But if a lifeBut if a life: Here is another Scene. It would appear probable that the Second Bacchis, having heard, on her arrival, that Mnesilochus, by his friend, is in search of her, signifies to the Captain her intention to remain at Athens, and not to accompany him to Elatia in Phocis, on which he reminds her of the sum of money he has given her, and the original terms of the agreement. It would appear that he proceeds to threaten with his wrath any more fortunate rival; and then concludes by inveighing against harlots in general, as limaces,snails, or slugs, in the same way as a Comic writer of our day might style them leeches, or bloodsuckers. It may be remarked, that with the ancients, the avail was the emblem of salacity. of wantonness is perchance preferred by you, consider the price that I agreed to give you that at that age you might not be following me for nought that from no one else you might be receiving a yearly pay, except from oneself, nor be toying with any man like slugs upon a man.(PISTOCLERUS, SECOND BACCHIS, SERVANT.)PISTOCLERUSAs like as milkAs like as milk: Here again is another Scene. Pistoclerus has caught sight of the Second Bacchis, but being unaware that she really is the person whom he is in search of, he remarks upon her strong resemblance to the First Bacchis, with whom, by this time, he has probably had an interview on the subject. His servant then comes and informs him that she is the person whom he is looking for, but that she is under the protection of a mighty Captain, whose breast heaves like a pair of blacksmith’s bellows. is to milk;whatever is her name SERVANT The soldier who sells his life for gold I know that his breath is much stronger than when the bellows of bull’s hide are blowing, when the rocks melt where the iron is made.PISTOCLERUSOf what country did he seem to you?SERVANT I think he is of PraenesteIs of Praeneste: He has a hit here at the people of Praeneste, whom he has in a former play censured for their bad grammar, and whom he here represents as occupying the same place in Roman estimation, as the Gascons do, whether deservedly or not, in ours.; he was such a boaster.PISTOCLERUS The city and I don’t think it is in spurious boastfulness. (Enter FIRST and SECOND BACCHIS.)1st BACCHIS My heart, my hopeMy heart, my hope: The First Bacchis seems here to be repeating her first lessons in the attack which she is about to make on the heart of the novice Pistoclerus; she is evidently conning over the flattering things that she intends to say to him.,my honey, my sweetness, my nutriment, my delight. Let me bestow on you my love the Arabian Has Cupid or has love overpowered you? Perhaps to suspect that you are in love. Get money from that quarter for I really do believe that with ease you can enchant the heart of any manThe heart of any man: With this line conclude the fragments which have been brought to light by Ritschel; in the previous editions the next line commences the second Scene, the spurious Scene preceding it..

2nd BACCHIS1st BACCHIS And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?2nd BACCHIS With pleasure; you may proceed.1st BACCHIS When my memory shall fail me, then do you take care to aid me, sister.2nd BACCHIS I’ faith, I’m more afraid that I shan’t have the choice of prompting you.1st BACCHIS Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powersMay lose her powers: The nightingale was supposed to sing continually; so that lusciniae deest cantio,the nightingale has lost her song, became a proverb which expressed the happening of anything extraordinary. of song. Follow this way.(They move.)(Enter PISTOCLERUS.)PISTOCLERUS What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?1st BACCHIS Nothing is there more wretched than a woman.PISTOCLERUS What, say you, is there more worthy of it?What have you been planning in your consultation?1st BACCHIS What’s proper? PISTOCLERUS I’ faith, that doesn’t belong to the Courtesan.