The Comedy of Errors In Five Acts |
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SCENE III.
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 | The Comedy of Errors |  |
SCENE III.
THE GREAT SQUARE IN EPHESUS.Enter Antipholis of Syracuse, with the Bracelet on his arm.
Ant. of Syr.
There's not a man I meet but doth salute me,
As if I were his well-acquainted friend:
And every one doth call me by my name:
Some tender money to me, some invite me,
Some offer me commodities to buy;
While others give me thanks for kindnesses:
Ev'n now, a tailor call'd me in his shop,
And show'd me silks that he had bought for me,
And therewithal took measure of my body:
Sure these are but imaginary wiles,
And Lapland sorcerors inhabit here.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse.
Dr. of Syr.
Master, here's the gold you sent me
for.—What, have you got rid of the fiend?
Ant. of Syr.
What gold is this?—What fiend
dost thou mean?
Dr. of Syr.
He that came behind you, sir, like
an evil angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.
Ant. of Syr.
I understand thee not.
Dr. of Syr.
No;—why 'tis plain enough. The
a fob, and rests them: He, sir, that takes pity on
decay'd men, and gives them suits of durance.
Ant. of Syr.
Mean'st thou an officer?
Dr. of Syr.
Aye, sir, the sergeant of the band;
he that brings any man to answer it, that breaks his
bond: One that thinks a man always going to bed,
and says, Heaven send you good rest!
Ant. of Syr.
Well, sir, there rest your foolery.
—Is there any ship puts forth to-night? May we
be gone?
Dr. of Syr.
Why, sir, I brought you word, an
hour since, that the bark, Expedition, puts forth
to-night; and then were you hinder'd by the sergeant,
to tarry for the hoy, Delay. Here are the angels
that you sent for, to deliver you.
Ant. of Syr.
The fellow is distract, and so am I:
And here we wander in illusion:
Some blessed power deliver us from hence!
Enter Lesbia.
Les.
Well met, well met, master Antipholis.
I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now:
Is this the bracelet you promis'd me to-day?
Ant. of Syr.
What more temptations?
Mistress, you do impeach your modesty,
Here in the street, thus to commit yourself
Into the hands of one who knows you not.
Les.
Not know me?—How?—Am I not Lesbia?
And are not you Antipholis?—Nay, jest not:
Ant. of Syr.
Have you no bashfulness? no sense of shame?
No touch of modesty? Why will you tear
Ungentle words from my reluctant tongue?
Les.
I would not do so, good Antipholis;
I do but ask for what you promis'd me.
Ant. of Syr.
I promis'd thee!
Les.
Aye, as we sat at dinner.
Ant. of Syr.
I ne'er beheld thy face, until this instant.
Les.
And told'st me that thy wife—
Ant. of Syr.
My wife?—thou sorceress!
Dr. of Syr.
Master, you certainly have been married,
And have forgot it.
Les.
Say, did you not, Antipholis?
Ant. of Syr.
I tell thee, no.
Les.
Nor take my ring?
Ant. of Syr.
No, no; nor comprehend
What thy false tongue hath utter'd. Dromio,
Follow me to our inn: I will not stay,
Nor longer listen to thy sorceries.
[Exit Antipholis of Syracuse, Lesbia following him.
Dr. of Syr.
[Draws his sword.]
No, you don't:
—Here's my charm against witches. Mistress, it
is written that evil spirits appear to men like angels
of light: Light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn;
ergo, light wenches will burn: therefore we will
[Exit Dromio of Syracuse.
Les.
Now, out of doubt, Antipholis is mad;
Else would he never so demean himself.
A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats;
And for the same, he promis'd me a bracelet:
Both one and other he denies me now.
What then remains? What measures shall I take?
My way is strait to hie me to his house,
And tell his wife that, being lunatic,
He rush'd into my house, and took, perforce,
My ring away: this course I fittest choose,
To right myself against this madman's wrong.
[Exit.
| The Comedy of Errors | |