10 Cast of the Characters as performed at the Theatres Royal, London. Attendants on Doctor Pinch, Executioner, Sisters of the Convent. SCENE-Ephesus. STAGE DIRECTIONS. The Conductors of this Work print no Plays but those which they have seen acted. The Stage Directions are given from their own personal observations, during the most recent performances. EXITS and ENTRANCES. R. means Right; L. Left; D. F. Door in Flat; R. D. Right Door; L. D. Left Door; S. E. Second Entrance; U. E. Upper Entrance. M. D. Middle Door. RELATIVE POSITIONS. R. means Right; L. Left; C. Centre; R. C. Right of Centre; L.C Left of Centre. The Reader is supposed to be on the Stage facing the Audience, R. RC C. LC. L. THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. ACT I. SCENE I-A Hall in the Palace of the Duke. DUKE, R. S. E. ÆGEON in Chains, two Officers, four Guards, and Attendants, discovered. Egeon. (L.) Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, Duke. (R.) Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more. Sprung from the ranc'rous outrage of your duke, Therefore, by law, thou art condemn'd to die. Egeon. This comfort, then, (the wretch's last resource,) A least, I gain from the severe decree My woes must finish ere the setting sun. Duke. Yet, Syracusan, say in brief the cause, Why thou departedst from thy native home, And for what cause thou cam'st to Ephesus. Egeon. A heavier task could not have been imposed Yet will I utter what my grief permits.In Syracusa was I born; and wed Unto a woman, happy but for me! With her I lived in joy; our wealth increased There had we not been long, but she became. And, strange to hear, the one so like the other, Of such a burden, male twins, both alike. Duke. Stop thy tears I long, yet almost dread, to hear the rest. geon. A league from Epidamnum had we sail'd, Before the always wind-obeying deep Gave any tragic instance of our harm, But longer did we not retaiu much hope, For what obscured light the heavens did grant, Duke. Pursue thy tale, old mau. Egeon. Being encounter'd by a mighty rock, Her part (poor soul!) burden'd with lesser weight, At length, another ship had seized on us; Duke. Relate at full What hath befallen to them, and thee, till now. After his brother, and importuned me Since which unhappy time, no news arriving Duke. Hapless Egeon! whom the fates have mark'd Now trust me, were it not against our laws, And live-[Crosses L.]—if not, then art thou doom d to die. [Exit, with Guards, L. Egeon. (R.) What friends, alas! can misery expect? This pity but prolongs the date of pain ; B And to a sure, though short-protracted end, [Exit, guarded, R. SCENE II.-The Mart. Enter ANTIPHOLIS OF SYRACUSE, DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, and CLEON, L. Dromio crosses to R. Cleon. Therefore, give out, you are of Epidamnum, Is apprehended for arrival here; And, not being able to buy out his life, [Gives Money to Antipholis. Ant. of Syr. Go, bear it to the Centaur, where we host, And stay there, Dromio, till I come to thee. Within this hour it will be dinner-time; Till then I'll view the manners of the town, Peruse the traders, gaze upon the buildings, And then return, and sleep within mine inn; For, with long travel, I am sick and weary. Get thee away! Dro. of Syr. Many a man would take you at your word, And go away, indeed, having so great A treasure in his charge. Of what strength do You conceive my honesty, good master, That you dare put it to such temptation? Ant. of Syr. Of proof against a greater charge than this: Were it remiss, thy love would strengthen it: I think thou would'st not wrong me if thou could'st. Dro. of Syr. I hope I should not, sir; but there is such A thing as trusting too far.-Odds heart! 'tis A weighty matter, and, if balanced in A steel-yard against my honesty, I doubt Ant. of Syr. That very doubt is my security.— No further argument, but speed away. Dro. of Syr. Ay, but master, you know the old sayingAnt. of Syr. Then thou hast no occasion to tell it me. Begone, I say.[Exit Dromio of Syracuse, R. A trusty villain, sir, that very oft, When I am dull with care and melancholy, |