University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter HEGIO, PHILOPOLEMUS, and PHILOCRATES, STALAGMUS at a distance.
HEGIO,
to his son, advancing.
O my dear boy!—To Jove and to the Gods,
In duty bound, I pay my utmost thanks;—
That they have thus restor'd you to your father;—
That they have freed me from the load of sorrow
I've labour'd under, since depriv'd of you;—
That I behold yon villain in my pow'r;—
(Pointing to Stalagmus)
And that this youth has kept his word with me.
(Pointing to Philocrates)
No more,—enough already I've experienc'd
Of heart-felt anguish,—with disquietude
And tears enough have worn me,—I have heard
Enough too of your troubles, which, my son,
You told me at the Port.—Then now to business.

Phil.
Well, Sir,—what recompence may I expect
For keeping of my word, and bringing back
Your son in liberty?

Heg.
You've done, Philocrates,
What I can never thank you for enough,—
So much you merit from my son and me.

Philop.
Nay, but you can, my father, and you shall,
And I shall too:—the Gods too will enable you
Amply to pay a kindness back to one,
Who has deserv'd so highly of us both.—
Indeed, my father, but you must.

Heg.
No more,—
(To Phil.)
I've no tongue to deny whate'er you ask.

Phil.
I ask of you that slave I left behind
An hostage for me, (one, who ever has
Prefer'd my interest to his own,) that so
I may reward him for his services.

Heg.
Your services I'll thankfully repay.—
That which you ask, and that and any thing
Which you require, you may at once command.—
Don't be offended, that your slave has felt
The marks of my displeasure.

Phil.
How displeasure?

Heg.
Finding myself impos'd upon, in chains
I had him laid, and sent him to the quarries.

Phil.
Ah me! it grieves me, that this best of fellows
Should undergo these hardships for my sake.

Heg.
I will have nothing therefore for his ransom:—
Freed, without cost, so take him.

Phil.
Kindly done.
But let him, pray, be sent for strait.

Heg.
He shall.
(To attendants)
Where are you?—Go, bring Tyndarus here directly.—
Do you go in.— (To Phil. and Philop.)
Mean time will I examine
This whipping-post, to learn what he has done
With my poor younger son.—You'll bath the while.

Philop.
Philocrates, you'll follow.

Phil.
I attend you,

[Exeunt Philopolemus and Philocrates.