Shakespeare.—Julius Caesar, Act iv, Scene iii.
NOTES.—Ides (pro. idz) was a term used in the Roman calendar. It fell on the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and on the thirteenth of other months. On the ides of March, 44 B. C., Julius Caesar was murdered by Brutus, Cassius, and other conspirators. The populace were aroused to indignation, and the conspirators were compelled to fly.
Indirection; i. e., dishonest means.
Antony and Octavius, who, with Lepidus, formed the triumvirate now governing Rome, were at this time marching against the forces of Brutus and Cassius.
Plutus, in ancient mythology, the god of wealth.
LXII. THE QUACK. (238)
John Tobin, 1770-1804, a solicitor, was born at Salisbury, England, and died on shipboard near Cork. He wrote several comedies, the most popular being "The Honeymoon," from which this extract is taken; it was published in 1805. ###
SCENE—The Inn. Enter HOSTESS followed by LAMPEDO, a Quack Doctor.
Host. Nay, nay; another fortnight.
Lamp. It can't be.
The man's as well as I am: have some mercy!
He hath been here almost three weeks already.
Host. Well, then, a week.
Lamp. We may detain him a week. (Enter BALTHAZAR, the patient,
from behind, in his nightgown, with a drawn sword.)
You talk now like a reasonable hostess,
That sometimes has a reckoning with her conscience.
Host. He still believes he has an inward bruise.
Lamp. I would to heaven he had! or that he'd slipped
His shoulder blade, or broke a leg or two,
(Not that I bear his person any malice,)
Or luxed an arm, or even sprained his ankle!
Host. Ay, broken anything except his neck.
Lamp. However, for a week I'll manage him,
Though he had the constitution of a horse—
A farrier should prescribe for him.
Balth. A farrier! (Aside. )
Lamp. To-morrow, we phlebotomize again;
Next day, my new-invented patent draught;
Then, I have some pills prepared;
On Thursday, we throw in the bark; on Friday—
Balth. (Coming forward.) Well, sir, on Friday—what, on Friday? Come,
Proceed.
Lamp. Discovered!
They (Host.,Lamp.) fall on their knees.