The Two Ladies of Syracuse
GORGO.
Is dame Praxinoa in?
PRAXINOA.
Yes, Gorgo dear.
How late you are-the only marvel is
You're here at all! Quick, Eunoa, find a chair
And fling a cushion on it.
GORGO.
Thanks.
PRAXINOA.
Sit down.
GORGO.
Oh what a thing is spirit! Here I am,
Praxinoa, safe at last from all that crowd
And all those chariots ... every street a mass
Of boots and soldiers' jackets! ... Oh! the road
Seemed endless ... and you live so far away!
PRAXINOA.
This land's-end den-for dwelling it is not-
My madcap hired to keep us twain apart
And stir up strife. 'Twas like him, odious pest!
GORGO.
Nay, call not, dear, your lord, your Deinon, names
To the babe's face. Look how it stares at you!
PRAXINOA.
There, baby sweet, I never meant Papa.
GORGO.
It understands, by'r lady! dear Papa!
PRAXINOA.
Well, yesterday (that means what day you like)
'Papa' had rouge and hair-powder to buy;
He brought back salt! this oaf of six-foot-one!
GORGO.
Just such another is that pickpocket
My Diocleides. He bought t'other day
Six fleeces at seven drachms, his last exploit.
What were they? Scraps of worn-out pedlar's-bags,
Sheer trash.-But put your gown and kirtle on;
And we'll to Ptolemy's, the sumptuous king,
To see the Adonis. As I hear, the queen
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poem by Theocritus
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