University of Virginia Library

SCENE VII.

Enter PLEUSIDES at a distance, in a Sailor's habit.
Were I not sensible, that other men
In other ways have done as vile for love,
I should be more asham'd to wear this garb
On the account of love: but I have learn'd,
That many have committed many actions
Base, and estrang'd from good and right, in love:—
I speak not of Achilles, how he suffer'd
His comrades to be slain, and all for love.—
But see Palæstrio standing with the captain;—
And I must change the fashion of my phrase.—
Sure woman's born of tardiness itself;
For ev'ry other, though the same delay,
Seems less delay than that, which woman makes:—
They do it, one would fancy, all from custom.—
I'm come to call upon Philocomasium:—
And here's the door, I'll knock.—Hoa—who's within there?

Pal.
How now, my lad?—what say you?—why d'ye knock here?

Pleu.
I want Philocomasium:—from her mother
I'm come:—if she's for going, let her come then.—
She stays us all; and we would fain weigh anchor.

Pyrg.
All is in readiness, and long has been so.—
Hearkye, Palæstrio, let her take her trinkets,
Her gold, apparell, all things valuable:
Take with you some assistants, that may help you
To bear them to the ship:—they are all pack'd,
All that I've giv'n her to take off.

Pal.
I go.

Pleu.
Prithee now, do make haste.

Pyrg.
He will not tarry.

[Palæstrio goes in.
Pyrg.
(To Pleu. who holds up a compress to his eye.)
Hey, what's the matter? prithee, what hast thou
Done with thine eye?

Pleu.
Why, ha'n't I got my eye?

Pyrg.
The left I mean.

Pleu.
I'll tell you:—I less use
This eye, by reason of my occupation:
Were't not for that, I should use both alike.—
But they too long detain me.

Pyrg.
Here they come.