I’m off. (Exit.)PALAESTRIO And do you (to ACROTELEUTIUM and MILPHIDIPPA) be off hence in-doors this instant, for I’m quite sure that he’ll just now be coming out hence from in-doors.ACROTELEUTIUM With us your command is as good as law.PALAESTRIO Come, then, begone. But see, the door opens opportunely. (The women go into the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)

(Enter PYRGOPOLINICES from his house.)PYRGOPOLINICES What I wished I have obtained just as I wished, on kind and friendly terms, that she would leave me.PALAESTRIO For what reason am I to say that you have been so long in-doors?PYRGOPOLINICES I never was so sensible that I was beloved by that woman as now.PALAESTRIO Why so? PYRGOPOLINICES How many words she did utter! How the matter was protracted! But in the end I obtained what I wanted, and I granted herwhat she wanted and what she asked of me. I made a present of you also to her.PALAESTRIO What—me, too? In what way shall I exist without you?PYRGOPOLINICES Come, be of good heart; I’ll make you free from exit, too. But I used all endeavours, if I could by any method persuade her to go away, and not take you with her, she forced me, however. PALAESTRIO In the Gods and yourself I’ll place my trust. Yet, at the last, although it is bitter to me that I must be deprived of an excellent master, yourself, at least it is a pleasure to me that, through my means, by reason of the excellence of your beauty, this has happened to you with regard to this lady neighbour, whom I am now introducing to you.PYRGOPOLINICES What need of words? I’ll give you liberty and wealth if you obtain her for me.PALAESTRIO I’ll win her. PYRGOPOLINICES But I’m impatient.PALAESTRIO But moderation is requisite; curb your desires; don’t be over anxious. But see, here she is herself; she is coming out of doors.

(Enter ACROTELEUTIUM and MILPHIDIPPA from the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)MILPHIDIPPA(in a low voice.)Mistress, see! the Captain’s near.ACROTELEUTIUM(in a low voice.)Where is he?MILPHIDIPPA Only look to the left. Eye him askance, that he mayn’t perceive that we are looking at him.ACROTELEUTIUM I see him. Troth, now’s the time, in our mischief, for us to become supremely mischievous.MILPHIDIPPA ’Tis for you to begin. ACROTELEUTIUM(aloud.)Prithee, did you see him yourself? (Aside.) don’t spare your voice, so that he may hear.MILPHIDIPPA(aloud.)By my troth, I talked with his own self, at my ease, as long as I pleased, at my leisure, at my own discretion, just as I wished.PYRGOPOLINICES(to PALAESTRIO.)Do you hear what she says?PALAESTRIO(to PYRGOPOLINICES.)I hear. How delighted she is because she had access to you.