The Comedy of Errors Part 17

_SCENE I. A street before a Priory._

_Enter _Second Merchant_ and ANGELO._

_Ang._ I am sorry, sir, that I have hinder'd you; But, I protest, he had the chain of me, Though most dishonestly he doth deny it.

_Sec. Mer._ How is the man esteem'd here in the city?

_Ang._ Of very reverent reputation, sir, 5 Of credit infinite, highly beloved, Second to none that lives here in the city: His word might bear my wealth at any time.

_Sec. Mer._ Speak softly: yonder, as I think, he walks.

_Enter _ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse_ and _DROMIO of Syracuse_._

_Ang._ 'Tis so; and that self chain about his neck, 10 Which he forswore most monstrously to have.

Good sir, draw near to me, I'll speak to him; Signior Antipholus, I wonder much That you would put me to this shame and trouble; And, not without some scandal to yourself, 15 With circ.u.mstance and oaths so to deny This chain which now you wear so openly: Beside the charge, the shame, imprisonment, You have done wrong to this my honest friend; Who, but for staying on our controversy, 20 Had hoisted sail and put to sea to-day: This chain you had of me; can you deny it?

_Ant. S._ I think I had; I never did deny it.

_Sec. Mer._ Yes, that you did, sir, and forswore it too.

_Ant. S._ Who heard me to deny it or forswear it? 25

_Sec. Mer._ These ears of mine, thou know'st, did hear thee.

Fie on thee, wretch! 'tis pity that thou livest To walk where any honest men resort.

_Ant. S._ Thou art a villain to impeach me thus: I'll prove mine honour and mine honesty 30 Against thee presently, if thou darest stand.

_Sec. Mer._ I dare, and do defy thee for a villain.

[_They draw._

_Enter ADRIANA, LUCIANA, the _Courtezan_, and others._

_Adr._ Hold, hurt him not, for G.o.d's sake! he is mad.

Some get within him, take his sword away: Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house. 35

_Dro. S._ Run, master, run; for G.o.d's sake, take a house!

This is some priory.--In, or we are spoil'd!

[_Exeunt Ant. S. and Dro. S. to the Priory._

_Enter the _Lady Abbess_._

_Abb._ Be quiet, people. Wherefore throng you hither?

_Adr._ To fetch my poor distracted husband hence.

Let us come in, that we may bind him fast, 40 And bear him home for his recovery.

_Ang._ I knew he was not in his perfect wits.

_Sec. Mer._ I am sorry now that I did draw on him.

_Abb._ How long hath this possession held the man?

_Adr._ This week he hath been heavy, sour, sad, 45 And much different from the man he was; But till this afternoon his pa.s.sion Ne'er brake into extremity of rage.

_Abb._ Hath he not lost much wealth by wreck of sea?

Buried some dear friend? Hath not else his eye 50 Stray'd his affection in unlawful love?

A sin prevailing much in youthful men, Who give their eyes the liberty of gazing.

Which of these sorrows is he subject to?

_Adr._ To none of these, except it be the last; 55 Namely, some love that drew him oft from home.

_Abb._ You should for that have reprehended him.

_Adr._ Why, so I did.

_Abb._ Ay, but not rough enough.

_Adr._ As roughly as my modesty would let me.

_Abb._ Haply, in private.

_Adr._ And in a.s.semblies too. 60

_Abb._ Ay, but not enough.

_Adr._ It was the copy of our conference: In bed, he slept not for my urging it; At board, he fed not for my urging it; Alone, it was the subject of my theme; 65 In company I often glanced it; Still did I tell him it was vile and bad.

_Abb._ And thereof came it that the man was mad:-- The venom clamours of a jealous woman, Poisons more deadly than a mad dog's tooth. 70 It seems his sleeps were hinder'd by thy railing: And thereof comes it that his head is light.

Thou say'st his meat was sauced with thy upbraidings: Unquiet meals make ill digestions; Thereof the raging fire of fever bred; 75 And what's a fever but a fit of madness?

Thou say'st his sports were hinder'd by thy brawls: Sweet recreation barr'd, what doth ensue But moody and dull melancholy, Kinsman to grim and comfortless despair; 80 And at her heels a huge infectious troop Of pale distemperatures and foes to life?

In food, in sport, and life-preserving rest To be disturb'd, would mad or man or beast: The consequence is, then, thy jealous fits 85 Have scared thy husband from the use of wits.

_Luc._ She never reprehended him but mildly, When he demean'd himself rough, rude, and wildly.

Why bear you these rebukes, and answer not?

_Adr._ She did betray me to my own reproof. 90 Good people, enter, and lay hold on him.

_Abb._ No, not a creature enters in my house.

_Adr._ Then let your servants bring my husband forth.

_Abb._ Neither: he took this place for sanctuary, And it shall privilege him from your hands 95 Till I have brought him to his wits again, Or lose my labour in a.s.saying it.

_Adr._ I will attend my husband, be his nurse, Diet his sickness, for it is my office, And will have no attorney but myself; 100 And therefore let me have him home with me.

_Abb._ Be patient; for I will not let him stir Till I have used the approved means I have, With wholesome syrups, drugs and holy prayers, To make of him a formal man again: 105 It is a branch and parcel of mine oath, A charitable duty of my order.