The Comedies of Terence Part 71

SYRUS. All your fault.

SAN. What could I do?

SYRUS. Give a young man his way.

SAN. What could I give him more, who gave my face?

SYRUS. Nay, but d'ye know my meaning, Sannio?

To seem upon occasion to slight money, Proves in the end, sometimes, the greatest gain.

Why prithee, blockhead, could you be afraid, Had you abated somewhat of your right, And humor'd the young gentleman, he would not Have paid you back again with interest?

SAN. I never purchase hope with ready money.

SYRUS. Away! you'll never thrive. You do not know How to ensnare men, Sannio.

SAN. Well, perhaps, Your way were best: yet I was ne'er so crafty But I had rather, when 'twas in my power, Receive prompt payment.

SYRUS. Pshaw! I know your spirit: As if you valued twenty minae now, So you might do a kindness to my master!

--Besides, they say you're setting out for Cyprus. (_Carelessly._)

SAN. Ha! (_Alarmed._)

SYRUS. --And have bought up a large stock of goods To carry over thither.--Hir'd a vessel.

That 'tis, I know, which keeps you in suspense: When you return, I hope, you'll settle this.

SAN. I shall not budge a foot.--Undone by Heav'n!

Urg'd by these hopes they've undertaken this. (_Aside._)

SYRUS. He fears. I've thrown a small rub in his way. (_Aside._)

SAN. (_to himself._) Confusion! they have nick'd me to a hair!

I've bought up sev'ral slaves, and other wares, For exportation; and to miss my time At Cyprus-fair would be a heavy loss.

Then if I leave this business broken thus, All's over with me; and at my return 'Twill come to nothing, grown quite cold and stale.

"--What! come at last?--Why did you stay so long?

Where have you been?"--that it were better lose it, Than wait for it so long, or sue for't then.

SYRUS (_coming up to him._) Well, have you calculated what's your due?

SAN. Monstrous oppression! Is this honorable, Or just in aeschinus, to take away My property by force?

SYRUS. So, so! he comes. (_Aside._) --I have but one word more to say to you.

See how you like it.--Rather, Sannio, Than run the risk to get or lose the whole, E'en halve the matter: and he shall contrive To sc.r.a.pe together by some means ten minae.

SAN. Alas, alas! am I in danger then Of losing ev'n my very princ.i.p.al?

Shame on him! he has loosen'd all my teeth: My head is swell'd all over like a mushroom: And will he cheat me too?--I'm going nowhere.

SYRUS. Just as you please.--Have you aught else to say Before I go?

SAN. Yes, one word, prithee Syrus!

However things have happen'd, rather than I should be driven to commence a suit, Let him return me my bare due at least; The sum she cost me, Syrus.--I'm convinc'd You've had no tokens of my friends.h.i.+p yet; But you shall find I will not be ungrateful.

SYRUS. I'll do my best. But I see Ctesipho.

He is rejoic'd about his mistress.

SAN. Say, Will you remember me?

SYRUS. Hold, hold a little! (_SYRUS and SANNIO retire._)

[Changes:

_Harper_ SYRUS. He fears. I've thrown a small rub in his way.

_Colman 1768_ SYRUS. He fears. I hinted Cyprus. There's the rub.]

SCENE IV.

_Enter CTESIPHO at another part of the stage._

CTES. Favors are welcome in the hour of need From any hand; but doubly welcome when Conferr'd by those from whom we most expect them.

O brother, brother, how shall I applaud thee?

Ne'er can I rise to such a height of praise But your deservings will outtop me still: For in this point I am supremely bless'd, That none can boast so excellent a brother, So rich in all good qualities, as I.

SYRUS (_coming forward_). O Ctesipho!

CTES. (_turning round_). O Syrus! where's my brother?

SYRUS. At home, where he expects you.

CTES. Ha! (_Joyfully._)

SYRUS. What now!

CTES. What now?--By his a.s.sistance I live, Syrus.

Ah, he's a friend indeed! who disregarding All his own interests for my advantage, The scandal, infamy, intrigue, and blame, All due to me, has drawn upon himself!

What could exceed it?--But who's there?--The door Creaks on the hinges. (_Offering to go off._)

SYRUS. Hold! 'tis aeschinus.

SCENE V.

_Enter aeSCHINUS._

aeSCH. Where is that rascal?

SAN. (_behind._) He inquires for me.

Has he brought out the cash with him?--Confusion!

I see none.