In that case, faith, I’ve wasted my oil and my labour. AGORASTOCLES (to ADELPHASIUM.) Whither are you betaking yourself? ADELPHASIUM What I? To the Temple of Venus. AGORASTOCLES Why thither? ADELPHASIUM To propitiate Venus. AGORASTOCLES How now? Is she angry, then? Upon my faith, she is propitious. I will even answer for her. (Stands before her.) ADELPHASIUM What are you about? Prithee, why are you annoying me? AGORASTOCLES Thus cruel? Alas! ADELPHASIUM Let me go away, I beg of you. AGORASTOCLES Why in such a hurry? There’s a crowd there at present. ADELPHASIUM I know it; there are other females there whom I wish to see, and by whom to be seen. AGORASTOCLES How can it give you pleasure to look at ugly people, and to afford one so beauteous to be looked at? ADELPHASIUM Because to-day, at the Temple of Venus, there’s a fair for the courtesans; there the dealers meet; there I wish myself to be shown. AGORASTOCLES To wares unsaleable, its right to entice the buyer of one’s own accord; good wares easily meet with a purchaser, although they may be placed in concealment. How say you? When, at my house here (pointing) will you lay your head and side by me? ADELPHASIUM On the day on which Orcus sends away the dead Orcus sends away the dead : Which, of course, means never. from Acheron. AGORASTOCLES I’ve got in-doors I know not how many golden coins in a state of madness. ADELPHASIUM Bring them to me; I’ll make their madness pretty soon come to an end. MILPHIO (with indignation.) A nice one, upon my word! AGORASTOCLES Away to utter and extreme perdition with you, and go and be hanged! MILPHIO (aside to AGORASTOCLES.) The more I look at her, the more insignificant The more insignificant : Nimbata. According to some Commentators, this word is a substantive here, and signifies a slight fillet, of the same colour with the hair which the women used to wear upon the forehead; the idea of Turnebus, however, that it is an adjective, signifying cloud-like, seems more likely to be correct. she is, and a mere bauble. AGORASTOCLES Keep your prating to yourself; I’m tired of it. (To ADELPHASIUM.) Come, do lift up this outer garment. (Raises it from the ground, and attempts to embrace her.) ADELPHASIUM I’m in a state of purity A state of purity : This she says, probably, because she is especially careful to avoid pollution, by contact with the male sex, when on the eve of worshipping the Goddess in her Temple. ; prithee forbear to touch me, Agorastocles. AGORASTOCLES What am I to do, then? ADELPHASIUM If you are wise, you may be saving yourself your anxiety. AGORASTOCLES What? Me not be anxious on your account? What are you about, Milphio? (Beckons to him.) MILPHIO (aside.) See now, my aversion, this My aversion, this : Odium meum. He forgets that Adelphasium is only the innocent cause of his master’s anxiety. . (Aloud.) What is it you want with me? AGORASTOCLES (pointing to ADELPHASIUM.) Why is she angry with me?