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302
(Enter TOXILUS, from his MASTER’S house, followed by SOPHOCLIDISCA.)
TOXILUS
(to SOPHOCLIDISCA.)
Tell her that it’s now arranged whence the money is to come. Bid her be of good heart; tell her that I love her exceedingly. When she cheers up, then does she cheer me up. What I’ve told you to tell her,
do you quite understand it?
305
Tell her that it’s now arranged whence the money is to come. Bid her be of good heart; tell her that I love her exceedingly. When she cheers up, then does she cheer me up. What I’ve told you to tell her,
do you quite understand it?
305
SOPHOCLIDISCA
Better than your legs
1
understand you, do I understand it.
Better than your legs
1
understand you, do I understand it.
TOXILUS
Make all haste, be off home.
(SOPHOCLIDISCA goes into the house of DORDALUS.)
Make all haste, be off home.
SAGARISTIO
(apart.)
Now I’ll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I’ll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air
2
.
(Struts along.)
Now I’ll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I’ll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air
2
.
TOXILUS
But who’s this that’s walking like a two-handled jug
3
?
But who’s this that’s walking like a two-handled jug
3
?
SAGARISTIO
(apart.)
I’ll spit about me in a dignified style.
(Spits about.)
I’ll spit about me in a dignified style.
TOXILUS
Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do?
Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?
310
Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do?
Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?
310
SAGARISTIO
(in a lofty way.)
Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.
Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.
TOXILUS
What’s this swelling
4
here upon your neck?
(Touches his neck.)
What’s this swelling
4
here upon your neck?
SAGARISTIO
It’s a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.
It’s a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.
TOXILUS
When did that first come upon you?
When did that first come upon you?
SAGARISTIO
To-day.
To-day.
TOXILUS
You should order it to be lanced.
You should order it to be lanced.
SAGARISTIO
I’m afraid to lance it before it’s ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.
315
I’m afraid to lance it before it’s ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.
315
TOXILUS
I’d like to examine your complaint.
(Comes nearer.)
I’d like to examine your complaint.
SAGARISTIO
(retreatinq.)
Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns.
Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns.
TOXILUS
Why so?
Why so?
SAGARISTIO
Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.
Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.
TOXILUS
Do let them out, please; don’t starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.
Do let them out, please; don’t starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.
SAGARISTIO
Why, I’m afraid that I mayn’t be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.
Why, I’m afraid that I mayn’t be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.
TOXILUS
I’ll drive them back; be of good heart,
320
I’ll drive them back; be of good heart,
320
SAGARISTIO
You shall be trusted then; I’ll lend them you Follow this way, please
(taking the purse from his neck.) in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.
You shall be trusted then; I’ll lend them you Follow this way, please
(taking the purse from his neck.) in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.
TOXILUS
What is it you say?
What is it you say?
SAGARISTIO
My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.
My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.
TOXILUS
You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe;
for now I’ve arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I’m to get this money out of this Procurer.
325
You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe;
for now I’ve arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I’m to get this money out of this Procurer.
325
SAGARISTIO
So much the better.
So much the better.
TOXILUS
Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.
Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.
SAGARISTIO
Make use of it just as you please.
(They go into the house.)
Make use of it just as you please.
Persa. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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