Luc. Complain unto the duke of this indignity. Adr. Come then, I will fall prostrate at his feet, Cha. By this, I think, the dial points at five: The place of death, and sorry execution, Cha. To see a reverend Syracusan merchant? Who put unluckily into this bay, Against the laws and statutes of this town, Beheaded publicly for his offence. Ang. See, where they come: We will behold his death. Luc. Kneel to the duke, before he pass the abbey. Enter Duke, Egeon in chains, Executioner, two Officers, and Gentlemen. Duke. Yet once again proclaim it publicly, If any friend will pay the sum for him, He shall not die; so much we tender him. Adr. Justice, most sacred duke, against the abbess. It cannot be that she hath done thee wrong. Adr. May it please your grace, Antipholis, my husband, Whom I made lord of me, and all I had, Chas'd us away; till, raising of more aid, But here the abbess shuts the gates on us, Therefore, most gracious duke, with thy command, wars, And I to thee engag'd a prince's word, When thou didst make him master of thy bed, [Exit a Gentleman, Enter Hermia. Her. O! mistress, mistress, haste and save yourself; My master and his man are both broke loose. Adr. Peace, fool! thy master and his man are here, And that is false, thou dost report to us. Her. Mistress, upon my life, I tell you true; I have not breath'd, almost, since I did see 'em. [Noise without.] Hark, hark! I hear 'em, mistress: fly! begone! Duke. Fear nothing; I'll protect you. Adr. Ah, me! it is my husband! [Exit. Enter Antipholis of Ephesus, and Dromio of Ephesus. Ant. of Eph. Justice, most gracious duke, O, grant me justice! Ev'n for the service that, long since, I did thee, Deep scars to save thy life; e'en for the blood Ant. of Eph. Justice, sweet prince, against that woman there, She whom thou gav'st to me to be my wife; E'en in the strength and height of injury. Duke. Discover how, and thou shalt find me just. Ant. of Eph. This day, great duke, she shut the doors upon me, While she within was feasting with her minions. Duke. A grievous fault! Say, woman, didst thou so? Adr. No, my good lord; myself, he, and my sister, To day did dine together: so befall my soul, Luc. Ne'er may I look on day, nor sleep on night, But she doth tell your highness simple truth! Ang. O, perjur'd woman! They are both forsworn; In this the madman justly chargeth them: My lord, in truth, thus far I witness with him, That he din'd not at home, but was lock'd out. Duke. Why, what an intricate impeach is this! I think, you all have drunk of Circe's cup. If here you hous'd him, here he would have been. You say, he din'd at home: the goldsmith here Denies that saying:-Sirrah, what say you? Dr. of Eph. Sir, he din'd with her there at the Porcupine. Les. He did, and from my finger snatch'd that ring. Ant. of Eph. 'Tis true, my liege, this ring I had of her. Duke. Saw'st thou him enter at the abbey here? Les. As sure, my liege, as I do see your grace. Duke. This is most strange! Go, call the abbess hither. [Exit a Gentleman. Egeon. Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word: Haply, I see a friend, will save my life, And pay the sum that may deliver me. Duke, Speak freely, Syracusan, what thou wilt. Egeon. Is not your name, sir, called Antipholis ? And is not that your bondman, Dromio? Ant. of Eph. True, reverend hapless man, we are so call'd. Egeon. I am sure both of ye remember me. Egeon. Why look you strange on me? You know me well. Ant. of Eph. I never saw you in my life, till now. Egeon. O grief hath chang'd me, since you saw me last; And careful hours, with time's deforming hand, But tell me yet, dost thou not know my voice? Egeon. Not know my voice? O, time's extremity, Ant. of Eph. I never saw my father in my life. Egeon. But seven years since, in Syracusa, boy, Thou know'st we parted: But, psrhaps, my son, Thou sham'st t'acknowledge me in misery. Ant. of Eph. The duke, and all that know me in the city, |