E. Ant.
Fear me not man, I will not break away,
I'll give thee ere I leave thee so much mony,
To warrant thee, as I am rested for.
My wife is in a wayward mood to-day,
And will not lightly trust the messenger.
That I should be attach'd in Ephesus,
I tell you 'twill sound harshly in her ears.

Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a rope's-end.
Here comes my man, I think he brings the mony.
How now, Sir, have you that I sent you for?

E. Dro.
Here's that I warrant you will pay them all.

E. Ant.
But where's the mony?

E. Dro.
Why, Sir, I gave the mony for the rope.

E. Ant.
Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

E. Dro.
I'll serve you, Sir, five hundred at the rate.

E. Ant.
To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

E. Dro.
To a ropes-end, Sir, and to that end am I return'd.

E. Ant.
And to that end, Sir, I will welcome you. [Beats Dro.

Offi.

Good Sir, be patient.

E. Dro.

Nay, 'tis for me to be patient, I am in adversity.

Offi.

Good now hold thy tongue.

E. Dro.

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

E. Ant.

Thou whorson, senseless villain!

E. Dro.

I would I were senseless, Sir, that I might not feel your blows.

E. Ant.

Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.

E. Dro.

I am an ass indeed, you may prove it by my long ears. I have serv'd him from the hour of my nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. When I am cold, he heats me with beating; when I am warm, he cools me with beating; I am wak'd with it when I sleep, rais'd with it when I sit, driven out of doors with it when I go from home, welcom'd home with it when I return; nay I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat; and I think when he hath lam'd me, I shall beg with it from door to door.

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