If you don’t well understand this device and plan, I wish you to hear it all over again. If you comprehend it aright, there is something else that we may speak of in preference. ACROTELEUTIUM I’ faith, it would be folly, and ignorance, and foolishness, for me to engage in the service of another, or to promise you my assistance, if, in its fabrication, I did not know how to be either mischievous or clever at deceiving.PERIPLECOMENUS But, ’tis better for you to be instructed.ACROTELEUTIUM Really I don’t understand of what great use it is for a Courtesan to be instructed. How now! have I told you all in vain, after my ears had drunk in the draughtsDrunk in the draughts: Loream. The true meaning of this word seems to be a leather bottle. If it is the correct reading, it is here used by Metonymy for the draught which it contains. of your discourse, in what fashion it was possible for the Captain to be cajoled?PERIPLECOMENUS But no one, unaided, is sufficiently perfect; for full oft have I seen many a person lose the road to good advice before they had found it.ACROTELEUTIUM If a woman has anything to do mischievously and maliciously, in that case her memory is immortal at remembering it for everlasting; but if anything is to be done for a good purpose, or honestly, it will fall out that those same women will become oblivious that instant, and be unable to remember.PERIPLECOMENUS Therefore do I fear that same, because both those things happen to be about to be done by us; for that will be a benefit to me in which you both will be acting mischievously towards the Captain.ACROTELEUTIUM So long as we do anything that’s good, not knowing it, don’t you fear. No woman is awkward Have no apprehensions, they are ready for the worst.PERIPLECOMENUS So it befits you. Do you follow me.PALAESTRIO(advancing.)Why do I hesitate to go and accost them?PERIPLECOMENUS Well met, and opportunely, Palaestrio. See, here they are whom you commissioned me to bring, and in the very dress.PALAESTRIO Well done: accept my thanks.I am glad that you have come safe. I’ faith, you bring them nicely dressed. Palaestrio salutes Acroteleutium.ACROTELEUTIUM Prithee, who’s this, that calls me so familiarly by name?PERIPLECOMENUS This is our master-plotter. ACROTELEUTIUM Health to you, master-plotter. PALAESTRIO And health to you. But, tell me, has he any way given you full instructions?PERIPLECOMENUS I bring them both thoroughly prepared.PALAESTRIO I’d like to hear how. I’m afraid lest you should be making some mistake.PERIPLECOMENUS I have added to your instructions nothing new of my own.ACROTELEUTIUM I suppose you wish the Captain, your master, to be gulled.PALAESTRIO You’ve said what’s true.ACROTELEUTIUM Cleverly and skilfully, adroitly and pleasantly, the whole thing is planned.PALAESTRIO In fact, I wish you to pretend to be his wife. (Points to PERIPLECOMENUS.)ACROTELEUTIUM That shall be done. PALAESTRIO To pretend as though you had set your affection on the Captain.ACROTELEUTIUM And so it shall be.