The Comedy of Errors


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Till he come home again, I would forbear.  
ADRIANA  
Patience unmoved! no marvel though she pause;  
They can be meek that have no other cause.  
A wretched soul, bruised with adversity,  
We bid be quiet when we hear it cry;  
But were we burdened with like weight of pain,  
As much or more would we ourselves complain:  
So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee,  
With urging helpless patience wouldst relieve me,  
But, if thou live to see like right bereft,  
This fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left.  
LUCIANA  
Well, I will marry one day, but to try.  
Here comes your man; now is your husband nigh.  
Enter DROMIO of Ephesus  
ADRIANA  
Say, is your tardy master now at hand?  
DROMIO OF EPHESUS  
Nay, he's at two hands with me, and that my two ears  
can witness.  
ADRIANA  
Say, didst thou speak with him? know'st thou his mind?  
DROMIO OF EPHESUS  
Ay, ay, he told his mind upon mine ear:  
Beshrew his hand, I scarce could understand it.  
LUCIANA  
Spake he so doubtfully, thou couldst not feel his meaning?  
DROMIO OF EPHESUS  
Nay, he struck so plainly, I could too well feel his  
blows; and withal so doubtfully that I could scarce  
understand them.  
ADRIANA  
But say, I prithee, is he coming home? It seems he  
hath great care to please his wife.  
DROMIO OF EPHESUS  
Why, mistress, sure my master is horn-mad.  
ADRIANA  
Horn-mad, thou villain!  
DROMIO OF EPHESUS  
I mean not cuckold-mad;  
But, sure, he is stark mad.  
When I desired him to come home to dinner,  
He ask'd me for a thousand marks in gold:  
''Tis dinner-time,' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he;  
'Your meat doth burn,' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he:  
'Will you come home?' quoth I; 'My gold!' quoth he.  


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