By prosperous voyages I often made And he (great care of goods at random left)† The pleasing punishment that women bear,) And soon, and safe, arrived where I was. There she had not been long, but she became A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the other, Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, A doubtful warrant of immediate death; Which, though myself would gladly have embrac❜d, Weeping before for what she saw must come, +"And the great care of goods at random left”. The sailors sought for safety by our boat, O, let me say no more, 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. Ege. O, had the gods done so, I had not now Worthily term'd them merciless to us! For, ere the ships could meet by twice five leagues, Which being violently borne upon, Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst, ተ "wished light," MALONE. Next line, "discover'd." We have not thought it always necessary to notice these trifling variations. Many of them seem accidental, and are not to be found in Mr. Malone's first edition. Was carried with more speed before the wind; And therefore homeward did they bend their course. 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. Ege. My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, 2 After his brother; and impórtun'd me, 2 My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care,] Shakspeare has here been guilty of a little forgetfulness. Egeon had said, page 8, that the youngest son was that which his wife had taken care of: My wife, more careful for the latter-born, "Had fasten'd him unto a small spare mast." He himself did the same by the other; and then each fixing their eyes on whom their care was fixed, fastened themselves at either end of the mast. M. MASON. + so his case was like," MALONE. +"farthest-" MALONE. 3 Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia,”] In the northern parts of England this word is still used instead of quite, fully, perfectly, completely. Hopeless to find, yet loath to leave unsought, 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, 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: 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 not†, then thou art doom'd to die: Gaoler, take him to thy custody. Gaol. I will, my lord. Ege. Hopeless, and helpless, doth Ægeon wend,4 But to procrastinate his lifeless end. SCENE II. A public Place. [Exeunt. Enter ANTIPHOLUS and DROMIO of Syracuse, and a Merchant. Mer. Therefore, give out, you are of Epidamnum, Lest that your goods too soon be confiscate. This very day, a Syracusan merchant Is apprehended for arrival here; And, not being able to buy out his life, Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, Get thee away. Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go, indeed, having so good a mien. [Exit DRO. S. Ant. S. A trusty villain", sir; that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, Lightens by humour with his merry jests. What, will you walk with me about the town, And then go to my inn, and dine with me? Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, Of whom I hope to make much benefit; I crave your pardon. Soon, at five o'clock, Please you, I'll meet with you upon the mart, And afterwards consort you till bed-time; My present business calls me from you now. Ant. S. Farewell till then; I will go lose myself, And wander up and down, to view the city. Mer. Sir, I commend you to your own content. [Exit Merchant. 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, A trusty villain,] i. e. servant. confounds himself:] i. e. destroys himself. MALONE. |