, Luc. She never reprehended him but mildly, When he demeaned 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, Adr. I will attend my husband, be his nurse, (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. And ill doth it beseem your holiness, Mer. To see a reverend Syracusan merchant, 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, Duke. She is a virtuous and a reverend lady; Whom I made lord of me and all I had, Duke. Long since, thy husband serv'd me in my wars; And I to thee engag'd a prince's word, Enter a Servant. 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; By rushing in their houses, bearing thence (1) i. e. To bring him back to his senses. And ever as it blazed, they threw on him Adr. Peace, fool, thy master and his man are 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. That he is borne about invisible: Even now we hous'd him in the abbey here; Ant. E. Justice, most gracious duke, oh, grant me justice! Even for the service that long since I did thee, Ant. E. Justice, sweet prince, against that She whom thou gav'st to me to be my wife; That she this day hath shameless thrown on me. Adr. No, my good lord ;-myself, hé, and my To-day did dine together: So befall my soul, Luc. Ne'er may I look on day, nor sleep on night, In this the madman justly chargeth them. (8) i. e. Cuts his hair close. (9) Harlot was a term of reproach applied to cheats among men as well as to wantons among women. |