Till I have us'd the approved means I have, With wholesome syrups, drugs, and holy prayers, It is a branch and parcels of mine oath, Therefore depart, and leave him here with me. To separate the husband and the wife. Abb. Be quiet, and depart, thou shalt not have him. [Exit Abbess. Luc. Complain unto the duke of this indignity. Adr. Come, go; I will fall prostrate at his feet, And never rise until my tears and prayers Have won his grace to come in person hither, And take perforce my husband from the abbess, Mer. By this, I think, the dial points at five : Anon, I am sure, the duke himself in person Comes this way to the melancholy vale; 6 The place of death and sorry execution, Behind the ditches of the abbey here. Ang. Upon what cause? Mer. To see a reverend Syracusan merchant, Who put unluckily into this bay Against the laws and statutes of this town, Beheaded publickly for his offence. Ang. See, where they come; we will behold his death. Luc. Kneel to the duke, before he pass the abbey. i. e. To bring him back to his senses. 5 Part. 6 Sad. Enter Duke attended; ÆGEON bare-headed; with the Headsman and other Officers. If Duke. Yet once again proclaim it publickly, any friend will pay the sum for him, He shall not die, so much we tender him. 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 8 That here and there his fury had committed. He broke from those that had the guard of him; Each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords, Chas'd us away; till raising of more aid, 7 Importunate. 8 i. e. To take measures. 9 Know. Into this abbey, whither we pursued them; Nor send him forth, that we may bear him hence. Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy command, Let him be brought forth, and borne hence for help. Duke. Long since, thy husband serv'd me in my wars; And I to thee engag'd a prince's word, When thou didst make him master of thy bed, Enter a Servant. Serv. O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself! My master and his man are both broke 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 Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair: My master preaches patience to him, while His man with scissars nicks him2 like a fool: And, sure, unless you send some present help, Between them they will kill the conjurer. Adr. Peace, fool, thy master and his man are here; And that is false thou dost report to us. Serv. Mistress, upon my life, I tell you true; 1i. e. Successively, one after another, 2 i, e. Cuts his hair close. I have not breath'd almost, since I did sée it. [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, Even now we hous'd him in the abbey here; Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Ephesus. Ant. E. Justice, most gracious duke, oh, grant me Even for the service that long since I did thee, Deep scars to save thy life; even for the blood Ant. E. Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there. She whom thou gav'st to me to be my wife; That hath abused and dishonour'd me, Even in the strength and height of injury! Beyond imagination is the wrong, Duke. Discover how, and thou shalt find me just. Ant. E. This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me, While she with harlots' feasted in my house. Duke. A grievous fault: Say, woman, didst thou so? Adr. No, my good lord ;-myself, he, and my sister, To-day did dine together: So befal my soul, Luc. Ne'er may I look on day, nor sleep on night, But she tells to your highness simple truth! Ang. O perjur'd woman! They are both forsworn, In this the madman justly chargeth them. Ant. E. My liege, I am advised what I say; There did this perjur'd goldsmith swear me down, I did obey; and sent my peasant home For certain ducats: he with none return'd. 3 Harlot was a term of reproach applied to cheats among men as well as to wantons among women. |