 | The Courtezans |  |
SCENE VI.
Enter NICOBULUS.Nic.
It vexes me, that Chrysalus to-day
Has thus escap'd me—
Chry.
[aside.]
So, so, safe's the word,
The old man's in a passion—Now's the time
For me to accost my man—
Nic.
Who speaks hard by?
'Tis surely Chrysalus—
Chry.
I'll strait accost him.
Nic.
My honest slave, all hail! How fares it with you?
What's on the anvil now? How soon am I
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Home from Theotimus?—What, art thou speechless?
I swear most solemnly by all the gods,
Had I not lov'd my son so very well,
And wish to please him to his heart's content,
Your sides by this had been well lash'd with rods,
And at the mill you'd spend your life in chains.
All your abominable pranks, I from
Mnesilochus have learn'd.
Chry.
Has he accus'd me?—
Why best of all—I am a knave, a curs'd one,
A wicked knave—Look now to your affairs,
I will not say one word—
Nic.
Do you threaten, hang-dog?
Chry.
You soon will find what kind of man he is.
He order'd me to bring these tablets to you,
And begs, what he has wrote there may be done.
Nic.
Well, give them me.
Chry.
Take notice of the seal.
[giving a tablet.
Nic.
I know it well—Where is he?
Chry.
I can't say.
I need know nothing now—I've every thing
Forgot—I know indeed that I'm a slave.
Ev'n what I know, I am most ignorant of.
Now at the worm, the ouzel through the springe, [aside.]
Is aiming; he'll be fairly noos'd to-day;
So well I've set my snare—
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So, Chrysalus,
Stay here a little, I'll return directly.
[Exit. Nic.
Chry.
How he dissembles with me!—And how ignorant
He thinks I am of what he's gone about.
He is gone in to fetch his slaves to bind me.
My ship sails right before the wind—She'll safe
Arrive in port—But hush! the doors are opening.
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