 | The Courtezans |  |
SCENE VII.
Re-enter NICOBULUS with slaves.Nic.
Here Artamo, bind you his hands forthwith.
Chry.
What have I done?
Nic.
And, if he dares to mutter,
Why, knock him down—What says this tablet? Ha!
Chry.
Why ask you me?—I gave it to you seal'd,
As I from him receiv'd it.
Nic.
Answer, rascal!
Have you not frequently in talk abus'd
My son, because he gave me back the gold?
Have you not said, that notwithstanding that,
By your base acts you'd get the gold again?
Chry.
Have I said so?
Nic.
You have.
Chry.
Where is the man,
Who dares affirm I said it?
Nic.
Peace—No man says so.
The tablet which you gave but now, convicts you.
Look here—'Tis this commands you to be bound.
[shewing the tablet.
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Your son has made me a Bellerophon.
I am myself the bearer of a tablet,
Which orders me in bonds—Well—Be it so.
Nic.
This I do only, that you may persuade
My son, that he may drink and riot with you,
You threefold villain.
Chry.
Fool, O silly fool!
You know not now you are on sale, and stand
Upon the stone, where stands the auctioneer.
Nic.
Who sells me? Say—
Chry.
He whom the gods protect.
The youth is dying, whilst he is in health,
And has his senses and his judgement sound.
This man, had any good regarded him,
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Had left the world—He crawls, a useless weight
Upon the earth, and neither judgement has,
Nor yet his senses—He's worth just as much
As a stale, rotten mushroom.
Nic.
Do you think
That I'm a useless weight upon the earth?
Away with him, and tye him to the post—
You shall not take away the gold from me.
Chry.
No, you will give it me.
Nic.
I give it you!
Chry.
Nay, to receive it, of your own accord
You will intreat me, when you come to know
In what a dangerous situation
My accuser is, you'll offer Chrysalus
His freedom; nor will Chrysalus accept it.
Nic.
Tell me, thou villain, tell me, what's the danger
Mnesilochus, my son, is in?
Chry.
Then this way
Follow, and you shall know.
Nic.
And whither follow?
Chry.
Only three steps—
Nic.
Ay ten steps, if you will.
Chry.
A match—Come on then—Artamo, do you
Open the door a little way—So—gently—
Don't make it creak—So—That's enough—Come hither—
[to Nicobulus.
Do you not see the entertainment?
Nic.
[looking in.]
Yes,
I Pistoclerus see, and Bacchis opposite.
Chry.
And who do you see upon the other couch?
Nic.
Wretch, I'm undone!
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Say, do you know the man?
Nic.
I do.
Chry.
Now tell me your opinion, pray—
Do you think the woman handsome?
Nic.
Very handsome.
Chry.
And do you take her for a strumpet?
Nic.
Certainly.
Chry.
You're quite mistaken.
Nic.
Well, who is she then?
Chry.
Discover that yourself—In this affair
You'll not by me be wiser made to-day.
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