Cannot amount unto a hundred marks; Therefore by law thou art condemned to die. Ege. Yet this my comfort; when your words are done, My woes end likewise with the evening sun. Duke. Well, Syracusan, say, in brief, the cause Ege. A heavier task could not have been imposed, Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable. Yet, that the world may witness that my end And the great care of goods at random left, A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the other, A poor,3 mean woman was delivered Of such a burden, male twins, both alike. 1 i. e. natural affection. 2 The old copy reads he: the emendation is Malone's. The manner in which Steevens pointed this passage, gave to it a confused if not an absurd meaning. 3 The word poor was supplied by the editor of the second folio. My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys, A league from Epidamnum had we sailed, A doubtful warrant of immediate death; 1 Instance appears to be used here for symptom or prognostic. Shakspeare uses this word with very great latitude. VOL. III. 15 But ere they came,-O, let me say no more! Duke. Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so ; For we may pity, though not pardon thee. Ege. O, had the gods done so, I had not now For ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst, 2 Had not their bark been very slow of sail, And therefore homeward did they bend their course. Duke. And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, Do me the favor to dilate at full What hath befallen of them, and thee, till now. Ege. My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, At eighteen years became inquisitive After his brother; and impórtuned me, 1 The first folio reads "borne up." 2 The second folio altered this to "helpful welcome;" but change was unnecessary. 3 It appears, from what goes before, that it was the eldest, and not the youngest. He says, "My wife, more careful of the latter-born," &c. That his attendant (for1 his case was like, Duke. Hapless Ægeon, whom the fates have marked To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, Which princes, would they, may not disannul, My soul should sue as advocate for thee. But, though thou art adjudged to the death, And passed sentence may not be recalled, But to our honor's great disparagement, Yet will I favor thee in what I can. Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day, To seek thy help by beneficial help. Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum, 3 And live; if not, then thou art doomed to die.- Jail. I will, my lord. Ege. Hopeless and helpless doth Ægeon wend, But to procrastinate his lifeless end. 1 The first folio reads so, the second for. [Exeunt. 2 The personal pronoun he is suppressed: such phraseology is not unfrequent in the writings of that age. 3 No, which is the reading of the first folio, was, anciently, often used for not. The second folio reads not. SCENE II. A public Place. Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Syracuse, and a Merchant. Mer. Therefore, give out, you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. This very day, a Syracusan merchant Is apprehended for arrival here; And, not being able to buy out his life, Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, Till that, I'll view the manners of the town, Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. [Exit DRO. S. Ant. S. A trusty villain,' sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens my humor with his merry jests. What, will you walk with me about the town, And then go to my inn, and dine with me? Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, Of whom I hope to make much benefit; I crave your pardon. Soon, at five o'clock, Please you, I'll meet with you upon the mart; And afterwards consort you till bed-time: My present business calls me from you now. 2 1 The word villain was anciently used in the sense of slave, or servant. 2 i. e. "accompany you.” |