The Comedies of Terence Part 70

aeSCH. (_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.

aeSCH. (_to PARMENO_). Now mind!-- (_To SANNIO_). Let go the girl (_SANNIO still struggling with the Girl, aeSCHINUS winks, and PARMENO strikes SANNIO_).

SAN. Oh monstrous!

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

(_PARMENO strikes SANNIO again._)

SAN. Help, help: murder, murder!

aeSCH. (_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, aeschinus?

aeSCH. Did I reign king, you should be recompens'd According to your virtues, I a.s.sure you.

SAN. What business have you with me?

aeSCH. None.

SAN. D'ye know Who I am, aeschinus?

aeSCH. Nor want to know.

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

aeSCH. 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!

aeSCH. '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!

aeSCH. Ev'n so.

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

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

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

aeSCH. Well, well!

No more of that, but to the point!

SAN. What point?

What would you have?

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

SAN. Willingly: Speak, but in justice.

aeSCH. 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.

aeSCH. No, that's to come.

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

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

SAN. What if I do not choose to sell the girl?

Will you oblige me?

aeSCH. No.

SAN. I fear'd you would.

aeSCH. 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._

SCENE II.

_SANNIO alone._

Oh Jupiter! I do not wonder now That men run mad with injuries. He drags me Out of my own house; cudgels me most soundly; And carries off my slave against my will: And after this ill-treatment, he demands The Music-Girl to be made over to him At the same price I bought her.--He has pour'd His blows upon me, thick as hail; for which, Since he deserves so n.o.bly at my hands, He should no doubt be gratified.--Nay, nay, Let me but touch the cash, I'm still content.

But this I guess will be the case: as soon As I shall have agreed to take his price, He'll produce witnesses immediately, To prove that I have sold her--And the money Will be mere moonshine.--"By-and-by."--"To-morrow."

--Yet I could bear that too, although much wrong, Might I but get the money after all: For thus it is, friend Sannio; when a man Has taken up this trade, he must receive, And pocket the affronts of young gallants.

--But n.o.body will pay me, and I draw Conclusions to no purpose.

SCENE III.

_Enter SYRUS._

SYRUS (_to aeSCH. within_). Say no more!

Let me alone to talk with him! I warrant I'll make him take the money; aye, and own That he's well treated too. (_Coming forward._) Why how now, Sannio?

What's the dispute I overheard just now 'Twixt you and my young master?

SAN. Never was Any dispute conducted more unfairly, Than that between us two to-day! Poor I With being drubb'd, and he with drubbing me, 'Till we were both quite weary.