The Comedy of Errors Read Online Free PDF Page B

“enchanting presence,” but vows that he will “stop [his] ears againstthe mermaid’s song.” He is joined by Angelo, who mistakes him for Antipholus of Ephesus and gives him a necklace, saying that he will call at suppertime for payment. Antipholus is surprised, but accepts the necklace and goes to wait for Dromio.
ACT 4 SCENE 1
    A merchant demands that Angelo pay him the money he owes or he will have him arrested. Angelo assures him that he will get the money for the necklace from Antipholus “At five o’clock.” Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus enter, returning from his visit to the Courtesan. He sends Dromio to buy a rope so that he can flog Adriana for locking him out and asks Angelo why he did not bring him the necklace. Assuming that he is joking, Angelo presents his bill and asks Antipholus to settle up with the merchant. Antipholus refuses to give him the money without the necklace, while Angelo demands payment for the goods he believes he has already delivered to Antipholus. The merchant insists that the officer arrest the merchant, and the merchant asks him to arrest Antipholus, which he does. As they argue, Dromio of Syracuse arrives and tells Antipholus that he has secured them places on a ship to Epidamium. Antipholus is amazed, having just sent Dromio of Ephesus to buy a rope. He asks if his servant has gone mad, and suggests he is “drunken.” Dromio insists that he sent him to “hire waftage,” but Antipholus angrily sends him to Adriana with a key to the desk where he keeps his money and a message that he is “arrested in the street” and to use the money to bail him. He is led away, and a bewildered Dromio reluctantly goes to do as he is asked.
ACT 4 SCENE 2
    Luciana has told Adriana about Antipholus’ declaration of love to herself, still believing him to be her brother-in-law. Bitter and angry, Adriana questions her and Luciana admits that had Antipholus’ suit been an “honest” one, his words would have moved her. Adriana rails against her husband, but confesses that her “heart prays for him.” Dromio of Syracuse arrives with the key, breathlessly urgingAdriana to “the desk, the purse!” Startled, the women question him and he tells them of Antipholus’ arrest, and Luciana fetches the money. Adriana sends Dromio to pay the bail and bring Antipholus home.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
    ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE is puzzled as to why the people of Ephesus keep greeting him as though he were “their well-acquainted friend.” He is now convinced that Ephesus is filled with witches, and that he is enchanted. Dromio of Syracuse rushes in with the gold from Adriana and expresses surprise that his master has got rid of the law officer. Confused, Antipholus asks about the ship and Dromio says that he has already spoken to him “an hour since” about it. Antipholus decides that both he and his servant are “distract” and “wander in illusions.”
    As Dromio gives him the purse, they are accosted by the Courtesan. Believing Antipholus to be his twin, she asks him for the chain which he “promised” to her. Antipholus and Dromio accuse her of being “the devil” and “the devil’s dam,” and Antipholus “conjure[s]” her to “be gone.” She demands that he give back a ring she gave him worth forty ducats, or else give her the promised chain, but Antipholus and Dromio leave, calling her a witch. Alone, the Courtesan concludes that Antipholus must be mad, and this is why his wife barred the door against him earlier. She decides to go to Adriana and tell her that her husband, “being lunatic,” rushed into her house and stole her ring.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
    Lines 1–128: Antipholus of Ephesus promises the jailer that he will have the money needed to release him. Dromio of Ephesus enters, bringing the rope that he was sent for in Act 4 Scene 1. Antipholus asks him for the money that he sent Dromio of Syracuse for and, when his Dromio denies any knowledge of this, beats him. Adriana arrives