Page 1676 - Shakespeare - Vol. 1

Wouldst thou not spit at me, and spurn at me,
And hurl the name of husband in my face,
And tear the stained skin off my harlot brow,
And from my false hand cut the wedding ring, [135]
And break it with a deep-divorcing vow?
I know thou canst, and therefore see thou do it.
I am possessed with an adulterate blot.
My blood is mingled with the crime of lust;
For if we two be one, and thou play false, [140]
I do digest the poison of thy flesh,
Being strumpeted by thy contagion.
Keep then fair league and truce with thy true bed,
I live unstained, thou undishonourèd.

ANTIPHOLUS S.

Plead you to me, fair dame? I know you not. [145]
In Ephesus I am but two hours old,
As strange unto your town as to your talk,
Who, every word by all my wit being scanned,
Wants wit in all one word to understand.

LUCIANA

Fie, brother, how the world is changed with you. [150]
When were you wont to use my sister thus?
She sent for you by Dromio, home to dinner.

ANTIPHOLUS S.

By Dromio?

DROMIO S.

By me?

ADRIANA

By thee; and this thou didst return from him, [155]
That he did buffet thee, and in his blows
Denied my house for his, me for his wife.

ANTIPHOLUS S.

Did you converse, sir, with this gentlewoman?
What is the course and drift of your compact?