Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
Why should I tell you what all mortals know, that you, Pyrgopolinices, live alone upon the earth, with valour, beauty, and achievements most unsurpassed? All the women are in love with you, and that not without reason, since you are so handsome. Witness those girls that pulled me by my mantle yesterday.
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PYRGOPOLINICES
What was it they said to you?
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ARTOTROGUS
They questioned me about you. Is Achilles here? says one to me. No, says I, his brother is. Then says the other to me: By my troth, but he is a handsome and a noble man. See how his long hair becomes him.
Certainly the women are lucky who share his favours.
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PYRGOPOLINICES
And pray, did they really say so?
ARTOTROGUS
They both entreated me to bring you past to-day by way of a sightBy way of a sight: Pompam. Strictly speaking, this word means the escort of a procession, whence it came to signify the procession itself. to them.
PYRGOPOLINICES
’Tis really a very great plague to be too handsome a man.
ARTOTROGUS
They are quite a nuisance to me; they are praying, entreating, beseeching me,
to let them see you; bidding me be fetched to them; so that I can’t give my attention to your business.
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PYRGOPOLINICES
It seems that it is time for us to go to the Forum, that I may count out their pay to those soldiers whom I have enlisted of late.
For King Seleucus Seleucus: The King of that part of Asia Minor where Ephesus was situated. entreated me with most earnest suit that I would raise and enlist recruits for him. To that business have I resolved to devote my attention this day.
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ARTOTROGUS
Come, let’s be going then.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Guards, follow me.
