SCENE III. THE STREET WITH THE HOUSE OF ANTIPHOLIS OF EPHESUS. Enter from the House of Antipholis of Syracuse. Ant. of Syr. O, subtle power! O, soil too capable! Scarce had her sun of beauty warm'd my heart, When the gay flower of love, disclosing fragrance, Sprung up at once, and blossom'd to perfection, Ere well the bud was seen.- Enter Dromio of Syracuse, from the House; he passes Antipholis without seeing him, and is hastening off. Why, how now, Dromio? Where run'st thou so fast? Dr. of Syr. Do you know me, sir? Am I Dromio? Am I your man? Am I myself? Ant. of Syr. Thou art Dromio, thou art my man, thou art thyself. Dr. of Syr. I am an ass, I am a woman's man, and beside myself. Ant. of Syr. What woman's man? and how beside thyself? Dr. of Syr. Marry, sir, beside myself, I am due to a woman; one that claims me, one that haunts me, one that will have me. Ant. of Syr. What claim lays she to thee? Dr. of Syr. Marry, sir, such claim as you lay to your horse. Ant. of Syr. What is she? would Dr. of Syr. A very reverend body; and, though I have but lean luck in the match, yet she is a wond'rous fat marriage: Sir, she's the kitchen-wench, all grease; and I know not what use to put her to, but to make a lamp of her, and run from her by her own light Ant. of Syr. I'll warrant, the rags, and the tallow in them, will burn a Poland winter. Dr. of Syr. They would, indeed, sir: to conclude; this drudge laid claim to me, called me Dromio, swore I was betrothed to her, told me what secret marks I had about me; as the marks on my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wart on my left arm; that I, amazed, ran from her, as a witch: and, I think, if my breast had not been made of faith, and my heart of steel, she would have transform'd me to a curtal dog, and made me turn in the wheel. Ant. of Syr. Sure, none but witches can inhabit here; And therefore 'tis high time that we were hence. Go, hie thee presently, post to the road; And if the wind blow any way from shore, I will not harbour in this town to-night, any bark put forth, come to the mart. Dr. of Syr. I fly with joy; for now I shall be If blown safe, G From this same scullion-this mountain of mad flesh. [As he is going off, the fat Kitchen Wench suddenly throws up the window in Anti pholis's house, and shakes her fist at him. Kitch. W. Come back, or I'll so baste thee Dromio. Dr. of Syr. 'Tis she ; As from a bear, a man would run for life, So I from her, who swears she is my wife! [Exit Dromio. Ant. of Syr. "Tis all illusion !—Who comes now? Enter Angelo with a Bracelet, 'Ang. Master Antipholis, "Ant. of Syr. Ay, that's my name. Ang. I know it well, sir :-Lo, here is the brace 'let: I thought to have ta'en you at the Porcupine; Ant. of Syr. What is your will that I should do with this? Ang. Ev'n what you please, sir: I have made it for you. Ant. of Syr. Made it for me, sir: I never once bespoke it. Ang. Not once, nor twice, but twenty times, you have. Go home with it, and please your wife withall: About your supper-time I'll visit you, And then receive my money for the bracelet. Ant. of Syr. I pray you, sir, since you it on me, Receive the money now; will force For fear you ne'er see that, or jewels, more. ment! What I should think of this, I cannot tell: And say, the self-same hour that gave thee to me, [Exit. SCENE IV. A River surrounded by Mountains, whose tops are covered with snow.-Across the River is a rustic Bridge.-Horns heard without-and Balthazar, Cerimon, and others, are seen crossing the Bridge dressed as Hunters. Bal. Here ends our chase: and though Antipholis Declin❜d our sport, has he in Ephesus Known more? Cer. I warrant no, Balthazar. Never did hounds send forth such gallant chiding! Was never holla'd to, or cheer'd with horn. QUARTETTO AND CHORUS. When icicles hang by the wall, And Dick, the shepherd, blows his nail, And Tom bears logs unto the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail; |