Chapter 66

_Enter PYTHIAS; PARMENO at a distance._

PYTH. Well! I was ne'er more pleas'd in all my life Than when I saw th' old man come blund'ring in. I had the jest alone; for I alone Knew what he was afraid of.

PAR. Hey! what now?

PYTH. I'm now come forth t' encounter Parmeno. Where is he?

PAR. She seeks me.

PYTH. Oh, there he is. I'll go up to him.

PAR. Well, fool, what's the matter? (_PYTHIAS laughs._) What would you? what d'ye laugh at? Hey! what still?

PYTH. Oh, I shall die: I'm horribly fatigu'd With laughing at you. (_Laughing heartily._)

PAR. Why so? pray!

PYTH. Why so? (_Laughing._) I ne'er saw, ne'er shall see, a greater fool. Oh, it's impossible to tell what sport You've made within.--I swear, I always thought That you had been a shrewd, sharp, cunning fellow. What! to believe directly what I told you! Or was you prick'd in conscience for the sin The young man had committed through your means, That you must after tell his father of him? How d'ye suppose he felt when old gray-beard Surpris'd him in that habit?--What! you find That you're undone. (_Laughing heartily._)

PAR. What's this, impertinence? Was it a lie you told me? D'ye laugh still? Is't such a jest to make fools of us, hag?

PYTH. Delightful! (_Laughing._)

PAR. If you don't pay dearly for it!----

PYTH. Perhaps so. (_Laughing._)

PAR. I'll return it.

PYTH. Oh, no doubt on't. (_Laughing._) But what you threaten, Parmeno, is distant: You'll be truss'd up to-day; who first draw in A raw young man to sin, and then betray him. They'll both conspire to make you an example. (_Laughing._)

PAR. I'm done for.

PYTH. Take this, slave, as a reward For the fine gift you sent us; so, farewell! (_Exit PYTHIAS._

PAR. I've been a fool indeed; and like a rat, Betray'd myself to-day by my own squeaking.

[Changes:

_Harper_ PAR. Why so? pray! PYTH. Why so? _Colman 1768_ PAR. For what cause? PYTH. What cause?

_Harper_ Or was you prick'd in conscience for the sin The young man had committed through your means, That you must after tell his father of him? _Colman 1768_ Or was not you contented with the crime You urg'd the youth to perpetrate, unless You afterwards betray'd him to his father?]