Chapter 86

_Enter BACCHIS, PHRYGIA, etc., at another part of the stage._

BACCH. Upon my life, This Syrus with his golden promises Has fool'd me hither charmingly! Ten minæ He gave me full assurance of: but if He now deceives me, come whene'er he will, Canting and fawning to allure me hither, It shall be all in vain; I will not stir. Or when I have agreed, and fix'd a time, Of which he shall have giv'n his master notice, And Clitipho is all agog with hope, I'll fairly jilt them both, and not come near them; And master Syrus' back shall smart for it.

CLIN. She promises you very fair.

SYRUS. D'ye think She jests? She'll do it, if I don't take heed.

BACCH. They sleep: i' faith, I'll rouse them. Hark ye, Phrygia, Didst note the villa of Charinus, which That fellow just now show'd us? (_Aloud._)

PHRY. I did, Madam.

BACCH. The next house on the right hand. (_Aloud._)

PHRY. I remember.

BACCH. Run thither quickly: for the Captain spends The Dionysia there. (_Aloud._)

SYRUS (_behind_). What means she now?

BACCH. Tell him I'm here; and sore against my will, Detain'd by force; but that I'll find some means To slip away and come to him. (_Aloud._)

SYRUS. Confusion!-- (_Comes forward._) Stay, Bacchis, Bacchis! where d'ye send that girl? Bid her stop!

BACCH. Go! (_To PHRYGIA._)

SYRUS. The money's ready.

BACCH. Then I stay. (_PHRYGIA returns._)

SYRUS. This instant you shall have it, Bacchis.

BACCH. When you please; I don't press you.

SYRUS. But d'ye know What you're to do?

BACCH. Why, what?

SYRUS. You must go over, You and your equipage, to Menedemus.

BACCH. What are you at now, sauce-box?

SYRUS. Coining money For your use, Bacchis.

BACCH. Do you think to play Your jests on me?

SYRUS. No; this is downright earnest.

BACCH. Are you the person I'm to deal with?

SYRUS. No. But there I'll pay the money.

BACCH. Let us go then!

SYRUS. Follow her there.----Ho, Dromo!

[Changes:

_Harper_ Didst note the villa of Charinus, which That fellow just now show'd us? PHRY. I did, Madam. BACCH. The next house on the right hand. PHRY. I remember. _Colman 1768_ Did you observe the villa of Charinus, Which yonder fellow shew'd us? PHRY. I did, Madam. BACCH. The next upon the right. PHRY. I recollect.

_Harper_ Detain'd by force; but that I'll find some means _Colman 1768_ Detain'd by force; but I'll devise some means

_Harper_ SYRUS. The money's ready. BACCH. Then I stay. SYRUS. This instant you shall have it, Bacchis. _Colman 1768_ SYRUS. The money's ready for you BACCH. Oh! then I stay. SYRUS. You shall be paid directly.

_Harper_ But there I'll pay the money. _Colman 1768_ But 'twill secure your money.]