For sure, some person, I know not who, seems to be talking near to me. But who’s this I see? Really, ’tis the father of Mnesilochus.NICOBULUS Hah! I see a partner in affliction. Save you, Philoxenus!PHILOXENUS And you; whence are you betaking yourself?NICOBULUS From a place whence comes a wretched and a luckless mortal.PHILOXENUS Why, troth, I’m surely on the earth, the spot where it befits a wretched and a luckless mortal to be.NICOBULUS We now, as we are of like age, are meeting with similar fortunes.PHILOXENUS So it is. But as to yourself, what’s the matter with you?NICOBULUS I’ faith, mine’s the same mishap as your own.PHILOXENUS Does this misfortune in any way relate to your son?NICOBULUS Such is the fact. PHILOXENUS The same disease exists in my own breast.NICOBULUS Aye, and that very worthy fellow, Chrysalus, has been ruining my son, myself, and all my fortunes.PHILOXENUS Pray now, what is this mishap of yours about your son?NICOBULUS You shall know: together with your own son he’s undone; both of them are keeping mistresses alike.PHILOXENUS How do you know? NICOBULUS I have seen them.PHILOXENUS Ah! wretch that I am! I’m ruined outright.NICOBULUS Why do we hesitate a moment to knock and to call them both hither out of doors.PHILOXENUS I don’t object. NICOBULUS(knocks at the door of the house of BACCHIS.)Hallo there! Bacchis! Bid the door to be opened this instant, if you please, unless you had rather the door and the posts be knocked to bits with hatchets.

(Enter FIRST BACCHIS and SECOND BACCHIS from the house.)1st BACCHIS Who is it that calls out my name with such a noise and tumult, and is knocking so hard at the door?NICOBULUS I and this person here.(Pointing to PHILOXENUS.)1st BACCHIS Pray, what’s the matter now? Who has been driving these sheepDriving these sheep: She calls them sheep, probably, because of their venerable appearance; though she afterwards remarks that they are but dirty sheep. Perhaps, too, it was the custom among ladies of this class, in cant phrase to call those sheep who could stand fleecing; a point on which it will be found in the dialogue that they exchange remarks. Goat. would have been a more appropriate name, under the circumstances for the old sinners. to us?NICOBULUS These most shocking hussies call us sheep.2nd BACCHIS Their shepherd’s asleep, as they come straying thus from the flock.1st BACCHIS But, i’ faith, they are not white; they both look dirty.2nd BACCHIS Because they have both been shorn just now.PHILOXENUS How they seem to be laughing at us.