University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter MNESILOCHUS.
Mne.
I've turn'd it in my thoughts in various shapes,
And this is the result—A friend who is
A friend, such as the name imports, the gods
Except, nothing excells—And this in fact
Have I experienc'd—For when I went hence
To Ephesus, almost two years ago,
From thence I letters hither sent express
To my old friend and crony, Pistoclerus,
Desiring him to find out my dear Bacchis.
I understand he has discover'd her,
As Chrysalus, my slave, has just now told me.
He too, against my father, for the gold
A clean device has schem'd; that I, a lover,
May plenty have—'Tis just to make return.
By Pollux! nothing is, in my opinion,
So vile and base as an ungrateful man.
Better it is to let a thief escape,
Than that a generous friend should be forsaken.
And better 'tis to be extravagant,
Than call'd ungrateful—That good men will praise,
The latter, even bad men will condemn.
On this account must I take greater heed;
And be the more upon my guard—Now, now,
Mnesilochus, a sample will be seen;
A proof will soon appear, whether you are
Or are not what you ought to be—Or good,
Or bad—What kind you're of, or just, or unjust—
Penurious, or liberal—Complying,
Or not complying—See you suffer not
A slave to conquer you in doing well.
Be what you will, I warn you, 'twill be known.
But see, my crony's master and his father
Are coming hither—Hence, I will observe
What 'tis they are about—

[retires apart.