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Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and the OFFICER
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and the OFFICER

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fear me not, man. I will not break away:
I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,
To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.
My wife is in a wayward mood today
5 And will not lightly trust the messenger
That I should be attached in Ephesus.
I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fear me not, man. I will not break away:
I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,
To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.
My wife is in a wayward mood today
And will not lightly trust the messenger
That I should be attached in Ephesus.
I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.
Enter DROMIO OF EPHESUS with a rope’s end
Enter DROMIO OF EPHESUS with a rope’s end
Here comes my man. I think he brings the money.
How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?
Here comes my man. I think he brings the money.
How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

10 Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

But where’s the money?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

But where’s the money?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

15 To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

To a rope’s end, sir, and to that end am I returned.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

To a rope’s end, sir, and to that end am I returned.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you. (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you. (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

OFFICER

Good sir, be patient.

OFFICER

Good sir, be patient.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I am in adversity.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I am in adversity.

OFFICER

20 Good now, hold thy tongue.

OFFICER

Good now, hold thy tongue.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou whoreson, senseless villain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou whoreson, senseless villain.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears.—I have served him from the hour of my 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.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears.—I have served him from the hour of my 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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

35 Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.
Enter ADRIANA , LUCIANA , the COURTESAN and a schoolmaster called PINCH
Enter ADRIANA , LUCIANA , the COURTESAN and a schoolmaster called PINCH

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Mistress, respice finem, respect your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, “Beware the rope’s end.”

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Mistress, respice finem, respect your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, “Beware the rope’s end.”

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Wilt thou still talk? (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Wilt thou still talk? (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

COURTESAN

How say you now? Is not your husband mad?

COURTESAN

How say you now? Is not your husband mad?

ADRIANA

His incivility confirms no less.—
40 Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;
Establish him in his true sense again,
And I will please you what you will demand.

ADRIANA

His incivility confirms no less.—
Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;
Establish him in his true sense again,
And I will please you what you will demand.

LUCIANA

Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!

LUCIANA

Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!

COURTESAN

Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.

COURTESAN

Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.

PINCH

45 Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

PINCH

Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. (strikes PINCH)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. (strikes PINCH)

PINCH

I charge thee, Satan, housed within this man,
To yield possession to my holy prayers
And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight.
50 I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.

PINCH

I charge thee, Satan, housed 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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.

ADRIANA

O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!

ADRIANA

O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You minion, you, are these your customers?
Did this companion with the saffron face
55 Revel and feast it at my house today
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
And I denied to enter in my house?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You minion, you, are these your customers?
Did this companion with the saffron face
Revel and feast it at my house today
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
And I denied to enter in my house?

ADRIANA

O husband, God doth know you dined at home,
Where would you had remained until this time,
60 Free from these slanders and this open shame.

ADRIANA

O husband, God doth know you dined at home,
Where would you had remained until this time,
Free from these slanders and this open shame.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

“Dined at home”? Thou villain, what sayest thou?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

“Dined at home”? Thou villain, what sayest thou?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

65 And did not she herself revile me there?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not she herself revile me there?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not I in rage depart from thence?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not I in rage depart from thence?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

70 In verity you did.—My bones bear witness,
That since have felt the vigour of his rage.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

In verity you did.—My bones bear witness,
That since have felt the vigour of his rage.

ADRIANA

(to PINCH) Is’t good to soothe him in these contraries?

ADRIANA

(to PINCH) Is’t good to soothe him in these contraries?

PINCH

It is no shame. The fellow finds his vein
And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.

PINCH

It is no shame. The fellow finds his vein
And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.

ADRIANA

Alas, I sent you money to redeem you
By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.

ADRIANA

Alas, I sent you money to redeem you
By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Money by me! heart and goodwill you might,
But surely, master, not a rag of money.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Money by me! heart and goodwill you might,
But surely, master, not a rag of money.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

80 Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

ADRIANA

He came to me, and I delivered it.

ADRIANA

He came to me, and I delivered it.

LUCIANA

And I am witness with her that she did.

LUCIANA

And I am witness with her that she did.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

God and the rope-maker bear me witness
That I was sent for nothing but a rope.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

God and the rope-maker bear me witness
That I was sent for nothing but a rope.

PINCH

85 Mistress, both man and master is possessed.
I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

PINCH

Mistress, both man and master is possessed.
I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.
(to DROMIO OF EPHESUS) And why dost thou deny the bag of gold?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.
(to DROMIO OF EPHESUS) And why dost thou deny the bag of gold?

ADRIANA

90 I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

ADRIANA

I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

And, gentle master, I received no gold.
But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

And, gentle master, I received no gold.
But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.

ADRIANA

Dissembling villain, thou speak’st false in both.

ADRIANA

Dissembling villain, thou speak’st false in both.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,
95 And art confederate with a damnèd pack
To make a loathsome abject scorn of me.
But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes
That would behold in me this shameful sport.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,
And art confederate with a damnèd pack
To make a loathsome abject scorn of me.
But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes
That would behold in me this shameful sport.
Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives.
Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives.

ADRIANA

O bind him, bind him! Let him not come near me.

ADRIANA

O bind him, bind him! Let him not come near me.

PINCH

100 More company! The fiend is strong within him.

PINCH

More company! The fiend is strong within him.

LUCIANA

Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!

LUCIANA

Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,
I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,
I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue?

OFFICER

   Masters, let him go.
105 He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.

OFFICER

   Masters, let him go.
He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.

PINCH

Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.

PINCH

Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.
They bind DROMIO OF EPHESUS
They bind DROMIO OF EPHESUS

ADRIANA

What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

ADRIANA

What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

OFFICER

110 He is my prisoner. If I let him go,
The debt he owes will be required of me.

OFFICER

He is my prisoner. If I let him go,
The debt he owes will be required of me.

ADRIANA

I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,
And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—
115 Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyed
Home to my house. O most unhappy day!

ADRIANA

I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,
And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—
Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyed
Home to my house. O most unhappy day!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

O most unhappy strumpet!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

O most unhappy strumpet!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Master, I am here entered in bond for you.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Master, I am here entered in bond for you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

120 Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master.
Cry “The devil!”

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master.
Cry “The devil!”

LUCIANA

God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!

LUCIANA

God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!

ADRIANA

Go bear him hence Sister, go you with me.

ADRIANA

Go bear him hence Sister, go you with me.
Exeunt PINCH and the men, with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Exeunt PINCH and the men, with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Manent OFFICER , ADRIANA , LUCIANA , COURTESAN
Manent OFFICER , ADRIANA , LUCIANA , COURTESAN
Say now whose suit is he arrested at.
Say now whose suit is he arrested at.

OFFICER

125 One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?

OFFICER

One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?

ADRIANA

I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

ADRIANA

I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

OFFICER

Two hundred ducats.

OFFICER

Two hundred ducats.

ADRIANA

   Say, how grows it due?

ADRIANA

   Say, how grows it due?

OFFICER

Due for a chain your husband had of him.

OFFICER

Due for a chain your husband had of him.

ADRIANA

He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.

ADRIANA

He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.

COURTESAN

130 Whenas your husband all in rage today
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.

COURTESAN

Whenas your husband all in rage today
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.

ADRIANA

It may be so, but I did never see it.—
135 Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is.
I long to know the truth hereof at large.

ADRIANA

It may be so, 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
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE with his rapier drawn and DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

LUCIANA

God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!

LUCIANA

God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!

ADRIANA

And come with naked swords. Let’s call more help
To have them bound again.

ADRIANA

And come with naked swords. Let’s call more help
To have them bound again.

OFFICER

   Away! They’ll kill us.

OFFICER

   Away! They’ll kill us.
Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.
Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

140 I see these witches are afraid of swords.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I see these witches are afraid of swords.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

She that would be your wife now ran from you.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

She that would be your wife now ran from you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.
I long that we were safe and sound aboard.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.
I long that we were safe and sound aboard.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

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

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

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.
that claims marriage of me, i could find in my heart to stay here still, and turn witch.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I will not stay tonight for all the town.
150 Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I will not stay tonight for all the town.
Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard.
Exeunt
Exeunt

Original Text

Modern Text

Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and the OFFICER
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and the OFFICER

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fear me not, man. I will not break away:
I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,
To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.
My wife is in a wayward mood today
5 And will not lightly trust the messenger
That I should be attached in Ephesus.
I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Fear me not, man. I will not break away:
I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,
To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.
My wife is in a wayward mood today
And will not lightly trust the messenger
That I should be attached in Ephesus.
I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.
Enter DROMIO OF EPHESUS with a rope’s end
Enter DROMIO OF EPHESUS with a rope’s end
Here comes my man. I think he brings the money.
How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?
Here comes my man. I think he brings the money.
How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

10 Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

But where’s the money?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

But where’s the money?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

15 To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

To a rope’s end, sir, and to that end am I returned.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

To a rope’s end, sir, and to that end am I returned.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you. (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you. (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

OFFICER

Good sir, be patient.

OFFICER

Good sir, be patient.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I am in adversity.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I am in adversity.

OFFICER

20 Good now, hold thy tongue.

OFFICER

Good now, hold thy tongue.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou whoreson, senseless villain.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Thou whoreson, senseless villain.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears.—I have served him from the hour of my 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.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears.—I have served him from the hour of my 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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

35 Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.
Enter ADRIANA , LUCIANA , the COURTESAN and a schoolmaster called PINCH
Enter ADRIANA , LUCIANA , the COURTESAN and a schoolmaster called PINCH

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Mistress, respice finem, respect your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, “Beware the rope’s end.”

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Mistress, respice finem, respect your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, “Beware the rope’s end.”

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Wilt thou still talk? (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Wilt thou still talk? (beats DROMIO OF EPHESUS)

COURTESAN

How say you now? Is not your husband mad?

COURTESAN

How say you now? Is not your husband mad?

ADRIANA

His incivility confirms no less.—
40 Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;
Establish him in his true sense again,
And I will please you what you will demand.

ADRIANA

His incivility confirms no less.—
Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;
Establish him in his true sense again,
And I will please you what you will demand.

LUCIANA

Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!

LUCIANA

Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!

COURTESAN

Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.

COURTESAN

Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.

PINCH

45 Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

PINCH

Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. (strikes PINCH)

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

There is my hand, and let it feel your ear. (strikes PINCH)

PINCH

I charge thee, Satan, housed within this man,
To yield possession to my holy prayers
And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight.
50 I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.

PINCH

I charge thee, Satan, housed 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.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.

ADRIANA

O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!

ADRIANA

O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You minion, you, are these your customers?
Did this companion with the saffron face
55 Revel and feast it at my house today
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
And I denied to enter in my house?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

You minion, you, are these your customers?
Did this companion with the saffron face
Revel and feast it at my house today
Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
And I denied to enter in my house?

ADRIANA

O husband, God doth know you dined at home,
Where would you had remained until this time,
60 Free from these slanders and this open shame.

ADRIANA

O husband, God doth know you dined at home,
Where would you had remained until this time,
Free from these slanders and this open shame.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

“Dined at home”? Thou villain, what sayest thou?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

“Dined at home”? Thou villain, what sayest thou?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

65 And did not she herself revile me there?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not she herself revile me there?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

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

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not I in rage depart from thence?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

And did not I in rage depart from thence?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

70 In verity you did.—My bones bear witness,
That since have felt the vigour of his rage.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

In verity you did.—My bones bear witness,
That since have felt the vigour of his rage.

ADRIANA

(to PINCH) Is’t good to soothe him in these contraries?

ADRIANA

(to PINCH) Is’t good to soothe him in these contraries?

PINCH

It is no shame. The fellow finds his vein
And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.

PINCH

It is no shame. The fellow finds his vein
And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.

ADRIANA

Alas, I sent you money to redeem you
By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.

ADRIANA

Alas, I sent you money to redeem you
By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Money by me! heart and goodwill you might,
But surely, master, not a rag of money.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Money by me! heart and goodwill you might,
But surely, master, not a rag of money.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

80 Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

ADRIANA

He came to me, and I delivered it.

ADRIANA

He came to me, and I delivered it.

LUCIANA

And I am witness with her that she did.

LUCIANA

And I am witness with her that she did.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

God and the rope-maker bear me witness
That I was sent for nothing but a rope.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

God and the rope-maker bear me witness
That I was sent for nothing but a rope.

PINCH

85 Mistress, both man and master is possessed.
I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

PINCH

Mistress, both man and master is possessed.
I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
They must be bound and laid in some dark room.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.
(to DROMIO OF EPHESUS) And why dost thou deny the bag of gold?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

(to ADRIANA) Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.
(to DROMIO OF EPHESUS) And why dost thou deny the bag of gold?

ADRIANA

90 I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

ADRIANA

I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

And, gentle master, I received no gold.
But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

And, gentle master, I received no gold.
But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.

ADRIANA

Dissembling villain, thou speak’st false in both.

ADRIANA

Dissembling villain, thou speak’st false in both.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,
95 And art confederate with a damnèd pack
To make a loathsome abject scorn of me.
But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes
That would behold in me this shameful sport.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,
And art confederate with a damnèd pack
To make a loathsome abject scorn of me.
But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes
That would behold in me this shameful sport.
Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives.
Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives.

ADRIANA

O bind him, bind him! Let him not come near me.

ADRIANA

O bind him, bind him! Let him not come near me.

PINCH

100 More company! The fiend is strong within him.

PINCH

More company! The fiend is strong within him.

LUCIANA

Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!

LUCIANA

Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,
I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,
I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them
To make a rescue?

OFFICER

   Masters, let him go.
105 He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.

OFFICER

   Masters, let him go.
He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.

PINCH

Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.

PINCH

Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.
They bind DROMIO OF EPHESUS
They bind DROMIO OF EPHESUS

ADRIANA

What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

ADRIANA

What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?
Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

OFFICER

110 He is my prisoner. If I let him go,
The debt he owes will be required of me.

OFFICER

He is my prisoner. If I let him go,
The debt he owes will be required of me.

ADRIANA

I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,
And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—
115 Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyed
Home to my house. O most unhappy day!

ADRIANA

I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.
Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,
And, knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—
Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyed
Home to my house. O most unhappy day!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

O most unhappy strumpet!

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

O most unhappy strumpet!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Master, I am here entered in bond for you.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Master, I am here entered in bond for you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?

ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS

Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

120 Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master.
Cry “The devil!”

DROMIO OF EPHESUS

Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master.
Cry “The devil!”

LUCIANA

God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!

LUCIANA

God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!

ADRIANA

Go bear him hence Sister, go you with me.

ADRIANA

Go bear him hence Sister, go you with me.
Exeunt PINCH and the men, with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Exeunt PINCH and the men, with ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS and DROMIO OF EPHESUS
Manent OFFICER , ADRIANA , LUCIANA , COURTESAN
Manent OFFICER , ADRIANA , LUCIANA , COURTESAN
Say now whose suit is he arrested at.
Say now whose suit is he arrested at.

OFFICER

125 One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?

OFFICER

One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?

ADRIANA

I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

ADRIANA

I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

OFFICER

Two hundred ducats.

OFFICER

Two hundred ducats.

ADRIANA

   Say, how grows it due?

ADRIANA

   Say, how grows it due?

OFFICER

Due for a chain your husband had of him.

OFFICER

Due for a chain your husband had of him.

ADRIANA

He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.

ADRIANA

He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.

COURTESAN

130 Whenas your husband all in rage today
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.

COURTESAN

Whenas your husband all in rage today
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.

ADRIANA

It may be so, but I did never see it.—
135 Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is.
I long to know the truth hereof at large.

ADRIANA

It may be so, 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
Enter ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE with his rapier drawn and DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

LUCIANA

God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!

LUCIANA

God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!

ADRIANA

And come with naked swords. Let’s call more help
To have them bound again.

ADRIANA

And come with naked swords. Let’s call more help
To have them bound again.

OFFICER

   Away! They’ll kill us.

OFFICER

   Away! They’ll kill us.
Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.
Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

140 I see these witches are afraid of swords.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I see these witches are afraid of swords.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

She that would be your wife now ran from you.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

She that would be your wife now ran from you.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.
I long that we were safe and sound aboard.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.
I long that we were safe and sound aboard.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

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

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE

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.
that claims marriage of me, i could find in my heart to stay here still, and turn witch.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I will not stay tonight for all the town.
150 Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard.

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE

I will not stay tonight for all the town.
Therefore away, to get our stuff aboard.
Exeunt
Exeunt

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