University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Pisthetærus, Chorus, Meto.
Meto.
I am come among you.

Pisthetærus.
Here's another scoundrel!
‘What thou to do? by what idea prompted?
What thought impels? what buskin leads thy way?’

Meto.
My wish is to mete forth the air unto you,
And lay it out in due departments rang'd.

Pisthetærus.
The Gods preserve us! What i'th'world art thou?

Meto.
I? I am Meto, not unknown to Greece
And to Colonus.

Pisthetærus.
Tell me, what hast here?

Meto.
Rules for the air. For that in figure wholly
Doth to an oven most resemblance bear.
Therefore (observe me) I applying upward
This bent rule to it; putting in the compass—
You understand me—

Pisthetærus.
Nay, I understand thee not—

Meto.
Do measure it with a straight rule so applied
As that the circle may be made four square.
I'th'midst the forum, then the streets direct
Leading to it i'th'midst, so that being circular,
As from a star, the rays on every side
May verge therefrom direct.

Pisthetærus.
A very Thales!
Meto—

Meto.
Well, sir!

Pisthetærus.
Dost know I am thy friend?
And if thou take my counsel, thou'lt out of the way.

Meto.
But what's to fear?

Pisthetærus.
There is an alien act
Pass'd here, like that in Sparta. Certain blows
Are rife i'th'city—

Meto.
What, are ye in factions?

Pisthetærus.
Not so, by Jove.

Meto.
How then?

Pisthetærus.
It has been carried,
With not a voice dissenting, to drub heartily
All impudent fellows.

Meto.
I must away, by Jove.

Pisthetærus.
So that I know not if thou'rt yet in time,
For these same fisty cuffs are coming.

[Beats him.
Meto.
Oh! Oh!
I'm undone; I'm undone.

Pisthetærus.
Did I not tell thee?
Forewarn'd I not? Wilt thou not hence, and take
A better measure of thyself elsewhere?

[Exit Meto.