What did I say then PPAEGNIUMI’ll tell it to her all correctly.TOXILUSI’ faith, you don’t know it.PAEGNIUMTroth now, lay me a wager that I don’t remember and know it all.TOXILUSWhy, 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.PAEGNIUMWithout hesitation—if you are desirous to lose.TOXILUSA fair truce rather let there be.PAEGNIUMFor that reason, then, do you let me go.TOXILUSI 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.PAEGNIUMI’ll do so.(Moves towards their own house.)TOXILUSWhither are you now going?PAEGNIUMHome; that I may be at home while you are thinking that I am there.TOXILUSYou are a rascal of a boy, and—for this service I’ll give you something to addGive 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.PAEGNIUMI’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.TOXILUSBe off now.PAEGNIUMI’ll give you reason to command me.TOXILUSBut, 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?PAEGNIUMI’m off. TOXILUSThen do be off; I’ll off home. Take care and manage this business with attention. Fly post haste.(Goes into the house.)PAEGNIUMThat’s what the ostrichThe 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.PAEGNIUMThis 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.PAEGNIUMAt this barAt 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.SOPHOCLIDISCAPaegnium, my charmer of a boy, save you; how are you? How do you do?PAEGNIUMSophoclidisca, the Gods will favour me.