THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.

15

XIII.

The Courtezan having persuaded ADRIANA and LUCIANA that ANTIPHOLUS is mad, they obtain the aid of PINCH, a conjurer, to set him in his wits again. They meet ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Ephesus; the former under the conduct of the officer by whom ANGELO had arrested him.

"PINCH. Mistress, both man and master is possess'd; I know it by their pale and deadly looks:

They must be bound, and laid in some dark room.

More company;-the fiend is strong within him.
AD. Good master doctor, see him safe convey'd
Home to my house.-O most unhappy day!
ANT. O most unhappy strumpet!

DRO. Master, I am enter'd in bond for you.

ANT. Out on thee, villain! wherefore dost thou mad

me?

DRO. Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad,

Good master; cry, the devil.—

Luc. God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk!”

ACT IV. S. 4.

XIV.

ANGELO and the Merchant meet ANTIPHOLUS of Syracuse with the gold chain round his neck; DROMIO of Syracuse is with him.

"ANG. Signor Antipholus, I wonder much
That you would put me to this shame and trouble;
And not without some scandal to yourself,
With circumstance and oaths, so to deny
This chain, which now you wear so openly.
Besides the charge, the shame, imprisonment,
You have done wrong to this my honest friend;
Who, but for staying on our controversy,
Had hoisted sail, and put to sea to-day.

This chain you had of me: can you deny it?

ANT. I think I had; I never did deny it.

MER. Yes, that you did, sir; and forswore it too.

ANT. Who heard me to deny it or forswear it?

MER. These ears of mine, thou knowest, did hear thee. Fie on thee, wretch! 'tis pity that thou liv'st

To walk where any honest men resort.

ANT. Thou art a villain to impeach me thus:

I'll prove my honour and mine honesty
Against thee presently, if thou dar'st stand.

MER. I dare, and do defy thee for a villain.

Enter ADRIANA, LUCIANA, Courtezan, and others.

AD. Hold! hurt him not, for God's sake! he is mad. Some get within him, take his sword away :

Bind Dromio too, and bear them to my house.

DRO.

Run, master, run; for God's sake take a house. This is some priory;-In, or we are spoil'd."

ACT V. S. 1.