May I go? PERIPLECOMENUS Why, I command you; go and examine at your leisure.SCELEDRUS I am determined to do so. (Goes into the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)

PERIPLECOMENUS(probably looking up to a window in the CAPTAIN’S house.)Ho! PhilocomasiumPhilocomasium: Directly Sceledrus turns his back, the old man calls out for Philocomasium, who is supposed at that moment to be in the Captain’s house. How he does so is somewhat of a mystery to the Commentators. Thornton, in his translation, suggests that he calls through the window, where it is natural to imagine that Philocomasium might be stationed within hearing to observe all that passed. He could hardly, however, call through the window of the ground floor, as these were generally more than six feet from the ground; and, indeed, there were rarely any windows at all on the basement. It is most likely that Philocomasium is hidden behind the clatri or lattice of the window in her room on the first-floor, whence she observes all that passes. In a future line we find Acroteleutium and Milphidippa owning that they had been watching from the window what was going on outside. Schmieder thinks that the whole plan having been prearranged between Periplecomenus and Philocomasium, he merely on this occasion makes a sign to her, the meaning of which is here expressed in words, and he supposes, what it does not deem necessary to suppose, that his servants have been ordered to delay Sceledrus, so as to give time to the damsel to pass through into his house.! pass instantly, with all speed, into my house; ’tis absolutely necessary. Afterwards, when Sceledrus shall have come out from my house, pass quickly, with all haste, back again to your own house. By my troth, now, I’m afraid she’ll be making some blunder. Should he not see the woman My door opens.

(Enter SCLEDRUS from the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)SCELEDRUS O ye immortal Gods! A woman more like, and more the same, who is not the same, I do not think the Gods could make.PERIPLECOMENUS What now? SCELEDRUS I certainly merit chastisement.PERIPLECOMENUS What then? Is it she? SCELEDRUS Although ’tis she, ’tis not she.PERIPLECOMENUS Have you seen this lady? SCELEDRUS I have seen both her and the gentleman, your guest, caressing and kissing.PERIPLECOMENUS Is it she? SCELEDRUS I know not.PERIPLECOMENUS Would you know for certain? SCELEDRUS I should like to.PERIPLECOMENUS Go you this instant into your own house: see whether your lady is within.SCELEDRUS Very well: you’ve advised me rightly. I’ll be out again to you this instant. (Goes into the CAPTAIN’S house.)PERIPLECOMENUS I’ faith, I never saw any man more cleverly fooled, and by more singular devices. But here he is coming.

(Enter SCLEDRUS from the CAPTAIN’s house.)SCELEDRUS Periplecomenus, by Gods and men, and by my own folly, and by your knees! I do beseech you—PERIPLECOMENUS What now? SCELEDRUS Pardon my ignorance and my folly; now, at length, I know that I am half-witted, blind, and thoughtless; for, behold! Philocomasium is at home.PERIPLECOMENUS How, then, hang-dogHang-dog: Furcifer. Literally, bearer of the furca. Slaves are repeatedly thus called in these plays, as, by way of punishment for their misdeeds, they were compelled to carry a furca, or two pieces of wood shaped like the letter V, round their necks, with their hands tied to the ends of the instrument.. Have you seen them both?SCELEDRUS I have seen them. PERIPLECOMENUS I wish you to bring your master to me. SCELEDRUS Indeed, I confess that I deserve a very great punishment; and I own that I have done a wrong to your lady guest. But I thought that she was the lady of my master, to whom the Captain, my master, gave me as a keeper; for it is not possible for water ever to be drawn more like to water from the same well, than is she to this lady guest of yours. And I will confess, as well, that I did look through the skylight into your house.