Second Merchant.
You know since Pentecost the sum is due;
And since I have not much importun'd you.
Nor had I now, sir, but that I am bound
To Persia, and want gilders for my voyage.
Therefore make present satisfaction,
Or I attach you by this officer.

Angelo.
Ev'n just the sum that I do owe to you,
Is growing to me from Antipholis;
And in the instant that I met with you,
He had of me a bracelet—at five o'clock
I shall receive the money for the same.
Please you but walk with me down to his house,
I will discharge my bond, and thank you too.

Officer.
That labour you may spare—see where he comes. Enter Antipholis of Ephesus, and Dromio of Ephesus.

An. of Eph.
While I go to the goldsmith's house, go thou
And buy a rope's-end—that will I bestow
Among the base confederates of my wife,
For locking me out of my doors to-day.
But soft, I see the goldsmith—get thee gone
To buy the rope, and bring it home to me. [Exit Dr.
A man is well holpe up, that trusts to you:
I promis'd me your presence, and the bracelet;
But neither that nor goldsmith came to me.

Angelo.
Saving your merry humour, here's the note
How much your jewel weighs, to th' utmost carat.
The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion,
Make it amount to three odd ducats more
Than I stand 'debted to this gentleman.

I pray you see him presently discharg'd,
For he is bound to sea, and stays but for it.

An. of Eph.
I am not furnish'd with the sum about me,
Besides I have some business in the town.
Good Signor, take the stranger to my house,
And with you take the bracelet.—Bid my wife
Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof.
Perchance I will be there as soon as you.

Angelo.
Then you will bring the bracelet there yourself?

An. of Eph.
No, do you bear it, lest I come not time enough.

Angelo.
Well, sir, I will then—have you it about you?

An. of Eph.
An if I have not, sir, I hope you have,
Or else you may return without your money.

Angelo.
Nay, come, I pray you, sir, give me the jewel,
Both wind and tide stay for the gentleman,
And I, to blame, have held him here too long.

An. of Eph.
I guess you use this dalliance to excuse
Your breach of promise at the Porcupine.
I should have chid you for not bringing it,
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

2d Mer.
The hour steals on—I pray you, sir, dispatch.

Angelo.
You hear how he importunes me;—the bracelet—

An. of Eph.
Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your money.

Angelo.
Come, come, you know I gave it you even now;
Or give it me, or send me by some token.

An. of Eph.
Fie! now you run this humour out of breath—
Come, where is it?—I pray you let me see it.

2d Mer.
My business cannot brook this dalliance—
Good sir, say, if you'll answer me, or no;
If not, I'll leave him to the officer.

An. of Eph.
I answer you!—what should I answer you?

Angelo.
The money that you owe me for the bracelet.

An. of Eph.
I owe you none, till I receive the bracelet.

Angelo.
You know I gave it you half an hour since.

An. of Eph.
You gave me none; you wrong me much to say so.

Angelo.
You wrong me more, sir, in denying it;
Consider how it stands upon my credit.

2d Mer.
Well, officer, arrest him at my suit.

Officer.
I do, and charge you, in the duke's name, to obey me.

Angelo.
This touches me, sir, in my reputation;
Either consent to pay the sum for me,
Or I attach you by this officer.

An. of Eph.
Consent to pay for what I never had!
Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar'st.

Angelo.
Here is thy fee—arrest him, officer—
I would not spare my brother in this case,
If he should scorn me so apparently.

Officer.
I do arrest you, sir—you hear the suit.

An. of Eph.
I do obey thee, till I give thee bail.
But, sirrah, you shall buy this sport as dear,
As all the metal in your shop will answer.

Angelo.
Sir, sir, I shall have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not. Enter Dromio of Syracuse.

Dr. of Syr.
Master, there is a bark of Epidamnum
That stays but till her owner comes aboard;
Then, sir, she bears away. Our fraughtage, sir,
I have convey'd aboard; and I have bought
The, oil, the balsamum, and aqua vitæ.
The ship is in her trim, the merry wind
Blows fair from land, they stay for naught at all,
But for the owner, master, and yourself.

An. of Eph.
How now, madman! Why, thou peevish sheep,
What ship of Epidamnum stays for me?

Dr. of Syr.
A ship you sent me to, sir, to hire waftage.

An. of Eph.
Thou drunken slave, I sent thee for a rope;
And told thee to what purpose, and for whom.

Dr. of Syr.
You sent me to the bay, sir, for a bark.

An. of Eph.
I will debate the matter at more leisure,
And teach your ears to list me with more heed.
To Adriana, villain, hie thee strait,
Give her this key, and tell her, in the desk
That's cover'd o'er with Turkish tapestry,
There is a purse of ducats, let her send it;
Tell her I am arrested in the street,
And that shall bail me.—Hie thee, slave, begone.
On, officer, to prison, till he comes. [Exit An. of Eph. Angelo, Mer. and Officer.

Dr. of Syr.

To Adriana's!—that is where we din'd— Go there again!—Surely my poor master's mind is strangely altered. —But now he sent me to seek a vessel, and swore he would not stay an hour longer—now he denies it all, and rather seems inclined to take up his abode here; for, upon the strength of one visit only, he has got the key of Adriana's treasure, I see; and sends for her ducats as familiarly as he would for his own.—Then how he should come arrested!—I'll venture, however, to her

house once more, and get the money for him, if that Blowzabel, who claim'd me for her husband, does not set her kitchenstuff countenance in my way, and fright me from my purpose.