Isn’t this Ampelisca that’s coming out from the Temple? AMPELISCA Isn’t this Trachalio that I see, the servant of Plesidippus? TRACHALIO It is she. AMPELISCA It is he; Trachalio, health to you. TRACHALIO Health, Ampelisca, to you; how fare you? AMPELISCA In misery I pass a life not far advanced Not far advanced : She seems to mean that, in the prime of life her misfortunes are greater than might have been anticipated by one so young . TRACHALIO Do give some better omen. AMPELISCA Still it behoves all prudent persons to confer and talk together. But, prithee, where’s your master, Plesidippus? TRACHALIO Marry, well said, indeed; as if he wasn’t within there. (Pointing to the Temple.) AMPELISCA By my troth, he isn’t, nor, in fact, has he come here at all. TRACHALIO He hasn’t come? AMPELISCA You say the truth. TRACHALIO That’s not my way, Ampelisca. But how nearly is the breakfast got ready? AMPELISCA What breakfast, I beg of you? TRACHALIO The sacrifice, I mean, that you are performing here. AMPELISCA Prithee, what is it you are dreaming about? TRACHALIO For certain, Labrax invited Plesidippus hither to a breakfast, your master, my master. AMPELISCA By my troth, you’re telling of no wondrous facts: if he has deceived Gods and men, he has only acted after the fashion of Procurers. TRACHALIO Then neither yourselves nor my master are here performing a sacrifice. AMPELISCA You are a wizard. TRACHALIO What are you doing then? AMPELISCA The Priestess of Venus has received here into her abode both myself and Palaestra, after many mishaps and dreadful alarm, and from being in danger of our lives, destitute of aid and of resources. TRACHALIO Prithee, is Palaestra here, the beloved of my master? AMPELISCA Assuredly. TRACHALIO Great joyousness is there in your news, my dear Ampelisca. But I greatly long to know what was this danger of yours. AMPELISCA Last night our ship was wrecked, my dear Trachalio. TRACHALIO How, ship? What story’s this? AMPELISCA Prithee, have you not heard in what way the Procurer intended secretly to carry us away hence to Sicily , and how, whatever there was at home, he placed on board ship? That has all gone to the bottom now. TRACHALIO O clever Neptune, hail to thee! Surely, no dicer is more skilful than thyself. Decidedly