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 owing to me by Antipholis;
And in the instant that I met with you,
He had of me a chain: at five a 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 Antiph. Eph. and Dro. Eph. as from the Courtezans.

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 I will 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 carat,
The fineness of the gold, the chargeful fashion,
Which doth 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 your self.

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.
And 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 the 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, if 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.

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