Folger Shakespeare Library

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Contents

Front Matter |
ACT 1 |
ACT 2 |
ACT 3 |
ACT 4 |
ACT 5 |

From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library

It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own.

Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them.

The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.

I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging. Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts. I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire.

Michael Witmore
Director, Folger Shakespeare Library

Textual Introduction
By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine

Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a late-nineteenth century version of the plays. What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote. But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text. In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F). There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others. Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text.

Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste. When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her. (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”). All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero.

The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face. The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions. The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “If she in chains of magic were not bound,”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier. Who hath relieved/you?”). At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information.

Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare.

Synopsis

Set in the city of Ephesus, The Comedy of Errors concerns the farcical misadventures of two sets of identical twins. Many years earlier, the Syracusan merchant Egeon had twin sons, both named Antipholus. At their birth, he bought another pair of newborn twins, both named Dromio, as their servants. In a shipwreck, Egeon lost his wife, one of his sons, and one of the Dromios.

Egeon’s remaining son, Antipholus of Syracuse, and his servant, Dromio of Syracuse, come to Ephesus, where—unknown to them—their lost twins now live. The visitors are confused, angered, or intrigued when local residents seem to know them.

Similarly, Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus run into puzzling reactions from the people they know—who have been dealing, unwittingly, with the Syracusans. Antipholus of Ephesus’s wife bars him from his house; he is jailed after a jeweler claims he owes money on a gold chain he never received.

When the four twins come together, all is finally resolved. In one last twist, their parents reunite as well.

Characters in the Play
Egeon, a merchant from Syracuse
Solinus, Duke of Ephesus
Antipholus of Syracuse, a traveler in search of his mother
and his brother
Dromio of Syracuse, Antipholus of Syracuse’s servant
First Merchant, a citizen of Ephesus
Antipholus of Ephesus, a citizen of Ephesus
Dromio of Ephesus, Antipholus of Ephesus’s servant
Adriana, Antipholus of Ephesus’s wife
Luciana, Adriana’s sister
Luce (also called Nell), kitchen maid betrothed to
Dromio of Ephesus
Messenger, servant to Antipholus of Ephesus and Adriana
Angelo, an Ephesian goldsmith
Second Merchant, a citizen of Ephesus to whom
Angelo owes money
Balthasar, an Ephesian merchant invited to dinner
by Antipholus of Ephesus
Courtesan, hostess of Antipholus of Ephesus at dinner
Dr. Pinch, a schoolmaster, engaged as an exorcist
Officer (also called Jailer), an Ephesian law officer
Lady Abbess (also called Emilia), head of a priory in Ephesus
Attendants, Servants to Pinch, Headsman, Officers

ACT 1
Scene 1
Enter Solinus the Duke of Ephesus, with Egeon the
Merchant of Syracuse, Jailer, and other Attendants.
EGEON
FTLN 0001 Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall,
FTLN 0002 And by the doom of death end woes and all.
DUKE
FTLN 0003 Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more.
FTLN 0004 I am not partial to infringe our laws.
FTLN 0005 5 The enmity and discord which of late
FTLN 0006 Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke
FTLN 0007 To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen,
FTLN 0008 Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives,
FTLN 0009 Have sealed his rigorous statutes with their bloods,
FTLN 0010 10 Excludes all pity from our threat’ning looks.
FTLN 0011 For since the mortal and intestine jars
FTLN 0012 ’Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us,
FTLN 0013 It hath in solemn synods been decreed,
FTLN 0014 Both by the Syracusians and ourselves,
FTLN 0015 15 To admit no traffic to our adverse towns.
FTLN 0016 Nay, more, if any born at Ephesus
FTLN 0017 Be seen at Syracusian marts and fairs;
FTLN 0018 Again, if any Syracusian born
FTLN 0019 Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies,
FTLN 0020 20 His goods confiscate to the Duke’s dispose,
7

9
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0021 Unless a thousand marks be levièd
FTLN 0022 To quit the penalty and to ransom him.
FTLN 0023 Thy substance, valued at the highest rate,
FTLN 0024 Cannot amount unto a hundred marks;
FTLN 0025 25 Therefore by law thou art condemned to die.
EGEON
FTLN 0026 Yet this my comfort: when your words are done,
FTLN 0027 My woes end likewise with the evening sun.
DUKE
FTLN 0028 Well, Syracusian, say in brief the cause
FTLN 0029 Why thou departedst from thy native home
FTLN 0030 30 And for what cause thou cam’st to Ephesus.
EGEON
FTLN 0031 A heavier task could not have been imposed
FTLN 0032 Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable;
FTLN 0033 Yet, that the world may witness that my end
FTLN 0034 Was wrought by nature, not by vile offense,
FTLN 0035 35 I’ll utter what my sorrow gives me leave.
FTLN 0036 In Syracusa was I born, and wed
FTLN 0037 Unto a woman happy but for me,
FTLN 0038 And by me, had not our hap been bad.
FTLN 0039 With her I lived in joy. Our wealth increased
FTLN 0040 40 By prosperous voyages I often made
FTLN 0041 To Epidamium, till my factor’s death
FTLN 0042 And the great care of goods at random left
FTLN 0043 Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse;
FTLN 0044 From whom my absence was not six months old
FTLN 0045 45 Before herself—almost at fainting under
FTLN 0046 The pleasing punishment that women bear—
FTLN 0047 Had made provision for her following me
FTLN 0048 And soon and safe arrivèd where I was.
FTLN 0049 There had she not been long but she became
FTLN 0050 50 A joyful mother of two goodly sons,
FTLN 0051 And, which was strange, the one so like the other
FTLN 0052 As could not be distinguished but by names.

11
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0053 That very hour, and in the selfsame inn,
FTLN 0054 A mean woman was deliverèd
FTLN 0055 55 Of such a burden, male twins, both alike.
FTLN 0056 Those, for their parents were exceeding poor,
FTLN 0057 I bought and brought up to attend my sons.
FTLN 0058 My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys,
FTLN 0059 Made daily motions for our home return.
FTLN 0060 60 Unwilling, I agreed. Alas, too soon
FTLN 0061 We came aboard.
FTLN 0062 A league from Epidamium had we sailed
FTLN 0063 Before the always-wind-obeying deep
FTLN 0064 Gave any tragic instance of our harm;
FTLN 0065 65 But longer did we not retain much hope,
FTLN 0066 For what obscurèd light the heavens did grant
FTLN 0067 Did but convey unto our fearful minds
FTLN 0068 A doubtful warrant of immediate death,
FTLN 0069 Which though myself would gladly have embraced,
FTLN 0070 70 Yet the incessant weepings of my wife,
FTLN 0071 Weeping before for what she saw must come,
FTLN 0072 And piteous plainings of the pretty babes,
FTLN 0073 That mourned for fashion, ignorant what to fear,
FTLN 0074 Forced me to seek delays for them and me.
FTLN 0075 75 And this it was, for other means was none:
FTLN 0076 The sailors sought for safety by our boat
FTLN 0077 And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us.
FTLN 0078 My wife, more careful for the latter-born,
FTLN 0079 Had fastened him unto a small spare mast,
FTLN 0080 80 Such as seafaring men provide for storms.
FTLN 0081 To him one of the other twins was bound,
FTLN 0082 Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.
FTLN 0083 The children thus disposed, my wife and I,
FTLN 0084 Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fixed,
FTLN 0085 85 Fastened ourselves at either end the mast
FTLN 0086 And, floating straight, obedient to the stream,
FTLN 0087 Was carried towards Corinth, as we thought.

13
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 1
FTLN 0088 At length the sun, gazing upon the earth,
FTLN 0089 Dispersed those vapors that offended us,
FTLN 0090 90 And by the benefit of his wished light
FTLN 0091 The seas waxed calm, and we discoverèd
FTLN 0092 Two ships from far, making amain to us,
FTLN 0093 Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this.
FTLN 0094 But ere they came—O, let me say no more!
FTLN 0095 95 Gather the sequel by that went before.
DUKE
FTLN 0096 Nay, forward, old man. Do not break off so,
FTLN 0097 For we may pity though not pardon thee.
EGEON
FTLN 0098 O, had the gods done so, I had not now
FTLN 0099 Worthily termed them merciless to us.
FTLN 0100 100 For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues,
FTLN 0101 We were encountered by a mighty rock,
FTLN 0102 Which being violently borne upon,
FTLN 0103 Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst;
FTLN 0104 So that, in this unjust divorce of us,
FTLN 0105 105 Fortune had left to both of us alike
FTLN 0106 What to delight in, what to sorrow for.
FTLN 0107 Her part, poor soul, seeming as burdenèd
FTLN 0108 With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe,
FTLN 0109 Was carried with more speed before the wind,
FTLN 0110 110 And in our sight they three were taken up
FTLN 0111 By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought.
FTLN 0112 At length, another ship had seized on us
FTLN 0113 And, knowing whom it was their hap to save,
FTLN 0114 Gave healthful welcome to their shipwracked guests,
FTLN 0115 115 And would have reft the fishers of their prey
FTLN 0116 Had not their bark been very slow of sail;
FTLN 0117 And therefore homeward did they bend their course.
FTLN 0118 Thus have you heard me severed from my bliss,
FTLN 0119 That by misfortunes was my life prolonged
FTLN 0120 120 To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.

15
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 1
DUKE
FTLN 0121 And for the sake of them thou sorrowest for,
FTLN 0122 Do me the favor to dilate at full
FTLN 0123 What have befall’n of them and thee till now.
EGEON
FTLN 0124 My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care,
FTLN 0125 125 At eighteen years became inquisitive
FTLN 0126 After his brother, and importuned me
FTLN 0127 That his attendant—so his case was like,
FTLN 0128 Reft of his brother, but retained his name—
FTLN 0129 Might bear him company in the quest of him,
FTLN 0130 130 Whom whilst I labored of a love to see,
FTLN 0131 I hazarded the loss of whom I loved.
FTLN 0132 Five summers have I spent in farthest Greece,
FTLN 0133 Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia,
FTLN 0134 And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus,
FTLN 0135 135 Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought
FTLN 0136 Or that or any place that harbors men.
FTLN 0137 But here must end the story of my life;
FTLN 0138 And happy were I in my timely death
FTLN 0139 Could all my travels warrant me they live.
DUKE
FTLN 0140 140 Hapless Egeon, whom the fates have marked
FTLN 0141 To bear the extremity of dire mishap,
FTLN 0142 Now, trust me, were it not against our laws,
FTLN 0143 Against my crown, my oath, my dignity,
FTLN 0144 Which princes, would they, may not disannul,
FTLN 0145 145 My soul should sue as advocate for thee.
FTLN 0146 But though thou art adjudgèd to the death,
FTLN 0147 And passèd sentence may not be recalled
FTLN 0148 But to our honor’s great disparagement,
FTLN 0149 Yet will I favor thee in what I can.
FTLN 0150 150 Therefore, merchant, I’ll limit thee this day
FTLN 0151 To seek thy life by beneficial help.
FTLN 0152 Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus;
FTLN 0153 Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum,

17
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0154 And live. If no, then thou art doomed to die.—
FTLN 0155 155 Jailer, take him to thy custody.
JAILER FTLN 0156 I will, my lord.
EGEON
FTLN 0157 Hopeless and helpless doth Egeon wend,
FTLN 0158 But to procrastinate his lifeless end.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse, First Merchant, and
Dromio of Syracuse.
FIRST MERCHANT
FTLN 0159 Therefore give out you are of Epidamium,
FTLN 0160 Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate.
FTLN 0161 This very day a Syracusian merchant
FTLN 0162 Is apprehended for arrival here
FTLN 0163 5 And, not being able to buy out his life,
FTLN 0164 According to the statute of the town
FTLN 0165 Dies ere the weary sun set in the west.
FTLN 0166 There is your money that I had to keep.
He gives money.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , handing money to Dromio
FTLN 0167 Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host,
FTLN 0168 10 And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee.
FTLN 0169 Within this hour it will be dinnertime.
FTLN 0170 Till that, I’ll view the manners of the town,
FTLN 0171 Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings,
FTLN 0172 And then return and sleep within mine inn,
FTLN 0173 15 For with long travel I am stiff and weary.
FTLN 0174 Get thee away.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0175 Many a man would take you at your word
FTLN 0176 And go indeed, having so good a mean.
Dromio of Syracuse exits.

19
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0177 A trusty villain, sir, that very oft,
FTLN 0178 20 When I am dull with care and melancholy,
FTLN 0179 Lightens my humor with his merry jests.
FTLN 0180 What, will you walk with me about the town
FTLN 0181 And then go to my inn and dine with me?
FIRST MERCHANT
FTLN 0182 I am invited, sir, to certain merchants,
FTLN 0183 25 Of whom I hope to make much benefit.
FTLN 0184 I crave your pardon. Soon at five o’clock,
FTLN 0185 Please you, I’ll meet with you upon the mart
FTLN 0186 And afterward consort you till bedtime.
FTLN 0187 My present business calls me from you now.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0188 30 Farewell till then. I will go lose myself
FTLN 0189 And wander up and down to view the city.
FIRST MERCHANT
FTLN 0190 Sir, I commend you to your own content. He exits.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0191 He that commends me to mine own content
FTLN 0192 Commends me to the thing I cannot get.
FTLN 0193 35 I to the world am like a drop of water
FTLN 0194 That in the ocean seeks another drop,
FTLN 0195 Who, falling there to find his fellow forth,
FTLN 0196 Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself.
FTLN 0197 So I, to find a mother and a brother,
FTLN 0198 40 In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.
Enter Dromio of Ephesus.
FTLN 0199 Here comes the almanac of my true date.—
FTLN 0200 What now? How chance thou art returned so soon?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0201 Returned so soon? Rather approached too late!
FTLN 0202 The capon burns; the pig falls from the spit;
FTLN 0203 45 The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell;
FTLN 0204 My mistress made it one upon my cheek.

21
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0205 She is so hot because the meat is cold;
FTLN 0206 The meat is cold because you come not home;
FTLN 0207 You come not home because you have no stomach;
FTLN 0208 50 You have no stomach, having broke your fast.
FTLN 0209 But we that know what ’tis to fast and pray
FTLN 0210 Are penitent for your default today.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0211 Stop in your wind, sir. Tell me this, I pray:
FTLN 0212 Where have you left the money that I gave you?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0213 55 O, sixpence that I had o’ Wednesday last
FTLN 0214 To pay the saddler for my mistress’ crupper?
FTLN 0215 The saddler had it, sir; I kept it not.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0216 I am not in a sportive humor now.
FTLN 0217 Tell me, and dally not: where is the money?
FTLN 0218 60 We being strangers here, how dar’st thou trust
FTLN 0219 So great a charge from thine own custody?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0220 I pray you, jest, sir, as you sit at dinner.
FTLN 0221 I from my mistress come to you in post;
FTLN 0222 If I return, I shall be post indeed,
FTLN 0223 65 For she will scour your fault upon my pate.
FTLN 0224 Methinks your maw, like mine, should be your
FTLN 0225 clock,
FTLN 0226 And strike you home without a messenger.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0227 Come, Dromio, come, these jests are out of season.
FTLN 0228 70 Reserve them till a merrier hour than this.
FTLN 0229 Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0230 To me, sir? Why, you gave no gold to me!
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0231 Come on, sir knave, have done your foolishness,
FTLN 0232 And tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge.

23
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 2
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0233 75 My charge was but to fetch you from the mart
FTLN 0234 Home to your house, the Phoenix, sir, to dinner.
FTLN 0235 My mistress and her sister stays for you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0236 Now, as I am a Christian, answer me
FTLN 0237 In what safe place you have bestowed my money,
FTLN 0238 80 Or I shall break that merry sconce of yours
FTLN 0239 That stands on tricks when I am undisposed.
FTLN 0240 Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0241 I have some marks of yours upon my pate,
FTLN 0242 Some of my mistress’ marks upon my shoulders,
FTLN 0243 85 But not a thousand marks between you both.
FTLN 0244 If I should pay your Worship those again,
FTLN 0245 Perchance you will not bear them patiently.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0246 Thy mistress’ marks? What mistress, slave, hast
FTLN 0247 thou?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0248 90 Your Worship’s wife, my mistress at the Phoenix,
FTLN 0249 She that doth fast till you come home to dinner
FTLN 0250 And prays that you will hie you home to dinner.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , beating Dromio
FTLN 0251 What, wilt thou flout me thus unto my face,
FTLN 0252 Being forbid? There, take you that, sir knave.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0253 95 What mean you, sir? For God’s sake, hold your
FTLN 0254 hands.
FTLN 0255 Nay, an you will not, sir, I’ll take my heels.
Dromio of Ephesus exits.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0256 Upon my life, by some device or other
FTLN 0257 The villain is o’erraught of all my money.
FTLN 0258 100 They say this town is full of cozenage,
FTLN 0259 As nimble jugglers that deceive the eye,

25
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 1. SC. 2
FTLN 0260 Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind,
FTLN 0261 Soul-killing witches that deform the body,
FTLN 0262 Disguisèd cheaters, prating mountebanks,
FTLN 0263 105 And many suchlike liberties of sin.
FTLN 0264 If it prove so, I will be gone the sooner.
FTLN 0265 I’ll to the Centaur to go seek this slave.
FTLN 0266 I greatly fear my money is not safe.
He exits.

ACT 2
Scene 1
Enter Adriana, wife to Antipholus of Ephesus, with
Luciana, her sister.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0267 Neither my husband nor the slave returned
FTLN 0268 That in such haste I sent to seek his master?
FTLN 0269 Sure, Luciana, it is two o’clock.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0270 Perhaps some merchant hath invited him,
FTLN 0271 5 And from the mart he’s somewhere gone to dinner.
FTLN 0272 Good sister, let us dine, and never fret.
FTLN 0273 A man is master of his liberty;
FTLN 0274 Time is their master, and when they see time
FTLN 0275 They’ll go or come. If so, be patient, sister.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0276 10 Why should their liberty than ours be more?
LUCIANA
FTLN 0277 Because their business still lies out o’ door.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0278 Look when I serve him so, he takes it ill.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0279 O, know he is the bridle of your will.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0280 There’s none but asses will be bridled so.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0281 15 Why, headstrong liberty is lashed with woe.
29

31
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0282 There’s nothing situate under heaven’s eye
FTLN 0283 But hath his bound in earth, in sea, in sky.
FTLN 0284 The beasts, the fishes, and the wingèd fowls
FTLN 0285 Are their males’ subjects and at their controls.
FTLN 0286 20 Man, more divine, the master of all these,
FTLN 0287 Lord of the wide world and wild wat’ry seas,
FTLN 0288 Endued with intellectual sense and souls,
FTLN 0289 Of more preeminence than fish and fowls,
FTLN 0290 Are masters to their females, and their lords.
FTLN 0291 25 Then let your will attend on their accords.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0292 This servitude makes you to keep unwed.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0293 Not this, but troubles of the marriage bed.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0294 But, were you wedded, you would bear some sway.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0295 Ere I learn love, I’ll practice to obey.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0296 30 How if your husband start some otherwhere?
LUCIANA
FTLN 0297 Till he come home again, I would forbear.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0298 Patience unmoved! No marvel though she pause;
FTLN 0299 They can be meek that have no other cause.
FTLN 0300 A wretched soul bruised with adversity
FTLN 0301 35 We bid be quiet when we hear it cry,
FTLN 0302 But were we burdened with like weight of pain,
FTLN 0303 As much or more we should ourselves complain.
FTLN 0304 So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,
FTLN 0305 With urging helpless patience would relieve me;
FTLN 0306 40 But if thou live to see like right bereft,
FTLN 0307 This fool-begged patience in thee will be left.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0308 Well, I will marry one day, but to try.
FTLN 0309 Here comes your man. Now is your husband nigh.

33
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 1
Enter Dromio of Ephesus.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0310 Say, is your tardy master now at hand?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0311 45 Nay, he’s at two hands with me,
FTLN 0312 and that my two ears can witness.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0313 Say, didst thou speak with him? Know’st thou his
FTLN 0314 mind?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0315 Ay, ay, he told his mind upon mine ear.
FTLN 0316 50 Beshrew his hand, I scarce could understand it.
LUCIANA FTLN 0317 Spake he so doubtfully thou couldst not feel
FTLN 0318 his meaning?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0319 Nay, he struck so plainly I could
FTLN 0320 too well feel his blows, and withal so doubtfully
FTLN 0321 55 that I could scarce understand them.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0322 But say, I prithee, is he coming home?
FTLN 0323 It seems he hath great care to please his wife.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0324 Why, mistress, sure my master is horn mad.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0325 Horn mad, thou villain?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0326 60 I mean not cuckold mad,
FTLN 0327 But sure he is stark mad.
FTLN 0328 When I desired him to come home to dinner,
FTLN 0329 He asked me for a thousand marks in gold.
FTLN 0330 “’Tis dinnertime,” quoth I. “My gold,” quoth he.
FTLN 0331 65 “Your meat doth burn,” quoth I. “My gold,” quoth
FTLN 0332 he.
FTLN 0333 “Will you come?” quoth I. “My gold,” quoth he.
FTLN 0334 “Where is the thousand marks I gave thee, villain?”
FTLN 0335 “The pig,” quoth I, “is burned.” “My gold,” quoth
FTLN 0336 70 he.

35
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 1
FTLN 0337 “My mistress, sir,” quoth I. “Hang up thy mistress!
FTLN 0338 I know not thy mistress. Out on thy mistress!”
LUCIANA FTLN 0339 Quoth who?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0340 Quoth my master.
FTLN 0341 75 “I know,” quoth he, “no house, no wife, no
FTLN 0342 mistress.”
FTLN 0343 So that my errand, due unto my tongue,
FTLN 0344 I thank him, I bare home upon my shoulders,
FTLN 0345 For, in conclusion, he did beat me there.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0346 80 Go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0347 Go back again and be new beaten home?
FTLN 0348 For God’s sake, send some other messenger.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0349 Back, slave, or I will break thy pate across.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0350 And he will bless that cross with other beating.
FTLN 0351 85 Between you, I shall have a holy head.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0352 Hence, prating peasant. Fetch thy master home.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0353 Am I so round with you as you with me,
FTLN 0354 That like a football you do spurn me thus?
FTLN 0355 You spurn me hence, and he will spurn me hither.
FTLN 0356 90 If I last in this service, you must case me in leather.
He exits.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0357 Fie, how impatience loureth in your face.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0358 His company must do his minions grace,
FTLN 0359 Whilst I at home starve for a merry look.
FTLN 0360 Hath homely age th’ alluring beauty took
FTLN 0361 95 From my poor cheek? Then he hath wasted it.
FTLN 0362 Are my discourses dull? Barren my wit?
FTLN 0363 If voluble and sharp discourse be marred,

37
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0364 Unkindness blunts it more than marble hard.
FTLN 0365 Do their gay vestments his affections bait?
FTLN 0366 100 That’s not my fault; he’s master of my state.
FTLN 0367 What ruins are in me that can be found
FTLN 0368 By him not ruined? Then is he the ground
FTLN 0369 Of my defeatures. My decayèd fair
FTLN 0370 A sunny look of his would soon repair.
FTLN 0371 105 But, too unruly deer, he breaks the pale
FTLN 0372 And feeds from home. Poor I am but his stale.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0373 Self-harming jealousy, fie, beat it hence.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0374 Unfeeling fools can with such wrongs dispense.
FTLN 0375 I know his eye doth homage otherwhere,
FTLN 0376 110 Or else what lets it but he would be here?
FTLN 0377 Sister, you know he promised me a chain.
FTLN 0378 Would that alone o’ love he would detain,
FTLN 0379 So he would keep fair quarter with his bed.
FTLN 0380 I see the jewel best enamelèd
FTLN 0381 115 Will lose his beauty. Yet the gold bides still
FTLN 0382 That others touch, and often touching will
FTLN 0383 Wear gold; yet no man that hath a name
FTLN 0384 By falsehood and corruption doth it shame.
FTLN 0385 Since that my beauty cannot please his eye,
FTLN 0386 120 I’ll weep what’s left away, and weeping die.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0387 How many fond fools serve mad jealousy!
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0388 The gold I gave to Dromio is laid up
FTLN 0389 Safe at the Centaur, and the heedful slave

39
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0390 Is wandered forth in care to seek me out.
FTLN 0391 By computation and mine host’s report,
FTLN 0392 5 I could not speak with Dromio since at first
FTLN 0393 I sent him from the mart. See, here he comes.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse.
FTLN 0394 How now, sir? Is your merry humor altered?
FTLN 0395 As you love strokes, so jest with me again.
FTLN 0396 You know no Centaur? You received no gold?
FTLN 0397 10 Your mistress sent to have me home to dinner?
FTLN 0398 My house was at the Phoenix? Wast thou mad,
FTLN 0399 That thus so madly thou didst answer me?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0400 What answer, sir? When spake I such a word?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0401 Even now, even here, not half an hour since.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0402 15 I did not see you since you sent me hence,
FTLN 0403 Home to the Centaur with the gold you gave me.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0404 Villain, thou didst deny the gold’s receipt
FTLN 0405 And told’st me of a mistress and a dinner,
FTLN 0406 For which I hope thou felt’st I was displeased.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0407 20 I am glad to see you in this merry vein.
FTLN 0408 What means this jest, I pray you, master, tell me?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0409 Yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?
FTLN 0410 Think’st thou I jest? Hold, take thou that and that.
Beats Dromio.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0411 Hold, sir, for God’s sake! Now your jest is earnest.
FTLN 0412 25 Upon what bargain do you give it me?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0413 Because that I familiarly sometimes
FTLN 0414 Do use you for my fool and chat with you,

41
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0415 Your sauciness will jest upon my love
FTLN 0416 And make a common of my serious hours.
FTLN 0417 30 When the sun shines, let foolish gnats make sport,
FTLN 0418 But creep in crannies when he hides his beams.
FTLN 0419 If you will jest with me, know my aspect,
FTLN 0420 And fashion your demeanor to my looks,
FTLN 0421 Or I will beat this method in your sconce.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0422 35“Sconce” call you it? So you
FTLN 0423 would leave battering, I had rather have it a
FTLN 0424 “head.” An you use these blows long, I must get a
FTLN 0425 sconce for my head and ensconce it too, or else I
FTLN 0426 shall seek my wit in my shoulders. But I pray, sir,
FTLN 0427 40 why am I beaten?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0428 Dost thou not know?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0429 Nothing, sir, but that I am
FTLN 0430 beaten.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0431 Shall I tell you why?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0432 45 Ay, sir, and wherefore, for they
FTLN 0433 say every why hath a wherefore.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0434“Why” first: for flouting
FTLN 0435 me; and then “wherefore”: for urging it the second
FTLN 0436 time to me.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0437 50 Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season,
FTLN 0438 When in the “why” and the “wherefore” is neither
FTLN 0439 rhyme nor reason?
FTLN 0440 Well, sir, I thank you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0441 Thank me, sir, for what?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0442 55 Marry, sir, for this something
FTLN 0443 that you gave me for nothing.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0444 I’ll make you amends next,
FTLN 0445 to give you nothing for something. But say, sir, is it
FTLN 0446 dinnertime?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0447 60 No, sir, I think the meat wants
FTLN 0448 that I have.

43
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0449 In good time, sir, what’s
FTLN 0450 that?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0451 Basting.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0452 65 Well, sir, then ’twill be dry.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0453 If it be, sir, I pray you eat none of
FTLN 0454 it.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0455 Your reason?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0456 Lest it make you choleric and
FTLN 0457 70 purchase me another dry basting.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0458 Well, sir, learn to jest in
FTLN 0459 good time. There’s a time for all things.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0460 I durst have denied that before
FTLN 0461 you were so choleric.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0462 75 By what rule, sir?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0463 Marry, sir, by a rule as plain as
FTLN 0464 the plain bald pate of Father Time himself.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0465 Let’s hear it.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0466 There’s no time for a man to
FTLN 0467 80 recover his hair that grows bald by nature.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0468 May he not do it by fine and
FTLN 0469 recovery?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0470 Yes, to pay a fine for a periwig,
FTLN 0471 and recover the lost hair of another man.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0472 85 Why is Time such a niggard
FTLN 0473 of hair, being, as it is, so plentiful an excrement?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0474 Because it is a blessing that he
FTLN 0475 bestows on beasts, and what he hath scanted men
FTLN 0476 in hair, he hath given them in wit.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0477 90 Why, but there’s many a
FTLN 0478 man hath more hair than wit.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0479 Not a man of those but he hath
FTLN 0480 the wit to lose his hair.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0481 Why, thou didst conclude
FTLN 0482 95 hairy men plain dealers without wit.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0483 The plainer dealer, the sooner
FTLN 0484 lost. Yet he loseth it in a kind of jollity.

45
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0485 For what reason?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0486 For two, and sound ones too.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0487 100 Nay, not sound, I pray you.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0488 Sure ones, then.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0489 Nay, not sure, in a thing
FTLN 0490 falsing.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0491 Certain ones, then.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0492 105 Name them.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0493 The one, to save the money that
FTLN 0494 he spends in tiring; the other, that at dinner they
FTLN 0495 should not drop in his porridge.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0496 You would all this time
FTLN 0497 110 have proved there is no time for all things.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0498 Marry, and did, sir: namely, e’en
FTLN 0499 no time to recover hair lost by nature.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0500 But your reason was not
FTLN 0501 substantial why there is no time to recover.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0502 115 Thus I mend it: Time himself is
FTLN 0503 bald and therefore, to the world’s end, will have
FTLN 0504 bald followers.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0505 I knew ’twould be a bald
FTLN 0506 conclusion. But soft, who wafts us yonder?
Enter Adriana, beckoning them, and Luciana.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0507 120 Ay, ay, Antipholus, look strange and frown.
FTLN 0508 Some other mistress hath thy sweet aspects.
FTLN 0509 I am not Adriana, nor thy wife.
FTLN 0510 The time was once when thou unurged wouldst vow
FTLN 0511 That never words were music to thine ear,
FTLN 0512 125 That never object pleasing in thine eye,
FTLN 0513 That never touch well welcome to thy hand,
FTLN 0514 That never meat sweet-savored in thy taste,
FTLN 0515 Unless I spake, or looked, or touched, or carved to
FTLN 0516 thee.
FTLN 0517 130 How comes it now, my husband, O, how comes it

47
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0518 That thou art then estrangèd from thyself?
FTLN 0519 “Thyself” I call it, being strange to me,
FTLN 0520 That, undividable, incorporate,
FTLN 0521 Am better than thy dear self’s better part.
FTLN 0522 135 Ah, do not tear away thyself from me!
FTLN 0523 For know, my love, as easy mayst thou fall
FTLN 0524 A drop of water in the breaking gulf,
FTLN 0525 And take unmingled thence that drop again
FTLN 0526 Without addition or diminishing,
FTLN 0527 140 As take from me thyself and not me too.
FTLN 0528 How dearly would it touch thee to the quick,
FTLN 0529 Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious
FTLN 0530 And that this body, consecrate to thee,
FTLN 0531 By ruffian lust should be contaminate!
FTLN 0532 145 Wouldst thou not spit at me, and spurn at me,
FTLN 0533 And hurl the name of husband in my face,
FTLN 0534 And tear the stained skin off my harlot brow,
FTLN 0535 And from my false hand cut the wedding ring,
FTLN 0536 And break it with a deep-divorcing vow?
FTLN 0537 150 I know thou canst, and therefore see thou do it.
FTLN 0538 I am possessed with an adulterate blot;
FTLN 0539 My blood is mingled with the crime of lust;
FTLN 0540 For if we two be one, and thou play false,
FTLN 0541 I do digest the poison of thy flesh,
FTLN 0542 155 Being strumpeted by thy contagion.
FTLN 0543 Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed,
FTLN 0544 I live distained, thou undishonorèd.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0545 Plead you to me, fair dame? I know you not.
FTLN 0546 In Ephesus I am but two hours old,
FTLN 0547 160 As strange unto your town as to your talk,
FTLN 0548 Who, every word by all my wit being scanned,
FTLN 0549 Wants wit in all one word to understand.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0550 Fie, brother, how the world is changed with you!

49
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
FTLN 0551 When were you wont to use my sister thus?
FTLN 0552 165 She sent for you by Dromio home to dinner.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0553 By Dromio?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0554 By me?
ADRIANA
FTLN 0555 By thee; and this thou didst return from him:
FTLN 0556 That he did buffet thee and, in his blows,
FTLN 0557 170 Denied my house for his, me for his wife.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0558 Did you converse, sir, with this gentlewoman?
FTLN 0559 What is the course and drift of your compact?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0560 I, sir? I never saw her till this time.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0561 Villain, thou liest, for even her very words
FTLN 0562 175 Didst thou deliver to me on the mart.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0563 I never spake with her in all my life.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0564 How can she thus then call us by our names—
FTLN 0565 Unless it be by inspiration?
ADRIANA
FTLN 0566 How ill agrees it with your gravity
FTLN 0567 180 To counterfeit thus grossly with your slave,
FTLN 0568 Abetting him to thwart me in my mood.
FTLN 0569 Be it my wrong you are from me exempt,
FTLN 0570 But wrong not that wrong with a more contempt.
FTLN 0571 Come, I will fasten on this sleeve of thine.
She takes his arm.
FTLN 0572 185 Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine,
FTLN 0573 Whose weakness, married to thy stronger state,
FTLN 0574 Makes me with thy strength to communicate.
FTLN 0575 If aught possess thee from me, it is dross,
FTLN 0576 Usurping ivy, brier, or idle moss,
FTLN 0577 190 Who, all for want of pruning, with intrusion
FTLN 0578 Infect thy sap and live on thy confusion.

51
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , aside
FTLN 0579 To me she speaks; she moves me for her theme.
FTLN 0580 What, was I married to her in my dream?
FTLN 0581 Or sleep I now and think I hear all this?
FTLN 0582 195 What error drives our eyes and ears amiss?
FTLN 0583 Until I know this sure uncertainty
FTLN 0584 I’ll entertain the offered fallacy.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0585 Dromio, go bid the servants spread for dinner.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0586 O, for my beads! I cross me for a sinner.
He crosses himself.
FTLN 0587 200 This is the fairy land. O spite of spites!
FTLN 0588 We talk with goblins, owls, and sprites.
FTLN 0589 If we obey them not, this will ensue:
FTLN 0590 They’ll suck our breath, or pinch us black and blue.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0591 Why prat’st thou to thyself and answer’st not?
FTLN 0592 205 Dromio—thou, Dromio—thou snail, thou slug,
FTLN 0593 thou sot.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0594 I am transformèd, master, am I not?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0595 I think thou art in mind, and so am I.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0596 Nay, master, both in mind and in my shape.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0597 210 Thou hast thine own form.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0598 No, I am an ape.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0599 If thou art changed to aught, ’tis to an ass.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0600 ’Tis true. She rides me, and I long for grass.
FTLN 0601 ’Tis so. I am an ass; else it could never be
FTLN 0602 215 But I should know her as well as she knows me.

53
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 2. SC. 2
ADRIANA
FTLN 0603 Come, come, no longer will I be a fool,
FTLN 0604 To put the finger in the eye and weep
FTLN 0605 Whilst man and master laughs my woes to scorn.
FTLN 0606 Come, sir, to dinner.—Dromio, keep the gate.—
FTLN 0607 220 Husband, I’ll dine above with you today,
FTLN 0608 And shrive you of a thousand idle pranks.
FTLN 0609 To Dromio. Sirrah, if any ask you for your master,
FTLN 0610 Say he dines forth, and let no creature enter.—
FTLN 0611 Come, sister.—Dromio, play the porter well.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , aside
FTLN 0612 225 Am I in Earth, in heaven, or in hell?
FTLN 0613 Sleeping or waking, mad or well-advised?
FTLN 0614 Known unto these, and to myself disguised!
FTLN 0615 I’ll say as they say, and persever so,
FTLN 0616 And in this mist at all adventures go.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0617 230 Master, shall I be porter at the gate?
ADRIANA
FTLN 0618 Ay, and let none enter, lest I break your pate.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0619 Come, come, Antipholus, we dine too late.
They exit.

ACT 3
Scene 1
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus, his man Dromio, Angelo
the goldsmith, and Balthasar the merchant.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0620 Good Signior Angelo, you must excuse us all;
FTLN 0621 My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours.
FTLN 0622 Say that I lingered with you at your shop
FTLN 0623 To see the making of her carcanet,
FTLN 0624 5 And that tomorrow you will bring it home.
FTLN 0625 But here’s a villain that would face me down
FTLN 0626 He met me on the mart, and that I beat him
FTLN 0627 And charged him with a thousand marks in gold,
FTLN 0628 And that I did deny my wife and house.—
FTLN 0629 10 Thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0630 Say what you will, sir, but I know what I know.
FTLN 0631 That you beat me at the mart I have your hand to
FTLN 0632 show;
FTLN 0633 If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave
FTLN 0634 15 were ink,
FTLN 0635 Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0636 I think thou art an ass.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0637 Marry, so it doth appear
FTLN 0638 By the wrongs I suffer and the blows I bear.
57

59
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0639 20 I should kick being kicked and, being at that pass,
FTLN 0640 You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0641 You’re sad, Signior Balthasar. Pray God our cheer
FTLN 0642 May answer my goodwill and your good welcome
FTLN 0643 here.
BALTHASAR
FTLN 0644 25 I hold your dainties cheap, sir, and your welcome
FTLN 0645 dear.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0646 O Signior Balthasar, either at flesh or fish
FTLN 0647 A table full of welcome makes scarce one dainty
FTLN 0648 dish.
BALTHASAR
FTLN 0649 30 Good meat, sir, is common; that every churl affords.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0650 And welcome more common, for that’s nothing but
FTLN 0651 words.
BALTHASAR
FTLN 0652 Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry
FTLN 0653 feast.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0654 35 Ay, to a niggardly host and more sparing guest.
FTLN 0655 But though my cates be mean, take them in good
FTLN 0656 part.
FTLN 0657 Better cheer may you have, but not with better
FTLN 0658 heart. He attempts to open the door.
FTLN 0659 40 But soft! My door is locked. To Dromio. Go, bid
FTLN 0660 them let us in.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0661 Maud, Bridget, Marian, Ciceley, Gillian, Ginn!
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0662 Mome, malt-horse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch!
FTLN 0663 Either get thee from the door or sit down at the
FTLN 0664 45 hatch.

61
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0665 Dost thou conjure for wenches, that thou call’st for
FTLN 0666 such store
FTLN 0667 When one is one too many? Go, get thee from the
FTLN 0668 door.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0669 50 What patch is made our porter? My master stays in
FTLN 0670 the street.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0671 Let him walk from whence he came, lest he catch
FTLN 0672 cold on ’s feet.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0673 Who talks within there? Ho, open the door.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0674 55 Right, sir, I’ll tell you when an you’ll tell me
FTLN 0675 wherefore.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0676 Wherefore? For my dinner. I have not dined today.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0677 Nor today here you must not. Come again when you
FTLN 0678 may.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0679 60 What art thou that keep’st me out from the house I
FTLN 0680 owe?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0681 The porter for this time, sir, and my name is
FTLN 0682 Dromio.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0683 O villain, thou hast stolen both mine office and my
FTLN 0684 65 name!
FTLN 0685 The one ne’er got me credit, the other mickle
FTLN 0686 blame.
FTLN 0687 If thou hadst been Dromio today in my place,
FTLN 0688 Thou wouldst have changed thy face for a name, or
FTLN 0689 70 thy name for an ass.

63
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
Enter Luce above, unseen by Antipholus of Ephesus
and his company.
LUCE
FTLN 0690 What a coil is there, Dromio! Who are those at the
FTLN 0691 gate?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0692 Let my master in, Luce.
LUCE FTLN 0693 Faith, no, he comes too late,
FTLN 0694 75 And so tell your master.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 0695 O Lord, I must laugh.
FTLN 0696 Have at you with a proverb: shall I set in my staff?
LUCE
FTLN 0697 Have at you with another: that’s—When, can you
FTLN 0698 tell?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0699 80 If thy name be called “Luce,” Luce, thou hast
FTLN 0700 answered him well.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Luce
FTLN 0701 Do you hear, you minion? You’ll let us in, I hope?
LUCE
FTLN 0702 I thought to have asked you.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within FTLN 0703 And you said no.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0704 85 So, come help. Well struck! There was blow for
FTLN 0705 blow.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Luce
FTLN 0706 Thou baggage, let me in.
LUCE FTLN 0707 Can you tell for whose sake?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0708 Master, knock the door hard.
LUCE FTLN 0709 90 Let him knock till it ache.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0710 You’ll cry for this, minion, if I beat the door down.
He beats on the door.

65
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
LUCE
FTLN 0711 What needs all that, and a pair of stocks in the
FTLN 0712 town?
Enter Adriana, above, unseen by Antipholus of Ephesus
and his company.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0713 Who is that at the door that keeps all this noise?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0714 95 By my troth, your town is troubled with unruly
FTLN 0715 boys.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0716 Are you there, wife? You might have come before.
ADRIANA
FTLN 0717 Your wife, sir knave? Go, get you from the door.
Adriana and Luce exit.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0718 If you went in pain, master, this knave would go
FTLN 0719 100 sore.
ANGELO , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 0720 Here is neither cheer, sir, nor welcome. We would
FTLN 0721 fain have either.
BALTHASAR
FTLN 0722 In debating which was best, we shall part with
FTLN 0723 neither.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0724 105 They stand at the door, master. Bid them welcome
FTLN 0725 hither.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0726 There is something in the wind, that we cannot get
FTLN 0727 in.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0728 You would say so, master, if your garments were
FTLN 0729 110 thin.
FTLN 0730 Your cake here is warm within; you stand here in
FTLN 0731 the cold.

67
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0732 It would make a man mad as a buck to be so
FTLN 0733 bought and sold.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0734 115 Go, fetch me something. I’ll break ope the gate.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0735 Break any breaking here, and I’ll break your knave’s
FTLN 0736 pate.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0737 A man may break a word with you, sir, and words
FTLN 0738 are but wind,
FTLN 0739 120 Ay, and break it in your face, so he break it not
FTLN 0740 behind.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0741 It seems thou want’st breaking. Out upon thee, hind!
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0742 Here’s too much “Out upon thee!” I pray thee, let
FTLN 0743 me in.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , within
FTLN 0744 125 Ay, when fowls have no feathers and fish have no
FTLN 0745 fin.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Dromio of Ephesus
FTLN 0746 Well, I’ll break in. Go, borrow me a crow.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0747 A crow without feather? Master, mean you so?
FTLN 0748 For a fish without a fin, there’s a fowl without a
FTLN 0749 130 feather.—
FTLN 0750 If a crow help us in, sirrah, we’ll pluck a crow
FTLN 0751 together.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0752 Go, get thee gone. Fetch me an iron crow.
BALTHASAR
FTLN 0753 Have patience, sir. O, let it not be so.
FTLN 0754 135 Herein you war against your reputation,
FTLN 0755 And draw within the compass of suspect
FTLN 0756 Th’ unviolated honor of your wife.
FTLN 0757 Once this: your long experience of her wisdom,

69
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 1
FTLN 0758 Her sober virtue, years, and modesty
FTLN 0759 140 Plead on her part some cause to you unknown.
FTLN 0760 And doubt not, sir, but she will well excuse
FTLN 0761 Why at this time the doors are made against you.
FTLN 0762 Be ruled by me; depart in patience,
FTLN 0763 And let us to the Tiger all to dinner,
FTLN 0764 145 And about evening come yourself alone
FTLN 0765 To know the reason of this strange restraint.
FTLN 0766 If by strong hand you offer to break in
FTLN 0767 Now in the stirring passage of the day,
FTLN 0768 A vulgar comment will be made of it;
FTLN 0769 150 And that supposèd by the common rout
FTLN 0770 Against your yet ungallèd estimation
FTLN 0771 That may with foul intrusion enter in
FTLN 0772 And dwell upon your grave when you are dead;
FTLN 0773 For slander lives upon succession,
FTLN 0774 155 Forever housèd where it gets possession.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0775 You have prevailed. I will depart in quiet
FTLN 0776 And, in despite of mirth, mean to be merry.
FTLN 0777 I know a wench of excellent discourse,
FTLN 0778 Pretty and witty, wild and yet, too, gentle.
FTLN 0779 160 There will we dine. This woman that I mean,
FTLN 0780 My wife—but, I protest, without desert—
FTLN 0781 Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal;
FTLN 0782 To her will we to dinner. To Angelo. Get you home
FTLN 0783 And fetch the chain; by this, I know, ’tis made.
FTLN 0784 165 Bring it, I pray you, to the Porpentine,
FTLN 0785 For there’s the house. That chain will I bestow—
FTLN 0786 Be it for nothing but to spite my wife—
FTLN 0787 Upon mine hostess there. Good sir, make haste.
FTLN 0788 Since mine own doors refuse to entertain me,
FTLN 0789 170 I’ll knock elsewhere, to see if they’ll disdain me.
ANGELO
FTLN 0790 I’ll meet you at that place some hour hence.

71
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 0791 Do so. This jest shall cost me some expense.
They exit.
Scene 2
Enter Luciana with Antipholus of Syracuse.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0792 And may it be that you have quite forgot
FTLN 0793 A husband’s office? Shall, Antipholus,
FTLN 0794 Even in the spring of love thy love-springs rot?
FTLN 0795 Shall love, in building, grow so ruinous?
FTLN 0796 5 If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
FTLN 0797 Then for her wealth’s sake use her with more
FTLN 0798 kindness.
FTLN 0799 Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth —
FTLN 0800 Muffle your false love with some show of
FTLN 0801 10 blindness.
FTLN 0802 Let not my sister read it in your eye;
FTLN 0803 Be not thy tongue thy own shame’s orator;
FTLN 0804 Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty;
FTLN 0805 Apparel vice like virtue’s harbinger.
FTLN 0806 15 Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted.
FTLN 0807 Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint.
FTLN 0808 Be secret-false. What need she be acquainted?
FTLN 0809 What simple thief brags of his own attaint?
FTLN 0810 ’Tis double wrong to truant with your bed
FTLN 0811 20 And let her read it in thy looks at board.
FTLN 0812 Shame hath a bastard fame, well managèd;
FTLN 0813 Ill deeds is doubled with an evil word.
FTLN 0814 Alas, poor women, make us but believe,
FTLN 0815 Being compact of credit, that you love us.
FTLN 0816 25 Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve;
FTLN 0817 We in your motion turn, and you may move us.

73
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 0818 Then, gentle brother, get you in again.
FTLN 0819 Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife.
FTLN 0820 ’Tis holy sport to be a little vain
FTLN 0821 30 When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0822 Sweet mistress—what your name is else I know not,
FTLN 0823 Nor by what wonder you do hit of mine—
FTLN 0824 Less in your knowledge and your grace you show not
FTLN 0825 Than our Earth’s wonder, more than Earth divine.
FTLN 0826 35 Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak.
FTLN 0827 Lay open to my earthy gross conceit,
FTLN 0828 Smothered in errors, feeble, shallow, weak,
FTLN 0829 The folded meaning of your words’ deceit.
FTLN 0830 Against my soul’s pure truth why labor you
FTLN 0831 40 To make it wander in an unknown field?
FTLN 0832 Are you a god? Would you create me new?
FTLN 0833 Transform me, then, and to your power I’ll yield.
FTLN 0834 But if that I am I, then well I know
FTLN 0835 Your weeping sister is no wife of mine,
FTLN 0836 45 Nor to her bed no homage do I owe.
FTLN 0837 Far more, far more, to you do I decline.
FTLN 0838 O, train me not, sweet mermaid, with thy note
FTLN 0839 To drown me in thy sister’s flood of tears.
FTLN 0840 Sing, Siren, for thyself, and I will dote.
FTLN 0841 50 Spread o’er the silver waves thy golden hairs,
FTLN 0842 And as a bed I’ll take them and there lie,
FTLN 0843 And in that glorious supposition think
FTLN 0844 He gains by death that hath such means to die.
FTLN 0845 Let love, being light, be drownèd if she sink.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0846 55 What, are you mad that you do reason so?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0847 Not mad, but mated—how, I do not know.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0848 It is a fault that springeth from your eye.

75
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0849 For gazing on your beams, fair sun, being by.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0850 Gaze when you should, and that will clear your
FTLN 0851 60 sight.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0852 As good to wink, sweet love, as look on night.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0853 Why call you me “love”? Call my sister so.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0854 Thy sister’s sister.
LUCIANA FTLN 0855 That’s my sister.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0856 65 No,
FTLN 0857 It is thyself, mine own self’s better part,
FTLN 0858 Mine eye’s clear eye, my dear heart’s dearer heart,
FTLN 0859 My food, my fortune, and my sweet hope’s aim,
FTLN 0860 My sole Earth’s heaven, and my heaven’s claim.
LUCIANA
FTLN 0861 70 All this my sister is, or else should be.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0862 Call thyself “sister,” sweet, for I am thee.
FTLN 0863 Thee will I love, and with thee lead my life;
FTLN 0864 Thou hast no husband yet, nor I no wife.
FTLN 0865 Give me thy hand.
LUCIANA FTLN 0866 75 O soft, sir. Hold you still.
FTLN 0867 I’ll fetch my sister to get her goodwill. She exits.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse, running.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0868 Why, how now, Dromio.
FTLN 0869 Where runn’st thou so fast?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0870 Do you know me, sir? Am I
FTLN 0871 80 Dromio? Am I your man? Am I myself?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0872 Thou art Dromio, thou art
FTLN 0873 my man, thou art thyself.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0874 I am an ass, I am a woman’s
FTLN 0875 man, and besides myself.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0876 85 What woman’s man? And
FTLN 0877 how besides thyself?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0878 Marry, sir, besides myself I am
FTLN 0879 due to a woman, one that claims me, one that
FTLN 0880 haunts me, one that will have me.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0881 90 What claim lays she to thee?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0882 Marry, sir, such claim as you
FTLN 0883 would lay to your horse, and she would have me as
FTLN 0884 a beast; not that I being a beast she would have me,
FTLN 0885 but that she, being a very beastly creature, lays
FTLN 0886 95 claim to me.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0887 What is she?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0888 A very reverend body, ay, such a
FTLN 0889 one as a man may not speak of without he say
FTLN 0890 “sir-reverence.” I have but lean luck in the match,
FTLN 0891 100 and yet is she a wondrous fat marriage.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0892 How dost thou mean a “fat
FTLN 0893 marriage”?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0894 Marry, sir, she’s the kitchen
FTLN 0895 wench, and all grease, and I know not what use to
FTLN 0896 105 put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from
FTLN 0897 her by her own light. I warrant her rags and the
FTLN 0898 tallow in them will burn a Poland winter. If she lives
FTLN 0899 till doomsday, she’ll burn a week longer than the
FTLN 0900 whole world.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0901 110 What complexion is she of?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0902 Swart like my shoe, but her face
FTLN 0903 nothing like so clean kept. For why? She sweats. A
FTLN 0904 man may go overshoes in the grime of it.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0905 That’s a fault that water will
FTLN 0906 115 mend.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0907 No, sir, ’tis in grain; Noah’s flood
FTLN 0908 could not do it.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0909 What’s her name?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0910 Nell, sir, but her name and

79
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 0911 120 three quarters—that’s an ell and three quarters—
FTLN 0912 will not measure her from hip to hip.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0913 Then she bears some
FTLN 0914 breadth?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0915 No longer from head to foot than
FTLN 0916 125 from hip to hip. She is spherical, like a globe. I
FTLN 0917 could find out countries in her.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0918 In what part of her body
FTLN 0919 stands Ireland?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0920 Marry, sir, in her buttocks. I
FTLN 0921 130 found it out by the bogs.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0922 Where Scotland?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0923 I found it by the barrenness,
FTLN 0924 hard in the palm of the hand.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0925 Where France?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0926 135 In her forehead, armed and
FTLN 0927 reverted, making war against her heir.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0928 Where England?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0929 I looked for the chalky cliffs, but
FTLN 0930 I could find no whiteness in them. But I guess it
FTLN 0931 140 stood in her chin, by the salt rheum that ran
FTLN 0932 between France and it.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0933 Where Spain?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0934 Faith, I saw it not, but I felt it hot
FTLN 0935 in her breath.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0936 145 Where America, the Indies?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0937 O, sir, upon her nose, all o’erembellished
FTLN 0938 with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires,
FTLN 0939 declining their rich aspect to the hot breath of
FTLN 0940 Spain, who sent whole armadas of carracks to be
FTLN 0941 150 ballast at her nose.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0942 Where stood Belgia, the
FTLN 0943 Netherlands?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0944 O, sir, I did not look so low. To
FTLN 0945 conclude: this drudge or diviner laid claim to me,

81
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
FTLN 0946 155 called me Dromio, swore I was assured to her, told
FTLN 0947 me what privy marks I had about me, as the mark
FTLN 0948 of my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wart
FTLN 0949 on my left arm, that I, amazed, ran from her as a
FTLN 0950 witch.
FTLN 0951 160 And, I think, if my breast had not been made of
FTLN 0952 faith, and my heart of steel,
FTLN 0953 She had transformed me to a curtal dog and made
FTLN 0954 me turn i’ th’ wheel.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0955 Go, hie thee presently. Post to the road.
FTLN 0956 165 An if the wind blow any way from shore,
FTLN 0957 I will not harbor in this town tonight.
FTLN 0958 If any bark put forth, come to the mart,
FTLN 0959 Where I will walk till thou return to me.
FTLN 0960 If everyone knows us, and we know none,
FTLN 0961 170 ’Tis time, I think, to trudge, pack, and be gone.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0962 As from a bear a man would run for life,
FTLN 0963 So fly I from her that would be my wife. He exits.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0964 There’s none but witches do inhabit here,
FTLN 0965 And therefore ’tis high time that I were hence.
FTLN 0966 175 She that doth call me husband, even my soul
FTLN 0967 Doth for a wife abhor. But her fair sister,
FTLN 0968 Possessed with such a gentle sovereign grace,
FTLN 0969 Of such enchanting presence and discourse,
FTLN 0970 Hath almost made me traitor to myself.
FTLN 0971 180 But lest myself be guilty to self wrong,
FTLN 0972 I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.
Enter Angelo with the chain.
ANGELO
FTLN 0973 Master Antipholus.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 0974 Ay, that’s my name.

83
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 3. SC. 2
ANGELO
FTLN 0975 I know it well, sir. Lo, here’s the chain.
FTLN 0976 185 I thought to have ta’en you at the Porpentine;
FTLN 0977 The chain unfinished made me stay thus long.
He gives Antipholus a chain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0978 What is your will that I shall do with this?
ANGELO
FTLN 0979 What please yourself, sir. I have made it for you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0980 Made it for me, sir? I bespoke it not.
ANGELO
FTLN 0981 190 Not once, nor twice, but twenty times you have.
FTLN 0982 Go home with it, and please your wife withal,
FTLN 0983 And soon at supper time I’ll visit you
FTLN 0984 And then receive my money for the chain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0985 I pray you, sir, receive the money now,
FTLN 0986 195 For fear you ne’er see chain nor money more.
ANGELO
FTLN 0987 You are a merry man, sir. Fare you well. He exits.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 0988 What I should think of this I cannot tell,
FTLN 0989 But this I think: there’s no man is so vain
FTLN 0990 That would refuse so fair an offered chain.
FTLN 0991 200 I see a man here needs not live by shifts
FTLN 0992 When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.
FTLN 0993 I’ll to the mart, and there for Dromio stay.
FTLN 0994 If any ship put out, then straight away.
He exits.

ACT 4
Scene 1
Enter a Second Merchant, Angelo the Goldsmith,
and an Officer.
SECOND MERCHANT , to Angelo
FTLN 0995 You know since Pentecost the sum is due,
FTLN 0996 And since I have not much importuned you,
FTLN 0997 Nor now I had not, but that I am bound
FTLN 0998 To Persia and want guilders for my voyage.
FTLN 0999 5 Therefore make present satisfaction,
FTLN 1000 Or I’ll attach you by this officer.
ANGELO
FTLN 1001 Even just the sum that I do owe to you
FTLN 1002 Is growing to me by Antipholus.
FTLN 1003 And in the instant that I met with you,
FTLN 1004 10 He had of me a chain. At five o’clock
FTLN 1005 I shall receive the money for the same.
FTLN 1006 Pleaseth you walk with me down to his house,
FTLN 1007 I will discharge my bond and thank you too.
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of
Ephesus from the Courtesan’s.
OFFICER
FTLN 1008 That labor may you save. See where he comes.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Dromio of Ephesus
FTLN 1009 15 While I go to the goldsmith’s house, go thou
87

89
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1010 And buy a rope’s end. That will I bestow
FTLN 1011 Among my wife and her confederates
FTLN 1012 For locking me out of my doors by day.
FTLN 1013 But soft. I see the goldsmith. Get thee gone.
FTLN 1014 20 Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1015 I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope!
Dromio exits.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Angelo
FTLN 1016 A man is well holp up that trusts to you!
FTLN 1017 I promisèd your presence and the chain,
FTLN 1018 But neither chain nor goldsmith came to me.
FTLN 1019 25 Belike you thought our love would last too long
FTLN 1020 If it were chained together, and therefore came not.
ANGELO , handing a paper to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1021 Saving your merry humor, here’s the note
FTLN 1022 How much your chain weighs to the utmost carat,
FTLN 1023 The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion,
FTLN 1024 30 Which doth amount to three-odd ducats more
FTLN 1025 Than I stand debted to this gentleman.
FTLN 1026 I pray you, see him presently discharged,
FTLN 1027 For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1028 I am not furnished with the present money.
FTLN 1029 35 Besides, I have some business in the town.
FTLN 1030 Good signior, take the stranger to my house,
FTLN 1031 And with you take the chain, and bid my wife
FTLN 1032 Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof.
FTLN 1033 Perchance I will be there as soon as you.
ANGELO
FTLN 1034 40 Then you will bring the chain to her yourself.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1035 No, bear it with you lest I come not time enough.
ANGELO
FTLN 1036 Well, sir, I will. Have you the chain about you?

91
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 1
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1037 An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,
FTLN 1038 Or else you may return without your money.
ANGELO
FTLN 1039 45 Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the chain.
FTLN 1040 Both wind and tide stays for this gentleman,
FTLN 1041 And I, to blame, have held him here too long.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1042 Good Lord! You use this dalliance to excuse
FTLN 1043 Your breach of promise to the Porpentine.
FTLN 1044 50 I should have chid you for not bringing it,
FTLN 1045 But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.
SECOND MERCHANT , to Angelo
FTLN 1046 The hour steals on. I pray you, sir, dispatch.
ANGELO , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1047 You hear how he importunes me. The chain!
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1048 Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.
ANGELO
FTLN 1049 55 Come, come. You know I gave it you even now.
FTLN 1050 Either send the chain, or send by me some token.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1051 Fie, now you run this humor out of breath.
FTLN 1052 Come, where’s the chain? I pray you, let me see it.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1053 My business cannot brook this dalliance.
FTLN 1054 60 Good sir, say whe’er you’ll answer me or no.
FTLN 1055 If not, I’ll leave him to the Officer.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1056 I answer you? What should I answer you?
ANGELO
FTLN 1057 The money that you owe me for the chain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1058 I owe you none till I receive the chain.
ANGELO
FTLN 1059 65 You know I gave it you half an hour since.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 1
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1060 You gave me none. You wrong me much to say so.
ANGELO
FTLN 1061 You wrong me more, sir, in denying it.
FTLN 1062 Consider how it stands upon my credit.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1063 Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.
OFFICER , to Angelo
FTLN 1064 70 I do, and charge you in the Duke’s name to obey
FTLN 1065 me.
ANGELO , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1066 This touches me in reputation.
FTLN 1067 Either consent to pay this sum for me,
FTLN 1068 Or I attach you by this officer.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1069 75 Consent to pay thee that I never had?—
FTLN 1070 Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar’st.
ANGELO , to Officer
FTLN 1071 Here is thy fee. Arrest him, officer. Giving money.
FTLN 1072 I would not spare my brother in this case
FTLN 1073 If he should scorn me so apparently.
OFFICER , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1074 80 I do arrest you, sir. You hear the suit.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1075 I do obey thee till I give thee bail.
FTLN 1076 To Angelo. But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as
FTLN 1077 dear
FTLN 1078 As all the metal in your shop will answer.
ANGELO
FTLN 1079 85 Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus,
FTLN 1080 To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse from the bay.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1081 Master, there’s a bark of Epidamium
FTLN 1082 That stays but till her owner comes aboard,

95
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 1
FTLN 1083 And then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
FTLN 1084 90 I have conveyed aboard, and I have bought
FTLN 1085 The oil, the balsamum, and aqua vitae.
FTLN 1086 The ship is in her trim; the merry wind
FTLN 1087 Blows fair from land. They stay for naught at all
FTLN 1088 But for their owner, master, and yourself.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1089 95 How now? A madman? Why, thou peevish sheep,
FTLN 1090 What ship of Epidamium stays for me?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1091 A ship you sent me to, to hire waftage.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1092 Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope
FTLN 1093 And told thee to what purpose and what end.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1094 100 You sent me for a rope’s end as soon.
FTLN 1095 You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1096 I will debate this matter at more leisure
FTLN 1097 And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
FTLN 1098 To Adriana, villain, hie thee straight.
He gives a key.
FTLN 1099 105 Give her this key, and tell her in the desk
FTLN 1100 That’s covered o’er with Turkish tapestry
FTLN 1101 There is a purse of ducats. Let her send it.
FTLN 1102 Tell her I am arrested in the street,
FTLN 1103 And that shall bail me. Hie thee, slave. Begone.—
FTLN 1104 110 On, officer, to prison till it come.
All but Dromio of Syracuse exit.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1105 To Adriana. That is where we dined,
FTLN 1106 Where Dowsabel did claim me for her husband.
FTLN 1107 She is too big, I hope, for me to compass.
FTLN 1108 Thither I must, although against my will,
FTLN 1109 115 For servants must their masters’ minds fulfill.
He exits.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 2
Scene 2
Enter Adriana and Luciana.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1110 Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?
FTLN 1111 Might’st thou perceive austerely in his eye
FTLN 1112 That he did plead in earnest, yea or no?
FTLN 1113 Looked he or red or pale, or sad or merrily?
FTLN 1114 5 What observation mad’st thou in this case
FTLN 1115 Of his heart’s meteors tilting in his face?
LUCIANA
FTLN 1116 First he denied you had in him no right.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1117 He meant he did me none; the more my spite.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1118 Then swore he that he was a stranger here.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1119 10 And true he swore, though yet forsworn he were.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1120 Then pleaded I for you.
ADRIANA FTLN 1121 And what said he?
LUCIANA
FTLN 1122 That love I begged for you he begged of me.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1123 With what persuasion did he tempt thy love?
LUCIANA
FTLN 1124 15 With words that in an honest suit might move.
FTLN 1125 First he did praise my beauty, then my speech.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1126 Did’st speak him fair?
LUCIANA FTLN 1127 Have patience, I beseech.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1128 I cannot, nor I will not hold me still.
FTLN 1129 20 My tongue, though not my heart, shall have his will.
FTLN 1130 He is deformèd, crooked, old, and sere,
FTLN 1131 Ill-faced, worse-bodied, shapeless everywhere,

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FTLN 1132 Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind,
FTLN 1133 Stigmatical in making, worse in mind.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1134 25 Who would be jealous, then, of such a one?
FTLN 1135 No evil lost is wailed when it is gone.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1136 Ah, but I think him better than I say,
FTLN 1137 And yet would herein others’ eyes were worse.
FTLN 1138 Far from her nest the lapwing cries away.
FTLN 1139 30 My heart prays for him, though my tongue do
FTLN 1140 curse.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse with the key.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1141 Here, go—the desk, the purse! Sweet, now make
FTLN 1142 haste.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1143 How hast thou lost thy breath?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1144 35 By running fast.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1145 Where is thy master, Dromio? Is he well?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1146 No, he’s in Tartar limbo, worse than hell.
FTLN 1147 A devil in an everlasting garment hath him,
FTLN 1148 One whose hard heart is buttoned up with steel;
FTLN 1149 40 A fiend, a fairy, pitiless and rough;
FTLN 1150 A wolf, nay, worse, a fellow all in buff;
FTLN 1151 A backfriend, a shoulder clapper, one that
FTLN 1152 countermands
FTLN 1153 The passages of alleys, creeks, and narrow lands;
FTLN 1154 45 A hound that runs counter and yet draws dryfoot
FTLN 1155 well,
FTLN 1156 One that before the judgment carries poor souls to
FTLN 1157 hell.
ADRIANA FTLN 1158 Why, man, what is the matter?

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DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1159 50 I do not know the matter. He is ’rested on the case.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1160 What, is he arrested? Tell me at whose suit.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1161 I know not at whose suit he is arrested well,
FTLN 1162 But is in a suit of buff which ’rested him; that can I
FTLN 1163 tell.
FTLN 1164 55 Will you send him, mistress, redemption—the
FTLN 1165 money in his desk?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1166 Go fetch it, sister. (Luciana exits.) This I wonder at,
FTLN 1167 That he, unknown to me, should be in debt.
FTLN 1168 Tell me, was he arrested on a band?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1169 60 Not on a band, but on a stronger thing:
FTLN 1170 A chain, a chain. Do you not hear it ring?
ADRIANA FTLN 1171 What, the chain?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1172 No, no, the bell. ’Tis time that I were gone.
FTLN 1173 It was two ere I left him, and now the clock strikes
FTLN 1174 65 one.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1175 The hours come back. That did I never hear.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1176 O yes, if any hour meet a sergeant, he turns back
FTLN 1177 for very fear.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1178 As if time were in debt. How fondly dost thou
FTLN 1179 70 reason!
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1180 Time is a very bankrout and owes more than he’s
FTLN 1181 worth to season.
FTLN 1182 Nay, he’s a thief too. Have you not heard men say
FTLN 1183 That time comes stealing on by night and day?

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FTLN 1184 75 If he be in debt and theft, and a sergeant in the
FTLN 1185 way,
FTLN 1186 Hath he not reason to turn back an hour in a day?
Enter Luciana, with the purse.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1187 Go, Dromio. There’s the money. Bear it straight,
FTLN 1188 And bring thy master home immediately.
Dromio exits.
FTLN 1189 80 Come, sister, I am pressed down with conceit:
FTLN 1190 Conceit, my comfort and my injury.
They exit.
Scene 3
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse, wearing the chain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1191 There’s not a man I meet but doth salute me
FTLN 1192 As if I were their well-acquainted friend,
FTLN 1193 And everyone doth call me by my name.
FTLN 1194 Some tender money to me; some invite me;
FTLN 1195 5 Some other give me thanks for kindnesses;
FTLN 1196 Some offer me commodities to buy.
FTLN 1197 Even now a tailor called me in his shop
FTLN 1198 And showed me silks that he had bought for me,
FTLN 1199 And therewithal took measure of my body.
FTLN 1200 10 Sure these are but imaginary wiles,
FTLN 1201 And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here.
Enter Dromio of Syracuse with the purse.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1202 Master, here’s the gold you sent
FTLN 1203 me for. What, have you got the picture of old Adam
FTLN 1204 new-appareled?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1205 15 What gold is this? What Adam dost thou mean?

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DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1206 Not that Adam that kept the
FTLN 1207 Paradise, but that Adam that keeps the prison; he
FTLN 1208 that goes in the calf’s skin that was killed for the
FTLN 1209 Prodigal; he that came behind you, sir, like an evil
FTLN 1210 20 angel, and bid you forsake your liberty.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1211 I understand thee not.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1212 No? Why, ’tis a plain case: he
FTLN 1213 that went like a bass viol in a case of leather; the
FTLN 1214 man, sir, that, when gentlemen are tired, gives
FTLN 1215 25 them a sob and ’rests them; he, sir, that takes pity
FTLN 1216 on decayed men and gives them suits of durance; he
FTLN 1217 that sets up his rest to do more exploits with his
FTLN 1218 mace than a morris-pike.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1219 What, thou mean’st an
FTLN 1220 30 officer?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1221 Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band;
FTLN 1222 he that brings any man to answer it that breaks his
FTLN 1223 band; one that thinks a man always going to bed
FTLN 1224 and says “God give you good rest.”
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1225 35 Well, sir, there rest in your
FTLN 1226 foolery. Is there any ships puts forth tonight? May
FTLN 1227 we be gone?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1228 Why, sir, I brought you word an
FTLN 1229 hour since that the bark Expedition put forth tonight,
FTLN 1230 40 and then were you hindered by the sergeant
FTLN 1231 to tarry for the hoy Delay. Here are the angels that
FTLN 1232 you sent for to deliver you. He gives the purse.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1233 The fellow is distract, and so am I,
FTLN 1234 And here we wander in illusions.
FTLN 1235 45 Some blessèd power deliver us from hence!
Enter a Courtesan.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1236 Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.

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The Comedy of Errors
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FTLN 1237 I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now.
FTLN 1238 Is that the chain you promised me today?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1239 Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me not.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1240 50 Master, is this Mistress Satan?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1241 It is the devil.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1242 Nay, she is worse; she is the
FTLN 1243 devil’s dam, and here she comes in the habit of a
FTLN 1244 light wench. And thereof comes that the wenches
FTLN 1245 55 say “God damn me”; that’s as much to say “God
FTLN 1246 make me a light wench.” It is written they appear
FTLN 1247 to men like angels of light. Light is an effect of fire,
FTLN 1248 and fire will burn: ergo, light wenches will burn.
FTLN 1249 Come not near her.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1250 60 Your man and you are marvelous merry, sir.
FTLN 1251 Will you go with me? We’ll mend our dinner here.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1252 Master, if you do, expect spoon
FTLN 1253 meat, or bespeak a long spoon.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1254 Why, Dromio?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1255 65 Marry, he must have a long
FTLN 1256 spoon that must eat with the devil.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , to the Courtesan
FTLN 1257 Avoid then, fiend! What tell’st thou me of supping?
FTLN 1258 Thou art, as you are all, a sorceress.
FTLN 1259 I conjure thee to leave me and be gone.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1260 70 Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner
FTLN 1261 Or, for my diamond, the chain you promised,
FTLN 1262 And I’ll be gone, sir, and not trouble you.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1263 Some devils ask but the parings
FTLN 1264 of one’s nail, a rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin, a
FTLN 1265 75 nut, a cherrystone; but she, more covetous, would
FTLN 1266 have a chain. Master, be wise. An if you give it her,
FTLN 1267 the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.

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The Comedy of Errors
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COURTESAN
FTLN 1268 I pray you, sir, my ring or else the chain.
FTLN 1269 I hope you do not mean to cheat me so.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1270 80 Avaunt, thou witch!—Come, Dromio, let us go.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1271“Fly pride,” says the peacock.
FTLN 1272 Mistress, that you know.
Antipholus and Dromio exit.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1273 Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad;
FTLN 1274 Else would he never so demean himself.
FTLN 1275 85 A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,
FTLN 1276 And for the same he promised me a chain.
FTLN 1277 Both one and other he denies me now.
FTLN 1278 The reason that I gather he is mad,
FTLN 1279 Besides this present instance of his rage,
FTLN 1280 90 Is a mad tale he told today at dinner
FTLN 1281 Of his own doors being shut against his entrance.
FTLN 1282 Belike his wife, acquainted with his fits,
FTLN 1283 On purpose shut the doors against his way.
FTLN 1284 My way is now to hie home to his house
FTLN 1285 95 And tell his wife that, being lunatic,
FTLN 1286 He rushed into my house and took perforce
FTLN 1287 My ring away. This course I fittest choose,
FTLN 1288 For forty ducats is too much to lose.
She exits.
Scene 4
Enter Antipholus of Ephesus with a Jailer, the Officer.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1289 Fear me not, man. I will not break away.
FTLN 1290 I’ll give thee, ere I leave thee, so much money,
FTLN 1291 To warrant thee, as I am ’rested for.
FTLN 1292 My wife is in a wayward mood today

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The Comedy of Errors
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FTLN 1293 5 And will not lightly trust the messenger
FTLN 1294 That I should be attached in Ephesus.
FTLN 1295 I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.
Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a rope’s end.
FTLN 1296 Here comes my man. I think he brings the
FTLN 1297 money.
FTLN 1298 10 How now, sir? Have you that I sent you for?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS , handing over the rope’s end
FTLN 1299 Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1300 But where’s the money?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1301 Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1302 Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1303 15 I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1304 To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1305 To a rope’s end, sir, and to that
FTLN 1306 end am I returned.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , beating Dromio
FTLN 1307 And to that end, sir, I will welcome you.
OFFICER FTLN 1308 20 Good sir, be patient.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1309 Nay, ’tis for me to be patient. I am
FTLN 1310 in adversity.
OFFICER FTLN 1311 Good now, hold thy tongue.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1312 Nay, rather persuade him to hold
FTLN 1313 25 his hands.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1314 Thou whoreson, senseless
FTLN 1315 villain.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1316 I would I were senseless, sir, that
FTLN 1317 I might not feel your blows.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1318 30 Thou art sensible in nothing
FTLN 1319 but blows, and so is an ass.

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ACT 4. SC. 4
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1320 I am an ass, indeed; you may
FTLN 1321 prove it by my long ears.—I have served him from
FTLN 1322 the hour of my nativity to this instant, and have
FTLN 1323 35 nothing at his hands for my service but blows.
FTLN 1324 When I am cold, he heats me with beating; when I
FTLN 1325 am warm, he cools me with beating. I am waked
FTLN 1326 with it when I sleep, raised with it when I sit,
FTLN 1327 driven out of doors with it when I go from home,
FTLN 1328 40 welcomed home with it when I return. Nay, I bear it
FTLN 1329 on my shoulders as a beggar wont her brat, and I
FTLN 1330 think when he hath lamed me, I shall beg with it
FTLN 1331 from door to door.
Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan, and a Schoolmaster
called Pinch.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1332 Come, go along. My wife is coming yonder.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1333 45 Mistress, respice finem, respect
FTLN 1334 your end, or rather, the prophecy like the parrot,
FTLN 1335 “Beware the rope’s end.”
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1336 Wilt thou still talk?
Beats Dromio.
COURTESAN , to Adriana
FTLN 1337 How say you now? Is not your husband mad?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1338 50 His incivility confirms no less.—
FTLN 1339 Good Doctor Pinch, you are a conjurer;
FTLN 1340 Establish him in his true sense again,
FTLN 1341 And I will please you what you will demand.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1342 Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!
COURTESAN
FTLN 1343 55 Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy.
PINCH , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1344 Give me your hand, and let me feel your pulse.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , striking Pinch
FTLN 1345 There is my hand, and let it feel your ear.
PINCH
FTLN 1346 I charge thee, Satan, housed within this man,
FTLN 1347 To yield possession to my holy prayers,
FTLN 1348 60 And to thy state of darkness hie thee straight.
FTLN 1349 I conjure thee by all the saints in heaven.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1350 Peace, doting wizard, peace. I am not mad.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1351 O, that thou wert not, poor distressèd soul!
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1352 You minion, you, are these your customers?
FTLN 1353 65 Did this companion with the saffron face
FTLN 1354 Revel and feast it at my house today
FTLN 1355 Whilst upon me the guilty doors were shut
FTLN 1356 And I denied to enter in my house?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1357 O husband, God doth know you dined at home,
FTLN 1358 70 Where would you had remained until this time,
FTLN 1359 Free from these slanders and this open shame.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1360 “Dined at home”? To Dromio. Thou villain, what
FTLN 1361 sayest thou?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1362 Sir, sooth to say, you did not dine at home.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1363 75 Were not my doors locked up and I shut out?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1364 Perdie, your doors were locked, and you shut out.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1365 And did not she herself revile me there?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1366 Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1367 Did not her kitchen maid rail, taunt, and scorn me?

117
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1368 80 Certes, she did; the kitchen vestal scorned you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1369 And did not I in rage depart from thence?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1370 In verity you did.—My bones bears witness,
FTLN 1371 That since have felt the vigor of his rage.
ADRIANA , to Pinch
FTLN 1372 Is ’t good to soothe him in these contraries?
PINCH
FTLN 1373 85 It is no shame. The fellow finds his vein
FTLN 1374 And, yielding to him, humors well his frenzy.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Adriana
FTLN 1375 Thou hast suborned the goldsmith to arrest me.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1376 Alas, I sent you money to redeem you
FTLN 1377 By Dromio here, who came in haste for it.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1378 90 Money by me? Heart and goodwill you might,
FTLN 1379 But surely, master, not a rag of money.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1380 Went’st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1381 He came to me, and I delivered it.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1382 And I am witness with her that she did.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1383 95 God and the rope-maker bear me witness
FTLN 1384 That I was sent for nothing but a rope.
PINCH
FTLN 1385 Mistress, both man and master is possessed.
FTLN 1386 I know it by their pale and deadly looks.
FTLN 1387 They must be bound and laid in some dark room.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Adriana
FTLN 1388 100 Say wherefore didst thou lock me forth today.

119
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
FTLN 1389 To Dromio of Ephesus. And why dost thou deny the
FTLN 1390 bag of gold?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1391 I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1392 And, gentle master, I received no gold.
FTLN 1393 105 But I confess, sir, that we were locked out.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1394 Dissembling villain, thou speak’st false in both.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1395 Dissembling harlot, thou art false in all,
FTLN 1396 And art confederate with a damnèd pack
FTLN 1397 To make a loathsome abject scorn of me.
FTLN 1398 110 But with these nails I’ll pluck out these false eyes
FTLN 1399 That would behold in me this shameful sport.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1400 O bind him, bind him! Let him not come near me.
Enter three or four, and offer to bind him. He strives.
PINCH
FTLN 1401 More company! The fiend is strong within him.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1402 Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1403 115 What, will you murder me?—Thou jailer, thou,
FTLN 1404 I am thy prisoner. Wilt thou suffer them
FTLN 1405 To make a rescue?
OFFICER FTLN 1406 Masters, let him go.
FTLN 1407 He is my prisoner, and you shall not have him.
PINCH
FTLN 1408 120 Go, bind this man, for he is frantic too.
Dromio is bound.
ADRIANA , to Officer
FTLN 1409 What wilt thou do, thou peevish officer?
FTLN 1410 Hast thou delight to see a wretched man
FTLN 1411 Do outrage and displeasure to himself?

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
OFFICER
FTLN 1412 He is my prisoner. If I let him go,
FTLN 1413 125 The debt he owes will be required of me.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1414 I will discharge thee ere I go from thee.
FTLN 1415 Bear me forthwith unto his creditor,
FTLN 1416 And knowing how the debt grows, I will pay it.—
FTLN 1417 Good Master Doctor, see him safe conveyed
FTLN 1418 130 Home to my house. O most unhappy day!
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1419 O most unhappy strumpet!
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1420 Master, I am here entered in bond for you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1421 Out on thee, villain! Wherefore dost thou mad me?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1422 Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good
FTLN 1423 135 master.
FTLN 1424 Cry “The devil!”
LUCIANA
FTLN 1425 God help poor souls! How idly do they talk!
ADRIANA , to Pinch
FTLN 1426 Go bear him hence.
Pinch and his men exit with Antipholus
and Dromio of Ephesus.
Officer, Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan remain.
FTLN 1427 Sister, go you with me.
FTLN 1428 140 To Officer. Say now whose suit is he arrested at.
OFFICER
FTLN 1429 One Angelo, a goldsmith. Do you know him?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1430 I know the man. What is the sum he owes?
OFFICER
FTLN 1431 Two hundred ducats.
ADRIANA FTLN 1432 Say, how grows it due?
OFFICER
FTLN 1433 145 Due for a chain your husband had of him.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
ADRIANA
FTLN 1434 He did bespeak a chain for me but had it not.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1435 Whenas your husband all in rage today
FTLN 1436 Came to my house and took away my ring,
FTLN 1437 The ring I saw upon his finger now,
FTLN 1438 150 Straight after did I meet him with a chain.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1439 It may be so, but I did never see it.—
FTLN 1440 Come, jailer, bring me where the goldsmith is.
FTLN 1441 I long to know the truth hereof at large.
Enter Antipholus of Syracuse with his rapier drawn,
and Dromio of Syracuse.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1442 God for Thy mercy, they are loose again!
ADRIANA
FTLN 1443 155 And come with naked swords. Let’s call more help
FTLN 1444 To have them bound again.
OFFICER FTLN 1445 Away! They’ll kill us.
Run all out as fast as may be, frighted.
Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse remain.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1446 I see these witches are afraid of swords.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1447 She that would be your wife now ran from you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1448 160 Come to the Centaur. Fetch our stuff from thence.
FTLN 1449 I long that we were safe and sound aboard.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1450 Faith, stay here this night. They
FTLN 1451 will surely do us no harm. You saw they speak us
FTLN 1452 fair, give us gold. Methinks they are such a gentle
FTLN 1453 165 nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that
FTLN 1454 claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to
FTLN 1455 stay here still, and turn witch.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 4. SC. 4
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1456 I will not stay tonight for all the town.
FTLN 1457 Therefore, away, to get our stuff aboard.
They exit.

ACT 5
Scene 1
Enter the Second Merchant and Angelo the
Goldsmith.
ANGELO
FTLN 1458 I am sorry, sir, that I have hindered you,
FTLN 1459 But I protest he had the chain of me,
FTLN 1460 Though most dishonestly he doth deny it.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1461 How is the man esteemed here in the city?
ANGELO
FTLN 1462 5 Of very reverend reputation, sir,
FTLN 1463 Of credit infinite, highly beloved,
FTLN 1464 Second to none that lives here in the city.
FTLN 1465 His word might bear my wealth at any time.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1466 Speak softly. Yonder, as I think, he walks.
Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse again,
Antipholus wearing the chain.
ANGELO
FTLN 1467 10 ’Tis so, and that self chain about his neck
FTLN 1468 Which he forswore most monstrously to have.
FTLN 1469 Good sir, draw near to me. I’ll speak to him.—
FTLN 1470 Signior Antipholus, I wonder much
FTLN 1471 That you would put me to this shame and trouble,
FTLN 1472 15 And not without some scandal to yourself,
129

131
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 1473 With circumstance and oaths so to deny
FTLN 1474 This chain, which now you wear so openly.
FTLN 1475 Besides the charge, the shame, imprisonment,
FTLN 1476 You have done wrong to this my honest friend,
FTLN 1477 20 Who, but for staying on our controversy,
FTLN 1478 Had hoisted sail and put to sea today.
FTLN 1479 This chain you had of me. Can you deny it?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1480 I think I had. I never did deny it.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1481 Yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it too.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1482 25 Who heard me to deny it or forswear it?
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1483 These ears of mine, thou know’st, did hear thee.
FTLN 1484 Fie on thee, wretch. ’Tis pity that thou liv’st
FTLN 1485 To walk where any honest men resort.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1486 Thou art a villain to impeach me thus.
FTLN 1487 30 I’ll prove mine honor and mine honesty
FTLN 1488 Against thee presently if thou dar’st stand.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1489 I dare, and do defy thee for a villain. They draw.
Enter Adriana, Luciana, Courtesan, and others.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1490 Hold, hurt him not, for God’s sake. He is mad.—
FTLN 1491 Some get within him; take his sword away.
FTLN 1492 35 Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house!
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1493 Run, master, run. For God’s sake, take a house.
FTLN 1494 This is some priory. In, or we are spoiled.
Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse
exit to the Priory.
Enter Lady Abbess.

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
ABBESS
FTLN 1495 Be quiet, people. Wherefore throng you hither?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1496 To fetch my poor distracted husband hence.
FTLN 1497 40 Let us come in, that we may bind him fast
FTLN 1498 And bear him home for his recovery.
ANGELO
FTLN 1499 I knew he was not in his perfect wits.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1500 I am sorry now that I did draw on him.
ABBESS
FTLN 1501 How long hath this possession held the man?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1502 45 This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad,
FTLN 1503 And much different from the man he was.
FTLN 1504 But till this afternoon his passion
FTLN 1505 Ne’er brake into extremity of rage.
ABBESS
FTLN 1506 Hath he not lost much wealth by wrack of sea?
FTLN 1507 50 Buried some dear friend? Hath not else his eye
FTLN 1508 Strayed his affection in unlawful love,
FTLN 1509 A sin prevailing much in youthful men
FTLN 1510 Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing?
FTLN 1511 Which of these sorrows is he subject to?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1512 55 To none of these, except it be the last,
FTLN 1513 Namely, some love that drew him oft from home.
ABBESS
FTLN 1514 You should for that have reprehended him.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1515 Why, so I did.
ABBESS FTLN 1516 Ay, but not rough enough.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1517 60 As roughly as my modesty would let me.
ABBESS
FTLN 1518 Haply in private.

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ADRIANA FTLN 1519 And in assemblies too.
ABBESS FTLN 1520 Ay, but not enough.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1521 It was the copy of our conference.
FTLN 1522 65 In bed he slept not for my urging it;
FTLN 1523 At board he fed not for my urging it.
FTLN 1524 Alone, it was the subject of my theme;
FTLN 1525 In company I often glancèd it.
FTLN 1526 Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.
ABBESS
FTLN 1527 70 And thereof came it that the man was mad.
FTLN 1528 The venom clamors of a jealous woman
FTLN 1529 Poisons more deadly than a mad dog’s tooth.
FTLN 1530 It seems his sleeps were hindered by thy railing,
FTLN 1531 And thereof comes it that his head is light.
FTLN 1532 75 Thou sayst his meat was sauced with thy
FTLN 1533 upbraidings.
FTLN 1534 Unquiet meals make ill digestions.
FTLN 1535 Thereof the raging fire of fever bred,
FTLN 1536 And what’s a fever but a fit of madness?
FTLN 1537 80 Thou sayest his sports were hindered by thy brawls.
FTLN 1538 Sweet recreation barred, what doth ensue
FTLN 1539 But moody and dull melancholy,
FTLN 1540 Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair,
FTLN 1541 And at her heels a huge infectious troop
FTLN 1542 85 Of pale distemperatures and foes to life?
FTLN 1543 In food, in sport, and life-preserving rest
FTLN 1544 To be disturbed would mad or man or beast.
FTLN 1545 The consequence is, then, thy jealous fits
FTLN 1546 Hath scared thy husband from the use of wits.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1547 90 She never reprehended him but mildly
FTLN 1548 When he demeaned himself rough, rude, and
FTLN 1549 wildly.—
FTLN 1550 Why bear you these rebukes and answer not?

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ADRIANA
FTLN 1551 She did betray me to my own reproof.—
FTLN 1552 95 Good people, enter and lay hold on him.
ABBESS
FTLN 1553 No, not a creature enters in my house.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1554 Then let your servants bring my husband forth.
ABBESS
FTLN 1555 Neither. He took this place for sanctuary,
FTLN 1556 And it shall privilege him from your hands
FTLN 1557 100 Till I have brought him to his wits again
FTLN 1558 Or lose my labor in assaying it.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1559 I will attend my husband, be his nurse,
FTLN 1560 Diet his sickness, for it is my office
FTLN 1561 And will have no attorney but myself;
FTLN 1562 105 And therefore let me have him home with me.
ABBESS
FTLN 1563 Be patient, for I will not let him stir
FTLN 1564 Till I have used the approvèd means I have,
FTLN 1565 With wholesome syrups, drugs, and holy prayers,
FTLN 1566 To make of him a formal man again.
FTLN 1567 110 It is a branch and parcel of mine oath,
FTLN 1568 A charitable duty of my order.
FTLN 1569 Therefore depart and leave him here with me.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1570 I will not hence and leave my husband here;
FTLN 1571 And ill it doth beseem your holiness
FTLN 1572 115 To separate the husband and the wife.
ABBESS
FTLN 1573 Be quiet and depart. Thou shalt not have him.
She exits.
LUCIANA , to Adriana
FTLN 1574 Complain unto the Duke of this indignity.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1575 Come, go. I will fall prostrate at his feet
FTLN 1576 And never rise until my tears and prayers

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FTLN 1577 120 Have won his grace to come in person hither
FTLN 1578 And take perforce my husband from the Abbess.
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1579 By this, I think, the dial points at five.
FTLN 1580 Anon, I’m sure, the Duke himself in person
FTLN 1581 Comes this way to the melancholy vale,
FTLN 1582 125 The place of death and sorry execution
FTLN 1583 Behind the ditches of the abbey here.
ANGELO FTLN 1584 Upon what cause?
SECOND MERCHANT
FTLN 1585 To see a reverend Syracusian merchant,
FTLN 1586 Who put unluckily into this bay
FTLN 1587 130 Against the laws and statutes of this town,
FTLN 1588 Beheaded publicly for his offense.
ANGELO
FTLN 1589 See where they come. We will behold his death.
LUCIANA , to Adriana
FTLN 1590 Kneel to the Duke before he pass the abbey.
Enter the Duke of Ephesus, and Egeon the Merchant
of Syracuse, bare head, with the Headsman
and other Officers.
DUKE
FTLN 1591 Yet once again proclaim it publicly,
FTLN 1592 135 If any friend will pay the sum for him,
FTLN 1593 He shall not die; so much we tender him.
ADRIANA , kneeling
FTLN 1594 Justice, most sacred duke, against the Abbess.
DUKE
FTLN 1595 She is a virtuous and a reverend lady.
FTLN 1596 It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1597 140 May it please your Grace, Antipholus my husband,
FTLN 1598 Who I made lord of me and all I had
FTLN 1599 At your important letters, this ill day
FTLN 1600 A most outrageous fit of madness took him,

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FTLN 1601 That desp’rately he hurried through the street,
FTLN 1602 145 With him his bondman, all as mad as he,
FTLN 1603 Doing displeasure to the citizens
FTLN 1604 By rushing in their houses, bearing thence
FTLN 1605 Rings, jewels, anything his rage did like.
FTLN 1606 Once did I get him bound and sent him home
FTLN 1607 150 Whilst to take order for the wrongs I went
FTLN 1608 That here and there his fury had committed.
FTLN 1609 Anon, I wot not by what strong escape,
FTLN 1610 He broke from those that had the guard of him,
FTLN 1611 And with his mad attendant and himself,
FTLN 1612 155 Each one with ireful passion, with drawn swords,
FTLN 1613 Met us again and, madly bent on us,
FTLN 1614 Chased us away, till raising of more aid,
FTLN 1615 We came again to bind them. Then they fled
FTLN 1616 Into this abbey, whither we pursued them,
FTLN 1617 160 And here the Abbess shuts the gates on us
FTLN 1618 And will not suffer us to fetch him out,
FTLN 1619 Nor send him forth that we may bear him hence.
FTLN 1620 Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy command
FTLN 1621 Let him be brought forth and borne hence for help.
DUKE
FTLN 1622 165 Long since, thy husband served me in my wars,
FTLN 1623 And I to thee engaged a prince’s word,
FTLN 1624 When thou didst make him master of thy bed,
FTLN 1625 To do him all the grace and good I could.
FTLN 1626 Go, some of you, knock at the abbey gate,
FTLN 1627 170 And bid the Lady Abbess come to me.
FTLN 1628 I will determine this before I stir. Adriana rises.
Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
FTLN 1629 O mistress, mistress, shift and save yourself.
FTLN 1630 My master and his man are both broke loose,
FTLN 1631 Beaten the maids a-row, and bound the doctor,

143
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 1632 175 Whose beard they have singed off with brands of
FTLN 1633 fire,
FTLN 1634 And ever as it blazed they threw on him
FTLN 1635 Great pails of puddled mire to quench the hair.
FTLN 1636 My master preaches patience to him, and the while
FTLN 1637 180 His man with scissors nicks him like a fool;
FTLN 1638 And sure, unless you send some present help,
FTLN 1639 Between them they will kill the conjurer.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1640 Peace, fool. Thy master and his man are here,
FTLN 1641 And that is false thou dost report to us.
MESSENGER
FTLN 1642 185 Mistress, upon my life I tell you true.
FTLN 1643 I have not breathed almost since I did see it.
FTLN 1644 He cries for you and vows, if he can take you,
FTLN 1645 To scorch your face and to disfigure you. Cry within.
FTLN 1646 Hark, hark, I hear him, mistress. Fly, begone!
DUKE
FTLN 1647 190 Come, stand by me. Fear nothing.—Guard with
FTLN 1648 halberds.
Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1649 Ay me, it is my husband. Witness you
FTLN 1650 That he is borne about invisible.
FTLN 1651 Even now we housed him in the abbey here,
FTLN 1652 195 And now he’s there, past thought of human reason.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1653 Justice, most gracious duke. O, grant me justice,
FTLN 1654 Even for the service that long since I did thee
FTLN 1655 When I bestrid thee in the wars and took
FTLN 1656 Deep scars to save thy life. Even for the blood
FTLN 1657 200 That then I lost for thee, now grant me justice.
EGEON , aside
FTLN 1658 Unless the fear of death doth make me dote,
FTLN 1659 I see my son Antipholus and Dromio.

145
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1660 Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there,
FTLN 1661 She whom thou gav’st to me to be my wife,
FTLN 1662 205 That hath abusèd and dishonored me
FTLN 1663 Even in the strength and height of injury.
FTLN 1664 Beyond imagination is the wrong
FTLN 1665 That she this day hath shameless thrown on me.
DUKE
FTLN 1666 Discover how, and thou shalt find me just.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1667 210 This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me
FTLN 1668 While she with harlots feasted in my house.
DUKE
FTLN 1669 A grievous fault.—Say, woman, didst thou so?
ADRIANA
FTLN 1670 No, my good lord. Myself, he, and my sister
FTLN 1671 Today did dine together. So befall my soul
FTLN 1672 215 As this is false he burdens me withal.
LUCIANA
FTLN 1673 Ne’er may I look on day nor sleep on night
FTLN 1674 But she tells to your Highness simple truth.
ANGELO
FTLN 1675 O perjured woman!—They are both forsworn.
FTLN 1676 In this the madman justly chargeth them.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1677 220 My liege, I am advisèd what I say,
FTLN 1678 Neither disturbed with the effect of wine,
FTLN 1679 Nor heady-rash provoked with raging ire,
FTLN 1680 Albeit my wrongs might make one wiser mad.
FTLN 1681 This woman locked me out this day from dinner.
FTLN 1682 225 That goldsmith there, were he not packed with her,
FTLN 1683 Could witness it, for he was with me then,
FTLN 1684 Who parted with me to go fetch a chain,
FTLN 1685 Promising to bring it to the Porpentine,
FTLN 1686 Where Balthasar and I did dine together.
FTLN 1687 230 Our dinner done and he not coming thither,

147
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 1688 I went to seek him. In the street I met him,
FTLN 1689 And in his company that gentleman.
He points to Second Merchant.
FTLN 1690 There did this perjured goldsmith swear me down
FTLN 1691 That I this day of him received the chain,
FTLN 1692 235 Which, God He knows, I saw not; for the which
FTLN 1693 He did arrest me with an officer.
FTLN 1694 I did obey and sent my peasant home
FTLN 1695 For certain ducats. He with none returned.
FTLN 1696 Then fairly I bespoke the officer
FTLN 1697 240 To go in person with me to my house.
FTLN 1698 By th’ way we met
FTLN 1699 My wife, her sister, and a rabble more
FTLN 1700 Of vile confederates. Along with them
FTLN 1701 They brought one Pinch, a hungry, lean-faced
FTLN 1702 245 villain,
FTLN 1703 A mere anatomy, a mountebank,
FTLN 1704 A threadbare juggler, and a fortune-teller,
FTLN 1705 A needy, hollow-eyed, sharp-looking wretch,
FTLN 1706 A living dead man. This pernicious slave,
FTLN 1707 250 Forsooth, took on him as a conjurer,
FTLN 1708 And, gazing in mine eyes, feeling my pulse,
FTLN 1709 And with no face (as ’twere) outfacing me,
FTLN 1710 Cries out I was possessed. Then all together
FTLN 1711 They fell upon me, bound me, bore me thence,
FTLN 1712 255 And in a dark and dankish vault at home
FTLN 1713 There left me and my man, both bound together,
FTLN 1714 Till gnawing with my teeth my bonds in sunder,
FTLN 1715 I gained my freedom and immediately
FTLN 1716 Ran hither to your Grace, whom I beseech
FTLN 1717 260 To give me ample satisfaction
FTLN 1718 For these deep shames and great indignities.
ANGELO
FTLN 1719 My lord, in truth, thus far I witness with him:
FTLN 1720 That he dined not at home, but was locked out.

149
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
FTLN 1721 But had he such a chain of thee or no?
ANGELO
FTLN 1722 265 He had, my lord, and when he ran in here,
FTLN 1723 These people saw the chain about his neck.
SECOND MERCHANT , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1724 Besides, I will be sworn these ears of mine
FTLN 1725 Heard you confess you had the chain of him
FTLN 1726 After you first forswore it on the mart,
FTLN 1727 270 And thereupon I drew my sword on you,
FTLN 1728 And then you fled into this abbey here,
FTLN 1729 From whence I think you are come by miracle.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1730 I never came within these abbey walls,
FTLN 1731 Nor ever didst thou draw thy sword on me.
FTLN 1732 275 I never saw the chain, so help me heaven,
FTLN 1733 And this is false you burden me withal.
DUKE
FTLN 1734 Why, what an intricate impeach is this!
FTLN 1735 I think you all have drunk of Circe’s cup.
FTLN 1736 If here you housed him, here he would have been.
FTLN 1737 280 If he were mad, he would not plead so coldly.
FTLN 1738 To Adriana. You say he dined at home; the
FTLN 1739 goldsmith here
FTLN 1740 Denies that saying. To Dromio of Ephesus. Sirrah,
FTLN 1741 what say you?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS , pointing to the Courtesan
FTLN 1742 285 Sir, he dined with her there at the Porpentine.
COURTESAN
FTLN 1743 He did, and from my finger snatched that ring.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , showing a ring
FTLN 1744 ’Tis true, my liege, this ring I had of her.
DUKE , to Courtesan
FTLN 1745 Saw’st thou him enter at the abbey here?
COURTESAN
FTLN 1746 As sure, my liege, as I do see your Grace.

151
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
DUKE
FTLN 1747 290 Why, this is strange.—Go call the Abbess hither.
Exit one to the Abbess.
FTLN 1748 I think you are all mated or stark mad.
EGEON
FTLN 1749 Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word.
FTLN 1750 Haply I see a friend will save my life
FTLN 1751 And pay the sum that may deliver me.
DUKE
FTLN 1752 295 Speak freely, Syracusian, what thou wilt.
EGEON , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1753 Is not your name, sir, called Antipholus?
FTLN 1754 And is not that your bondman Dromio?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1755 Within this hour I was his bondman, sir,
FTLN 1756 But he, I thank him, gnawed in two my cords.
FTLN 1757 300 Now am I Dromio, and his man, unbound.
EGEON
FTLN 1758 I am sure you both of you remember me.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1759 Ourselves we do remember, sir, by you,
FTLN 1760 For lately we were bound as you are now.
FTLN 1761 You are not Pinch’s patient, are you, sir?
EGEON , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1762 305 Why look you strange on me? You know me well.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1763 I never saw you in my life till now.
EGEON
FTLN 1764 O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last,
FTLN 1765 And careful hours with time’s deformèd hand
FTLN 1766 Have written strange defeatures in my face.
FTLN 1767 310 But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice?
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1768 Neither.
EGEON FTLN 1769 Dromio, nor thou?
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1770 No, trust me, sir, nor I.

153
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
EGEON FTLN 1771 I am sure thou dost.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1772 315 Ay, sir, but I am sure I do not, and
FTLN 1773 whatsoever a man denies, you are now bound to
FTLN 1774 believe him.
EGEON
FTLN 1775 Not know my voice! O time’s extremity,
FTLN 1776 Hast thou so cracked and splitted my poor tongue
FTLN 1777 320 In seven short years that here my only son
FTLN 1778 Knows not my feeble key of untuned cares?
FTLN 1779 Though now this grainèd face of mine be hid
FTLN 1780 In sap-consuming winter’s drizzled snow,
FTLN 1781 And all the conduits of my blood froze up,
FTLN 1782 325 Yet hath my night of life some memory,
FTLN 1783 My wasting lamps some fading glimmer left,
FTLN 1784 My dull deaf ears a little use to hear.
FTLN 1785 All these old witnesses—I cannot err—
FTLN 1786 Tell me thou art my son Antipholus.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1787 330 I never saw my father in my life.
EGEON
FTLN 1788 But seven years since, in Syracusa, boy,
FTLN 1789 Thou know’st we parted. But perhaps, my son,
FTLN 1790 Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1791 The Duke and all that know me in the city
FTLN 1792 335 Can witness with me that it is not so.
FTLN 1793 I ne’er saw Syracusa in my life.
DUKE
FTLN 1794 I tell thee, Syracusian, twenty years
FTLN 1795 Have I been patron to Antipholus,
FTLN 1796 During which time he ne’er saw Syracusa.
FTLN 1797 340 I see thy age and dangers make thee dote.
Enter Emilia the Abbess, with Antipholus of
Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse.

155
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
ABBESS
FTLN 1798 Most mighty duke, behold a man much wronged.
All gather to see them.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1799 I see two husbands, or mine eyes deceive me.
DUKE
FTLN 1800 One of these men is genius to the other.
FTLN 1801 And so, of these, which is the natural man
FTLN 1802 345 And which the spirit? Who deciphers them?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1803 I, sir, am Dromio. Command him away.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1804 I, sir, am Dromio. Pray, let me stay.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1805 Egeon art thou not, or else his ghost?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1806 O, my old master.—Who hath bound him here?
ABBESS
FTLN 1807 350 Whoever bound him, I will loose his bonds
FTLN 1808 And gain a husband by his liberty.—
FTLN 1809 Speak, old Egeon, if thou be’st the man
FTLN 1810 That hadst a wife once called Emilia,
FTLN 1811 That bore thee at a burden two fair sons.
FTLN 1812 355 O, if thou be’st the same Egeon, speak,
FTLN 1813 And speak unto the same Emilia.
DUKE
FTLN 1814 Why, here begins his morning story right:
FTLN 1815 These two Antipholus’, these two so like,
FTLN 1816 And these two Dromios, one in semblance—
FTLN 1817 360 Besides her urging of her wrack at sea—
FTLN 1818 These are the parents to these children,
FTLN 1819 Which accidentally are met together.
EGEON
FTLN 1820 If I dream not, thou art Emilia.
FTLN 1821 If thou art she, tell me, where is that son
FTLN 1822 365 That floated with thee on the fatal raft?

157
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
ABBESS
FTLN 1823 By men of Epidamium he and I
FTLN 1824 And the twin Dromio all were taken up;
FTLN 1825 But by and by rude fishermen of Corinth
FTLN 1826 By force took Dromio and my son from them,
FTLN 1827 370 And me they left with those of Epidamium.
FTLN 1828 What then became of them I cannot tell;
FTLN 1829 I to this fortune that you see me in.
DUKE , to Antipholus of Syracuse
FTLN 1830 Antipholus, thou cam’st from Corinth first.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1831 No, sir, not I. I came from Syracuse.
DUKE
FTLN 1832 375 Stay, stand apart. I know not which is which.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1833 I came from Corinth, my most gracious lord.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1834 And I with him.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1835 Brought to this town by that most famous warrior
FTLN 1836 Duke Menaphon, your most renownèd uncle.
ADRIANA
FTLN 1837 380 Which of you two did dine with me today?
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1838 I, gentle mistress.
ADRIANA FTLN 1839 And are not you my husband?
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS FTLN 1840 No, I say nay to that.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1841 And so do I, yet did she call me so,
FTLN 1842 385 And this fair gentlewoman, her sister here,
FTLN 1843 Did call me brother. To Luciana. What I told you
FTLN 1844 then
FTLN 1845 I hope I shall have leisure to make good,
FTLN 1846 If this be not a dream I see and hear.
ANGELO , turning to Antipholus of Syracuse
FTLN 1847 390 That is the chain, sir, which you had of me.

159
The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1848 I think it be, sir. I deny it not.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to Angelo
FTLN 1849 And you, sir, for this chain arrested me.
ANGELO
FTLN 1850 I think I did, sir. I deny it not.
ADRIANA , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1851 I sent you money, sir, to be your bail
FTLN 1852 395 By Dromio, but I think he brought it not.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1853 No, none by me.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , to Adriana
FTLN 1854 This purse of ducats I received from you,
FTLN 1855 And Dromio my man did bring them me.
FTLN 1856 I see we still did meet each other’s man,
FTLN 1857 400 And I was ta’en for him, and he for me,
FTLN 1858 And thereupon these errors are arose.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS , to the Duke
FTLN 1859 These ducats pawn I for my father here.
DUKE
FTLN 1860 It shall not need. Thy father hath his life.
COURTESAN , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1861 Sir, I must have that diamond from you.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1862 405 There, take it, and much thanks for my good cheer.
ABBESS
FTLN 1863 Renownèd duke, vouchsafe to take the pains
FTLN 1864 To go with us into the abbey here
FTLN 1865 And hear at large discoursèd all our fortunes,
FTLN 1866 And all that are assembled in this place
FTLN 1867 410 That by this sympathizèd one day’s error
FTLN 1868 Have suffered wrong. Go, keep us company,
FTLN 1869 And we shall make full satisfaction.—
FTLN 1870 Thirty-three years have I but gone in travail
FTLN 1871 Of you, my sons, and till this present hour
FTLN 1872 415 My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.—
FTLN 1873 The Duke, my husband, and my children both,

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The Comedy of Errors
ACT 5. SC. 1
FTLN 1874 And you, the calendars of their nativity,
FTLN 1875 Go to a gossips’ feast, and go with me.
FTLN 1876 After so long grief, such nativity!
DUKE
FTLN 1877 420 With all my heart I’ll gossip at this feast.
All exit except the two Dromios
and the two brothers Antipholus.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1878 Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard?
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1879 Dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embarked?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1880 Your goods that lay at host, sir, in the Centaur.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE , to Antipholus of Ephesus
FTLN 1881 He speaks to me.—I am your master, Dromio.
FTLN 1882 425 Come, go with us. We’ll look to that anon.
FTLN 1883 Embrace thy brother there. Rejoice with him.
The brothers Antipholus exit.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE
FTLN 1884 There is a fat friend at your master’s house
FTLN 1885 That kitchened me for you today at dinner.
FTLN 1886 She now shall be my sister, not my wife.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS
FTLN 1887 430 Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother.
FTLN 1888 I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.
FTLN 1889 Will you walk in to see their gossiping?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1890 Not I, sir. You are my elder.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1891 That’s a question. How shall we
FTLN 1892 435 try it?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE FTLN 1893 We’ll draw cuts for the signior.
FTLN 1894 Till then, lead thou first.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS FTLN 1895 Nay, then, thus:
FTLN 1896 We came into the world like brother and brother,
FTLN 1897 440 And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before
FTLN 1898 another.
They exit.