 | The Braggard Captain |  |
SCENE I.
Enter PYRGOPOLINICES and PALÆSTRIO.PYRGOPOLINICES.
It is a pleasure, whatsoe'er you do,
If fairly it succeed, and to your mind.—
I have dispatch'd my parasite to-day
To king Seleucus, to conduct the troops
That I have levied to defend his kingdom,
While I indulge in leisure and repose.
Pal.
Think rather of your own concerns, nor heed
Seleucus.—What a fair and new proposal
Is offer'd to you through my mediation!
Pyrg.
Well then,—all other matters I postpone,
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I do surrender up to thy disposal.
Pal.
Look round, lest some one catch our conversation:
For I was order'd to transact this business
In private with you.
Pyrg.
There is no one near us.
Pal.
First, take this pledge of love.
(giving a ring.
Pyrg.
Ha! what is this?
Whence comes it?
Pal.
From a fair and buxom dame;
One that adores you, doats upon your beauty.—
I had it of her maid to bring to you.
Pyrg.
What is she?—Is she gentle by her birth,
Or once a bond-woman, but since made free?
Pal.
Ah, do you think, that I would dare to play
The go-between for one that was a slave,
Knowing so many ladies wooe you to them.
Pyrg.
Is she a wife, or widow?
Pal.
Wife, and widow.
Pyrg.
How is it possible she can be both,—
Widow and wife?
Pal.
Because she's young, and married
To an old fellow.
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Well—so much the better.
Pal.
Then such a person!
Pyrg.
See thou liest not, sirrah.
Pal.
O she alone is worthy of your charms!
Pyrg.
Thou mak'st her out indeed a beauty.—But
Who is she?
Pal.
She's the wife of this old fellow
Periplectomenes, our neighbour here.
She's dying for you, and about to leave him:
The dotard she detests, and order'd me
To beg you would vouchsafe your favour to her.
Pyrg.
Well, well then,—I'm content,—if she desire it.
Pal.
If she desire it!
Pyrg.
How shall we dispose
Of her I have at home, that other wench?
Pal.
E'en bid her to be gone, where-e'er she lifts;
For,—do you know?—her mother and twin-sister
Are come to Ephesus to fetch her home.
Pyrg.
How say you?—is the mother come to Ephesus?
Pal.
They told me, that should know.
Pyrg.
By Hercules
A charming opportunity to turn
The baggage out of doors.
Pal.
But would you do
The thing that's handsome?
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What would'st thou advise?
Pal.
Have you a mind forthwith to send her packing
With a good grace?
Pyrg.
I have,—tis my desire.
Pal.
Then this you ought to do.—You have enough
Of riches:—bid her take by way of present
The cloaths and trinkets you supplied her with,
To carry with her wheresoe'er she pleases.
Pyrg.
It likes me what thou say'st. But hold,—suppose
I lose Her, and that other change her mind.
Pal.
Ah,—sure you are in jest.—She change her mind?
What she,—who loves you, as she loves her eyes?
Pyrg.
By Venus am I favour'd.
Pal.
Hist!—the door
Is opening.—Step aside this way, and hide you.—
This is her fly-boat, that is coming forth,
Her go-between.
Pyrg.
What mean'st thou by her fly-boat?
Pal.
It is her maid, that's coming forth,—the same,
That brought the ring I gave you.
Pyrg.
By my troth
A likely wench.
Pal.
Oh, she is monkey-faced,—
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Mark, how she hunts round with her eyes, and spreads
Her ears, like toils, to catch each passing sound!
[They stand aloof.
| The Braggard Captain | |