DROMIO OF SYRACUSE.
As from a bear a man would run for life,
So fly I from her that would be my wife.
[Exit.]
SCENE IV
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
There’s none but witches do inhabit here;
And therefore ‘tis high time that I were hence.
She that doth call me husband, even my soul
Doth for a wife abhor; but her fair sister,
Possess’d with such a gentle sovereign grace,
Of such enchanting presence and discourse,
Hath almost made me traitor to myself:
But, lest myself be guilty to self-wrong,
I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.
[Enter ANGELO.]
ANGELO.
Master Antipholus?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
Ay, that’s my name.
ANGELO.
I know it well, sir. Lo, here is the chain;
I thought to have ta’en you at the Porcupine:
The chain unfinish’d made me stay thus long.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
What is your will that I shall do with this?
ANGELO.
What please yourself, sir; I have made it for you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
Made it for me, sir! I bespoke it not.
ANGELO.
Not once nor twice, but twenty times you have:
Go home with it, and please your wife withal;
And soon at suppertime I’ll visit you,
And then receive my money for the chain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
I pray you, sir, receive the money now,
For fear you ne’er see chain nor money more.
ANGELO.
You are a merry man, sir; fare you well.
[Exit.]
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE.
What I should think of this I cannot tell:
But this I think, there’s no man is so vain
That would refuse so fair an offer’d chain.
I see a man here needs not live by shifts,
When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.
I’ll to the mart, and there for Dromio stay;
If any ship put out, then straight away.
[Exit.]
ACT IV
SCENE I
The same.
[Enter a MERCHANT, ANGELO, and an OFFICER.]
MERCHANT.
You know, since Pentecost the sum is due,
And since I have not much importun’d 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
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.]
OFFICER.
That labour may you save: see where he comes.
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!
[Exit DROMIO.]
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.
A man is well holp up that trusts to you:
I promised 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 chain’d together; and therefore came not.
ANGELO.
Saving your merry humour, 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 discharg’d,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.
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.
Then you will bring the chain to her yourself?
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS.
No; bear it with you, lest I come not time enough.
ANGELO.