Enter the OLD MAN, very slowly.OLD MAN

My bones ache with sitting, my eyes with watching, while waiting for the Doctor, till he returned from his business. At last the troublesome fellow has with difficulty got away from his patients. He says that he has set a broken leg for Aesculapius For Aesculapius: Apollo and Aesculapius were the two guardian Divinities of the medical art. The old man, perhaps, mentions their names instead of those of some persons of whose wonderful cures the Doctor has been bragging., and an arm for Apollo. I'm now thinking whether I'm to say that I'm bringing a doctor or a carpenter Or a carpenter: He says that, talking of mending legs, the Doctor may, for aught he knows, be some carpenter, who has been patching up the legs of statues.. But, see, here he comes.—Do get on with your ant's pace.

Enter a DOCTOR.DOCTOR.

What did you say was his disorder? Tell me, respected sir. Is he harassed by sprites Harassed by sprites: "Larvatus aut cerritus." The "larvati" were mad persons, supposed to be afflicted with ghosts or spectres; while the "cerriti" were persons who were thought to be visited with madness by the Goddess Ceres., or is he frenzied? Let me know. Is it lethargy, or is it dropsy, that possesses him?

OLD MAN

Why, I'm bringing you for that reason, that you may tell me that, and make him convalescent.

DOCTOR.

That indeed is a very easy matter. Why, I shall heal innumerable times as manyInnumerable times as many: The Doctor is bragging of his extersive practice. in the day.

OLD MAN

I wish him to be treated with great attention.

DOCTOR.

That he shall be healed, I promise that on my word; so with great attention will I treat him for you.

OLD MAN

Why, see! here's the man himself.

DOCTOR.

Let's watch what matter he's about. (They stand aside.)