But— ALCESIMUS nothing but to do you some mischief; but I’ll do it with pleasure. Never this day shall you have a but the more than I. But, in fine, really, upon my faith, may the Gods confound you. STALINO What now? Are you going to send your wife to my house? ALCESIMUS You may take her, and be off to utter and extreme perdition, both with her and with that one of yours, and with that mistress of yours as well. A way with you, and attend to something else; I’ll at once bid my wife to pass thither through the garden to your wife. STALINO Now you are proving yourself a friend to me in genuine style! (ALCESIMUS goes into his house.) Under what auspices am I to say that this passion was inflicted upon me, or what have I ever done amiss towards Venus, that when I’m thus in love crosses so many should befall me in my path? (A noise is heard.) Hey day! what’s that noise, prithee, that’s going on in our house? (Enter PARDALISCA, running out of the house.) PARDALISCA (bawling out at the door.) I’m undone, I’m undone, I’m utterly, utterly ruined! My heart is deadened with fear. My limbs, in my misery, are all a-trembling! I know not whence to obtain or look for any assistance, safety, or refuge for myself, or any means of relief: things so surprising, in a manner so surprisingly done, have I just now witnessed in-doors, a new and unusual piece of audacity. Be on your guard, Cleostrata! prithee do get away from her,lest amid such transports she may be doing you some mischief! Tear away that sword from her, who’s not in possession of her senses! STALINO Why, what is the matter—that she, frightened and half dead with fear, rushes hither out of doors? Pardalisca! PARDALISCA (looking wildly about her.) Whence do my ears catch the sound? STALINO Just look back at me. PARDALISCA My master! STALINO What’s the matter? What? PARDALISCA I’m undone. STALINO How undone? PARDALISCA I’m undone, and you are undone. STALINO Disclose it, what’s the matter with you? PARDALISCA Woe to you! STALINO Aye, and the same to yourself. PARDALISCA That I mayn’t fall down, prithee do hold, hold me. (Staggers, on which STALINO supports her.) STALINO Whatever it is, tell me quickly. PARDALISCA Do support my throbbing breast, prithee do make a little air with your cloak. STALINO (fanning her with the lappet of his cloak.) I’m in alarm as to what is the matter; (aside) unless this woman has been somewhere upsetting herself with the pure cream With the pure cream : Nisi haec meraclo se uspiam percussit flone Liberi. Literally, Unless she has somewhere struck herself with the nearly unmixed flower of Liber. of Bacchus. PARDALISCA Hold my ears, pray do. (Her head falls on her shoulder.) STALINO Away to utter perdition; breast, ears, head, and yourself, may the Gods confound! For, unless I quickly learn from you this matter, whatever it is, I’ll forth with be knocking your brains out, you viper, you hussey, who have thus far been making a laughing-stock of me. PARDALISCA My master! STALINO What do you want, my servant?