because I have been beaten here this day; and I think that it was rightfully done; and if I don't go hence further injured, I am rightly punished for the offence.

he

PERIP. But what if you don't do so?

PYRG. Then, may I always have my word not to be trusted1. CARIO. Let him be beaten once more; after that I think may be dismissed.

PYRG. May the Gods ever bless you, since you so kindly come as my advocate.

CARIO. Give us a golden mina2, then.

PYRG. For what reason? CARIO. That we may now let you go hence unmaimed, you little grandson of Venus; otherwise you shall not escape from here; don't you deceive yourself. PIRG. It shall be given you. CARIO. You're very wise. As for your tunic, and your scarfs, and sword, don't at all hope for them; you shan't have them.

A SERVANT. Shall I beat him again, or do you let him go? PYRG. I'm tamed by your cudgels. I do entreat you. PERIP. Loose him. PYRG. I return you thanks.

PERIP. If I ever catch you here again, I'll insert a disqualifying clause.

PYRG. Well: I make no objection.

PERIP. Let's go in, Cario. (PERIPLECOMENUS, CARIO, and SERVANTS, go into his house.)

SCENE II.

Enter SCELEDRUS and other SERVANTS of the CAPTAIN. PYRG. Here are some of my servants, I see.

Philocomasium off yet.

SCEL. Aye, some time since. PYRG. Ah me!

Tell me, is

SCEL. You would say that still more if you were to know

1Not to be trusted)-Ver. 1417. "Intestabilis." A gross pun is here intended, and in 1. 1420 as well. The word here signifies "fors worn," or "perjured," so infamous, that his testimony will never be received in a Court of justice. A golden mina)—Ver. 1420. The golden "mina" was worth ten silver ones, or one thousand "drachmæ," of about ninepence three-farthings each.

And your scarf)—Ver. 1423. The "chlamys" was an outer garment worn among the Greeks and Oriental nations, somewhat resembling our scarfs. That worn by the Captain would probably be of great value, which of course would tempt the cupidity of his persecutors. The translation of 1. 1426 is somewhat modified.

You would say that)-Ver. 1428. Sceledrus, probably, only enters at this moment with the other servants of the Captain; the editions, in general, somewhat absurdly represent him as present from the beginning of the Fifth Act.

what I know, for that fellow who had the wool before his eye was no sailor.

PYRG. Who was he, then? SCEL. A lover of Philocomasium's.

PYRG. How do you know? SCEL. I do know: for after they had got out of the city gate, they didn't wait a moment before falling to kissing and embracing each other at once.

PYRG. O wretched fool that I am! I see that I have been gulled. That scoundrel of a fellow, Palæstrio, it was he that contrived this plot against me.

SCEL. I think it was properly done. If it were so done to other letchers, there would be fewer letchers here; they would stand more in awe, and give their attention less to these pursuits.

PYRG. Let's go into my house.

An ACTOR (to the AUDIENCE). Give us your applause.

BACCHIDES;

OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS.

Dramatis Personæ.

SILENUS, the Divinity, who speaks the Prologue.

NICOBULUS, an aged citizen of Athens.

MNESILOCHUS, his son.

PHILOXENUS, another aged citizen of Athens.

PISTOCLERUS, his son.

LYDUS, servant of Philoxenus, and tutor of Pistoclerus.

CHRYSALUS, servant of Nicobulus.

CLEOMACHUS, a Captain of Samos.

A PARASITE of Cleomachus.

Boy, servant of Cleomachus.

SERVANT of Pistoclerus (in the introductory fragment).

ARTAMO, servant of Nicobulus.

Scene.-Athens: before the houses of the FIRST BACCHIS and of PHILOXENUS,

which are in the same street.

L

THE SUBJECT.

MNESILOCHUS, when absent at Ephesus, writes and requests his friend, Pistoclerus, to search for his mistress, Bacchis, who has left Athens with a military Captain. Having discovered her on her return to Athens, Pistoclerus falls in love with her twin-sister, whose name is also Bacchis, and is severely reproved by his tutor, Lydus, for so doing. Mnesilochus returns to Athens, and discovers from Lydus that his friend Pistoclerus is in love with a female of the name of Bacchis. He thereupon imagines that he has supplanted him with his own mistress, and in his anger resolves to restore to his father some money of his which he had gone to Ephesus to recover, and a part of which he had contrived, through a scheme of the servant Chrysalus, to retain, in order that he might redeem his mistress from the Captain. Having afterwards discovered the truth, he greatly repents that he has done so, as the officer threatens to carry Bacchis off instantly, if the money is not paid. On this, Chrysalus contrives another stratagem against Nicobulus, his aged master, and makes him, through fear of the Captain's threats, pay the required sum. Having gained not only this but a still further sum of money, the young men regale themselves at the house of Bacchis. Nicobulus afterwards discovers from the Captain the trick that has been played upon him, and he and Mnesilochus repair to the house of Bacchis to demand their sons. The damsels, hereupon, apply themselves to coaxing the old men, who are at last persuaded to forgive their sons and Chrysalus, and to go into the house and join the entertainment.

BACCHIDES;
OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS.

THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.

[Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] MNESILOCHUS is inflamed with love for Bacchis (Bacchidis). But, first of all, he goes to Ephesus, to bring back some gold (Aurum). Bacchis sails for Crete (Cretam), and meets with (Convenit) the other Bacchis; thence she returns to Athens; upon this (Hinc), Mnesilochus sends a letter to Pistoclerus, that he may seek for her (Illam). He returns; he makes a quarrel while (Dum) he supposes that his own mistress is beloved by Pistoclerus; when they have discovered the mistake as to the twin-sisters, Mnesilochus pays the gold to that (Ei) Captain; equally are the two in love. The old men (Senes), while they are looking after their sons, join the women, and carouse.

THE PROLOGUE1.

Spoken by SILENUS, mounted on his Ass.

'Tis a wonder if the spectators on the benches this day don't hiss, and cough, and make a snorting noise at this ridiculous sight, furrow their brows, and, with cries with one consent, shout all aloud, and mutter imprecations. Hardly in their youth can beardless actors, or mimics with their beards plucked out, find room upon the stage. Why comes forth this aged and lethargic go-between, who is borne upon the ass's back? Listen, I pray, and give me your attention, while I tell you the name of this quiet Comedy. 'Tis proper for you to make silence for a Divinity.

1 Prologue) There is little doubt that this Prologue is spurious, but as it is prefixed to many of the editions, and to Thornton's and the French translations, it is here inserted. Lascaris, the Greek grammarian, says, in a letter to Bembo, that it was discovered by him in Sicily. Some writers have supposed it to have been written by the Poet Petrarch.

2 With cries with one consent)-Ver. 3. "Concrepario" is a barbarous word, formed from "crepo," to make a noise.

3 Quiet Comedy)-Ver. 10. "Statariæ." There were two kinds of Comedy repre