 | The Braggard Captain |  |
144
SCENE IV.
Enter SCELEDRUS.If I have not been walking in my sleep
Upon the tiles, I'm certain that I saw
My master's lady in our neighbour's house;
And she has sought her out another lover.
Pal.
As far as I can learn, 'twas he then saw her.
Sce.
Who's that?
Pal.
Your fellow-servant.—So, Sceledrus!
How fares it?
Sce.
O Palæstria! I am glad
I've met you.
Pal.
How now? what's the matter? Tell me.
Sce.
I fear—
Pal.
What fear you?
Sce.
That we all shall dance
To the musick of a cudgel.
Pal.
Nay, do you
Dance by yourself: for me, I like it not,
This jigging work, this capering up and down.
Sce.
Haply you do not know, what new mischance
Has just befall'n us.
145
What mischance?
Sce.
A filthy.
Pal.
Then keep it to yourself, don't tell it me,
I would not know it.
Sce.
But you must.—To-day,
As I was looking for our monkey, here
Upon our neighbour's tiles—
Pal.
One worthless beast
Was looking for another.
Sce.
Plague confound you!
Pal.
You rather.—But go on, as you've begun.
Sce.
I haply chanc'd to peep down through the sky-light
Into next house, and there did I espy
Our lady fondling with I know not whom,
Another spark.
Pal.
What do I hear you say?
A villainous scandal!—
Sce.
By my troth I saw her.
Pal.
What, you?
Sce.
Yes, I myself, with both these eyes.
Pal.
Go, go, it is not likely what you say;
Nor did you see her.
Sce.
How? do I appear,
As if my eye-sight fail'd me?
Pal.
You had better
Ask a physician that.—But as you wish
The Gods to love you, do not rashly foster
This idle story, or you will create
146
For if you do not stop your foolish chattering,
A two-fold ruin waits you.
Sce.
But how two-fold?
Pal.
I'll tell you. First, if falsely you accuse
Our lady, woe be to you; and again,
Suppose it true, yet woe be to you,—you
Her guardian.
Sce.
What will me befal, I know not;
But I do know for certain, that I saw her.
Pal.
Dost thou persist in't, thou unhappy wretch?
Sce.
What would you have me say, but that I saw her?
Moreover she's within here at this instant,
Here at next door.
Pal.
How? is she not at home?
Sce.
Go yourself in, and see; for I will ask you
To credit me in nothing.
Pal.
I will do it.
Sce.
I'll wait you here.
[Palæstrio goes in.
| The Braggard Captain | |