Chapter 1

_SCENE I. A hall in the DUKE’S palace._

_Enter DUKE, ÆGEON, _Gaoler_, _Officers_, and other _Attendants_._

_Æge._ Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, And by the doom of death end woes and all.

_Duke._ Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more; I am not partial to infringe our laws: The enmity and discord which of late 5 Sprung from the rancorous outrage of your duke To merchants, our well-dealing countrymen, Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives, Have seal’d his rigorous statutes with their bloods, Excludes all pity from our threatening looks. 10 For, since the mortal and intestine jars ’Twixt thy seditious countrymen and us, It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to our adverse towns: 15 Nay, more, If any born at Ephesus be seen At any Syracusian marts and fairs; Again: if any Syracusian born Come to the bay of Ephesus, he dies, 20 His goods confiscate to the duke’s dispose; Unless a thousand marks be levied, To quit the penalty and to ransom him. Thy substance, valued at the highest rate, Cannot amount unto a hundred marks; 25 Therefore by law thou art condemn’d to die.

_Æge._ Yet this my comfort: when your words are done, My woes end likewise with the evening sun.

_Duke._ Well, Syracusian, say, in brief, the cause Why thou departed’st from thy native home, 30 And for what cause thou camest to Ephesus.

_Æge._ A heavier task could not have been imposed Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable: Yet, that the world may witness that my end Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence, 35 I’ll utter what my sorrow gives me leave. In Syracusa was I born; and wed Unto a woman, happy but for me, And by me, had not our hap been bad. With her I lived in joy; our wealth increased 40 By prosperous voyages I often made To Epidamnum; till my factor’s death, And the great care of goods at random left, Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse: From whom my absence was not six months old, 45 Before herself, almost at fainting under The pleasing punishment that women bear, Had made provision for her following me, And soon and safe arrived where I was. There had she not been long but she became 50 A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the other As could not be distinguish’d but by names. That very hour, and in the self-same inn, A meaner woman was delivered 55 Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: Those, for their parents were exceeding poor, I bought, and brought up to attend my sons. My wife, not meanly proud of two such boys, Made daily motions for our home return: 60 Unwilling I agreed; alas! too soon We came aboard. A league from Epidamnum had we sail’d, Before the always-wind-obeying deep Gave any tragic instance of our harm: 65 But longer did we not retain much hope; For what obscured light the heavens did grant Did but convey unto our fearful minds A doubtful warrant of immediate death; Which though myself would gladly have embraced, 70 Yet the incessant weepings of my wife, Weeping before for what she saw must come, And piteous plainings of the pretty babes, That mourn’d for fashion, ignorant what to fear, Forced me to seek delays for them and me. 75 And this it was, for other means was none: The sailors sought for safety by our boat, And left the ship, then sinking-ripe, to us: My wife, more careful for the latter-born, Had fasten’d him unto a small spare mast, 80 Such as seafaring men provide for storms; To him one of the other twins was bound, Whilst I had been like heedful of the other: The children thus disposed, my wife and I, Fixing our eyes on whom our care was fix’d, 85 Fasten’d ourselves at either end the mast; And floating straight, obedient to the stream, Was carried towards Corinth, as we thought. At length the sun, gazing upon the earth, Dispersed those vapours that offended us; 90 And, by the benefit of his wished light, The seas wax’d calm, and we discovered Two ships from far making amain to us, Of Corinth that, of Epidaurus this: But ere they came,--O, let me say no more! 95 Gather the sequel by that went before.

_Duke._ Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so; For we may pity, though not pardon thee.

_Æge._ O, had the gods done so, I had not now Worthily term’d them merciless to us! 100 For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, We were encounter’d by a mighty rock; Which being violently borne upon, Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst; So that, in this unjust divorce of us, 105 Fortune had left to both of us alike What to delight in, what to sorrow for. Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe, Was carried with more speed before the wind; 110 And in our sight they three were taken up By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought. At length, another ship had seized on us; And, knowing whom it was their hap to save, Gave healthful welcome to their shipwreck’d guests; 115 And would have reft the fishers of their prey, Had not their bark been very slow of sail; And therefore homeward did they bend their course. Thus have you heard me sever’d from my bliss; That by misfortunes was my life prolong’d, 120 To tell sad stories of my own mishaps.

_Duke._ And, for the sake of them thou sorrowest for, Do me the favour to dilate at full What hath befall’n of them and thee till now.

_Æge._ My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, 125 At eighteen years became inquisitive After his brother: and importuned me That his attendant--so his case was like, Reft of his brother, but retain’d his name-- Might bear him company in the quest of him: 130 Whom whilst I labour’d of a love to see, I hazarded the loss of whom I loved. Five summers have I spent in furthest Greece, Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia, And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus; 135 Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought Or that, or any place that harbours men. But here must end the story of my life; And happy were I in my timely death, Could all my travels warrant me they live. 140

_Duke._ Hapless Ægeon, whom the fates have mark’d To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, Which princes, would they, may not disannul, 145 My soul should sue as advocate for thee. But, though thou art adjudged to the death, And passed sentence may not be recall’d But to our honour’s great disparagement, Yet will I favour thee in what I can. 150 Therefore, merchant, I’ll limit thee this day To seek thy help by beneficial help: Try all the friends thou hast in Ephesus; Beg thou, or borrow, to make up the sum, And live; if no, then thou art doom’d to die. 155 Gaoler, take him to thy custody.

_Gaol._ I will, my lord.

_Æge._ Hopeless and helpless doth Ægeon wend, But to procrastinate his lifeless end.

[_Exeunt._

NOTES: I, 1.

A hall ... palace.] Malone. The Duke’s palace. Theobald. A publick Place. Capell. ÆGEON,] Rowe. with the Merchant of Siracusa, Ff. Officers,] Capell. Officer, Staunton. om. Ff. 1: _Solinus_] F1. _Salinus_ F2 F3 F4. 10: _looks_] _books_ Anon. conj. 14: _Syracusians_] F4. _Siracusians_ F1 F2 F3. _Syracusans_ Pope. See note (I). 16, 17, 18: _Nay more If ... seen At any_] Malone. _Nay, more, if ... Ephesus Be seen at any_ Ff. 18: _any_] om. Pope. 23: _to ransom_] F1. _ ransom_ F2 F3 F4. 27: _this_] _’tis_ Hanmer. 33: _griefs_] F1. _griefe_ F2. _grief_ F3 F4. 35: _nature_] _fortune_ Collier MS. 39: _by me_] F1. _by me too_ F2 F3 F4. 42: _Epidamnum_] Pope. _Epidamium_ Ff. _Epidamnium_ Rowe. See note (I). 43: _the_] _then_ Edd. conj. _the ... care ... left_] Theobald. _he ... care ... left_ F1. _he ... store ... leaving_ F2 F3 F4. _heed ... caves ... left_ Jackson conj. _random_] F3 F4. _randone_ F1 F2. 50: _had she_] Ff. _she had_ Rowe. 55: _meaner_] Delius (S. Walker conj.). _meane_ F1. _poor meane_ F2. _poor mean_ F3 F4. 56: _burden, male twins_] _burthen male, twins_ F1. 61, 62: So Pope. One line in Ff. 61: _soon_] _soon!_] Pope. _soon._ Capell. 70: _gladly_] _gently_ Collier MS. 71: _weepings_] F1. _weeping_ F2 F3 F4. 76: _this_] _thus_ Collier MS. 79: _latter-_] _elder-_ Rowe. 86: _either end the mast_] _th’ end of either mast_ Hanmer. 87, 88: _And ... Was_] Ff. _And ... Were_ Rowe. _Which ... Was_ Capell. 91: _wished_] F1. _wish’d_ F2 F3 F4. 92: _seas wax’d_] _seas waxt_ F1. _seas waxe_ F2. _seas wax_ F3. _seas was_ F4. _sea was_ Rowe. 94: _Epidaurus_] _Epidarus_ F1. _Epidamnus_ Theobald conj. 103: _upon_] Pope. _up_ F1 _up upon_ F2 F3 F4. 104: _helpful_] _helpless_ Rowe. 113: _another_] _the other_ Hanmer. 115: _healthful_] F1. _helpful_ F2 F3 F4. 117: _bark_] _backe_ F1. 120: _That_] _Thus_ Hanmer. _Yet_ Anon. conj. 122: _sake_] F1. _sakes_ F2 F3 F4. 124: _hath ... thee_] _have ... they_ F1. _of_] om. F4. 128: _so_] F1. _for_ F2 F3 F4. 130: _the_] om. Pope. 131: _I labour’d of a_] _he labour’d of all_ Collier MS. 144, 145: These lines inverted by Hanmer. 145: _princes, would they, may_] Hanmer. _Princes would they may_ F1. _Princes would, they may_ F2 F3 F4. 151: _Therefore, merchant, I’ll_] Ff. _Therefore merchant, I_ Rowe. _I, therefore, merchant_ Pope. _I’ll, therefore, merchant_ Capell. 152: _help ... help_] Ff. _life ... help_ Pope. _help ... means_ Steevens conj. _hope ... help_ Collier. _fine ... help_ Singer. _by_] _thy_ Jackson conj. 155: _no_] _not_ Rowe. 156: _Gaoler,_] _Jailor, now_ Hanmer. _So, jailer,_ Capell. 159: _lifeless_] Warburton. _liveless_ Ff.

_SCENE II. The Mart._

_Enter _ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse_, _DROMIO of Syracuse_, and _First Merchant_._

_First Mer._ Therefore give out you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. This very day a Syracusian merchant Is apprehended for arrival here; And, not being able to buy out his life, 5 According to the statute of the town, Dies ere the weary sun set in the west. There is your money that I had to keep.

_Ant. S._ Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee. 10 Within this hour it will be dinner-time: Till that. I’ll view the manners of the town, Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings, And then return, and sleep within mine inn; For with long travel I am stiff and weary. 15 Get thee away.

_Dro. S._ Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. [_Exit._

_Ant. S._ A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, 20 Lightens my humour with his merry jests. What, will you walk with me about the town, And then go to my inn, and dine with me?

_First Mer._ I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, Of whom I hope to make much benefit; 25 I crave your pardon. Soon at five o’clock, Please you, I’ll meet with you upon the mart, And afterward consort you till bed-time: My present business calls me from you now.

_Ant. S._ Farewell till then: I will go lose myself, 30 And wander up and down to view the city.

_First Mer._ Sir, I commend you to your own content. [_Exit._

_Ant. S._ He that commends me to mine own content Commends me to the thing I cannot get. I to the world am like a drop of water, 35 That in the ocean seeks another drop; Who, falling there to find his fellow forth, Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself: So I, to find a mother and a brother, In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself. 40

_Enter _DROMIO of Ephesus_._

Here comes the almanac of my true date. What now? how chance thou art return’d so soon?

_Dro. E._ Return’d so soon! rather approach’d too late: The capon burns, the pig falls from the spit; The clock hath strucken twelve upon the bell; 45 My mistress made it one upon my cheek: She is so hot, because the meat is cold; The meat is cold, because you come not home; You come not home, because you have no stomach; You have no stomach, having broke your fast; 50 But we, that know what ’tis to fast and pray, Are penitent for your default to-day.

_Ant. S._ Stop in your wind, sir: tell me this, I pray: Where have you left the money that I gave you?

_Dro. E._ O,--sixpence, that I had o’ Wednesday last 55 To pay the saddler for my mistress’ crupper? The saddler had it, sir; I kept it not.

_Ant. S._ I am not in a sportive humour now: Tell me, and dally not, where is the money? We being strangers here, how darest thou trust 60 So great a charge from thine own custody?

_Dro. E._ I pray you, jest, sir, as you sit at dinner: I from my mistress come to you in post; If I return, I shall be post indeed, For she will score your fault upon my pate. 65 Methinks your maw, like mine, should be your clock, And strike you home without a messenger.

_Ant. S._ Come, Dromio, come, these jests are out of season; Reserve them till a merrier hour than this. Where is the gold I gave in charge to thee? 70

_Dro. E._ To me, sir? why, you gave no gold to me.

_Ant. S._ Come on, sir knave, have done your foolishness, And tell me how thou hast disposed thy charge.

_Dro. E._ My charge was but to fetch you from the mart Home to your house, the Phœnix, sir, to dinner: 75 My mistress and her sister stays for you.

_Ant. S._ Now, as I am a Christian, answer me, In what safe place you have bestow’d my money; Or I shall break that merry sconce of yours, That stands on tricks when I am undisposed: 80 Where is the thousand marks thou hadst of me?

_Dro. E._ I have some marks of yours upon my pate, Some of my mistress’ marks upon my shoulders; But not a thousand marks between you both. If I should pay your worship those again, 85 Perchance you will not bear them patiently.

_Ant. S._ Thy mistress’ marks? what mistress, slave, hast thou?

_Dro. E._ Your worship’s wife, my mistress at the Phœnix; She that doth fast till you come home to dinner, And prays that you will hie you home to dinner. 90

_Ant. S._ What, wilt thou flout me thus unto my face, Being forbid? There, take you that, sir knave.

_Dro. E._ What mean you, sir? for God’s sake, hold your hands! Nay, an you will not, sir, I’ll take my heels. [_Exit._

_Ant. S._ Upon my life, by some device or other 95 The villain is o’er-raught of all my money. They say this town is full of cozenage; As, nimble jugglers that deceive the eye, Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind. Soul-killing witches that deform the body, 100 Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks, And many such-like liberties of sin: If it prove so, I will be gone the sooner. I’ll to the Centaur, to go seek this slave: I greatly fear my money is not safe. [_Exit._ 105

NOTES: I, 2.