The Comedies of Terence Part 58

SYRUS. Every syllable.

Tell him your pa.s.sion for Antiphila; Tell him you wish to marry her, and tell him, Bacchis belongs to c.l.i.tipho.

CLIN. 'Tis well, In reason, and may easily be done: And then besides you'd have me win my father, To keep it hid from your old gentleman.

SYRUS. No; rather to prevail on him, to go And tell him the whole truth immediately.

CLIN. How? are you mad? or drunk? You'll be the ruin Of c.l.i.tipho: for how can he be safe?

Eh, Sirrah!

SYRUS. That's my master-piece: this plot Is my chief glory, and I'm proud to think I have such force, such power of cunning in me, As to be able to deceive them both, By speaking the plain truth: that when your father Tells Chremes, Bacchis is his own son's mistress, He sha'n't believe it.

CLIN. But that way again You blast my hopes of marriage: for while Chremes Supposes her my mistress, he'll not grant His daughter to me. You, perhaps, don't care, So you provide for him, what comes of me.

SYRUS. Why, plague! d'ye think I'd have you counterfeit Forever? but a day, to give me time To bubble Chremes of the money.--Peace!

Not an hour more.

CLIN. Is that sufficient for you?

But then, suppose his father find it out!

SYRUS. Suppose, as some folks say, the sky should fall!

CLIN. Still I'm afraid.

SYRUS. Afraid indeed, as if It was not in your pow'r, whene'er you pleas'd, To clear yourself, and tell the whole affair.

CLIN. Well, well, let Bacchis be brought over then!

SYRUS. Well said; and here she comes.

[Changes:

_Harper_ SYRUS. I heard it? Aye: _Colman 1768_ SYRUS. Undoubtedly.]

SCENE III.

_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 minae He gave me full a.s.surance 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 c.l.i.tipho 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.