University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter PISTOCLERUS.
Pist.
What is the matter here?—For what's this knocking?
What plague possesses you, thus to exert
Your utmost strength against another's doors?
You've almost broke them down—What is't you'd have?

Par.
Save you, young gentleman!—

Pist.
Save you!—But whom
D'you want?

Par.
Why Bacchis—

Pis.
Which?

Par.
I only know
That I want Bacchis—And to say no more,
Cleomachus the captain sent me to her,
That she two hundred golden Philippæans
Should strait pay back, or go this very day
From hence, with him into Elatia.

Pis.
She does not go—Say you, she does not go.
Be gone, and tell your master this—She loves
Another now, not him—Avoid the house.

Par.
You are too hasty—

Pis.
Don't you know how much so?
Your chaps are in a dangerous situation,
These my tooth-breakers itch so to be doing.

Par.
If right I understand, I must take care
My nut-crackers sit safe within their sockets.
[aside.
At your own peril, I'll return your answer.

Pis.
What say you?—

Par.
Why, I'll tell him what you bid me.

Pis.
Who are you? Say—

Par.
One of his body guard.

Pis.
Who has so bad a guard, can ne'er be good.

Par.
He'll come blown up with rage—

Pis.
Then may he burst!

Par.
Would you ought else?

Pis.
Your absence instantly.
It must be so—

Par.
You—tooth-breaker, farewell.

Pis.
The same farewell to you, you body guard.
[Exit Parasite.
The business now is come to such a point
I know not what advice to give my friend,
Who, in a foolish pet, has to his father
Return'd back all the money; nor has left
A single piece wherewith to pay the captain.
But hark! The doors creak!—Hither I'll retire.
Mnesilochus comes forth; and pensive too—

[stands apart.