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

Ang.
Ev'n just the sum, that I do owe to you,
Is growing to me by Antipholis;
And, in the instant that I met with you,
He had of me a chain: at five o'clock,
I shall receive the mony for the same:
Please you but walk with me down to his house,
I will discharge my bond, and thank you too. Enter Antipholis of Ephesus, and Dromio of Ephesus, as from the Courtezan's.

Offi.
That labour you may save: see, where he comes.

E. Ant.
While I go to the goldsmith's house, go thou
And buy a rope's end; that will I bestow
Among my wife and her confederates,
For locking me out of my doors by day.
But, soft; I see the goldsmith: get thee gone,
Buy thou a rope, and bring it home to me.

E. Dro.
I buy a thousand pound a year! I buy a rope! [Exit Dromio.

E. Ant.
A man is well holp up, that trusts to you:
I promised your presence, and the chain:

But neither chain, nor goldsmith, came to me:
Belike, you thought, our love would last too long
If it were chain'd together; therefore came not.

Ang.
Saving your merry humour, here's the note,
How much your chain weighs to the utmost carrat;
The fineness of the gold, the chargeful fashion;
Which do 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.

E. Ant.
I am not furnish'd with the present mony;
Besides, I have some business in the town;
Good Signior, take the stranger to my house,
And with you take the chain, and bid my wife
Disburse the sum on the receipt thereof;
Perchance, I will be there as soon as you.

Ang.
Then you will bring the chain to her yourself?

E. Ant.
No; bear it with you, lest I come not time enough.

Ang.
Well, Sir, I will: have you the chain about you?

E. Ant.
An if I have not, Sir, I hope, you have:
Or else you may return without your mony.

Ang.
Nay, come, I pray you, Sir, give me the chain;
Both wind and tide stay for this gentleman;
And I, to blame, have held him here too long.

E. Ant.
Good lord, you use this dalliance to excuse
Your breach of promise to the Porcupine:
I should have chid you for not bringing it;
But, like a shrew, you first begin to brawl.

Mer.
The hour steals on; I pray you, Sir, dispatch.

Ang.
You hear, how he importunes me; the chain—

E. Ant.
Why, give it to my wife, and fetch your mony.

Ang.
Come, come, you know, I gave it you, ev'n now.
Or send the chain, or send me by some token.

E. Ant.
Fie, now you run this humour out of breath:
Come, where's the chain? I pray you, let me see it.

Mer.
My business cannot brook this dalliance:
Good Sir, say, whe'r you'll answer me, or no;
If not, I'll leave him to the officer.

E. Ant.
I answer you? why should I answer you?

Ang.
The mony, that you owe me for the chain.

E. Ant.
I owe you none, 'till I receive the chain.

Ang.
You know, I gave it you half an hour since.

E. Ant.
You gave me none; you wrong me much to say so.

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

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

Offi.

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

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

E. Ant.
Consent to pay for that I never had!
Arrest me, foolish fellow, if thou dar'st.

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

Offi.
I do arrest you, Sir; you hear the suit.

E. Ant.
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.

Ang.
Sir, Sir, I shall have law in Ephesus,
To your notorious shame, I doubt it not.

Next section