I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed.

to the GIIL. 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.

I'll have her, in spite of all.

Though he is a villain, he'll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating.

Hear me, Aeschinus, that you may not say that you were in ignorance of my calling; I am a Procurer. "I am a Procurer": He says this aloud, and with emphasis, relying upon the laws which were enacted at Athens in favor of the "lenones," whose occupation brought great profits to the state, from their extensive trading in slaves. It was forbidden to maltreat them, under pain of being disinherited.

I know it.

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.

to PARMENO. Go first with all dispatch and open the door. PARMENO opens the door.

But you will avail nothing by this.

To the GIRL. Now then, step in.

coming between. But I'll not let her.

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.

I'd have him then try that.

to PARMENO. Now then, observe me.

to SANNIO. Let go the woman. Strikes him.

Oh! scandalous deed!

He shall repeat it, if you don't take care. PARMENO strikes him again.

Oh shocking!

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.

What is the meaning of this? Have you the sway here, Aeschinus?

If I had it, you should be exalted for your deserts.

What business have you with me?

None.

How then, do you know who I am?

I don't want to.

Have I touched any thing of yours?

If you had touched it, you'd have got a drubbing.

What greater right then have you to take my property, for which I paid my money? Answer me that.

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.

A free man, with whips?

So it shall be.

Oh, you shameless fellow! Is this the place where they say there is equal liberty for all?

If you have now raved enough, Procurer, now then listen, if you please.

Why, is it I that have been raving, or you against me?

Leave alone all that, and come to the point.

What point? Where am I to come to?

Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?

With all my heart, only so it be something that's fair.

Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what's unfair.

I am a Procurer, I am a Procurer: Westerhovins supposes this part to be a translation from the works of Diphilus. I confess it-the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.

Why, faith, that remains to come—

Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.

You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.

What if I don't choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?

By no means.

I was afraid you would.

Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom. By action of freedom: "Asserere liberati causa," was to assert the freedom of a person, with a determination to maintain it at law. The "assertor" laid hands upon the person, declaring that he or she was free; and till the cause was tried, the person whose freedom was claimed, remained in the hands of the "assertor." Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return. Till I return: Colman has a curious remark here: "I do not remember, in the whole circle of modern comedy, a more natural picture of the elegant ease and indifference of a fine gentleman, than that exhibited in this Scene in the character of Aeschinus." He goes into the house of MICIO.

to himself. O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows. In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he'll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her. That I have sold her: He means, that if he only names a price, Aeschinus will suborn witnesses to say that be has agreed to sell her, in which case Aeschinus will carry her off with impunity, and the laws will not allow him to recover her; as it will then be an ordinary debt, and he will be put off with all the common excuses used by debtors. As to getting the money, it's all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow. I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it's in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.