Scene I.

Enter Æschinus, Sannio, Parmeno, the Music-Girl, and a crowd of People.

San. Help, help, dear countrymen, for Heaven's sake! Assist a miserable, harmless man! Help the distress'd!

Æsch. (to the Girl). Fear nothing: stand just there! Why d'ye look back? you're in no danger. Never, While I am by, shall he lay hands upon you.

San. Aye, but I will, in spite of all the world.

Æsch. Rogue as he is, he'll scarce do any thing To make me cudgel him again to-day.

San. One word, Sir Æschinus! that you may not Pretend to ignorance of my profession; I'm a procurer.

Æsch. True.

San. And in my way Of as good faith as any man alive. Hereafter, to absolve yourself, you'll cry, That you repent of having wrong'd me thus. I sha'n't care that for your excuse. (Snapping his fingers.) Be sure I'll prosecute my right; nor shall fine words Atone for evil deeds. I know your way, - "I'm sorry that I did it: and I'll swear You are unworthy of this injury" - Though all the while I'm us'd most scurvily.

Æsch. (to Par .) Do you go forward, Parmeno, and throw The door wide open.

San. That sha'n't signify.

Æsch. (to Parmeno ). Now in with her!

San. (stepping between). I'll not allow it.

Æsch. (to Parmeno ). Here! Come hither, Parmeno! - you're too far off. - Stand close to that pimp's side - There - there - just there! And now be sure you always keep your eyes Steadfastly fix'd on mine; and when I wink, To drive your fist directly in his face.

San. Aye, if he dare.

Æsch. (to Parmeno ). Now mind! - (To Sannio ). Let go the girl ( Sannio still struggling with the Girl, Æschinus winks, and Parmeno strikes Sannio ).

San. Oh monstrous!

Æsch. He shall double it, unless You mend your manners.

Parmeno strikes Sannio again.

San. Help, help: murder, murder!

Æsch. (to Parmeno ). I did not wink: but you had better err That way than t'other. - Now go in with her.

Parmeno leads the Girl into Micio's house.

San. How's this? - Do you reign king here, Æschinus?

Æsch. Did I reign king, you should be recompens'd According to your virtues, I assure you.

San. What business have you with me?

Æsch. None.

San. D'ye know Who I am, Æschinus?

Æsch. Nor want to know.

San. Have I touch'd aught of yours, Sir?

Æsch. If you had, You should have suffer'd for't.

San. What greater right Have you to take away my slave, for whom I paid my money? answer me!

Æsch. 'Twere best You'd leave off bellowing before our door: If you continue to be troublesome, I'll have you dragg'd into the house, and there Lash'd without mercy.

San. How, a freeman lash'd!

Æsch. Ev'n so.

San. O monstrous tyranny! Is this, Is this the liberty they boast of here, Common to all?

Æsch. If you have brawl'd enough, Please to indulge me with one word, you pimp.

San. Who has brawl'd most, yourself or I?

Æsch. Well, well! No more of that, but to the point!

San. What point? What would you have?

Æsch. Will you allow me then To speak of what concerns you?

San. Willingly: Speak, but in justice.

Æsch. Very fine! a pimp, And talks of justice!

San. Well, I am a pimp; The common bane of youth, a perjurer, A public nuisance, I confess it: yet I never did you wrong.

Æsch. No, that's to come.

San. Prithee return to whence you first set out, Sir!

Æsch. You, plague upon you for it! bought the girl For twenty minæ; which sum we will give you.

San. What if I do not choose to sell the girl? Will you oblige me?

Æsch. No.

San. I fear'd you would.

Æsch. She's a free-woman, and should not be sold, And, as such, by due course of law I claim her. Now then consider which you like the best, To take the money, or maintain your action. Think on this, Pimp, till I come back again.

Exit.