THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. William Shakespeare

OF SYRACUSE.

       As from a bear a man would run for life,

       So fly I from her that would be my wife.

       [Exit.]

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       There’s none but witches do inhabit here;

       And therefore ‘tis high time that I were hence.

       She that doth call me husband, even my soul

       Doth for a wife abhor; but her fair sister,

       Possess’d with such a gentle sovereign grace,

       Of such enchanting presence and discourse,

       Hath almost made me traitor to myself:

       But, lest myself be guilty to self-wrong,

       I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.

       [Enter ANGELO.]

       ANGELO.

       Master Antipholus?

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       Ay, that’s my name.

       ANGELO.

       I know it well, sir. Lo, here is the chain;

       I thought to have ta’en you at the Porcupine:

       The chain unfinish’d made me stay thus long.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       What is your will that I shall do with this?

       ANGELO.

       What please yourself, sir; I have made it for you.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       Made it for me, sir! I bespoke it not.

       ANGELO.

       Not once nor twice, but twenty times you have:

       Go home with it, and please your wife withal;

       And soon at suppertime I’ll visit you,

       And then receive my money for the chain.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       I pray you, sir, receive the money now,

       For fear you ne’er see chain nor money more.

       ANGELO.

       You are a merry man, sir; fare you well.

       [Exit.]

       ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.

       What I should think of this I cannot tell:

       But this I think, there’s no man is so vain

       That would refuse so fair an offer’d chain.

       I see a man here needs not live by shifts,

       When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.

       I’ll to the mart, and there for Dromio stay;

       If any ship put out, then straight away.

       [Exit.]

ACT IV.

       Table of Contents

      SCENE 1. The same.

       [Enter a MERCHANT, ANGELO, and an OFFICER.]

       MERCHANT.

       You know, since Pentecost the sum is due,

       And since I have not much importun’d you;

       Nor now I had not, but that I am bound

       To Persia, and want guilders for my voyage;

       Therefore make present satisfaction,

       Or I’ll attach you by this officer.

       ANGELO.

       Even just 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 chain; at five o’clock

       I shall receive the money for the same:

       Pleaseth you walk with me down to his house,

       I will discharge my bond, and thank you too.

       [Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS, and DROMIO OF EPHESUS.]

       OFFICER.

       That labour may you save: see where he comes.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       While I go to the goldsmith’s house, go thou

       And buy a rope’s end; that will I bestow

       Among my wife and her confederates,

       For locking me out of my doors by day.—

       But, soft; I see the goldsmith: get thee gone;

       Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.

       DROMIO OF EPHESUS.

       I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope!

       [Exit DROMIO.]

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       A man is well holp up that trusts to you:

       I promised your presence, and the chain;

       But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me:

       Belike you thought our love would last too long,

       If it were chain’d together; and therefore came not.

       ANGELO.

       Saving your merry humour, here’s the note,

       How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat;

       The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion;

       Which doth amount to three odd ducats more

       Than I stand debted to this gentleman:

       I pray you, see him presently discharg’d,

       For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       I am not furnished with the present money;

       Besides I have some business in the town:

       Good Signior, take the stranger to my house,

       And with you take the chain, and bid my wife

       Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof;

       Perchance I will be there as soon as you.

       ANGELO.

       Then you will bring the chain to her yourself?

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       No; bear it with you, lest I come not time enough.

       ANGELO.

       Well, sir, I will: have you the chain about you?

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,

       Or else you may return without your money.

       ANGELO.

       Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the chain;

       Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman,

       And I, to blame, have held him here too long.

       ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.

       Good Lord, you use this dalliance to excuse

       Your breach of promise to the Porcupine:

       I should have chid you for not bringing it,

       But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

       MERCHANT.