University of Virginia Library

SCENE VI.

Enter LYCUS.
No one, in my opinion, is deceiv'd,
Who fairly lays his case before his friends.
All mine, and even to a man, advise
That I should rather hang myself, than be
Decreed a slave to Agorastocles.

Ago.
Pandar, we'll to the magistrate.

Lyc.
I beg you,
Do, prithee, give me leave to hang myself—

[to Agorastocles.]
Han.
Pandar, I summon you before the Prætor.

Lyc.
What business have you with me?

Han.
Business, say you?
Why, I affirm my daughters were born free,
Women of rank; and with their nurse were stolen,
When children—

Lyc.
That I knew some time ago;
And wonder'd much, that none e'er came to claim them.
They certainly are none of mine.

Anthe.
And, Pandar,
I also summon you—

Lyc.
I owe a dinner—
Well, you shall have it—

Ago.
I must be paid double
Of what you've stolen—

Lyc.
Take it then from hence—

[pointing to his neck.]
Han.
What pains and penalties to me you owe!

Lyc.
Take what you please—

Anthe.
And take for me a mina.

Lyc.
Take it from hence: [meaning his neck.]
one hanging pays you all.

Ago.
Do you object to my demand?

Lyc.
I do not.

Ago.
Then, in, my girls—And, uncle, don't forget
That you betrothe—

Han.
I mean no less.

Anthe.
Farewell.

Ago.
Adieu!

Anthe.
I take this pawn here for my mina.

[laying hold on Lycus.]
Lyc.
Oh! I'm undone—

Ago.
Ay, so indeed you will be,
When you appear in court.

Lyc.
To save that trouble,
I here acknowledge, I'm your slave—No need
To go before the Prætor—But I beg you,
Let me but pay the simple sum—I think
I can scrape up three hundred Philippæans;
And on the morrow I'll proclaim an auction.

Ago.
With all my heart—so you remain with me
In wooden hold.

Lyc.
Content.

Ago.
Let's in then, uncle,
And celebrate this feast with jollity,
For our success, and for the Pandar's ruin.