_PYTHIAS, CHREMES, SOPHRONA._ PYTH. What can I think of? what can I devise? Some trick now to be even with that rogue Who palm'd this young spark on us. CHREM. (_leading the nurse_). Nay, but stir Your stumps a little faster, nurse! SOPH. I come. CHREM. Aye, marry; but you don't come on a jot. PYTH. Well! have you shown the tokens to the nurse? CHREM. I have. PYTH. And pray what says she? Did she know them? CHREM. At first sight. PYTH. Oh brave news! I'm glad to hear it; For I've a kindness for the girl. Go in; My mistress is impatient for your coming. (_Exeunt CHREMES and SOPHRONA._ See, yonder's my good master Parmeno, Marching this way: How unconcern'd, forsooth, He stalks along!--But I've devis'd, I hope, The means to vex him sorely.--First I'll in, To know the truth of this discovery, And then return to terrify this rascal. (_Exit._ SCENE IV. _Enter PARMENO._ PAR. I'm come to see what Chaerea has been doing: Who, if he has but manag'd matters well, Good Heav'ns, how much, and what sincere applause Shall Parmeno acquire!--For not to mention, In an intrigue so difficult as this, Of so much probable expense at least, Since with a griping harlot he'd have bargain'd, That I've procur'd for him the girl he lov'd, Without cost, charge, or trouble; t'other point, That, that I hold my master-piece, there think I've gain'd the prize, in showing a young spark The dispositions and the ways of harlots: Which having early learn'd, he'll ever shun. (_Enter PYTHIAS behind._) When they're abroad, forsooth, there's none so clean, Nothing so trim, so elegant, as they; Nor, when they sup with a gallant, so nice! To see these very creatures' gluttony, Filth, poverty, and meanness, when at home; So eager after food, that they devour From yesterday's stale broth the coarse black bread:-- All this to know is safety to young men. SCENE V. _PYTHIAS, PARMENO._ PYTH. (_behind_). 'Faith, Sirrah, I'll be handsomely revenged For all you've done and said. You shall not boast Your tricks on us without due punishment. (_Aloud, coming forward._) Oh Heav'ns! oh dreadful deed! oh hapless youth! Oh wicked Parmeno, that brought him here! PAR. What now? PYTH. It mov'd me so. I could not bear To see it: therefore I flew out o' doors. What an example will they make of him! PAR. Oh Jupiter! What tumult can this be? Am I undone, or no?--I'll e'en inquire. Pythias! (_going up._) What now? what is't you rave about? Who's to be made this terrible example? PYTH. Who? most audacious monster! while you meant To play your tricks on us, you have destroyed The youth whom you brought hither for the Eunuch. PAR. How so? and what has happen'd? Prithee tell me! PYTH. Tell you? D'ye know the virgin, that was sent To-day to Thais, is a citizen? Her brother too a man of the first rank? PAR. I did not know it. PYTH. Aye, but so it seems. The poor young spark abus'd the girl; a thing No sooner known, than he, the furious brother---- PAR. Did what?