Miles Gloriosus, or The Braggart Captain
Act Four, Scene Seven
Enter PLEUSICLES, at a distance, in a Sailor’s dress.
PLEUSICLES
to himself. Did I not know that another man in other ways has done many a thing unbecomingly on account of love, I should be more ashamed by reason of love for me to be going in this garb. But since I have learned that many persons by reason of love have committed many actions, disgraceful and estranged from what is good, * * * * * for I pass by how Achilles suffered[1] his comrades to be slain—-But there’s Palaestrio, he’s standing with the Captain. My talk must now be changed for another kind. Woman is surely born of tardiness itself. For every other delay, which is a delay just as much, seems a less delay than that which is on account of a woman. I really think that this is done merely from habit. But I shall call for this Philocomasium. I’ll knock at the door then. Hallo! is there anyone here? Knocks at the CAPTAIN’S door.
PALAESTRIO
Young man–what is it? What do you want? Why are you knocking?
PLEUSICLES
I’m come to inquire for Philocomasium; I’m come from her mother. If she’s for going, let her set off. She is delaying us all; we wish to weigh anchor.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Her things have been some time in readiness. Hark ye, Palaestrio, take some assistants with you to carry to the ship her golden trinkets, her furniture, apparel, all her precious things. All the articles are already packed up which I gave her.
PALAESTRIO
I’ll go. Goes into the house.
PLEUSICLES
Troth now, prithee, do make haste.
PYRGOPOLINICES
There shall be no delay. Pray, what is it that has been done[2] with your eye?
PLEUSICLES
Troth, hut I have my eye. Points to the right one.
PYRGOPOLINICES
But the left one I mean.
PLEUSICLES
I’ll tell you. On account of the sea, I use this eyeless; but if I kept away from the sea[3], I should use the one like the other. But they are detaining me too long.
PYRGOPOLINICES
See, here they are coming out.
- Achilles suffered: This was when he withdrew from the warfare on being deprived of Briseis by Agamemnon, on which occasion Hector made great havoc among the Grecian forces. ↵
- That has been done: He asks “what has been done with” or “become of,” his eye? On which Pleusicles tells him, by way of a quibble, that he has got his eye, alluding to the right one, while the Captain refers to the left, against which the “lectica” is placed. ↵
- From the sea: There is a pun here, which cannot be preserved in the translation. “Si abstinuissem a mare” “If I kept away from the sea,” may also be read, “Si abstinuissem amare,” “If I refrained from loving.” The Captain understands him in the former sense, thinking that he means that he has got a disease in his eye, which may be increased by leading a seafaring life. ↵