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I tell you, ’twill sound harshly in her ears.

Enter Dromio [of] Ephesus with a rope’s end.

Here comes my man: I think he brings the money.

How now, sir? have you that I sent you for?

E. Dro.

Here’s that, I warrant you, will pay them all.

E. Ant.

But where’s the money?

E. Dro.

Why, sir, I gave the money for the rope.

E. Ant.

Five hundred ducats, villain, for a rope?

E. Dro.

I’ll serve you, sir, five hundred at the rate.

E. Ant.

To what end did I bid thee hie thee home?

E. Dro.

To a rope’s end, sir, and to that end am I return’d.

E. Ant.

And to that end, sir, I will welcome you.

[Beats Dromio]

Off. Good sir, be patient.

E. Dro. Nay, ’tis for me to be patient: I am in adversity.

Off. Good now, hold thy tongue.

E. Dro. Nay, rather persuade him to hold his hands.

E. Ant. Thou whoreson, senseless villain!

E. Dro. I would I were senseless, sir, that I might not feel your blows.

E. Ant. Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.

E. Dro. I am an ass indeed; you may prove it by my long ears. I have serv’d him from the hour of my nativity to this instant, and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. When I am cold, he heats me with beating; when I am warm, he cools me with beating. I am wak’d with it when I sleep, rais’d with it when I sit, driven out of doors with it when I go from home, welcom’d home with it when I return; nay, I bear it on my shoulders, as a beggar wont her brat; and I think when he hath lam’d me, I shall beg with it from door to door.