University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Re-enter PISTOCLERUS, with provision for the entertainment, followed by LYDUS.
Lyd.
I've, Pistoclerus, follow'd you some time
In silence, and observ'd what you're about
In this new dress—And may the gods so love me!
As I believe Lycurgus might be here
Debauch'd—And whither now with such a train?

Pis.
Why to this place—

Lyd.
Why thither? Who is't lives there?

Pis.
Love, pleasure, Venus, beauty, joy and sport,
Jesting, with conversation, and sweet kissing.

Lyd.
How now!—What intercourse have you with these
Destructive gods?

Pis.
Bad are the men who dare
Speak evil of the good—But you don't spare
The gods—You are unjust—

Lyd.
Is then sweet kissing
Rank'd 'mongst the gods?—

Pis.
Do you not think she is?
You're a barbarian, Lydus, whom I thought
Wiser than Thales—Go, you're more an ideot
Than Rome's Potitius; you don't even know,
At your great age, the names of all the gods.

Lyd.
Your dress offends me—

Pis.
'Twas not bought for you.
'Twas bought for me; and I'm delighted with it.

Lyd.
And do you make such repartees to me?
Had you ten tongues, you should restrain them all.

Pis.
Not every stage of life is fit for school—
I'm thinking, Lydus, now of something else;
How these provisions may be nicely dress'd,
As their magnificence deserves—

Lyd.
You've now
Undone yourself and me—My labour's lost,
And all my good instruction's giv'n in vain.

Pis.
My labour's lost in the same place with yours.
By your instructions, neither you nor I
Have profited—

Lyd.
O! you are fascinated—

Pis.
And you are troublesome—So, hold your tongue,
And, Lydus, follow me.

Lyd.
Observe that, pray.
[to the spectators.
He does not call me leader now, but Lydus.

Pis.
When I am here with other guests at table,
And sitting by my love and kissing her,
Perhaps, 'tis most improper and unfit
To have my leader in our company.

Lyd.
Are these provisions for such doings, pray?

Pis.
Such is my wish—Th'event I leave to heaven.

Lyd.
And will you have a mistress?—

Pis.
When you see,
You'll know—

Lyd.
You shan't—I will not suffer it—
I'm going home—

Pis.
Stay Lydus, and beware
A mischief—

Lyd.
What is that?—Beware a mischief!

Pis.
I'm grown too old for your tuition now.

Lyd.
Where shall I find a gulf to swallow me?
O how much more I see than I would see,
And how much better to have died than live!
A pupil thus to threaten me his governor!
No more hot blooded fiery boys for me—
Vigour to attack worn out and feeble age.

Pis.
In my opinion, I am Hercules,
And Linus you—

Lyd.
I'm more afraid by these
Your shameless deeds, I shall be Phœnix soon;
And bring your father tidings of your death.

Pis.
Enough of history—

Lyd.
This boy is lost [aside.]

To shame—Where'er you got the impudence,
'Twas not an acquisition to be wish'd for
At your green age—He's ruin'd past redemption.
Do you ne'er once reflect you have a father?

[to him.
Pis.
Are you my servant then, or am I yours?

Lyd.
These are the lessons of a wicked master,
Not mine—And you have made a rapid progress.
It was not so when I instructed you,
And threw away my labour and my time.

Pis.
You've hitherto had liberty of speech,
And prate enough—Follow me this way then,
And hold your tongue.

Lyd.
'Twas an unhappy piece
Of craft, these vile debaucheries to conceal,
Both from your father and from me, your governor.

[Exeunt.