University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Enter LIBANUS, gaping and yawning, as scarcely awake.
LIBANUS.
By Hercules! 'tis better for thee, Libanus,
To wake and find some lucky stratagem
To get this money—Many hours have past
Since thou did'st quit thy master, and did'st hie
Away to th'forum with this view, to feign
Some fallacy for the procuring money—
There, to this time o'th'day, thou'st slept at ease—
Throw off this indolence and sluggishness,
And take to thee again thy wonted cunning.
Preserve thy master! and beware of acting
Like other slaves, who all their wit employ
In cheating and imposing on their masters.
But how to get it?—Who shall be my dupe?
And whither shall I steer my little boat?
'Tis done; the thing's resolv'd on—Birds on each side
Give omens, and approve—The chough and crow
Caw from the left, the raven from the right.
They all induce me: Your advice, in troth,
I am resolv'd to follow—But what's this?
What means the chough by striking with his beak
That elm? It is not without cause—By Hercules!
From what I can collect from these same auguries,
Or Saurea's back, our usher of the hall,
Or mine, will feel the scourge—But what means this?
What makes Leonida come running hither,
Quite out of breath? I fear it bodes but ill
To these my schemes—