Plautus's comedies ... made English, with critical remarks upon each play.

SCENE. IV.

Enter Ampelisca from the Temple, with a Bucket in her Hand.

Amp. to the Priestess within]

Very well; at the next Door to the Temple you'd ha' me knock, and desire a little Water.

Tra.

Whose Voice is that?

Amp.

Bless me! Who's that? Whom do I see?

Tra.

Is't Ampelisca, that comes from the Temple?

Amp.

Isn't it Tracalio, Pleusidippus's Servant?

Tra.

'Tis she.

Amp.

'Tis the same.—Trachalio, good morrow.

Tra.

And to you, Ampelisca.—How came you here?

Amp.

By a miserable Chance, and undeservedly too.

Tra.

I hope better things.

Amp.

A wise Person ought to say and talk nothing but Truth.—But Prethee now, where's your Master Pleusidippus?

Tra.

Pshaw, as tho he wan't within there.

Amp.

Really, neither he, nor any one else came hither.

Tra.

He is not come, then?

Amp.

You say very true.

Tra.

Which is none o' my way, Ampelisca.—But how forward's Dinner?

Amp.

Prethee, what Dinner?

Tra.

Why, your Sacrifice Dinner, you're to have here.

Amp.

What Dream's this, pray now?

Tra.

Faith, your Master Labrax invited mine t' a Dinner here to Day.

Amp.

Troth, 'tis a mighty surprize to me. If he has cheated both Gods and Men, he has done like a Bawd as he is.

Tra.

Is there no Sacrifice then, neither for you nor my Master?

Amp.

You may swear 't.

Tra.

How came ye here then?

Amp.

Why, the Priestess took us in, both me and Palestra too, in a great Fright, extream Danger, and destitute of all Succour.

Tra.

Pray, is Palestra here too, my Master's Mi∣stress?

Amp.

Yes indeed.

Tra.

Dear Ampelisca, you've told me the pleasantest News i'the World.—But I long mightily to know what Danger you've run thorow.

Amp.

Why, honest Trachalio, our Ship was cast away last light.

Tra.

How, cast away?—What a Fib was that?

Amp.

Prethee, didn't ye hear, how Labrax wou'd ha' shipt us away underhand for Sicily, and had got all his Goods aboard? They're all lost now.

Tra.

God a mercy, honest Neptune; ne'r a Gamester of 'm all has half the Cunning. Faith, 'twas an excel∣lent

Cast; 'thas quite gammon'd the Rascal.—But where's the poor Devil now?

Amp.

Dead drunk, o' my Conscience. For the God invited him last Night to a Tub o' Roaring Liquor; and, troth, I believe the Whore's-bud has drunk more than he cou'd bear.

Tra.

O how I cou'd hug thee, dear Ampelisca! thou'rt a Sweet, and charming Creature.—But pray, how scap'd you, and Palestra?

Amp.

I'll tell ye.—When we saw the Ship run∣ning full upon a Rock, all in a fright, we leap'd into the Boat, and streight unty'd the Rope. While the rest look'd dismally on, the Storm parted us from the Ship to the right. All the long Night, we poor Wretches were most desperately tost by the Winds and Waves, till just at Morning, we were thrown half dead a shore.

Tra.

I know 'tis like Neptune; he's a plaguy hard Custom-Master, and staves all prohibited Goods.

Amp.

O hang your sweet Crops.

Tra.

And thine, my little Rogue.—I formerly smelt out the Trick this Dog was playing, and often forewarn'd y' of it. I think I had best send for Gown and Fur-Cap, and set up for a Fortune-tel∣ler.

Amp.

Since you fore-knew't, how bravely did you and your Master take care to prevent it?

Tra.

What cou'd he ha' done?

Amp.

Done, quoth a, for the Person he lov'd? He shou'd ha' watch'd her Night and Day, and been always upon Duty. But I see your Master's Care and Love for his Mistress, may tally together.

Tra.

Why so?

Amp.

Nay the Matter's plain.

Tra.

Po, don't ye see, when People go to the Bath, tho' they be ne'r so careful o'their Cloaths, they're often snap'd up? Th'Owner knows n't whom to susepct:

The Thief has his Eye upo' th' Owner; but the de'el a bit does th'other know the Thief.—But bring me to Palestra: Where is she?

Amp.

Go into the Temple there; and you'll find her crying and sobbing like a Child.

Tra.

I'm sorry for that.—What's the matter with her?

Amp.

I'll tell ye.—She's mightily concern'd for Labrax's taking away a Casket of hers; for there she had something to discover her Parents by, and she fears 'tis quite lost.

Tra.

Where was it put?

Amp.

Aboard the Ship. This Rogue had secur'd it in a Port-mantle, to put her beyond a possibility of find∣ing her Parents.

Tra.

O abominable! to keep her a Slave, when she ought to be free?

Amp.

She believes 'tis sunk to the bottom o'the Sea, together wi' the Ship, and all Labrax's Gold and Silver. Now I fancy some one has div'd for't, and got it out. The poor Creature's in a lamentable condition for the loss of her Things.

Tra.

'Tis the best way then to go to her, comfort her up, and keep her from fretting so. I've known a great many People who have found Relief when they ne'r expected it.

Amp.

And I, those who have expected it, and ha' found none.

Tra.

In those Cases, Patience is the best Remedy.—I'll go to her, if you've no occasion for my Assistance.

Amp.

Ay, go.

[Exit Trachalio to the Temple.