Page 1671 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Villain, thou didst deny the gold’s receipt,
And told’st me of a mistress and a dinner,
For which I hope thou felt’st I was displeased.

DROMIO S.

I am glad to see you in this merry vein. [20]
What means this jest? I pray you, master, tell me.

ANTIPHOLUS S.

Yea, dost thou jeer and flout me in the teeth?
Think’st thou I jest? Hold, take thou that, and that.

[He] beats Dromio.

DROMIO S.

Hold, sir, for God’s sake; now your jest is earnest.
Upon what bargain do you give it me? [25]

ANTIPHOLUS S.

Because that I familiarly sometimes
Do use you for my fool, and chat with you,
Your sauciness will jest upon my love,
And make a common of my serious hours.
When the sun shines let foolish gnats make sport, [30]
But creep in crannies when he hides his beams.
If you will jest with me, know my aspect,
And fashion your demeanour to my looks,
Or I will beat this method in your sconce.

DROMIO S.

‘Sconce’ call you it? So you would leave battering [35] I had rather have it
a head. And you use these blows long I must get a sconce for my head,
and ensconce it too, or else I shall seek my wit in my shoulders. But I pray,
sir, why am I beaten?

ANTIPHOLUS S.

Dost thou not know? [40]

DROMIO S.

Nothing, sir, but that I am beaten.