University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

PYTHIAS, PARMENO.
Pyth.
behind.]
'Faith, sirrah, I'll be handsomely revenged
For all you've done and said. You shall not boast
Your tricks on us without due punishment.
[aloud, coming forward.
Oh heav'ns! oh dreadful deed! oh hapless youth!
Oh wicked Parmeno, that brought him here!

Par.
What now?

Pyth.
It mov'd me so, I could not bear
To see it: therefore I flew out o' doors.
What an example will they make of him!

Par.
Oh Jupiter! what tumult can this be?
Am I undone, or no?—I'll e'en enquire.
Pythias, [going up]
What now? what is't you rave about?
Who's to be made this terrible example?

Pyth.
Who? most audacious monster! while you meant
To play your tricks on us, you have destroy'd
The youth, whom you brought hither for the Eunuch.

Par.
How so? and what has happen'd? Prithee tell me!

Pyth.
Tell you? D'ye know the virgin, that was sent
To-day to Thais, is a citizen?
Her brother too a man of the first rank?

Par.
I did not know it?

Pyth.
Ay, but so it seems.
The poor young spark abus'd the girl; a thing
No sooner known, than he, the furious brother—

Par.
Did what?

Pyth.
First bound him hand and foot—

Par.
How! bound him!

Pyth.
And now, though Thais begg'd him not to do it—

Par.
How! what!

Pyth.
Moreover threatens, he will serve him
After the manner of adulterers;
A thing I ne'er saw done, and ne'er desire.

Par.
How durst he offer at an act so monstrous?

Pyth.
And why so monstrous?

Par.
Is it not most monstrous?
Who ever saw a young man seiz'd and bound
For rapes and lewdness in a house of harlots?

Pyth.
I don't know.

Par.
Aye; but you must all know this.
I tell you, and foretell you, that young spark
Is my old master's son.

Pyth.
Indeed! is he?

Par.
And let not Thais suffer any one
To do him violence!—But why don't I
Rush in myself?

Pyth.
Ah! take care, Parmeno,
What you're about; lest you do him no good,
And hurt yourself: for they imagine you,
Whatever has been done, the cause of all.

Par.
What shall I do then, Wretch? what undertake?
—Oh! yonder's my old master, just return'd
To town. Shall I tell Him, or no?—I'faith
I'll tell him, tho' I am well convinc'd, it will
Bring me into a scrape; a heavy one: And yet
It must be done to help poor Chærea.

Pyth.
Right.
I'll in again; and you, in the mean while,
Tell the old gentleman the whole affair.

[Exit.