_Sos._ No; that was somewhat too large, in conscience: It was not a whole gallon; but it may contain, reasonably speaking, one large--thimble-full; but gallons and thimble-fulls are so like, that, in speaking, I might easily mistake them.
_Phæd._ Is it come to this?--Out, traitor!
_Sos._ I had been a traitor, indeed, to have betrayed thee to the swallowing of a gallon; but a thimble-full of cordial water is easily sipt off: and then, this same goblet is so very light too, that it will be no burden to carry it about with thee in thy pocket.
_Phæd._ O apostate to thy love! O perjured villain!--
What, are you here, Bromia? I was telling him his own: I was giving him a rattle for his treacheries to you, his love: You see I can be a friend, upon occasion.
_Brom._ Ay, chicken, I never doubted of thy kindness; but, for this fugitive--this rebel--this miscreant----
_Sos._ A kind welcome, to an absent lover, as I have been.
_Brom._ Ay; and a kind greeting you gave me, at your return; when you used me so barbarously this morning.
_Sos._ The t'other Sosia has been with her too; and has used her barbarously: barbarously,--that is to say, uncivilly: and uncivilly,--I am afraid that means too civilly. [_Aside._
_Phæd._ You had best deny you were here this morning! And by the same token----
_Sos._ Nay, no more tokens, for Heaven's sake, dear Phædra.--Now must I ponder with myself a little, whether it be better for me to have been here, or not to have been here, this morning. [_Aside._
_Serv._ Phædra, my lord's without; and will not enter till he has first spoken with you. [_Exit Serv._
_Phæd._ [_To him in private._] Oh, that I could stay to help worry thee for this abuse; but the best on't is, I leave thee in good hands.----Farewell, Thimble----To him, Bromia. [_Exit_ PHÆDRA.
_Brom._ No; you did not beat me, and put me into a swoon, and deprive me of the natural use of my tongue for a long half hour: you did not beat me down with your little wand:--but I shall teach you to use your rod another time----I shall.
_Sos._ Put her into a swoon, with my little wand, and so forth! That's more than ever I could do. These are terrible circumstances, that some Sosia or other has been here. Now, if he has literally beaten her, gramercy, brother Sosia! he has but done what I would have done, if I had durst. But I am afraid it was only a damned love-figure; and that the wand, that laid her asleep, might signify the peace-maker. [_Aside._