Scene VI.

Enter at a distance Parmeno and Sosia, with people carrying baggage.

Par. (to Sosia.) Do you say that this voyage was disagreeable to you?

Sosia. Upon my faith, Parmeno, it can not be so much as expressed in words, how disagreeable it is to go on a voyage.

Par. Do you say so?

Sosia. O lucky man! You don’t know what evils you have escaped, by never having been at sea. For to say nothing of other hardships, mark this one only; thirty days or more43 was I on board that ship, and every moment, to my horror, was in continual expectation of death: such unfavorable weather did we always meet with.

Par. How annoying!

Sosia. That’s not unknown to me: in fine, upon my faith, I would rather run away than go back, if I knew that I should have to go back there.

Par. Why really, but slight causes formerly made you, Sosia, do what now you are threatening to do. But I see Pamphilus himself standing before the door. (To the Attendants, who go into the house of Laches.) Go in-doors; I’ll accost him, to see if he wants any thing with me. (Accosts Pamphilus.) What, still standing here, master?

Pam. Yes, and waiting for you.

Par. What’s the matter?

Pam. You must run across to the citadel.44

Par. Who must?

Pam. You.

Par. To the citadel? Why thither?

Pam. To meet Callidemides, my entertainer at Myconos, who came over in the same ship with me.

Par. (aside.) Confusion! I should say he has made a vow that if ever he should return home safe, he would rupture me45 with walking.

Pam. Why are you lingering?

Par. What do you wish me to say? Or am I to meet him only?

Pam. No; say that I can not meet him to-day, as I appointed, so that he may not wait for me to no purpose. Fly!

Par. But I don’t know the man’s appearance.

Pam. Then I’ll tell you how to know it; a huge fellow, ruddy, with curly hair, fat, with gray eyes and freckled countenance.

Par. May the Gods confound him! What if he shouldn’t come? Am I to wait there, even till the evening?

Pam. Yes, wait there. Run!

Par. I can’t; I am so tired.

Exit slowly.