University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter TOXILUS and SAGARISTIO at a distance.
TOXILUS.
When first a poor man steps into the path
Of love, he must worse labours undertake
Than Hercules—For I would sooner fight
The hydra, lion, and Ætolian boar,
The Erymanthian stag, Stymphalian birds,
Or with Antæus wrestle, than contend
With love—Why what a miserable wretch
Am I, with only hunting after money?
All whom I ask, no other answer give
Than, no.—

Sag.
[apart.]
The slave, who faithfully would serve
His master, on my word must treasure up
A mass of things, which he may think will please him,
Both when he is at home, and when abroad—
I cannot say, with chearfulness I serve him,
Nor do I hit my master to a hair—
And yet, he can no more forbear to leave
With me his orders, and make me the prop
Of his affairs, than keep his hands from off
His itching eye—Who's this stands opposite?

[seeing Toxilus.
Tox.
And who is this stands opposite to me?
He seems like Sagaristio.—

Sag.
—'Tis Toxilus,
My friend.—

Tox.
—'Tis he indeed—

Sag.
I really think 'tis he—

Tox.
I'll join him—

Sag.
I'll up to him—

Tox.
Sagaristio!
May the gods love you!

Sag.
May they grant you, Toxilus,
All that you wish!—How fare you?

Tox.
As I can.

Sag.
What do you?

Tox.
Live.—

Sag.
But is it as you like?

Tox.
Ay, when I have my wishes, well enough—

Sag.
You use your friends imprudently—

Tox.
How so?—

Sag.
You give them no commands—

Tox.
Why, 'troth you are
Already dead to me—I have not seen you.

Sag.
I've been engag'd—

Tox.
In the iron trade perhaps—

Sag.
Ay, and above this half year have been chain'd to't,
A vapulary tribune at the mills—

Tox.
Why that's your old campaign—

Sag.
Have you been well?

Tox.
Indifferent—

Sag.
What makes you look so pale?

Tox.
In battle I've receiv'd a dang'rous wound,
The god of love has pierc'd me through the heart.

Sag.
Do slaves presume to love?

Tox.
What should I do?
Resist the gods, and Titan like, 'gainst heav'n
Make war, and such unequal battle try?

Sag.
Take care the elm twig darts don't pierce your sides.

Tox.
I celebrate a feast of liberty,
And royally—

Sag.
How so?—

Tox.
My master's gone
Abroad—

Sag.
Ay, say you so?—What, gone abroad?

Tox.
If you can bear a jovial life, come, live
With me—I'll treat you like a prince—

Sag.
Out on't!
You make my shoulders itch to hear you talk so—

Tox.
But there is one thing tortures me—

Sag.
What's that?

Tox.
This very day's the last, that does for ever
My fair one's servitude or freedom fix.

Sag.
And what with me?

Tox.
Make me your friend for ever.

Sag.
As how?—

Tox.
Why lend me but six hundred pieces,
Only to buy her freedom, and the money
In three or four days' time, I will return.
If you're good natur'd, do in this assist me,

Sag.
Sauce-box! with what assurance dare you ask
So great a sum of me?—Was I to sell
Myself, I scarce could raise what you ask of me:
Would you squeeze water from a pumice stone,
The driest thing on earth!—

Tox.
And ought you then
To use me thus?

Sag.
Why, what is't I should do?

Tox.
Ask you that question?—Borrow it from somebody—

Sag.
That you may do your self—

Tox.
Why I have tried,
But can't succeed.

Sag.
I'll try, if any one
Will give me credit—

Tox.
You have means abroad—

Sag.
Was it at home, I'd promis'd you before.
But I'll take care to do my best, as 'tis.

Tox.
Come what come may, come home to me—

Sag.
But be
Upon the hunt yourself—I'll be the same;
And carefully will let you know how things
Turn out—

Tox.
I beg you, oe'r and o'er again
I beg you, to be true to me in this—

Sag.
You teize me with your importunity—

Tox.
It is the fault of love, it is not mine
If now I talk so foolishly—

Sag.
I'll leave you—

Tox.
What! are you going?—

Sag.
A good walk to you!
Return as soon as possible I beg you—
Nor let me have to seek you—I shall be
At home entirely, till I've cook'd a plot,
Against the pandar, master of my love.

[Exeunt severally.