University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Ante-room in the house of Hilarianus.
Servants bearing amphoræ, &c.
Enter Varro.
VARRO.
Come, stir! How now? take you the wine for milk?
A goodly churn were you! Here, give it me;
They're calling out for more.

FIRST SERVANT.
What! Hila—

VARRO.
Silence!

FIRST SERVANT.
Hilari—'tis a jolly boy! our Hilari—

VARRO.
Wilt hold thy tongue?

FIRST SERVANT.
I can't hold any thing.

VARRO.
There—try the ground; hold that! Why, he would bawl
His “jolly boy” into our master's face.

SECOND SERVANT.
Nay, for that matter, it is there already,
And of his doubling it would come no harm;
The governor would but look it back at him.

VARRO.
Not if he's made to wait the wine he lacks.

[Exit.
Enter Barac (who attempts to pass).
SECOND SERVANT.
Holloa! where are you going?

BARAC.
With tidings to the præfect. I must see him.

SECOND SERVANT.
See him! 'tis easy said; for, seeing you,—
Ay, ay, he'll do the matter handsomely;
See two of you; but each one seeming t'other,
To keep him out of knowing which is which.

BARAC.
Once let me gain his ear—

SECOND SERVANT.
His ear, you think,
Meantime my own may undergo a twinge.
Have you no salve to mollify the smart?

BARAC.
Enough to satisfy.

SECOND SERVANT.
That's as it may be;
For here are tongues as well as ears to pay.

BARAC.
There's for both pains and silence.

SECOND SERVANT.
That will do.—
(To Servants.)
Do ye hear?—you don't hear!

SERVANTS.
No; we understand.

SECOND SERVANT
(to BARAC).
Take you that passage to the left,—a way
Where's ne'er a toe to tread upon your own;
'Twill bring you to a door that opes direct
Upon the chair of our good governor.

BARAC.
The way is plain?

SECOND SERVANT.
Plain!—(Barac goes in).
As that thou'rt an ass—
To pay me for no worth; thyself a kicking,
Perhaps. He knows his business, and I mine.
Now is our time;—all of us to the cellar!

FIRST SERVANT
(on the ground).
Hoa! hoa!

SECOND SERVANT.
Here, bear a hand, lest double eyes
Be match'd with double tongue.

[Exeunt Servants.