Really, how unbecoming it does seem! But, by the powers, you shan’t get it this day, if my knees are not embraced. ARGYRIPPUS (aside.) Necessity compels to anything. (To LEONIDA.) Let them be embraced (kneels down and embraces his knees) : now give what I’m asking for. PHILENIUM Come, my Leonida, prithee do bring safety to your master thus in love. Redeem yourself from him by this service, and purchase him for yourself with this money. LEONIDA You are very pretty and amiable; and if this were mine, you should never this day ask me for it, but I would give it you: ’tis better for you to ask it of him (pointing to LIBANUS) , for ’twas he gave it me to keep for him. Approach him then prettily, my pretty one. (Delivers the bag to LIBANUS.) Take this, please, Libanus. ARGYRIPPUS Scoundrel, are you still trifling with me? LEONIDA I’ faith, I should never have done so, if you hadn’t embraced my knees so roughly. (Aside to LIBANUS.) Come, please, in your turn, do you at once have some sport with him, and give her an embrace. LIBANUS (aside to LEONIDA.) Hold your tongue; trust me for that. ARGYRIPPUS Why don’t we accost him, Philenium? (pointing to LIBANUS) —really, a very worthy fellow, upon my faith, and not like this thief (pointing to LEONIDA) . LIBANUS (aside to LEONIDA.) We must walk up and down; now, in my turn, they’ll be entreating me. ARGYRIPPUS By heaven, Libanus, I do entreat you, be pleased by your deeds to come to your master’s rescue; do give me those twenty minae: you see that thus in love I stand in need of them. LIBANUS It shall be seen to; I wish it done; return here at nightfall. Now bid her, ever so little, to beg and entreat them of me. PHILENIUM (to LIBANUS.) Do you wish me to begin with caressing, or with kissing you? LIBANUS Why, really, with them both. PHILENIUM And do you then, I do entreat you, prove the saving of us both. ARGYRIPPUS O Libanus, my patron, do give me that; ’tis more becoming