Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO and an OFFICER
Enter SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO and an OFFICER

SECOND MERCHANT

You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
And since I have not much importuned you,
Nor now I had not, but that I am bound
To Persia, and want guilders for my voyage.
5 Therefore make present satisfaction,
Or I’ll attach you by this officer.

SECOND MERCHANT

You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
And since I have not much importuned 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,
10 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.

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 from the COURTESAN'S house
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS from the COURTESAN'S house

COURTESAN'S OFFICER

That labor may you save. See where he comes.

COURTESAN'S OFFICER

That labor may you save. See where he comes.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

15 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.
20 Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.

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!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope!
Exit DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Exit DROMIO OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ANGELO) A man is well holp up that trusts to you!
I promisèd your presence and the chain,
But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me.
25 Belike you thought our love would last too long
If it were chained together, and therefore came not.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ANGELO) A man is well holp up that trusts to you!
I promisèd 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 chained together, and therefore came not.

ANGELO

Saving your merry humor, here’s the note
How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat,
The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion,
30 Which doth amount to three-odd ducats more
Than I stand debted to this gentleman.
I pray you, see him presently discharged,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

ANGELO

Saving your merry humor, 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 discharged,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I am not furnished with the present money.
35 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.

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

40 Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.

ANGELO

Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

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?

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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,
Or else you may return without your money.

ANGELO

45 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.

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 Porpentine.
50 I should have chid you for not bringing it,
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Good Lord! You use this dalliance to excuse
Your breach of promise to the Porpentine.
I should have chid you for not bringing it,
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

SECOND MERCHANT

The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.

SECOND MERCHANT

The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.

ANGELO

You hear how he importunes me. The chain!

ANGELO

You hear how he importunes me. The chain!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.

ANGELO

55 Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.
Either send the chain, or send me by some token.

ANGELO

Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.
Either send the chain, or send me by some token.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.
Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.
Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.

SECOND MERCHANT

My business cannot brook this dalliance.
(to ANTIPHOLUS) Good sir, say whe'er you’ll answer me or no.
If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.

SECOND MERCHANT

My business cannot brook this dalliance.
(to ANTIPHOLUS) Good sir, say whe'er you’ll answer me or no.
If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I answer you? What should I answer you?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I answer you? What should I answer you?

ANGELO

The money that you owe me for the chain.

ANGELO

The money that you owe me for the chain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I owe you none till I receive the chain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I owe you none till I receive the chain.

ANGELO

65 You know I gave it you half an hour since.

ANGELO

You know I gave it you half an hour since.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.

ANGELO

You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.
Consider how it stands upon my credit.

ANGELO

You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.
Consider how it stands upon my credit.

SECOND MERCHANT

Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.

SECOND MERCHANT

Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.

OFFICER

70 I do, (to ANGELO) and charge you in the Duke’s name to obey me.

OFFICER

I do, (to ANGELO) and charge you in the Duke’s name to obey me.

ANGELO

This touches me in reputation.
Either consent to pay this sum for me,
Or I attach you by this officer.

ANGELO

This touches me in reputation.
Either consent to pay this sum for me,
Or I attach you by this officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Consent to pay thee that I never had?—
75 Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Consent to pay thee that I never had?—
Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.

ANGELO

Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer.
I would not spare my brother in this case
If he should scorn me so apparently.

ANGELO

Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer.
I would not spare my brother in this case
If he should scorn me so apparently.

OFFICER

I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.

OFFICER

I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

80 I do obey thee till I give thee bail.
But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear
As all the metal in your shop will answer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I do obey thee till I give thee bail.
But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear
As all the metal in your shop will answer.

ANGELO

Sir, sir, I will have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.

ANGELO

Sir, sir, I will have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.
Enter DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Enter DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

85 Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard,
And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought
The oil, the balsamum and aqua vitae.
90 The ship is in her trim; the merry wind
Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at all
But for their owner, master, and yourself.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard,
And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought
The oil, the balsamum and aqua vitae.
The ship is in her trim; the merry wind
Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at all
But for their owner, master, and yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

95 A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope
And told thee to what purpose and what end.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope
And told thee to what purpose and what end.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.
You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.
You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

100 I will debate this matter at more leisure
And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.
Give her this key, and tell her in the desk
That’s cover’d o'er with Turkish tapestry
105 There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.
Tell her I am arrested in the street,
And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—
On, officer, to prison till it come.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I will debate this matter at more leisure
And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.
Give her this key, and tell her in the desk
That’s cover’d o'er with Turkish tapestry
There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.
Tell her I am arrested in the street,
And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—
On, officer, to prison till it come.
Exeunt SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO , OFFICER , and ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Exeunt SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO , OFFICER , and ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

To Adriana. That is where we dined,
110 Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.
She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.
Thither I must, although against my will,
For servants must their masters' minds fulfill.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

To Adriana. That is where we dined,
Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.
She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.
Thither I must, although against my will,
For servants must their masters' minds fulfill.
Exit
Exit

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO and an OFFICER
Enter SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO and an OFFICER

SECOND MERCHANT

You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
And since I have not much importuned you,
Nor now I had not, but that I am bound
To Persia, and want guilders for my voyage.
5 Therefore make present satisfaction,
Or I’ll attach you by this officer.

SECOND MERCHANT

You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
And since I have not much importuned 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,
10 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.

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 from the COURTESAN'S house
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS from the COURTESAN'S house

COURTESAN'S OFFICER

That labor may you save. See where he comes.

COURTESAN'S OFFICER

That labor may you save. See where he comes.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

15 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.
20 Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.

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!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope!
Exit DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Exit DROMIO OF EPHESUS

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ANGELO) A man is well holp up that trusts to you!
I promisèd your presence and the chain,
But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me.
25 Belike you thought our love would last too long
If it were chained together, and therefore came not.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ANGELO) A man is well holp up that trusts to you!
I promisèd 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 chained together, and therefore came not.

ANGELO

Saving your merry humor, here’s the note
How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat,
The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion,
30 Which doth amount to three-odd ducats more
Than I stand debted to this gentleman.
I pray you, see him presently discharged,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

ANGELO

Saving your merry humor, 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 discharged,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I am not furnished with the present money.
35 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.

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

40 Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.

ANGELO

Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

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?

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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,
Or else you may return without your money.

ANGELO

45 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.

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 Porpentine.
50 I should have chid you for not bringing it,
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Good Lord! You use this dalliance to excuse
Your breach of promise to the Porpentine.
I should have chid you for not bringing it,
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

SECOND MERCHANT

The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.

SECOND MERCHANT

The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.

ANGELO

You hear how he importunes me. The chain!

ANGELO

You hear how he importunes me. The chain!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.

ANGELO

55 Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.
Either send the chain, or send me by some token.

ANGELO

Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.
Either send the chain, or send me by some token.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.
Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.
Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.

SECOND MERCHANT

My business cannot brook this dalliance.
(to ANTIPHOLUS) Good sir, say whe'er you’ll answer me or no.
If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.

SECOND MERCHANT

My business cannot brook this dalliance.
(to ANTIPHOLUS) Good sir, say whe'er you’ll answer me or no.
If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I answer you? What should I answer you?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I answer you? What should I answer you?

ANGELO

The money that you owe me for the chain.

ANGELO

The money that you owe me for the chain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I owe you none till I receive the chain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I owe you none till I receive the chain.

ANGELO

65 You know I gave it you half an hour since.

ANGELO

You know I gave it you half an hour since.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.

ANGELO

You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.
Consider how it stands upon my credit.

ANGELO

You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.
Consider how it stands upon my credit.

SECOND MERCHANT

Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.

SECOND MERCHANT

Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.

OFFICER

70 I do, (to ANGELO) and charge you in the Duke’s name to obey me.

OFFICER

I do, (to ANGELO) and charge you in the Duke’s name to obey me.

ANGELO

This touches me in reputation.
Either consent to pay this sum for me,
Or I attach you by this officer.

ANGELO

This touches me in reputation.
Either consent to pay this sum for me,
Or I attach you by this officer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Consent to pay thee that I never had?—
75 Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Consent to pay thee that I never had?—
Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.

ANGELO

Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer.
I would not spare my brother in this case
If he should scorn me so apparently.

ANGELO

Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer.
I would not spare my brother in this case
If he should scorn me so apparently.

OFFICER

I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.

OFFICER

I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

80 I do obey thee till I give thee bail.
But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear
As all the metal in your shop will answer.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I do obey thee till I give thee bail.
But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear
As all the metal in your shop will answer.

ANGELO

Sir, sir, I will have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.

ANGELO

Sir, sir, I will have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.
Enter DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
Enter DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

85 Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard,
And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought
The oil, the balsamum and aqua vitae.
90 The ship is in her trim; the merry wind
Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at all
But for their owner, master, and yourself.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard,
And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought
The oil, the balsamum and aqua vitae.
The ship is in her trim; the merry wind
Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at all
But for their owner, master, and yourself.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

95 A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope
And told thee to what purpose and what end.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope
And told thee to what purpose and what end.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.
You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.
You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

100 I will debate this matter at more leisure
And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.
Give her this key, and tell her in the desk
That’s cover’d o'er with Turkish tapestry
105 There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.
Tell her I am arrested in the street,
And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—
On, officer, to prison till it come.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

I will debate this matter at more leisure
And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.
Give her this key, and tell her in the desk
That’s cover’d o'er with Turkish tapestry
There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.
Tell her I am arrested in the street,
And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—
On, officer, to prison till it come.
Exeunt SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO , OFFICER , and ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
Exeunt SECOND MERCHANT , ANGELO , OFFICER , and ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

To Adriana. That is where we dined,
110 Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.
She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.
Thither I must, although against my will,
For servants must their masters' minds fulfill.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

To Adriana. That is where we dined,
Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.
She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.
Thither I must, although against my will,
For servants must their masters' minds fulfill.
Exit
Exit

Popular pages: The Comedy of Errors