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DÆM.
Goes to the door again, and calls out. 'Twere better, wife, for an end to be made at last of your kissing; and make all ready that I may perform a sacrifice, when I come in-doors, in honor of the household Gods, inasmuch as they have increased our family. At home I have lambs and swine for sacred use. But why, ladies, are you detaining that Trachalio? Oh, I see he's coming out of doors, very seasonably. Enter TRACHALIO, from the cottage.

TRACHALIO
speaking to those within . Wheresoever he shall be, I'll seek Plesidippus out at once, and bring him together with me to you.

DÆM.
Tell him how this matter has fallen out about my daughter. Request him to leave other occupations and to come here.

TRACHALIO
Very well1

DÆM.
Tell him that I'll give him my daughter for a wife.

TRACHALIO
Very well.

DÆM.
And that I knew his father, and that he is a relation of my own.

TRACHALIO
Very well.

DÆM.
But do make haste.

TRACHALIO
Very well.

DÆM.
Take care and let a dinner be prepared here at once.

TRACHALIO
Very well.

DÆM.
What, all very well?

TRACHALIO
Very well. But do you know what it is I want of you? That you'll remember what you promised, that this day I'm to be free.

DÆM.
Very well2.

TRACHALIO
Take care and entreat Plesidippus to give me my freedom.

DÆM.
Very well.

TRACHALIO
And let your daughter request it; she'll easily prevail.

DÆM.
Very well.

TRACHALIO
And that Ampelisca may marry me, when I'm a free man.

DÆM.
Very well.

TRACHALIO
And that I may experience a pleasing return to myself in kindness for my actions.

DÆM.
Very well.

TRACHALIO
What, all very well?

DÆM.
Very well. Again I return you thanks. But do you make haste to proceed to the city forthwith, and betake yourself hither again.

TRACHALIO
Very well. I'll be here directly. In the meanwhile, do you make the other preparations that are necessary. (Exit TRACHALIO.)

DÆM.
Very well--may Hercules ill befriend him with his "very-welling3;" he has so stuffed my ears with it. Whatever it was I said, "very well" was the answer.

1 Very well: "Licet." This word is used by Trachalio in answer to everything that Dæmones says to him.

2 Very well: Here Dæmones begins to pay him in his own coin, and answers him with "licet" until he makes his exit.

3 His "very-welling": "Cum suâ licentiâ." In the latter word he alludes to Trachalio having bored him with his "licets," although, having given him a Roland for his Oliver, he might have surely been content with that.

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