Pos. Pice-Asphaltus, by your leave.
Naut. By your leave, doctor Possum, I say, Asphaltion.
Pos. And I positively say, Pice-Asphaltus.
Naut. If you had read Dioscorides or Pliny—
Poss. I have read Dioscorides. And I do affirm Pice-Asphaltus.
Foss. Be calm, Gentlemen. Both of you handle this argument with great learning, judgment, and perspicuity. For the present, I beseech you to concord, and turn your speculations on my alligator.
Poss. The skin is impenetrable even to a sword.
Naut. Dr. Possum I will show you the contrary.
[Draws his sword.
Poss. In the mean time I will try the mummy with this knife, on the point of which you shall smell the pitch, and be convinc'd that it is the Pice-Asphaltus.
[Takes up a rusty knife.