University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Enter MNESILOCHUS at some distance.
Mne.
So—all the money
I've paid back to my father—Now I'm pennyless,
I should be glad to meet this scornful girl.
How hard it was to gain for Chrysalus
A pardon from my father—But at length
I have succeeded, and his passion's calm'd.

Pist.
And is not this my friend? [apart.]


Mne.
And is not this [apart.]

My foe, I see?

Pist.
I'm sure 'tis he—

Mne.
'Tis he.

Pist.
I'll go up to him then—

Mne.
I'll mend my pace.

Pist.
All hail! Mnesilochus!

Mne.
All hail to you!

Pist.
We'll on your safe arrival give a supper.

Mne.
Supper I relish not which raises choler—

Pist.
How's that?—Since your arrival have you met
Any vexation?—

Mne.
Yes, a dreadful one.

Pist.
From whence?

Mne.
From whence?—Why, from a man
Whom I accounted heretofore my friend—

Pist.
Many there are, of life and manners such,
Who, when you think them friends, are found most false;
In promises profuse; in deeds as sparing,
Of faith infirm.—Not one, but envies those
Whom fortune prospers:—by their indolence,
They take good care all envy to escape—

Mne.
You're perfectly acquainted with their manners.
Farther—This one misfortune still attends
Their evil disposition; all mankind's
Their enemy, nor have they any friends.
Others, like fools, they think they have deceiv'd,
When they're deceiv'd themselves—So is this man,
Whom I suppos'd as much a friend to me,
As I am to myself—Great pains he has taken
To do me all the mischief in his power;
And my own forces all to turn against me.

Pist.
He must be a bad man.

Mne.
I think him so.

Pist.
I beg you would inform me who he is.

Mne.
Your friend—For was he not, I should intreat
You'd do him all the harm you could.

Pist.
Let me
But know the man, if by some means I don't
Revenge you of him, say I am a coward.

Mne.
He's a bad man, but is your friend, by Hercules!

Pist.
The rather therefore, tell me who he is?
I set no value on a knave's good will.

Mne.
I must then tell his name—I can't avoid it.
O Pistoclerus! you have quite undone
Me your old crony, and your friend—

Pist.
How's this?

Mne.
How's this?—Did I not write to you from Ephesus,
About my love, that you should find her out?

Pist.
I own you did; and I've discover'd her.

Mne.
Were there no other courtezans in Athens
With whom you might engage, but only her,
Whom I had recommended to your care?
You fell in love with her yourself, and ill
My interest consulted—

Pist.
Is your head right?

Mne.
Deny it not—Your tutor has disclos'd
The whole affair—You've ruin'd me.

Pist.
What still
Provoke me with upbraiding—

Mne.
Is it Bacchis
You are in love with?

Pist.
Why, two of that name
Are here within—

Mne.
How! two?

Pist.
And both are sisters.

Mne.
You tell me idle stories with design.

Pist.
If you persist to disbelieve my tale,
I'll hoist you on my back, and take you in
By force—

Mne.
Stay but a moment and I'll go.

Pist.
That's what I will not do—Nor yet shall you
Suspect me falsely—

Mne.
Then I'll follow you.

[Exeunt.