 | The Ass-Dealer |  |
SCENE III.
Enter THE ASS-DEALER, and BOY.Ass-Dealer.
By the directions, this must be the house,
Where, as they told me, lives Demænetus.
Knock at the door, boy; and if Saurea
The usher of the hall is now at home,
Call him out hither.
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Who is't knocks so hard
As if he'd break the door? Enough, I say,
If you're not deaf.
Ass-D.
Why no one yet has touch'd them.
Have you your senses?
Lib.
Why I thought you had,
As I had seen you this way coming hither.
These doors here are my fellow servants, and
I do not like to have them thresh'd; for I
Profess myself their friend.
Ass-D.
There's no great danger,
By Pollux! that the hinges should be broken,
If in this manner 'tis you answer all
Who ask a question.
Lib.
Why, the door's so made,
That if it sees far off a person coming
To kick it down, itself ev'n in the instant
Calls for the porter—But why come you hither?
Whom are you looking for?
Ass-D.
Why, for Demænetus.
Lib.
Was he at home, I'd tell you so.
Ass-D.
But Saurea,
His usher of the hall, is he at home?
Lib.
Nor he no more than t'other.
Ass-D.
But where is he?
Lib.
He said that he was going to the barber's.
Ass-D.
Since he went thither is he not return'd?
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By Pollux' temple! No—What want you with him?
Ass-D.
To take these twenty minæ, was he here.
Lib.
For what?
Ass-D.
Why for the asses which he sold
At market, to a dealer of Pellæa.
Lib.
I know it—Well, you've brought the money now?
He'll soon be here.
Ass-D.
But say, what sort of man
Is Saurea? For I soon shall know if 'tis
The man I mean.
Lib.
Why lanthorn jaw'd, hair reddish,
Somewhat gorbellied, with fierce eyes, his stature
Nor tall nor short, sour aspect.
Ass-D.
There's no painter
Could draw his picture better—And, by Hercules!
I think I see him—When he walks, he wags
His head.
Lib.
The man that meets him when he's angry
He will be sure to strike.
Ass-D.
By Hercules!
If like Achilles' self he walk'd, as wrathful,
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Should strike at me, I would return the favour.
| The Ass-Dealer | |