 | The Parasite |  |
SCENE II.
Enter COOK.Cook.
Palinurus,
Why this delay? Why don't you set me out
The things I want; that our keen parasite,
When he comes back, may find his dinner ready.
Pal.
You'll wait 'till I interpret him his dream?
Cook.
Whene'er you dream yourself, you apply to me.
Pal.
'Tis true.
Cook.
Go then, and look me out what's necessary.
Pal.
Agreed—Mean time then, tell your dream to him.
I warrant him more skilful than myself:
For what I know, I know it all from him.
Cap.
Let him attend to me—
Pal.
He will—
Cap.
He is,
What few slaves are, obedient to his master—
Mark me then—
Cook.
Well—Tho' you're unknown to me.
140
This night I dream'd, that Æsculapius sat
At distance from me: nor did he approach
Nor seem to heed me—
Cook.
O! this signifies
That all the other gods will do the like.
In truth, there is among them but one mind.
No wonder, if it fares no better with you.
Better you'd pass'd the night in great Jove's temple—
He spar'd you, when you invok'd him to a falsehood.
Cap.
If all who take false oaths were to sleep thus,
The capitol itself would not contain them.
Cook.
Attend then: and to Æsculapius sue
For peace, lest some misfortune happen to you,
Such as has been foreboded in this dream.
141
You counsel well.—I'll go into the temple,
And ask his favour—
Cook.
May he never grant it!
Pal.
Immortal gods! who is it there I see?
Is't not the parasite I sent to Caria?
Phædromus, haste; come forth, come forth, I say.
Enter PHÆDROMUS.
Phæ.
What noise is this?
Pal.
See, see, your parasite
Coming this way at farther end o'the street.
Let's step aside, and list what he's about—
Phæ.
I think you're in the right—
| The Parasite | |