 | The Twin Brothers |  |
60
SCENE IV.
Enter MENÆCHMUS SOSICLES, with the robe.Men. Sos.
'Twas foolish in me when but now I trusted
My purse with all that's in it, to Messenio.
He has got, I doubt, into some brothel with it.
Enter the WIFE of Menæchmus of Epidamnum.
Wife.
I'll now see if my husband is come home.
But see, he's here! All's well, he brings my robe.
Men. Sos.
I wonder where Messenio can be got!
Wife.
I'll go, and talk to him as he deserves.—
Art not asham'd, vile man, to appear before me,
And with this robe?
Men. Sos.
Why, what's the matter, woman?
What is't disturbs you!
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Dare you, impudence!
Mutter a single word, or speak to me?
Men. Sos.
What have I done, I should not dare to speak?
Wife.
What! do you ask me? O, consummate impudence!
Men. Sos.
Did you ne'er hear, good woman, why the Grecians
Call'd Hecuba a bitch?
Wife.
Not that I know of.
Men. Sos.
Because she did the same that you do now;
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And therefore, rightly did they call her bitch.
Wife.
I cannot bear these scandalous reproaches:
I'd rather be a widow all my life,
Than bear these vile reflections you throw on me.
Men. Sos.
What is't to me, whether you live as married,
Or parted from your husband? Is it thus
The custom to sing out such idle stories
To strangers on their first arrival here?
Wife.
What idle stories? No, I will not bear it,
I'd rather live a widow, than endure
Your humours any longer.
Men. Sos.
'Troth, for me
Long as you please, you've leave to live a widow:
As long as Jupiter shall keep his kingdom.
Wife.
You would not own but now, you stole that robe,
And now you hold it out before my eyes?
What! are you not asham'd?
Men. Sos.
By Hercules!
You are an impudent and wicked woman,
To dare to say this robe was stol'n from you;
When it was given me by another woman,
To get it alter'd for her.
Wife.
Yes, by Castor!
I'll call my father hither, and lay open
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[to a Servant.]
Seek for my father, bring him with you; say,
'Tis proper he should come.—I'll tell him all
Your horrid usage.—
Men. Sos.
Are you in your senses?
What horrid usage?
Wife.
How you have filch'd from me
My robe, my gold, from me who are your wife,
And giv'n them to your mistress—Say I not
The very truth?—
Men. Sos.
I prithee, woman, say
Where I may sup, to charm me from your tongue.
I know not whom you take me for—For you,
I know as much of Parthaon.
Wife.
Tho' you mock me,
You can't, by Pollux! serve my father so,
Who's just now coming hither—Look behind.
Say, do you know him?
Men. Sos.
Just as I know Chalcas.
The very day that I saw you, before
This day did I see him—
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Dar'st thou deny
That thou know'st me, deny thou know'st my father?
Men. Sos.
I'd say the same thing, did'st thou bring thy grandfather.
Wife.
By Castor! you are like yourself in all things.
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