out of her Hand, and fo on. But no fooner was her Hufband's Defire whispered in the Ear of our laft married Lady, but the Cards were clapp'd on the Table, and down the comes with, My Dear, would you speak with me? He received her in his Arms, and after repeated Careffes tells her the Experiment, confeffes his Good Nature, and affures her, that fince fhe could now command her Temper, he would no longer disguise his own. It cannot but feem strange that Shakespeare fhould be fo little known to the author of the Tatler, that he should fuffer this Story to be obtruded upon him, or fo little known to the Publick, that he could hope to make it pafs upon his readers as a novel nar rative of a tranfaction in Lincolnhire; yet it is apparent, that he was deceived, or intended to deceive; that he knew not himself whence the ftory was taken, or hoped that he might rob so obfcure a writer without detection. Of this play the two plots are fo well united, that they can hardly be called two without injury to the art with which they are interwoven. The attention is entertained with all the variety of a double plot, yet is not diftracted by unconnected incidents. The part between Catharine and Petruchio is eminently spritely and diverting. At the marriage of Bianca, the arrival of the real father, perhaps, produces more perplexity than pleafure. The whole play is very popular and diverting. Dramatis Perfonæ. SALINUS, Duke of Ephefus. Twin-Brothers, and Sons to Egeon and Emilia, but unknown to each other. Dromio of Ephesus, Twin-Brothers and Slaves to the Dromio of Syracufe, J two Antipholis's. Balthazar, a Merchant. Angelo, a Goldsmith. A Merchant, a Friend to Antipholis of Syracufe. Emilia, Wife to Ægeon, an Abbess at Ephefus. Luce, Servant to Adriana. Failor, Officers, and other Attendants. SCENE, Ephesus. This Play is taken from the Menachmi of Plautus. THE THE COMEDY of ERRORS. ACT I. SCENE I. The Duke's Palace. Enter the Duke of Ephefus, geon, Jailor, and other Attendants. P ÆGEON. ROCEED, Salinus, to procure my fall, The enmity, and difcord, which of late H 4 T'admit |