COMEDY OF ERRORS. THIS play, of which the first edition was that of the folio 1623, is mentioned by Meres in 1598, and exhibits internal proofs of having been one of Shakspeare's earliest productions. A translation of the Menæchmi of Plautus by W. W. (i. e. according to Ward, William Warner) was published in 1595, and may have afforded the ground work of the present comedy. VOL. IV. PERSONS REPRESENTED. SOLINUS, duke of Ephesus. DROMIO of Ephesus, } BALTHAZAR, a merchant. ANGELO, a goldsmith. Twin brothers, and sons to Egeon and Emilia, but unknown to each other. Twin brothers, and attendants on the two Antipholus's. A Merchant, friend to Antipholus of Syracuse. EMILIA, wife to Ægeon, an abbess at Ephesus. LUCE, her servant. A Courtezan. Gaoler, Officers, and other Attendants. Scene, Ephesus. COMEDY OF ERRORS. * ACT I. SCENE I.-A Hall in the Duke's Palace. Enter Duke, EGEON, Gaoler, Officers, and other Egeon. PROCEED, Solinus, to procure my fall, To admit no triffick to our adverse towns: If any, born at Ephesus, be seen Come to the bay of Ephesus he dies, His goods confiscate to the duke's dispose; To quit the penalty, and to ransom him. Therefore, by the law thou art condemn'd to die. Ege. Yet this my comfort; when your words are done, My woes end likewise with the evening sun. |