The Comedy of Errors
Text Circles Dramatis Personae Synopsis All Definitions

Share
All
text
First folio
Modern text
Definitions
Key line
Enter Antipholus Siracusia.Enter Antipholus of Syracuse CE IV.iii.1.1
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
There's not a man I meete but doth salute me There's not a man I meet but doth salute mesalute (v.)
greet, welcome, address		CE IV.iii.1
As if I were their well acquainted friend, As if I were their well-acquainted friend, CE IV.iii.2
And euerie one doth call me by my name: And every one doth call me by my name. CE IV.iii.3
Some tender monie to me, some inuite me; Some tender money to me, some invite me,tender (v.)
offer, give, present		CE IV.iii.4
Some other giue me thankes for kindnesses; Some other give me thanks for kindnesses. CE IV.iii.5
Some offer me Commodities to buy. Some offer me commodities to buy. CE IV.iii.6
Euen now a tailor cal'd me in his shop, Even now a tailor called me in his shop CE IV.iii.7
And show'd me Silkes that he had bought for me, And showed me silks that he had bought for me, CE IV.iii.8
And therewithall tooke measure of my body. And therewithal took measure of my body. CE IV.iii.9
Sure these are but imaginarie wiles, Sure, these are but imaginary wiles,wile (n.)
trick, delusion, illusion		CE IV.iii.10
And lapland Sorcerers inhabite here. And Lapland sorcerers inhabit here.Lapland (n.)
province of N Finland, known at the time for sorcery and witchcraft		CE IV.iii.11
Enter Dromio. Sir.Enter Dromio of Syracuse CE IV.iii.12
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Master, here's the gold you sent me for: what Master, here's the gold you sent CE IV.iii.12
haue you got the picture of old Adam me for. – What, have you got the picture of old Adampicture (n.)
likeness, image, imitation		CE IV.iii.13
new apparel'd? new-apparelled?new-apparelled (adj.)

old form: new apparel'd
in a change of clothing		CE IV.iii.14
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
What gold is this? What Adam do'st thou meane? What gold is this? What Adam dost thou mean? CE IV.iii.15
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Not that Adam that kept the Not that Adam that kept theAdam (n.)
in the Bible, the first human being, in the Garden of Eden, who disobeyed God		CE IV.iii.16
Paradise: but that Adam that keepes the prison; hee that paradise, but that Adam that keeps the prison. He that CE IV.iii.17
goes in the calues-skin, that was kil'd for the Prodigall: goes in the calf's skin that was killed for the prodigal.prodigal (n.)

old form: Prodigall
[Biblical reference] prodigal son		CE IV.iii.18
hee that came behinde you sir, like an euill angel, and bid He that came behind you, sir, like an evil angel, and bid CE IV.iii.19
you forsake your libertie. you forsake your liberty. CE IV.iii.20
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
I vnderstand thee not. I understand thee not. CE IV.iii.21
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
No? why 'tis a plaine case: he No? Why, 'tis a plain case: he CE IV.iii.22
that went like a Base-Viole in a case of leather; the man that went like a bass viol in a case of leather; the man,bass viol, base viol (n.)

old form: Base-Viole
stringed instrument resembling a cello		CE IV.iii.23
case (n.)
suit, overall, outer garment
sir, that when gentlemen are tired giues them a sob, and sir, that when gentlemen are tired gives them a sob andsob (n.)
respite, rest, breather [given to a horse]		CE IV.iii.24
rests them: he sir, that takes pittie on decaied men, and rests them; he, sir, that takes pity on decayed men anddecayed (adj.)

old form: decaied
ruined, destitute, impoverished		CE IV.iii.25
giues them suites of durance: he that sets vp his rest to gives them suits of durance; he that sets up his rest tosuit (n.)

old form: suites
clothing, dress, garb		CE IV.iii.26
set up one's rest (n.)

old form: vp
[in primero] venture one's final stake, stake all
durance (n.)
durability, lasting nature; also: type of strong durable cloth
doe more exploits with his Mace, then a Moris Pike. do more exploits with his mace than a morris-pike.mace (n.)
staff of office, official sceptre		CE IV.iii.27
morris-pike (n.)

old form: Moris Pike
type of pike [thought to be of Moorish origin]
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
What thou mean'st an What, thou meanest an CE IV.iii.28
officer? officer? CE IV.iii.29
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
I sir, the Serieant of the Band: Ay, sir, the sergeant of the band CE IV.iii.30
he that brings any man to answer it that breakes his  – he that brings any man to answer it that breaks his CE IV.iii.31
Band: one that thinkes a man alwaies going to bed, and band; one that thinks a man always going to bed, andband (n.)
bond, promissory note, legal deed requiring payment		CE IV.iii.32
saies, God giue you good rest. says, ‘ God give you good rest!’ CE IV.iii.33
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
Well sir, there rest in Well, sir, there rest in CE IV.iii.34
your foolerie: Is there any ships puts forth to night? your foolery. Is there any ships put forth tonight? CE IV.iii.35
may we be gone? May we be gone? CE IV.iii.36
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Why sir, I brought you word an houre since, Why, sir, I brought you word CE IV.iii.37
that the Barke Expedition put forth to night, an hour since that the bark Expedition put forth tonight,bark, barque (n.)

old form: Barke
ship, vessel		CE IV.iii.38
and then were you hindred by the Serieant to tarry for and then were you hindered by the sergeant to tarry fortarry (v.)
stay, remain, linger		CE IV.iii.39
the Hoy Delay: Here are the angels that you sent for to the hoy Delay. Here are the angels that you sent for tohoy (n.)
small coastal ship		CE IV.iii.40
deliuer you. deliver you. CE IV.iii.41
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
The fellow is distract, and so am I, The fellow is distract, and so am I,distract (adj.)
deranged, mad, mentally disturbed		CE IV.iii.42
And here we wander in illusions: And here we wander in illusions. CE IV.iii.43
Some blessed power deliuer vs from hence. Some blessed power deliver us from hence!power (n.)
exercise of power, authoritative action		CE IV.iii.44
Enter a Curtizan.Enter a Courtesancourtesan, courtezan (n.)

old form: Curtizan
prostitute, strumpet		CE IV.iii.45
Cur.COURTESAN 
Well met, well met, Master Antipholus: Well met, well met, Master Antipholus. CE IV.iii.45
I see sir you haue found the Gold-smith now: I see, sir, you have found the goldsmith now. CE IV.iii.46
Is that the chaine you promis'd me to day. Is that the chain you promised me today? CE IV.iii.47
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
Sathan auoide, I charge thee tempt me not. Satan, avoid! I charge thee, tempt me not!Satan (n.)
in Christian tradition, the Devil		CE IV.iii.48
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Master, is this Mistris Sathan? Master, is this Mistress Satan? CE IV.iii.49
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
It is the diuell. It is the devil. CE IV.iii.50
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Nay, she is worse, she is the Nay, she is worse, she is the CE IV.iii.51
diuels dam: And here she comes in the habit of a light devil's dam; and here she comes in the habit of a lighthabit (n.)
dress, clothing, costume		CE IV.iii.52
light (adj.)
promiscuous, licentious, immoral, wanton
habit (n.)
behaviour, bearing, demeanour
wench, and thereof comes, that the wenches say God wench; and thereof comes that the wenches say ‘ Godwench (n.)
girl, lass		CE IV.iii.53
dam me, That's as much to say, God make me a light damn me ’ – that's as much to say ‘ God make me a light CE IV.iii.54
wench: It is written, they appeare to men like angels of wench.’ It is written they appear to men like angels of CE IV.iii.55
light, light is an effect of fire, and fire will burne: ergo, light. Light is an effect of fire, and fire will burn. Ergo,ergo (adv.)
therefore		CE IV.iii.56
light (adj.)
promiscuous, licentious, immoral, wanton
light wenches will burne, come not neere her. light wenches will burn. Come not near her.burn (v.)

old form: burne
suffer from venereal disease		CE IV.iii.57
Cur.COURTESAN 
Your man and you are maruailous merrie sir. Your man and you are marvellous merry, sir.marvellous (adv.)

old form: maruailous
very, extremely, exceedingly		CE IV.iii.58
Will you goe with me, wee'll mend our dinner here? Will you go with me? We'll mend our dinner here.mend (v.)
supplement, augment		CE IV.iii.59
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Master, if do expect spoon-meate, Master, if you do, expect spoon-meat,spoonmeat, spoon-meat (n.)

old form: spoon-meate
soft food served on a spoon		CE IV.iii.60
or bespeake a long spoone. or bespeak a long spoon.bespeak (v.), past forms bespake, bespoke

old form: bespeake
ask for, order, request		CE IV.iii.61
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
Why Dromio? Why, Dromio? CE IV.iii.62
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Marrie he must haue a long Marry, he must have a longmarry (int.)
[exclamation] by Mary		CE IV.iii.63
spoone that must eate with the diuell. spoon that must eat with the devil. CE IV.iii.64
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE  
(to Courtesan) CE IV.iii.65.1
Auoid then fiend, what tel'st thou me of supping? Avoid then, fiend. What tellest thou me of supping?avoid (v.)
be off, be gone, go away		CE IV.iii.65
supping (n.)
taking supper
Thou art, as you are all a sorceresse: Thou art, as you are all, a sorceress. CE IV.iii.66
I coniure thee to leaue me, and be gon. I conjure thee to leave me and be gone.conjure (v.)

old form: coniure
ask solemnly, entreat earnestly, beseech		CE IV.iii.67
Cur.COURTESAN 
Giue me the ring of mine you had at dinner, Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner, CE IV.iii.68
Or for my Diamond the Chaine you promis'd, Or for my diamond the chain you promised,for (prep.)
in return for		CE IV.iii.69
And Ile be gone sir, and not trouble you. And I'll be gone, sir, and not trouble you. CE IV.iii.70
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Some diuels aske but the parings of ones naile, Some devils ask but the parings of one's nail, CE IV.iii.71
a rush, a haire, a drop of blood, a pin, A rush, a hair, a drop of blood, a pin,rush (n.)
reed		CE IV.iii.72
a nut, a cherrie-stone: A nut, a cherry stone. CE IV.iii.73
but she more couetous, wold haue a chaine: But she, more covetous, would have a chain. CE IV.iii.74
Master be wise, and if you giue it her, Master, be wise; an if you give it her,an if (conj.)
if		CE IV.iii.75
the diuell will shake her Chaine, and fright vs with it. The devil will shake her chain, and fright us with it.fright (v.), past form frighted
frighten, scare, terrify		CE IV.iii.76
Cur.COURTESAN 
I pray you sir my Ring, or else the Chaine, I pray you, sir, my ring, or else the chain! CE IV.iii.77
I hope you do not meane to cheate me so? I hope you do not mean to cheat me so. CE IV.iii.78
Ant.ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE 
Auant thou witch: Come Dromio let vs go. Avaunt, thou witch! Come, Dromio, let us go.avaunt (int.)

old form: Auant
be gone, go away, be off		CE IV.iii.79
S.Dro.DROMIO OF SYRACUSE 
Flie pride saies the Pea-cocke, Mistris that you know. ‘ Fly pride,’ says the peacock. Mistress, that you know. CE IV.iii.80
Exit.Exeunt Antipholus of Syracuse and CE IV.iii.80.1
Dromio of Syracuse CE IV.iii.80.2
Cur.COURTESAN 
Now out of doubt Antipholus is mad, Now, out of doubt, Antipholus is mad, CE IV.iii.81
Else would he neuer so demeane himselfe, Else would he never so demean himself.demean (v.)

old form: demeane
behave, conduct, comport [oneself]		CE IV.iii.82
A Ring he hath of mine worth fortie Duckets, A ring he hath of mine worth forty ducats,ducat (n.)
gold (sometimes silver) coin used in several European countries		CE IV.iii.83
And for the same he promis'd me a Chaine, And for the same he promised me a chain. CE IV.iii.84
Both one and other he denies me now: Both one and other he denies me now. CE IV.iii.85
The reason that I gather he is mad, The reason that I gather he is mad, CE IV.iii.86
Besides this present instance of his rage, Besides this present instance of his rage,rage (n.)
madness, insanity, derangement		CE IV.iii.87
Is a mad tale he told to day at dinner, Is a mad tale he told today at dinner CE IV.iii.88
Of his owne doores being shut against his entrance. Of his own doors being shut against his entrance. CE IV.iii.89
Belike his wife acquainted with his fits, Belike his wife, acquainted with his fits,belike (adv.)
probably, presumably, perhaps, so it seems		CE IV.iii.90
On purpose shut the doores against his way: On purpose shut the doors against his way.way (n.)
entrance, access, path		CE IV.iii.91
My way is now to hie home to his house, My way is now to hie home to his houseway (n.)
best path, course of action		CE IV.iii.92
home (adv.)
directly, forthwith, right away
And tell his wife, that being Lunaticke, And tell his wife that, being lunatic, CE IV.iii.93
He rush'd into my house, and tooke perforce He rushed into my house and took perforceperforce (adv.)
forcibly, by force, violently		CE IV.iii.94
My Ring away. This course I fittest choose, My ring away. This course I fittest choose,fit (adj.)
suited, fitting, appropriate		CE IV.iii.95
course (n.)
course of action, way of proceeding
For fortie Duckets is too much to loose. 
For forty ducats is too much to lose. CE IV.iii.96
Exit CE IV.iii.96
 Previous Act IV, Scene III Next  
x

Jump directly to