University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Enter LEONIDA and LIBANUS.
Leo.
Great thanks and praise deservedly we pay
To perfidy; since we, relying on
Our own perfidiousness, deceits and cunning,
The hardness of our shoulders, and our setting
The elm twigs at defiance, thongs and chains,
Prisons and yokes, and fetters too, and collars,
Our cruel scourgers, and the fellows that
Are well acquainted with our backs, as they
Have oft ere this wounded with stripes our shoulders:
These legions, all these forces and these armies
Manfully fighting, arm'd with perjuries,
We have, O brave! subdu'd—The deed is done
By this my comrade's prowess, and my own
Courteous demeanor—

Lib.
Shew me now the man
Can bear the scourge with greater constancy—

Leo.
By Pollux' temple, who is't can chant forth
Like me thy great exploits, and stratagems
In peace and war? Much may be said, in troth,
On thy account:—how those that trusted thee
Thou hast deceiv'd;—how also to thy master
Thou hast been unfaithful;—how thou, on thy conscience,
Knowingly, wilfully, hast been perjur'd:—how
Thou hast broke through walls to steal;—and how
Thou hast been taken in the very fact.
As how thy cause too thou hast often pleaded,
Hung by the heels, against eight hardened fellows,
Of stripes most sturdy layers on.

Lib.
I own,
That what you say, Leonida, is true. And yet
One might recount many exploits of yours,
And true ones too:—how ill you have repaid
The confidence in you repos'd; how taken
In the very act of theft, and for it, scourg'd
In publick;—how yourself too you forswore;—
How you laid hands on sacred things;—and how
You've acted to your master's loss, and brought
Disgrace and trouble on his head:—how too
You have denied your having e'er receiv'd
That which has been committed to your charge:
How to your mistress you've more faithful been
Than to your friend;—and how you've tired out
Six sturdy Lictors, arm'd with pliant elm twigs.
And have I ill return'd the compliment?
How well the commendation he deserv'd,
I've given to my colleague!

Leo.
One most worthy of me,
Most worthy of yourself, and of our genius—

Lib.
No more of this—Answer to what I ask.

Leo.
Say then, what is't you'd have?

Lib.
Well, have you got
The twenty silver minæ?

Leo.
Sure you conjure.
'Troth, 'twas a smart conceit in old Demænetus,
To make me pass for Saurea; how witty!
I scarce could hold from laughter, when he chid
The stranger, for not having faith in me
When he was absent; and how readily
He call'd me Saurea, usher of the hall?

Lib.
But hold a little.

Leo.
What's the matter now?

Lib.
Say, is not this, that's coming out, Philenium?
And Argyrippus with her?

Leo.
Hold your tongue.
'Tis he. Let's listen here to what they say.
She is in tears, and holds him by his robe,
While he's in tears no less—What can this be?
Let's hold our peace and listen.

Lib.
Be it so.
I've got a thought just come into my head,
By Hercules! I wish I had a stick—

Leo.
For what?

Lib.
To still these asses in my purse,
If they should take it in their heads to bray.

[they stand apart.