ACT IV. SCENE I. THE SAME. Enter a Merchant, Angelo, and an Officer. Mer. 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 Or I'll attach you by this officer. Ang. 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, Enter Antipholus of Ephesus, and Dromio of Off. That labour may you save; see where he comes. Ant. E. 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, Dro. E. I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope! [Exit Dromio. Ant. E. 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. Ang. 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. Ant. E. I am not furnish'd with the present mos ney; Besides, I have some business in the town: Good signior, take the stranger to my house, self? your Ant. E. No; bear't with you, lest I come not time enough. Ang. Well, sir, I will: Have you the chain about you? Ant. E. An if I have not, sir, I hope you have; Or else you may return without your money. Ang. 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. Ant. E. Good lord, you use this dalliance, to ex cuse Your breach of promise to the Porcupine: Mer. The hour steals on; I pray you, sir, despatch. Ang. You hear, how he impórtunes me; the chain Ant. E. Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money. Ang. Come, come, you know, I gave it you even now; Either send the chain, or send me by some token. Ant. E. Fie! now you run this humour out of breath: Come, where's the chain? I pray you, let me see it. Ant. E. I answer you! What should I answer you? Ang. The money, that you owe me for the chain. Ant. E. I owe you none, till I receive the chain. to say so. Ang. You wrong me more, sir, in denying it: Consider, how it stands upon my credit. Mer. Well officer, arrest him at my suit. Off. I do; and charge you, in the duke's name, to obey me. Ang. This touches me in reputation:— Ant. E. Consent to pay thee that I never had! Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar'st. Ang. Here is thy fee; arrest him officer;- Off. I do arrest you, sir; you hear the suit. Ant. E. 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. Ang. Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus, To your notorious shame, I doubt it not. Enter Dromio of Syracuse. Dro. S. Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum, The ship is in her trim; the merry wind What ship of Epidamnum stays for me? Dro. S. A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage. Ant. E. Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope; And told thee to what purpose, and what end. Dro. S. You sent me, sir, for a rope's end as soon: You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark. Ant. E. I will debate this matter at more leisure, Give her this key, and tell her, in the desk And that shall bail me: hie thee, slave; be gone. [Exeunt Merchant, Angelo, Officer, and Ant. E. Dro. S. To Adriana! that is where we din'd, 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 fulfil. [Exit. SCENE II. THE SAME. Enter Adriana and Luciana. Adr. Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?. Might'st thou perceive austerely in his eye That he did plead in earnest, yea or no? Look'd he or red, or pale; or sad, or merrily? What observation mad'st thou in this case, Luc. First, he denied you had in him no right. spite. |