{"id":118,"date":"2020-08-07T13:23:44","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T17:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca\/milesgloriosus\/?post_type=chapter&p=118"},"modified":"2021-01-18T12:28:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T17:28:05","slug":"act-four-scene-1","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/chapter\/act-four-scene-1\/","title":{"raw":"Act Four, Scene One","rendered":"Act Four, Scene One"},"content":{"raw":"Enter PYRGOPOLINICES and PALAESTRIO.<\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\n'Tis a pleasure what you do, if it succeeds agreeably and to your mind. For I this day have sent my Parasite to King Seleucus, to lead those soldiers, that I have levied, hence to Seleucus; in order that they may defend his kingdom till I have the leisure to attend in person.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nWhy don't you attend to your own concerns rather than those of Seleucus? What a charming new proposal is being offered to you through me as the negotiator.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nWell then, I lay all other things aside, and I give my attention to you. Speak out: my ears, in fact, I surrender at your disposal.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nLook around, then, that no one here may be an eavesdropper for our discourse; for this business was entrusted me to transact with you in private.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\n(looks around).<\/em> There's no one near.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nIn the first place, receive from me this pledge of affection.\u00a0Gives him the ring.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nWhat's this? Whence comes it?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nFrom a charming and handsome lady, one who loves you, and dotes upon your extreme beauty. Her maid just now gave me the ring that I might then give it to you.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nWhat? Is she free-born or a freedwoman, made free from a slave by the Praetor's rod[footnote]1 By the Praetor\u2019s rod: \u201cFestuca\u201d is the same with \u201cvindicta,\u201d the rod, or wand, which the Praetor used to lay on the head of the s.ave when he was made free.[\/footnote]?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nPshaw! Should I presume to be the bearer of a message to you from a person once a slave, who cannot sufficiently answer the demands of the free women who are longing for you?\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nIs she wife, or is she widow?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nShe is both wife and widow.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nIn what way is it possible for the same woman to be a wife and a widow?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nBecause she is a young woman married to an old man.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nThat's good.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nShe is of genteel and charming person.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nBeware of misrepresenting.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nIt is alone worthy to be compared with your own charms.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nBy my faith, you make her out to be a beauty. But who is she?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nThe wife of that old gentleman, Periplecomenus, next door. She is dying for you, and wishes to leave him; she hates the old fellow. Now she has begged me to entreat and beseech you that you will give her your support and assistance.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nI' faith, I'm ready for my part if she desires it.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nDoesn't she long for it?\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nWhat shall we do with that mistress of mine, who is at my house?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nWhy, do you bid her be gone about her business, wherever she chooses; as her twin-sister has come here to Ephesus, and her mother and they are come to fetch her.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nHa! what's that you say? Has her mother come to\u00a0Ephesus?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nThose say so who know it.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nI' faith, a charming opportunity for me to turn the wench out of doors.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nAye, but do you wish to do the thing handsomely?\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nSpeak out, and give me your advice.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nDo you wish to pack her off forthwith, that she may quit you with good grace?\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nI do so wish.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nThen this is the thing you must do. You have a superabundance of wealth; bid the woman to keep as a present for herself the gold and trinkets which you have supplied her with, and to take herself off from your house wherever she likes.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nIt pleases me what you say; but yet, only think, if I should lose her, and the other change her mind?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nPshaw! you're over nice; a lady, that loves you as her own eyes.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nVenus befriends me.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nHist! hush! the door is opening; come this way a little out of sight.\u00a0MILPHIDIPPA comes out of the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.\u00a0This is her fly-boat-her go-between, that's coming out there.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nHow so--fly-boat?\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nThis is her maid that is coming out of the house, she that brought that ring which I delivered to you.\r\n\r\nPYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>\r\nI' faith, she too is a prettyish wench.\r\n\r\nPALAESTRIO<\/strong>\r\nThis one is a little monkey and an owl[footnote]And an owl: \u201cSpinturnicium\u201d was the name of some ugly, ill-omened bird; of what kind it is not now known.[\/footnote] in comparison with the other. Do you see how she hunts around with her eyes and goes fowling about with her ears? They stand aside.","rendered":"

Enter PYRGOPOLINICES and PALAESTRIO.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\n‘Tis a pleasure what you do, if it succeeds agreeably and to your mind. For I this day have sent my Parasite to King Seleucus, to lead those soldiers, that I have levied, hence to Seleucus; in order that they may defend his kingdom till I have the leisure to attend in person.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nWhy don’t you attend to your own concerns rather than those of Seleucus? What a charming new proposal is being offered to you through me as the negotiator.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nWell then, I lay all other things aside, and I give my attention to you. Speak out: my ears, in fact, I surrender at your disposal.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nLook around, then, that no one here may be an eavesdropper for our discourse; for this business was entrusted me to transact with you in private.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\n(looks around).<\/em> There’s no one near.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nIn the first place, receive from me this pledge of affection.\u00a0Gives him the ring.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nWhat’s this? Whence comes it?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nFrom a charming and handsome lady, one who loves you, and dotes upon your extreme beauty. Her maid just now gave me the ring that I might then give it to you.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nWhat? Is she free-born or a freedwoman, made free from a slave by the Praetor’s rod[1]<\/sup><\/a>?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nPshaw! Should I presume to be the bearer of a message to you from a person once a slave, who cannot sufficiently answer the demands of the free women who are longing for you?<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nIs she wife, or is she widow?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nShe is both wife and widow.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nIn what way is it possible for the same woman to be a wife and a widow?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nBecause she is a young woman married to an old man.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nThat’s good.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nShe is of genteel and charming person.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nBeware of misrepresenting.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nIt is alone worthy to be compared with your own charms.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nBy my faith, you make her out to be a beauty. But who is she?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nThe wife of that old gentleman, Periplecomenus, next door. She is dying for you, and wishes to leave him; she hates the old fellow. Now she has begged me to entreat and beseech you that you will give her your support and assistance.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nI’ faith, I’m ready for my part if she desires it.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nDoesn’t she long for it?<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nWhat shall we do with that mistress of mine, who is at my house?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nWhy, do you bid her be gone about her business, wherever she chooses; as her twin-sister has come here to Ephesus, and her mother and they are come to fetch her.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nHa! what’s that you say? Has her mother come to\u00a0Ephesus?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nThose say so who know it.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nI’ faith, a charming opportunity for me to turn the wench out of doors.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nAye, but do you wish to do the thing handsomely?<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nSpeak out, and give me your advice.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nDo you wish to pack her off forthwith, that she may quit you with good grace?<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nI do so wish.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nThen this is the thing you must do. You have a superabundance of wealth; bid the woman to keep as a present for herself the gold and trinkets which you have supplied her with, and to take herself off from your house wherever she likes.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nIt pleases me what you say; but yet, only think, if I should lose her, and the other change her mind?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nPshaw! you’re over nice; a lady, that loves you as her own eyes.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nVenus befriends me.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nHist! hush! the door is opening; come this way a little out of sight.\u00a0MILPHIDIPPA comes out of the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.\u00a0This is her fly-boat-her go-between, that’s coming out there.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nHow so–fly-boat?<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nThis is her maid that is coming out of the house, she that brought that ring which I delivered to you.<\/p>\n

PYRGOPOLINICES<\/strong>
\nI’ faith, she too is a prettyish wench.<\/p>\n

PALAESTRIO<\/strong>
\nThis one is a little monkey and an owl[2]<\/sup><\/a> in comparison with the other. Do you see how she hunts around with her eyes and goes fowling about with her ears? They stand aside.<\/p>\n

  1. 1 By the Praetor\u2019s rod: \u201cFestuca\u201d is the same with \u201cvindicta,\u201d the rod, or wand, which the Praetor used to lay on the head of the s.ave when he was made free. ↵<\/a><\/li>
  2. And an owl: \u201cSpinturnicium\u201d was the name of some ugly, ill-omened bird; of what kind it is not now known. ↵<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":4,"menu_order":12,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-118","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/118\/revisions\/189"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/118\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=118"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=118"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/milesgloriosus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}