William Shakespeare: Comedy of Errors, Act IV, Scene IV

Enter Dromio of Ephesus with a rope's-end

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

But where's the money?

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

I'll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

To a rope's-end, sir; and to that end am I returned.

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you.

Good sir, be patient.

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

Good, now, hold thy tongue.

Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

Thou whoreson, senseless villain!

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

I am an ass, indeed; you may prove it by my long ears. I have served 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 waked with it when I sleep; raised with it when I sit; driven out of doors with it when I go from home; welcomed 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 lamed me, I shall beg with it from door to door.

Come, go along; my wife is coming yonder.

Mistress, 'respice finem,' respect your end; or rather, the prophecy like the parrot, 'beware the rope's-end.'

Wilt thou still talk?

How say you now? is not your husband mad?

Alas, how fiery and how sharp he looks!

Mark how he trembles in his ecstasy!

Give me your hand and let me feel your pulse.

There is my hand, and let it feel your ear.

Peace, doting wizard, peace! I am not mad.

O, that thou wert not, poor distressed soul!

Dined at home! Thou villain, what sayest thou?

Sir, sooth to say, you did not dine at home.

Were not my doors lock'd up and I shut out?

Perdie, your doors were lock'd and you shut out.

And did not she herself revile me there?

Sans fable, she herself reviled you there.

Did not her kitchen-maid rail, taunt, and scorn me?

Certes, she did; the kitchen-vestal scorn'd you.

And did not I in rage depart from thence?

Is't good to soothe him in these contraries?

Thou hast suborn'd the goldsmith to arrest me.

Went'st not thou to her for a purse of ducats?

He came to me and I deliver'd it.

And I am witness with her that she did.

I did not, gentle husband, lock thee forth.

Dissembling villain, thou speak'st false in both.

O, bind him, bind him! let him not come near me.

More company! The fiend is strong within him.

Ay me, poor man, how pale and wan he looks!

Go bind this man, for he is frantic too.

O most unhappy strumpet!

Master, I am here entered in bond for you.

Out on thee, villain! wherefore dost thou mad me?

Will you be bound for nothing? be mad, good master: cry 'The devil!'

God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk!

Go bear him hence. Sister, go you with me.

Exeunt all but Adriana, Luciana, Officer and Courtezan

Say now, whose suit is he arrested at?

One Angelo, a goldsmith: do you know him?

I know the man. What is the sum he owes?

Two hundred ducats.

Say, how grows it due?

Due for a chain your husband had of him.

He did bespeak a chain for me, but had it not.

God, for thy mercy! they are loose again.

Away! they'll kill us.

I see these witches are afraid of swords.

She that would be your wife now ran from you.

Faith, stay here this night; they will surely do us no harm: you saw they speak us fair, give us gold: methinks they are such a gentle nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh that claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to stay here still and turn witch.