A joyful mother of two goodly sons; And, which was strange, the one so like the other, As could not be distinguish'd but by names. That very hour, and in the selfsame inn, A poor mean woman was delivered Of such a burden, male twins, both alike: We came aboard: A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Whilst I had been like heedful of the other. Duke. Nay, forward, old man, do not break off so; For we may pity, though not pardon thee. Æge. 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, We were encounter'd by a mighty rock; Which being violently borne upon, Our helpful ship was splitted in the midst, So that, in this unjust divorce of us, Fortune had left to both of us alike What to delight in, what to sorrow for. Her part, poor soul! seeming as burdened With lesser weight, but not with lesser woe, Was carried with more speed before the wind; And in our sight they three were taken up By fishermen of Corinth, as we thought. At length, another ship had seiz'd on us; And, knowing whom it was their hap to save, Gave helpful welcome to their shipwreck'd guests; And would have reft the fishers of their prey, Had not their bark been very slow of sail, And therefore homeward did they bend their course. Thus have you heard me sever'd from my bliss; 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, At eighteen years became inquisitive After his brother; and impórtun'd me, That his attendant, (for his case was like, Reft of his brother, but retain'd his name,) Might bear him company in the quest of him : Whom whilst I labour'd of a love to see, I hazarded the loss of whom I lov'd. Five summers have I spent in furthest Greece, Roaming clean through the bounds of Asia, And, coasting homeward, came to Ephesus; Hopeless to find, yet loth to leave unsought, Or that, or any place that harbours men. But here must end the story of my life; And happy were I in my timely death, Could all my travels warrant me they live. Duke. Hapless Ageon, whom the fates have mark'd To bear the extremity of dire mishap! Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, Therefore, merchant, I'll limit thee this day, Gaoler, take him to thy custody.. Gaol. I will, my lord. Æge. Hopeless, and helpless, doth Ægeon wend, But to procrastinate his lifeless end. [Exeunt. SCENE II. A PUBLICK PLACE. Enter Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse, and a Merchant. Mer. Therefore, give out, you are of Epidamnum, And, not being able to buy out his life, : There is your money that I had to keep. Ant. S. Go bear it to the Centaur, where we host, And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee. Till that, I'll view the manners of the town, Get thee away. Dro. S. Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean. [Exit Dro. S. Ant. S. A trusty villain, sir; that very oft, Mer. I am invited, sir, to certain merchants, Ant. S. Farewel till then: I will go lose myself, Mer. Sir, I commend you to your own content. [Exit Merchant. Ant. S. He that commends me to mine own con tent, Commends me to the thing I cannot get. : |