SCENE I. _Enter ÆSCHINUS and PARMENO with the MUSIC-GIRL, followed by SANNIO and a crowd of people._ SAN. I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed. ÆSCH. (_to the GIRL._) Be quiet, and now then stand here just where you are. Why do you look back? There’s no danger; he shall never touch you while I am here. SAN. I’ll {have} her, in spite of all. ÆSCH. Though he is a villain, he’ll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating. SAN. Hear me, Aeschinus, that you may not say that you were in ignorance of my calling; I am a Procurer.[32] ÆSCH. I know it. SAN. And of as high a character as any one ever was. When you shall be excusing yourself by-and-by, how that you wish this injury had not been done me, I shall not value it this (_snapping his fingers_). Depend upon it, I’ll prosecute my rights; and you shall never pay with words for the evil that you have done me in deed. I know those {ways} of yours: “I wish it hadn’t happened; I’ll take my oath that you did not deserve this injustice;” while I myself have been treated in a disgraceful manner. ÆSCH. (_to PARMENO._) Go first with all dispatch and open the door. (_PARMENO opens the door._) SAN. But you will avail nothing by this. ÆSCH. (_To the GIRL._) Now then, step in. SAN. (_coming between._) But I’ll not let her. ÆSCH. Step this way, Parmeno; you are gone too far that way; here (_pointing_), stand close by him; there, that’s what I want. Now then, take care you don’t move your eyes in any direction from mine, that there may be no delay if I give you the sign, to your fist being instantly planted in his jaws. SAN. I’d have him then try that. ÆSCH. (_to PARMENO._) Now then, observe me. PAR. (_to SANNIO._) Let go the woman. (_Strikes him._) SAN. Oh! scandalous deed! ÆSCH. He shall repeat it, if you don’t take care. (_PARMENO strikes him again._) SAN. Oh shocking! ÆSCH. (_to PARMENO._) I didn’t give the sign; but still make your mistakes on that side in preference. Now then, go. (_PARMENO goes with the MUSIC-GIRL into MICIO’S house._) SAN. What is the meaning of this? Have you the sway here, Aeschinus? ÆSCH. If I had it, you should be exalted for your deserts. SAN. What business have you with me? ÆSCH. None. SAN. How then, do you know who I am? ÆSCH. I don’t want to. SAN. Have I touched any thing of yours? ÆSCH. If you had touched it, you’d have got a drubbing. SAN. What greater right then have you to take my {property}, for which I paid {my} money? Answer me that. ÆSCH. It were better for you not to be making a disturbance here before the house; for if you persist in being impertinent, you shall be dragged in at once, and there you shall be lashed to death with whips. SAN. A free man, with whips? ÆSCH. So it shall be. SAN. Oh, you shameless fellow! Is this the place where they say there is equal liberty for all? ÆSCH. If you have now raved enough, Procurer, now then listen, if you please.