The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare

Adr. Go fetch it, sister. This I wonder at,
Exit LUCIANA.
That he, unknown to me, should be in debt:
Tell me, was he arresteted on a band ?*

Dro. S. Not on a band, but on a stronger
thing:
A chain, a chain; do you not hear it ring?
Adr. What, the chain?

breaks his band; one that thinks a man always going to bed, and says, God give you good rest.

Ant. S. Well, Sir, there 'restin your foolery. Is there any ship puts forth to-night? may we be gone?

Dro. S. Why, Sir, I brought you word an hour since, that the bark expedition put forth

Dro. S. No, no, the bell: 'tis time, that I to-night? and then were you hindered by the

were gone.

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

Nay he's a thief too: Have you not heard men
say,
That time comes stealing on by night and day?
If he be in debt, and theft, and a sergeant in
the way,
day?
Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a
Enter LUCIANA.

Adr. Go, Dromio; there's the money, bear
it straight;

And bring thy master home immediately.-
Come sister; I am press'd down with con-

ceit ;t

Conceit, my comfort, and my injury.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.-The same.
Enter ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse.

Ant. S. There's not a man I meet, but doth
salute me

As if I were there 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 :
Even now a tailor call'd me in his shop, [me,
And show'd me silks that he had bought for
And, therewithal, took measure of my body.
Sure, these are but immaginary wiles,
And Lapland sorceres inhabit here.

Enter DROMIO of Syracuse.

Dro. S. Master, here's the gold you sent me for: What, have you got the picture of old Adam new apparelled?

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

Dro. S. Not that Adam, that kept the paradise, but that Adam, that keeps the prison:

sergeant, to tarry for the hoy, Delay: Here
are the angels that you sent for, to deliver you.
Ant S. The fellow is distract, and so am I;
And here we wander in allusions:
Some blessed power deliver us from hence!
Enter a COURTEZAN.

Cour. Well met, well met, master Antipho
lus,
Isee, Sir, you have found the goldsmith now;
Is that the chain you promis'd me to-day?

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

Dro. S. Master, is this mistress Satan?
Ant. S. It is the devil.

Dro. S. Nay, she is worse, she is 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 wenches will burn; Cone not near her.

Cour. Your man and you are marvellous merry, Sir. [here. Will you go with me? We'll mend our dinner Dro. S. Master, If you do expect spoonmeat, or bespeak a long spoon.

Ant. S. Why Dromio ?

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

Ant. S. Avoid them, fiend! why tell'st thou
me of supping:
Thou art, as you are all; asorceress:
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 promiss'd:
And I'll be gone, Sir; and not trouble you.
Dro. S. Some devils ask but the paring 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 wise; and if you give it her,
The devil will shake her chain, and fright us
with it.

Cour. I pray you, sir, the ring or else the
chain;

he that goes in the calf's skin that was killed I hope, you do not mean to cheat me so.

for the prodigal; he that came behind you, Sir, like an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.

Ant. S. I understand thee not.

Dro. S. No? why, 'tis a plain case: he that went like a base viol, in a case of leather; the man Sir, that, when gentleman are tired, gives them a fob, and rests 'them; he Sir, that takes pity on decayed men, and gives them suits of durance; he that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his mace, than a morrispike.

Ant. S. What! thou mean'st an officer? Dro. S. Ay, Sir, the sergeant of the band; he, that brings any man to answer it, that I. e. Bond.

↑ Fanciful conception.

Ant. S. Avaunt, thou witch! Come Dromio

let us go. Dro. S. Fly pride, says the peacock: Mistress, that you know.

Exeunt. ANT. and DRO.

Cour. Now, out of doubt, Antipholusis mad
Else would he never so demean himself:
A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,
And for the same he promised me a chain!
Both one, and other he denotes me now.
The reason that I gather he is man,
(Besides this present instance of his rage,)
Is a mad tale, he told to-day at dinner,
Of his own doors being shut against his en-

trance.

Belike his wife, acquainted with his fits,
On purpose shut the doors against his way.
My way is now, to hie home to his house

Cour. Mark, how he trembles in his extacy.
Pinch. Give me your hand, and let me feel
your pulse.

Ant. E. There is my hand, and let it feel

your ear.

Pinch. I charge thee, Satan, hous'd within
this man,

To yield possession to my holy prayers,
And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight;
I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.
Ant. E. Peace, doting wizard, peace, I am
not mad.

Adr. O, that thou wert not, poor distressed
soul!

Ant. E. You minion you, are these your cus-
tomers?

Did this companion* with a saffron face
Revel and feast it at my house to day,
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut,
And I denied to enter in my house?

Ant. E. But where's the money?
Dro. E. Why, Sir, I gave the money for the

Adr. O, husband, God doth know, you din'd
at home,
Where 'would you had remain'd until this time,
Free from these slanders, and this open shame!
Ant. E. I din'd at home! Thou villain, what
say'st thou?

Dro. E. Sir, sooth to say, you did not dine
at home.

the rate.

Ant. E. To what end did I bid thee hie thee

Ant. E. Were not my doors lock'd up, and I

shut out?

home?

Dro. E. To a rope's end, Sir; and to that end am I return'd.

Dro. E. Perdy,t your doors werelock'd, and
you shut out.

you.

Ant. E. And to that end, Sir, I will welcome [Beating him.

Ant. E. And did not she herself revile me

there?

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

Dro. E. Sans fable, she herself revil'd you

there.

Ant. E. Did not her kitchen maid rail, taunt,
and scorn me?

Off. Good now, hold thy tongue.
Dro. E. Nay, rather persuade him to hold his

hands.

Dro. E. Certes, she did; the kitchen-ves-
tal scorn'd you.

Ant. E. Thou whoreson, senseless villain! Dro. E. I would I were senseless, Sir, that I might not feel your blows.

Ant. E. And did not I in rage depart from

thence?

Dro. E. In verity you did;-my bones bear

Ant. E. Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.

Dro. E. I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears. I have serv'd him from the hour of nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service, but blows: when I am cold, he heats me with beating: when I am warm, he cools me with beating: I am waked with it, when I sleep; raised with it, when I sit; driven out of doors with it, when I go from home; welcomed home with it, when I return: nay, I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat; and, I think, when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with it from door to door.

Enter ADRIANA, LUCIANA, and the COURTEZAN,
with PINCH, and others.

Ant. E. Come, go along; my wife is coming
yonder.

Dro. E. Mistress, respice finem, respect your end; or rather the prophecy, like the parrot, Beware the rope's end.

Ant. E. Wilt thou still talk? [Beats him.

witness,

That since have felt the vigour of his rage.
Adr. Is't good to soothe him in these con-
traries?

Pinch. It is no shame; the fellow finds his
vein,
And, yielding to him, humours well his frenzy.
Ant. E. Thou hast suborn'd the goldsmith
to arrest me.

Adr. Alas, I sent you money to redeem you,
By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.
Dro. E. Money by me? heart and good-will
you might,

But surely, master, not a rag of money.

Ant. E. Went'st not thou to her for a purse

Dro. E. God and the rope-maker, bear me witness, That I was sent for nothing but a rope! Pinch. Mistress, both manand master is pos sess'd:

Cour. How say you now? is not your hus- 1 know it by their pale and deadly looks:

Ant. E. What, will you murder me? Thou
jailer, thou.

I am thy prisoner; wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue?

Offi Masters, let him go;

He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him. Pinch. Go, bind this man, for he is frantictoo. Adr. What wilt thou do, thou peevish* offiHast thou delight to see a wretched man [cer? Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

Offi. He is my prisoner; if I let him go, The debt he owes, will be requir'd of me. Adr. I will discharge thee, ere I go from thee: Bear me forthwith unto his creditor, [it. And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay Good master doctor, see him safe convey'd Home to my house. O most unhappy day! Ant. E. O most unhappyt strumpet! Dro. E. Master, I am here enter'd in bond for you.

Ant. E. Out on thee villain! wherefore dost thou mad me?

Dro. E. Will you be bound for nothing? be Good master, cry, the devil.[mad. Luc. God help, poor souls, how idly do they

[Exeunt PINCH and assistants with ANT. and DRO.

talk!

Adr. Go bear him hence. Sister, go you with me.

Offi. Two hundred ducats.

Adr. Say, how grows it due?

Ofi. Due for a chain, your husband had of him.

Adr. He did bespeak a chain for me, but had it not. Cour. When as your husband, all in rage.

to-day Came to my house, and took away my ring, (The ring I saw upon his finger now,) Straight after, did I meet him with a chain.

Adr. It may beso, but I did never see it :Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is, I long to know the truth hereof at large. Enter ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse, with his rapier drawn, and DROMIO of Syracuse.

Luc. God, for thy mercy! they are loose again.

• Foolish. Unhappy for unlucky, i. e. mischievous.

Dro. S. She, that would be your wife, now ran from you.

Ant. S. Come to the Centaur; fetch our stuff from thence;

I long, that we were safe and sound aboard. Dro. S. Faith, stay here this night, they will surely do us no harm; you saw, they speak us fair, give us gold: methinks, they are such a gentle nation, that but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to stay here still, and turn witch. Ant. S. I will not stay to-night for all the

Good Sir, draw near to me, I'll speak to him.

Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Syracuse.
Ang 'Tis so: and that self chain about his
neck,
Which he foreswore, most monstrously, to have.
Signior Antipholus, I wonder much
[ble;
That you would put me to this shame and trou-
And not without some scandal to yourself,
With circumstance, and oaths, so to deny
This chain, which now you wear so openly:
Besides the charge, the shame, imprisonment,
You have done wrong to this my honest friend;

Who, but for staying on our controversy,
Had hoisted sail, and put to sea to-day:
This chain you had of me, can you deny it?
Ant. S. I think, I had; I never did deny it.
Mer. Yes, that you did, Sir; and foreswore

* Baggage,

Adr. Why, so I did.

Abb. Ay, but not rough enough.

Why bear you these rebukes, and answer not?
Adr. She did betray me to my own reproof.-
Good people, enter, and lay hold on him.
Abb. No, not a creature entersin my house.
Ard. Then, let your servants bring my hus-
band forth.

Abb. Neither; he took this place for sanc
tuary,
And it shall privilege him from our hands,
Till I have brought him to his wits again,
Or lose my labour in assaying it.

Adr. I will attend my husband, be his nurse, Diet his sickness, for it is my office, And will have no attorney but myself; And therefore let me have him home with me.

Abb. Be patient; for I will not let him stir, Till I have us'd the approved means i have, With wholesome syrups, drugs, and holy

prayers,

To make of him a formal man again:* It is a branch and parcelt of mine oath, A charitable duty o my order; Therefore depart, and leave him here with me. Aar. I will not hence, and leave my husband And illit doth beseem your holiness, [here; To separate the husband and the wife. Abb. Be quiet, and depart, thou shalt not have him. [Exit. ABBESS. Luc. (omplain unto the duke of this indignity. Adr. Come, go; I will fall prostrate at his feet, And never rise until my tears and prayers Have won his grace to come in person hither, And take perforce my husband from the Abbess

Mer. By this, I think, the dial points at five: Anon I am sure, the duke himself in person

Adr. As roughly, as my modesty would let Comes this way to the melancholy vale:

me.

Abb. Haply, in private.
Adr. And in assemblies too.

Abb. Ay, but not enough.

Adr It was the copyt of our conference:

Inbed, he slept not for my urging it;
At board, he fed not for my urging it;
Alone, it was the subject of my theme;
In company, I often glanced it;
Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.

Abb. And thereof came it, that the man was mad:

The venom clamours of a jealous woman Poison more deadly than a mad dog's tooth. It seems his sleeps were hinder'd by thy railing:

And thereof comes it that his head is light.

Thou say'st, his meat was sauc'd with thy up

braidings:

Unquiet meals make ill digestions,
Thereof the raging fire of fever bred;
And what's a fever but a fit of madness?

Thou say'st, his sports were hinder'd by thy

brawls:

Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue,
But moody and dull melancholy,
(Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair ;)
And, at her heel, a huge infectious troop
Of pale distemperatures, and foes to life ?
In food, in sport, and life-preserving rest
To be disturb'd, would mad or man, or beast:
The consequence is then, thy jealous fits
Have scar'd thy husband from the use of wits.

Luc. She never reprehended him but mildly, When he demean'd himself rough, rude, and

wildly,

*I. e. Close grapple with him. 1.e. Go into a house.

The theme,

The place of death and sorryt execution,
Behind the ditches of the abbey here.

Ang Upon what cause?

Mer. To see a reverend Syracusan merchant,

Who put unluckily into this bay
Against the laws and statutes of this town,
Beheaded publicly for his offence.

Ang See where they come; we will behold his death.

Luc. Kneel to the duke, before he pass the
abbey.

Enter Duke attended; ÆGEON bare-headed;
with the Headsman and other officers.
Duke. Yet once again proclaim it publicly,
If any friend will pay the sum for him,
He shall not die, so much we tender him.

Adr. Justice, most sacred duke, against the
Abbess!

Duke. She is a virtuous and a reverend lady; It cannot be, that she hath done thee wrong. Adr. May it please your grace, Antipholus,

my husband,

Whom I made lord of me and all I had,
At your importantý letters,---this ill day
A most outrageous fit of madness took him;
That desperately he hurried through the street
(With him his bondman, all as mad as he,)
Doing displeasure to the citizens

By rushing in their houses, bearing thence
Sings, jewels, any thing his rage did like.
Once did I get him bound, and sent him home,
Whilst to take order|| for the wrongs I went,

That here and there his fury had committed. Anon, I wot not by what strong escape,

* I. e. To bring him back to his senses. ↑ Part. Sad, Importunate. 1. e. To take measures. Know.

He broke from those that had the guard of
him;
And, with his mad attendant and himself,
Each one with ireful passion, with drawn
swords,

Met us again, and, madly bent on us,
Chas'd us away; till raising of more aid,
We came again to bind them: then they fled
Into this abbey, whether we pursued them;
And here the abbess shuts the gates on us,
And will not suffer us to fetch him out,
Nor send him forth, that we may bear him
hence.
[mand,
Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy com-
Let him be brought forth, and borne hence for
help.

Duke. Long since, thy husband serv'd me in my wars;

And I to thee engag'da prince's word,
When thou didst make him master of thy bed,
To do him all the grace and good I could.-
Go, some of you, knock at the abbey-gate,
And bid the lady abbess come to me;
I will determine this, before I stir.

Enter a SERVANT.

Serv. O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself! My masterand his man are both broke loose, Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor,

whose beard they have singed off with brands of fire;

And ever as it blazed, they threw on him Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair: My master preaches patience to him, while His man with scissars nicks him like a fool: And, sure, unless you send some present help, Between them they will kill the conjurer.

Adr. Peace, fool, thy master and his man are here;

And that is false thou dost report to us.

Serv. Mistress, upon my life, I tell you true; I have not breath'd almost, since I did see it. He cries for you, and vows, if he can take you, To scorch your face, and to disfigure you:

[Cry within.

Hark, hark, I hear him, mistress; fly, be gone. Duke Come, stand by me, fear nothing: Guard with halberts.

Adr. Ah me, it is my husband! Witness you,

That he is borne about invisible:
Even now we hous'd him in the abbey here;
And now he's there, past thought of human

Ant. E. This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me,

While she with harlots* feasted in my house. Duke. A grievous fault; Say, woman, did'st thou so?

Adr. No, my good lord; -myself, he, and my sister, To-day did dine together: So befall my soul, As this is false, he burdens me withal!

Luc. Ne'er may I look on day, nor sleep on night,

But she tells to your highness simple truth! Ang. O perjur'd woman! they are both for

sworn.

In this the madman justly chargeth them.
Ant. E. My liege, I am advised what I say;
Neither disturb'd with the effect of wine,
Nor heady-rash, provok'd with raging ire,
Albeit, my wrongs might make one wiser mad
This woman lock'd me out this day from dinner:
That goldsmith there, were he not pack'd with
her,

Could witness it, for he was with me then;
Who parted with me to go fetch a chain,
Promising to bring it to the Porcupine,
Where Balthazar and I did dine together.
Our dinner done, and he not coming thither,
I went to seek him: in the street I met him;
And in his company, that gentleman [down,
There did this perjur'd goldsmith swear me
That I this day of him receiv'd the chain,
Which, God he knows, I saw not: for the
He did arrest me with an officer.
[which
I did obey; and sent my peasant home
For certain ducats: he with none return'd.
Then fairly I bespoke the officer,
To go in person with me to my house.
By the way we met

My wife, her sister, and a rabble more
Of vile confederates; along with them
They brought one Pinch; a hungry lean-fae'd
A mere anatomy, a mountebank,
[villain,
A thread-bare juggler, and a fortune-teller;
A needy, hollow-ey'd, sharp-looking wretch,
A living dead man: this pernicious slave,
Forsooth, took on him as a conjurer;
And, gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse,
And with no face, as 'twere, outfacing me,
Cries out, I was possess'd: then altogether
They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence;
And in a dark and dankish vault at home
There left me and my man, both bound toge-
ther;

Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder,
I gain'd my freedom, and immediately
Ran hither to your grace: whom I beseech
To give me ample satisfaction
For these deep shames and great indignities.
Ang. My lord, in truth, thus far I witness

with him;

That he din'd not at home but was lock'd out. Duke. But had he such a chain of thee, or no Ang. He had, my lord; and when he ran in here,

These people saw the chain about his neck. Mer. Besides, I will be sworn, these ears of

mine

Heard you confess you had the chain of him,
After you first foreswore it on the mart,
And thereupon I drew my sword on you;
And then you fled into this abbey here,
From whence, I think you are come by miracle.
Ant. E. I never came within these abbey

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The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare: From the Text of ..., Volume 1