What did I say then P PAEGNIUM I’ll tell it to her all correctly. TOXILUS I’ faith, you don’t know it. PAEGNIUM Troth now, lay me a wager that I don’t remember and know it all. TOXILUS Why, for my part, I’ll lay a wager with you on this, whether you know your own self, how many fingers you have this day upon your hand. PAEGNIUM Without hesitation—if you are desirous to lose. TOXILUS A fair truce rather let there be. PAEGNIUM For that reason, then, do you let me go. TOXILUS I both bid and permit you. But I wish you so to attend to it, that you are back home while I’m thinking that you are there. PAEGNIUM I’ll do so. (Moves towards their own house.) TOXILUS Whither are you now going? PAEGNIUM Home; that I may be at home while you are thinking that I am there. TOXILUS You are a rascal of a boy, and—for this service I’ll give you something to add Give you something to add : Peculiabo. Some Commentators will have it that an indecent allusion is intended here. Possibly they are not mistaken; but it is a rather far-fetched one. to your savings. PAEGNIUM I’m aware how want of shame is wont to be imputed to a master’s word, and that masters cannot ever be compelled to appear before the judge on account of those promises. TOXILUS Be off now. PAEGNIUM I’ll give you reason to command me. TOXILUS But, Paegnium, take you care and give that letter to Lemniselene herself, and tell her what I bade you. SOPHOCLIDISCA (apart.) Do I delay to go whither I was sent? PAEGNIUM I’m off. TOXILUS Then do be off; I’ll off home. Take care and manage this business with attention. Fly post haste. (Goes into the house.) PAEGNIUM That’s what the ostrich The ostrich : Marinus passer. Literally, the sea-sparrow, Paegnium alludes to the mode in which the ostrich runs, in answer to the order of Toxilus, who tells him to fly. The ostrich, as it runs, flaps it wings as though flying. Referring to Roman customs, Paegnium speaks as though he had seen ostriches in the Roman Circus. These, and wild beasts of every description, were hunted there at the Venationes, for the amusement of the people. It is not improbable that ostriches had been recently introduced into Rome, as forming part of the spoil of the Carthaginians. The Emperor Probus, several centuries after this period, gave a Venatio of a thousand ostriches in the Circus. is wont to do in the Circus. He’s off from here in-doors there. But who’s this woman that’s coming towards me? SOPHOCLIDISCA (advancing.) Surely this is Paegnium. PAEGNIUM This is Sophoclidisca, the private servant of her to whom I’m sent. SOPHOCLIDISCA (aside.) There’s not a person this day that’s reported to be more artful than this boy. I’ll accost him. PAEGNIUM At this bar At this bar : Seeing Sophoclidisca, he knows that she will stop him for a bit of gossip, and he consequently stvles her an obex, a bar or impediment. I must come to a stop. SOPHOCLIDISCA Paegnium, my charmer of a boy, save you; how are you? How do you do? PAEGNIUM Sophoclidisca, the Gods will favour me.