I would my master had left Some other to be his agent here: 'Faith, I am weary of the office already-- What, signor Tremomundo, That rid a pilgrimage to beg cake-bread? BASILISCO. O, take me not unprovided; let me fetch my weapon. PISTON. Why, I meant nothing but a _basolus manus_.[417] BASILISCO. No? didst thou not mean to give me the privy stab? PISTON. No, by my troth, sir. BASILISCO. Nay, if thou hadst, I had not fear'd thee, I; I tell thee, my skin holds out pistol-proof. PISTON. Pistol-proof? I'll try if it will hold out pin-proof. [_Then he pricks him with a pin._ BASILISCO. O, shoot no more; great god, I yield to thee. PISTON. I see his skin is pistol-proof, but[418] from The girdle upward. What sudden agony was that? BASILISCO. Why, saw'st thou not how Cupid, god of love, Not daring look me in the martial face, Came like a coward, stealing after me, And with his pointed dart prick'd my posteriors? PISTON. Then hear my opinion concerning that point: The ladies of Rhodes, hearing that you have lost A capital part of your lady-ware, Have made their petition to Cupid To plague you above all other, As one prejudicial to their muliebrity. Now, sir, Cupid seeing you already hurt before, Thinks it a greater punishment to hurt you behind; Therefore I would wish you to have an eye to the back-door. BASILISCO. 'Sooth, thou say'st, I must be fenc'd behind: I'll hang my target there. PISTON. Indeed, that will serve to bear off some blows. When you run away in a fray. BASILISCO. Sirrah, sirrah, what art thou, That thus encroachest upon my familiarity Without special admittance? PISTON. Why, do you not know me? I am Erastus' man. BASILISCO. What, art thou that petty pigmy, That challeng'd me at Rhodes, Whom I refus'd to combat for his minority? Where is Erastus? I owe him chastisement in Perseda's quarrel. PISTON. Do not you know, that they are all friends, And Erastus married to Perseda, And Erastus made governor of Rhodes, And I left here to be their agent? BASILISCO. _O cælum, O terra, O maria_, Neptune! Did I turn Turk to follow her so far? PISTON. The more shame for you. BASILISCO.