The Comedie of
Errors.
a rush, a haire, a drop of blood, a
pin, a nut, a cherriestone:but
she more
couetous, wold haue a chaine: Master
be
wise, and if you giue it her, the diuell will shake
her
Chaine, and fright vs with it.
Cur.I pray you sir my Ring, or else the Chaine,
[1170]
I hope you do not meane to cheate me so?Ant.Auant thou witch: Come
Dromio let vs
go.
S. Dro.Flie pride saies the Peacocke, Mistris that
you know.
Exit.Cur.Now out of doubt
Antipholus is mad,
Else would he neuer so demeane himselfe,
[1175]
A Ring he hath of mine worth fortie Duckets,And for the same he promis'd me a Chaine,Both one and other he denies me now:The reason that I gather he is mad,Besides this present instance of his rage,
[1180]
Is a mad tale he told to day at dinner,Of his owne doores being shut against his entrance.Belike his wife acquainted with his fits,On purpose shut the doores against his way:My way is now to hie home to his house,
[1185]
And tell his wife, that being Lunaticke,He rush'd into my house, and tooke perforceMy Ring away. This course I fittest choose,For fortie Duckets is too much to loose.
[Act 4, Scene 4]
Enter Antipholus Ephes. with
a Iailor.
An.Feare me not man, I will not breake away,
[1190]
Ile giue thee ere I leaue thee so much moneyTo warrant thee as I am rested for.My wife is in a wayward moode to day,And will not lightly trust the Messenger,That I should be attach'd in
Ephesus,
[1195]
I tell you 'twill sound harshly in her eares.Enter Dromio Eph. with a
ropes end.
Heere comes my Man, I thinke he brings the monie.How now sir? Haue you that I sent you for?E. Dro.
Here's that I warrant you will pay them all.
Anti.
But where's the Money?
E. Dro.
[1200]
Why sir, I gaue the Monie for the Rope.
Ant.
Fiue hundred Duckets villaine for a rope?
E. Dro.
Ile serue you sir fiue hundred at the rate.
Ant.
To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?
E. Dro.
To a ropes end sir, and to that end am I
return'd.
Ant.
[1205]
And to that end sir, I will welcome you.
Offi.
Good sir be patient.
E. Dro.
Nay 'tis for me to be patient, I am in
aduersitie.
Offi.
Good now hold thy tongue.
E. Dro.
Nay, rather perswade him to hold his hands.
Anti.
[1210]
Thou whoreson senselesse Villaine.
E. Dro.
I would I were senselesse sir, that I might
not feele your
blowes.
Anti.
Thou art sensible in nothing but blowes, and
so is an
Asse.
E. Dro.
[1215]
I am an Asse indeede, you may prooue it by
my long eares. I
haue serued him from the houre of my
Natiuitie to this
instant, and haue nothing at his hands
for my
seruice but blowes. When I am cold, he heates
me with
beating: when I am warme, he cooles me with
[1220]
beating: I am
wak'd with it when I sleepe, rais'd with
it
when I sit, driuen out of doores with it when I goe
from
home, welcom'd home with it when I returne, nay
I beare it on my shoulders, as a begger woont her
brat:
and I thinke when he hath lam'd me, I shall
begge with
[1225]
it from doore to doore.
Enter Adriana, Luciana,
Courtizan, and a Schoolemaster,
call'd
Pinch.
Ant.
Come goe along, my wife is comming yonder.
E. Dro.
Mistris
respicefinem, respect your end, or rather
the prophesie like the Parrat, beware the ropes end.
Anti.
Wilt thou still talke?
Beats Dro.Curt.
[1230]
How say you now? Is not your husband mad?
Adri.His inciuility confirmes no lesse:Good Doctor
Pinch, you are a
Coniurer,
Establish him in his true sence againe,And I will please you what you will demand.Luc.
[1235]
Alas how fiery, and how sharpe he lookes.Cur.Marke, how he trembles in his extasie.Pinch.Giue me your hand, and let mee feele your
pulse.
Ant.There is my hand, and let it feele your eare.Pinch.I charge thee Sathan, hous'd within this man,
[1240]
To yeeld possession to my holie praiers,And to thy state of darknesse hie thee straight,I coniure thee by all the Saints in heauen.Anti.Peace doting wizard, peace; I am not mad.Adr.Oh that thou wer't not, poore distressed soule.Anti.
[1245]
You Minion you, are these your Customers?Did this Companion with the saffron faceReuell and feast it at my house to day,Whil'st vpon me the guiltie doores were shut,And I denied to enter in my house.Adr.
[1250]
O husband, God doth know you din'd at homeWhere would you had remain'd vntill this time,Free from these slanders, and this open shame.Anti.Din'd at home? Thou Villaine, what sayest
thou?
Dro.Sir sooth to say, you did not dine at home.Ant.
[1255]
Were not my doores lockt vp, and I shut out?Dro.Perdie, your doores were lockt, and you shut
out.
Anti.And did not she her selfe reuile me there?Dro.Sans Fable, she her selfe reuil'd you there.Anti.Did not her Kitchen maide raile, taunt, and
scorne me?
Dro.
[1260]
Certis she did, the kitchin vestall
scorn'd you.
Ant.And did not I in rage depart from thence?Dro.In veritie you did, my bones beares witnesse,That since haue felt the vigor of his rage.Adr.Is't good to sooth him in these
crontrariescontraries?
Pinch.
[1265]
It is no shame, the fellow finds his vaine,And yeelding to him, humors well his frensie.Ant.Thou hast subborn'd the Goldsmith to arrest
mee.
Adr.Alas, I sent you Monie to redeeme you,By
Dromio heere, who came in hast for
it.
Dro.
[1270]
Monie by me? Heart and good will you might,But surely Master not a ragge of Monie.Ant.Wentst not thou to her for a purse of Duckets.Adri.He came to me, and I deliuer'd it.Luci.And I am witnesse with her that she did:Dro.
[1275]
God and the Rope‑maker beare me witnesse,That I was sent for nothing but a rope.Pinch.Mistris, both Man and Master is possest,I know it by their pale and deadly lookes,They
Actus Quartus. Scoena
Prima.
Enter a Merchant, Goldsmith,
and an Officer.
Mar.You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
[915]
And since I haue not much importun'd you,Nor now I had not, but that I am boundTo
Persia, and want Gilders for my
voyage:
Therefore make present satisfaction,Or Ile attach you by this Officer.Gold.
[920]
Euen iust the sum that I do owe to you,Is growing to me by
Antipholus,
And in the instant that I met with you,He had of me a Chaine, at fiue a clockeI shall receiue the money for the same:
[925]
Pleaseth you walke with me downe to his house,I will discharge my bond, and thanke you too.Enter Antipholus
Ephes.Dromio from the Courtizans.
Offi.That labour may you saue: See where he comes.Ant.While I go to the Goldsmiths house, go thouAnd buy a ropes end, that will I bestow
[930]
Among my wife, and their confederates,For locking me out of my doores by day:But soft I see the Goldsmith; get thee gone,Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.Dro.I buy a thousand pound a yeare, I buy a rope.Exit DromioEph.Ant.
[935]
A man is well holpe vp that trusts to you,I promised your presence, and the Chaine,But neither Chaine nor Goldsmith came to me:Belike you thought our loue would last too longIf it were chain'd together: and therefore came not.Gold.
[940]
Sauing your merrie humor: here's the noteHow much your Chaine weighs to the vtmost charect,The finenesse of the Gold, and chargefull fashion,Which doth amount to three odde Duckets moreThen I stand debted to this Gentleman,
[945]
I pray you see him presently discharg'd,For he is bound to Sea, and stayes but for it.Anti.I am not furnish'd with the present monie:Besides I haue some businesse in the towne,Good Signior take the stranger to my house,
[950]
And with you take the Chaine, and bid my wifeDisburse the summe, on the receit thereof,Perchance I will be there as soone as you.Gold.Then you will bring the Chaine to her your
selfe.
Anti.No beare it with you, least I come not time enough.Gold.
[955]
Well sir, I will? Haue you the Chaine about
you?
Ant.And if I haue not sir, I hope you haue:Or else you may returne without your money.Gold.Nay come I pray you sir, giue me the Chaine:Both winde and tide stayes for this Gentleman,
[960]
And I too blame haue held him heere too long.Anti.Good Lord, you vse this dalliance to excuseYour breach of promise to the
Porpentine,
I should haue chid you for not bringing it,But like a shrew you first begin to brawle.Mar.
[965]
The houre steales on, I pray you sir dispatch.Gold.You heare how he importunes me, the Chaine.Ant.Why giue it to my wife, and fetch your mony.Gold.Come, come, you know I gaue it you euen now.Either send the Chaine, or send me by some token.Ant.
[970]
Fie, now you run this humor out of breath,Come where's the Chaine, I pray you let me see it.Mar.My businesse cannot brooke this dalliance,Good sir say, whe'r you'l answer me, or no:If not, Ile leaue him to the Officer.Ant.
[975]
I answer you? What should I answer you.Gold.The monie that you owe me for the Chaine.Ant.I owe you none, till I receiue the Chaine.Gold.You know I gaue it you halfe an houre since.Ant.You gaue me none, you wrong mee much to
say so.
Gold.
[980]
You wrong me more sir in denying it.Consider how it stands vpon my credit.Mar.Well Officer, arrest him at my suite.Offi.I do, and charge you in the Dukes name to obey
me.
Gold.This touches me in reputation.
[985]
Either consent to pay this sum for me,Or I attach you by this Officer.Ant.Consent to pay thee that I neuer had:Arrest me foolish fellow if thou dar'st.Gold.Heere is thy fee, arrest him Officer.
[990]
I would not spare my brother in this case,If he should scorne me so apparantly.Offic.I do arrest you sir, you heare the suite.Ant.I do obey thee, till I giue thee baile.But sirrah, you shall buy this sport as deere,
[995]
As all the mettall in your shop will answer.Gold.Sir, sir, I shall haue Law in
Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.Enter Dromio Sira. from the
Bay.
Dro.Master, there's a Barke of
Epidamium,
That staies but till her Owner comes aboord,
[1000]
And then sir she beares away. Our fraughtage sir,I haue conuei'd aboord, and I haue boughtThe Oyle, the
Balsamum, and
Aqua‑vitæ.
The ship is in her trim, the merrie windeBlowes faire from land: they stay for nought at all,
[1005]
But for their Owner, Master, and your selfe.An.How now? a Madman? Why thou peeuish sheepWhat ship of
Epidamium staies for
me.
S. Dro.A ship you sent me too, to hier waftage.Ant.Thou drunken slaue, I sent thee for a rope,
[1010]
And told thee to what purpose, and what end.S. Dro.You sent me for a ropes end as soone,You sent me to the Bay sir, for a Barke.Ant.I will debate this matter at more leisureAnd teach your eares to list me with more heede:
[1015]
To
Adriana Villaine hie thee
straight:
Giue her this key, and tell her in the DeskeThat's couer'd o're with Turkish
Tapistrie,
There is a purse of Duckets, let her send it:Tell her, I am arrested in the streete,
[1020]
And that shall baile me: hie thee slaue, be gone,On Officer to prison, till it comeExeunt.S.Dromio.To
Adriana, that is where we
din'd,
Where Dowsabell did claime me for her husband,She is too bigge I hope for me to compasse,
[1025]
Thither I must, although against my will:For seruants must their Masters mindes fulfill.Exit.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<div type="scene" n="1">
<head rend="italic center">Actus Quartus. Scoena Prima.</head>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter a Merchant, Goldsmith, and an Officer.</stage>
<sp who="#F-err-mer">
<speaker rend="italic">Mar.</speaker>
<l n="914">You know since Pentecost the sum is due,</l>
<l n="915">And since I haue not much importun'd you,</l>
<l n="916">Nor now I had not, but that I am bound</l>
<l n="917">To<hi rend="italic">Persia</hi>, and want Gilders for my voyage:</l>
<l n="918">Therefore make present satisfaction,</l>
<l n="919">Or Ile attach you by this Officer.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="920">Euen iust the sum that I do owe to you,</l>
<l n="921">Is growing to me by<hi rend="italic">Antipholus</hi>,</l>
<l n="922">And in the instant that I met with you,</l>
<l n="923">He had of me a Chaine, at fiue a clocke</l>
<l n="924">I shall receiue the money for the same:</l>
<l n="925">Pleaseth you walke with me downe to his house,</l>
<l n="926">I will discharge my bond, and thanke you too.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Antipholus Ephes.Dromio from the Courtizans.</stage>
<sp who="#F-err-off">
<speaker rend="italic">Offi.</speaker>
<l n="927">That labour may you saue: See where he comes.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="928">While I go to the Goldsmiths house, go thou</l>
<pb facs="FFimg:axc0113-0.jpg" n="93"/>
<cb n="1"/>
<l n="929">And buy a ropes end, that will I bestow</l>
<l n="930">Among my wife, and their confederates,</l>
<l n="931">For locking me out of my doores by day:</l>
<l n="932">But soft I see the Goldsmith; get thee gone,</l>
<l n="933">Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-sdr">
<speaker rend="italic">Dro.</speaker>
<l n="934">I buy a thousand pound a yeare, I buy a rope.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit Dromio</stage>
<sp who="#F-err-ean">
<speaker rend="italic">Eph.Ant.</speaker>
<l n="935">A man is well holpe vp that trusts to you,</l>
<l n="936">I promised your presence, and the Chaine,</l>
<l n="937">But neither Chaine nor Goldsmith came to me:</l>
<l n="938">Belike you thought our loue would last too long</l>
<l n="939">If it were chain'd together: and therefore came not.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="940">Sauing your merrie humor: here's the note</l>
<l n="941">How much your Chaine weighs to the vtmost charect,</l>
<l n="942">The finenesse of the Gold, and chargefull fashion,</l>
<l n="943">Which doth amount to three odde Duckets more</l>
<l n="944">Then I stand debted to this Gentleman,</l>
<l n="945">I pray you see him presently discharg'd,</l>
<l n="946">For he is bound to Sea, and stayes but for it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Anti.</speaker>
<l n="947">I am not furnish'd with the present monie:</l>
<l n="948">Besides I haue some businesse in the towne,</l>
<l n="949">Good Signior take the stranger to my house,</l>
<l n="950">And with you take the Chaine, and bid my wife</l>
<l n="951">Disburse the summe, on the receit thereof,</l>
<l n="952">Perchance I will be there as soone as you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="953">Then you will bring the Chaine to her your
<lb/>selfe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Anti.</speaker>
<l n="954">No beare it with you, least I come not time enough.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="955">Well sir, I will? Haue you the Chaine about
<lb/>you?</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="956">And if I haue not sir, I hope you haue:</l>
<l n="957">Or else you may returne without your money.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="958">Nay come I pray you sir, giue me the Chaine:</l>
<l n="959">Both winde and tide stayes for this Gentleman,</l>
<l n="960">And I too blame haue held him heere too long.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Anti.</speaker>
<l n="961">Good Lord, you vse this dalliance to excuse</l>
<l n="962">Your breach of promise to the<hi rend="italic">Porpentine</hi>,</l>
<l n="963">I should haue chid you for not bringing it,</l>
<l n="964">But like a shrew you first begin to brawle.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-mer">
<speaker rend="italic">Mar.</speaker>
<l n="965">The houre steales on, I pray you sir dispatch.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="966">You heare how he importunes me, the Chaine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="967">Why giue it to my wife, and fetch your mony.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="968">Come, come, you know I gaue it you euen now.</l>
<l n="969">Either send the Chaine, or send me by some token.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="970">Fie, now you run this humor out of breath,</l>
<l n="971">Come where's the Chaine, I pray you let me see it.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-mer">
<speaker rend="italic">Mar.</speaker>
<l n="972">My businesse cannot brooke this dalliance,</l>
<l n="973">Good sir say, whe'r you'l answer me, or no:</l>
<l n="974">If not, Ile leaue him to the Officer.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="975">I answer you? What should I answer you.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="976">The monie that you owe me for the Chaine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="977">I owe you none, till I receiue the Chaine.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="978">You know I gaue it you halfe an houre since.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="979">You gaue me none, you wrong mee much to
<lb/>say so.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="980">You wrong me more sir in denying it.</l>
<l n="981">Consider how it stands vpon my credit.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-mer">
<speaker rend="italic">Mar.</speaker>
<l n="982">Well Officer, arrest him at my suite.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-off">
<speaker rend="italic">Offi.</speaker>
<l n="983">I do, and charge you in the Dukes name to obey
<lb/>me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="984">This touches me in reputation.</l>
<l n="985">Either consent to pay this sum for me,</l>
<l n="986">Or I attach you by this Officer.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="987">Consent to pay thee that I neuer had:</l>
<l n="988">Arrest me foolish fellow if thou dar'st.</l>
</sp>
<cb n="2"/>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="989">Heere is thy fee, arrest him Officer.</l>
<l n="990">I would not spare my brother in this case,</l>
<l n="991">If he should scorne me so apparantly.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-off">
<speaker rend="italic">Offic.</speaker>
<l n="992">I do arrest you sir, you heare the suite.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="993">I do obey thee, till I giue thee baile.</l>
<l n="994">But sirrah, you shall buy this sport as deere,</l>
<l n="995">As all the mettall in your shop will answer.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-gol">
<speaker rend="italic">Gold.</speaker>
<l n="996">Sir, sir, I shall haue Law in<hi rend="italic">Ephesus</hi>,</l>
<l n="997">To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic center" type="entrance">Enter Dromio Sira. from the Bay.</stage>
<sp who="#F-err-sdr">
<speaker rend="italic">Dro.</speaker>
<l n="998">Master, there's a Barke of<hi rend="italic">Epidamium</hi>,</l>
<l n="999">That staies but till her Owner comes aboord,</l>
<l n="1000">And then sir she beares away. Our fraughtage sir,</l>
<l n="1001">I haue conuei'd aboord, and I haue bought</l>
<l n="1002">The Oyle, the<hi rend="italic">Balsamum</hi>, and Aqua‑vitæ.</l>
<l n="1003">The ship is in her trim, the merrie winde</l>
<l n="1004">Blowes faire from land: they stay for nought at all,</l>
<l n="1005">But for their Owner, Master, and your selfe.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-ang">
<speaker rend="italic">An.</speaker>
<l n="1006">How now? a Madman? Why thou peeuish sheep</l>
<l n="1007">What ship of<hi rend="italic">Epidamium</hi>staies for me.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-sdr">
<speaker rend="italic">S. Dro.</speaker>
<l n="1008">A ship you sent me too, to hier waftage.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="1009">Thou drunken slaue, I sent thee for a rope,</l>
<l n="1010">And told thee to what purpose, and what end.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-sdr">
<speaker rend="italic">S. Dro.</speaker>
<l n="1011">You sent me for a ropes end as soone,</l>
<l n="1012">You sent me to the Bay sir, for a Barke.</l>
</sp>
<sp who="#F-err-san">
<speaker rend="italic">Ant.</speaker>
<l n="1013">I will debate this matter at more leisure</l>
<l n="1014">And teach your eares to list me with more heede:</l>
<l n="1015">To<hi rend="italic">Adriana</hi>Villaine hie thee straight:</l>
<l n="1016">Giue her this key, and tell her in the Deske</l>
<l n="1017">That's couer'd o're with Turkish Tapistrie,</l>
<l n="1018">There is a purse of Duckets, let her send it:</l>
<l n="1019">Tell her, I am arrested in the streete,</l>
<l n="1020">And that shall baile me: hie thee slaue, be gone,</l>
<l n="1021">On Officer to prison, till it come</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exeunt.</stage>
<sp who="#F-err-sdr">
<speaker rend="italic">S.Dromio.</speaker>
<l n="1022">To<hi rend="italic">Adriana</hi>, that is where we din'd,</l>
<l n="1023">Where Dowsabell did claime me for her husband,</l>
<l n="1024">She is too bigge I hope for me to compasse,</l>
<l n="1025">Thither I must, although against my will:</l>
<l n="1026">For seruants must their Masters mindes fulfill.</l>
</sp>
<stage rend="italic rightJustified" type="exit">Exit.</stage>
</div>
