University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Enter OLYMPIO, a COOK, and his assistants.
Olym.
[to the Cook.]
Take care, you thief, and see that your assistants,
These briars here, march well under your banner.

Cook.
Why are they briars?

Olym.
Why, because whate'er
They touch they bear away; and tear it strait
To pieces—To whatever place they come,
Or wheresoe'er they are, with double loss
They mulct their masters.

Cook.
Fie upon you! fie!

Olym.
But while I'm chattering here, I never think
To meet my master, and put on an air
Of some importance, as of quality;
And with familiarity accost him.

Sta.
Good day to you, good man.

Olym.
Ay, very true.

Sta.
Well, what's the news?

Olym.
The news? Why you're in love;
And I am hungry, and am thirsty too.

Sta.
You're marching well attended.

Olym.
Yes, to-day—

Sta.
But stay, however full you are of scorn.

Olym.
Foh! foh! your speeches smell unsavoury.

Sta.
What business urges you?

Olym.
This business, sir—

[pointing to the provisions.
Sta.
What, won't you stop a bit?

Olym.
I've other things
To mind—You're troublesome—

Sta.
If you do not stop
I shall bestow upon you what you'll like not.

Olym.
Great Jove! I prithee get thee farther off,
Unless you'd wish to have me take a puke.

Sta.
Stop then—

Olym.
The matter? say, Who is this man?

Sta.
I am your master.

Olym.
You? What master, fellow?

Sta.
Why him to whom you're slave.

Olym.
How, I a slave?

Sta.
Yes, and my slave.

Olym.
What, am I then not free?
Call that to mind again; have you forgot?

Sta.
Stop, and stay here.

Olym.
Let me alone.

Sta.
I am
Your slave.

Olym.
Ay, there's some sense in that—

Sta.
I beg
My little dear Olympio, father! patron!

Olym.
That's good! you now in troth have found your wisdom.

Sta.
I'm at your service quite.

Olym.
What need have I
Of so untoward a servant—But what now?

Sta.
What dainty fare you'll give me by-and-by?

Olym.
If supper was but drest.

Sta.
Let 'em go in then.

Olym.
Quick, haste, go in directly, and dispatch—

Sta.
I'll presently be with you—See, at supper
That there be wine enough—For I would fare
Deliciously, not imitate barbarians.
Go in— [to the Cook.]
I'll stay a little longer here.
'Tis said, that Casina has got a sword
Within, to take away my life and yours—

[to Olympio.
Olym.
I know it—Let her have one—'Tis no more
Than a meer joke—I know them both, I tell you,
A pretty piece of goods they are. However,
Do you go in with me.

Sta.
Yet notwithstanding,
By Pollux! I am fearful of some mischief.
Do you go first, and see what's doing there.

Olym.
My life's as dear to me, as yours to you.

Sta.
But I desire you'd only go along—

Olym.
I'll go along with you, if you command me.

[Exeunt.