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 scrape together by some means ten minae. SAN. Alas, alas! am I in danger then Of losing ev'n my very principal? 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 friendship 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._