Miles Gloriosus, or The Braggart Captain
Act Four, Scene Two
Enter MILPHIDIPPA.
MILPHIDIPPA
as she enters. My Circus, then[1], is before the house, where my sports are to take place. I’ll make pretense, as though I didn’t see them, or knew as yet that they are here.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Hush! let’s quietly listen, whether any mention is made of me.
MILPHIDIPPA
aloud. Is there no one near at hand here, to attend to another’s business rather than his own?–to prowl after[2] me to see what I’m about? No one who is feeding this evening[3] at his own expense? I dread such men as these, lest they should now come in the way, or prove a hindrance somehow, should my mistress privately pass from her house this way, who is so enamored of his person, who so dotes upon this very charming man with his exceeding beauty–the Captain Pyrgopolinices
PYRGOPOLINICES
And doesn’t she dote upon me, too? She is praising my beauty.
PALAESTRIO
I’ faith, her language stands in need of no ashes[4].
PYRGOPOLINICES
For what reason?
PALAESTRIO
Why, because her language is clean spoken and far from slovenly. Whatever she says about yourself, she handles it in no slovenly way. And, then, besides, she herself is a very pretty and a very dainty wench.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Troth, indeed, she has made an impression already, Palaestrio, at first sight.
PALAESTRIO
What! before you have seen the other with your eyes?
PYRGOPOLINICES
What I see, in that I have faith for myself; for this mackerel[5], in the absence of the mullet, compels me to be in love with her.
PALAESTRIO
I’ faith, you really mustn’t be falling in love with her, she’s engaged to me. If the other weds you to-day, forthwith I shall take this one for my wife.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Why, then, do you delay to accost her?
PALAESTRIO
Follow me this way, then.
PYRGOPOLINICES
I am your lackey at your heels[6].
MILPHIDIPPA
aloud. I wish that I had an opportunity of meeting him on account of whom I came here out of doors.
PALAESTRIO
accosting her. It shall be so, and you shall have what you so greatly wish; be of good courage, don’t fear; there is a certain person who knows where that is which you are seeking.
MILPHIDIPPA
Who’s that I hear at hand?
PALAESTRIO
The sharer of your plans and the partaker of your secrets.
MILPHIDIPPA
I’ faith, then, what I do conceal I don’t conceal.
PALAESTRIO
Aye, but still you don’t conceal it this way.
MILPHIDIPPA
How so?
PALAESTRIO
From the uninitiated you conceal them. I am sure and trustworthy to you.
MILPHIDIPPA
Give me the sign, if you are one of these votaries[7].
PALAESTRIO
A certain lady loves a certain gentleman.
MILPHIDIPPA
Faith, many ladies do that indeed.
PALAESTRIO
But not many ladies send a present from off their fingers.
MILPHIDIPPA
Aye, I know now. You’ve now made the matter level for me instead of steep. But is there a certain person here?
PALAESTRIO
Either he is or he is not.
MILPHIDIPPA
Come aside with me alone, in private.
PALAESTRIO
For a short or for a lengthy conversation?
MILPHIDIPPA
For three