Page 1657 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

EGEON

Yet this my comfort: when your words are done,
My woes end likewise with the evening sun.

DUKE

Well, Syracusian, say in brief the cause
Why thou departed’st from thy native home,
And for what cause thou cam’st to Ephesus. [30]

EGEON

A heavier task could not have been imposed
Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable.
Yet, that the world may witness that my end
Was wrought by nature, not by vile offence,
I’ll utter what my sorrow gives me leave, [35]
In Syracusa was I born, and wed
Unto a woman happy but for me,
And by me, had not our hap been bad.
With her I lived in joy, our wealth increased
By prosperous voyages I often made [40]
To Epidamnum, till my factor’s death,
And the great care of goods at random left,
Drew me from kind embracements of my spouse,
From whom my absence was not six months old
Before herself (almost at fainting under [45]
The pleasing punishment that women bear)
Had made provision for her following me,
And soon and safe arrivèd where I was.
There had she not been long but she became
A joyful mother of two goodly sons; [50]
And, which was strange, the one so like the other
As could not be distinguished but by names.
That very hour, and in the self-same inn,
A mean woman was deliverèd
Of such a burden male, twins both alike. [55]
Those, for their parents were exceeding poor,
I bought, and brought up to attend my sons.
My wife not meanly proud of two such boys,
Made daily motions for our home return.
Unwilling I agreed. Alas, too soon [60]
We came aboard.