Adr. None, but an idiot, would be bridled so? There's nothing situate under Heaven's eye, Luc. Before I wed, I'll practise to obey. Adr. How, if your husband start some other where? Luc. With all the gentle, artificial means, That patient meekness, and domestic cares, Could bring to my relief, I would beguile The intervening hours, till he, tir'd out, With empty, transient pleasures, should return To seek content and happiness at home— With smiles I'd welcome him, and put in practice Each soothing art, that kindness could suggest, To wean his mind from such delusive joys. Adr. O, special reasoning! well may they be pa- Who never had a cause for anger given them! But, were we burden'd with like weight of woe, Luc. Well, I will marry one day, but to try— Here comes your man; now is your husband near. Enter DROMIO OF EPHESUS. Adr. Say, is your tardy master now at hand? Dro. of Eph. Nay, he's at two hands with me, and that my two ears can witness. Adr. Say, didst thou speak with him? know'st thou his mind? Dro. of Eph. Ay, ay, he told his mind upon my ear; Beshrew his hand, I scarce could understand it! Luc. Spake he so doubtfully, thou couldst not find his meaning? Dro. of Eph. Nay, he struck so plainly, I could too well feel his blows; and withal so doubtfully, that I could scarce understand them. Adr. But say, I pray thee, is he coming home? It seems, he hath great care to please his wife! Dro. of Eph. Why, mistress, sure my master is horn-mad! Luc. Horn-mad, thou villain! Dro. of Eph. I mean not cuckold-mad, but sure When I desir'd him to come home to dinner, Dro. of Eph. Quoth my master I know, quoth he, no house, no wife, no mistress; Adr. Go back again, thou slave, and fetch him home. Dro. of Eph. Go back again, and be new beaten home! For Heav'ns sake, send some other messenger. Adr. Hence, prating peasant! fetch thy master home. Dro. of Eph. Am I so round with you, as you That, like a foot-ball, you do I see the jewel best enameled Will lose its lustre-So doth Adriana, SCENE II. The Mart. Enter ANTIPHOLIS, of Syracuse. Ant. of Syr. The gold I gave to Dromio is laid up Safe at the Centaur, and the heedful slave Is wander'd forth in care to seek me out. Enter DROMIO OF SYRACUSE. How now, sir? is your merry humour alter'd? Ant. of Syr. Ev'n now, ev'n here; not half an hour since. Dro. of Syr. I did not see you, since you hence sent me Home, to the Centaur, with the gold you gave me. Ant. of Syr. Villain, thou didst deny the gold's re ceipt, And told'st me of a mistress, and a dinner; Think'st thou, I jest? there, take thou that, and that! Dro. of Syr. Hold, sir, for Heaven's sake!-now your jest is earnest Upon what bargain do you give it me? Ant. of Syr. Because that I, familiarly, sometimes, And make a common of my serious hours. If looks. Dro. of Syr. I pray, sir, why am I beaten? Dro. of Syr. Nothing, but that I am beaten. It, in spite of my assertion to the contrary. Is dinner ready? Dro. of Syr. No, sir, I think the meat wants what I've got. Ant. of Syr. What's that? Dro. of Syr. Why, basting, sir. Ant. of Syr. No more, thou knave! for see, who wafts us yonder, This way they haste, and, by their gestures, seem To point out me—what should they mean, I trow? Enter ADRIANA and LUCIANA. Adr. Ay, ay, Antipholis, look strange and frown, Some other mistress hath some sweeter aspect: I am not Adriana, nor thy wife. |