01

C

It was two ere I left him, and now the clock strikes

one.

Adr. The hours come back! that I did never hear. S. Dro. O yes, if any hour meet a ferjeant, a' turns back for very fear.

Adr. As if time were in debt! how fondly dost thou reafon?

S. Dro. Time is a very bankrout, and owes more
than he's worth, to season.

Nay, he's a thief too; have you not heard men say,
That Time comes stealing on by night and day?
If Time be in debt and theft, and a ferjeant in the way,
Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day?

Enter Luciana.

Adr. Go, Dromio; there's the money, bear it straight, And bring thy master home immediately. Come, fifter, I am prest down with conceit;

Conceit, my comfort and my injury. [Exeunt.

As if I were their well-acquainted friend;

And every one doth call me by my name.
Some tender money to me, some invite me;
Some other give me thanks for kindnesses ;
Some offer me commodities to buy.

Ev'n now a taylor call'd me in his shop,
And show'd me filks that he had bought for me,
And therewithal took measure of my body.

Sure, these are but imaginary wiles,

And Lapland forcerers inhabit here.

Enter

Enter Dromio of Syracufe.

S. Dro. Master, here's the gold you sent me for; what, have you got rid of the picture of old Adam new-apparel'd?

S. Ant. What gold is this? what Adam dost thou mean?

S. Dro. Not that Adam, that kept the paradise; but that Adam, that keeps the prison; he that goes in the calves-skin, that was kill'd for the prodigal; he that came behind you, Sir, like an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.

S. Ant. I understand thee not.

S. Dro. No? why, 'tis a plain case; he that went like a base-viol in a cafe of leather; the man, Sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives them a fob, and 'rests them; he, Sir, that takes pity on decay'd men, and gives 'em fuits of durance; *he, that fets up his

rest to do more exploits with his mace, than a Maurice-Pike.

S. Ant. What! thou mean'st an officer?

S. Dro. Ay, Sir, the serjeant of the band; he, that brings any man to answer it, that breaks his bond; one that thinks a man always going to bed, and faith, God give you good reft!

S. Ant. Well, Sir, there rest in your foolery.
Is there any ship puts forth to night? may we be

gone?

S. Dro. Why, Sir, I brought you word an hour fince, that the bark Expedition puts forth to night, and then were you hinder'd by the ferjeant, to tarry for the hoy Delay; here are the angels that you fent for, to deliver you.

S. Ant. The fellow is distract, and so am I,
And here we wander in illusions;

Some blessed power deliver us from hence!

;

ot

ft

Cour.

A

Enter a Courtezan.

JELL met, well master Antipholis.

W I fee, Sir, you have found the goldsmith

now:

Is that the chain, you promis'd me to day?

S. Ant. Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me not.

S. Dro. Master, is this mistress Satan?

S. Ant. It is the devil.

S. Dro. Nay, she is worse, she's the devil's dam; and here she comes in the habit of a light wench, and thereof comes, that the wenches say, God dam 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

is wenches will burn; come not near her.

ft

Cour. Your man and you are marvellous merry,
Sir.

Sir. Will you go with me, we'll mend our dinner

here?

S. Dro. Master, if you do expect spoon-meat, bespeak a long spoon.

S. Ant. Why, Dromio?

S. Dro. Marry, he must have a long spoon, that must eat with the devil.

S. Ant. Avoid then, fiend! what tell'st thou me of

supping? Thou art, as you are all, a forceress : I conjure thee to leave me, and be gone.

Cour. Give me the ring of mine, you had at dinner, Or for my diamond the chain you promis'd, And I'll be gone, Sir, and not trouble you.

S. Dro. Some devils ask but the parings of one's nail, a rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, a nut, a cherry-stone: but she, more covetous, would have a chain. Master, be wife; an if you give it her, the devil will shake her chain, and fright us with it.

[go.

Cour. I pray you, Sir, my ring, or else the chain; I hope, you do not mean to cheat me so ? S. Ant. Avaunt, thou witch! come, Dromio, let us S. Dro. Fly pride, says the peacock; mistress, that

Cour.

you know.

SCENE VII.

Manet Courtezan.

Now, out of doubt, Antipholis

[Exeunt.

is mad;

Elfe would he never fo demean himself.

A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,
And for the fame he promis'd me a chain ;
Both one, and other, he denies me now.
The reason, that I gather, he is mad,
(Befides this present instance of his rage)
Is a mad tale he told to day at dinner,
Of his own door being shut against his entrance.
Belike, his wife, acquainted with his fits,

On

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 chuse;

For forty ducats is too much to lose.

SCENE

VIII.

Changes to the Street.

Enter Antipholis of Ephesus, with a Jailor.

E. Ant.

[Exit.

EAR me not, man; I will not break

F 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, 'twould found 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 fent you for?
E. Dro. Here's that, I warrant you, will pay them all.
F. Ant. But where's the money?

E. Dro. Why, Sir, I gave the money for the rope.
E. Ant. Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope ?
E. Dro. I'll serve you, Sir, five hundred at the rate.
E. Ant. To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?
E. Dro. To a rope's-end, Sir; and to that end am
I return'd.

E. Ant. And to that end, Sir, I will welcome you. [Beats Dromio.

Offi. Good Sir, be patient.

E. Dro. Nay, 'tis for me to be patient; I am in

adversity.

Offi. Good now, hold thy tongue.

E. Dro. Nay, rather perfuade him to hold his hands.

E. Ant.