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Enter Æschinus, from the house of Micio.

Æsch. Where is that villain?

San. (aside.) He’s looking for me.43 Is he bringing any thing with him? Confusion! I don’t see any thing.

Æsch. (to Ctesipho.) Ha! well met; you are the very man I was looking for. How goes it, Ctesipho? All is safe: away then with your melancholy.

Ctes. By my troth, I certainly will away with it, when I have such a brother as you. O my dear Æschinus! O my brother! Alas! I am unwilling to praise you any more to your face, lest you should think I do so rather for flattery than through gratitude.

Æsch. Go to, you simpleton! as though we didn’t by this time understand each other, Ctesipho. This grieves me, that we knew of it almost too late, and that the matter had come to such a pass, that if all mankind had wished they could not possibly have assisted you.

Ctes. I felt ashamed.

Æsch. Pooh! that is folly, not shame; about such a trifling matter to be almost flying the country!44 ’Tis shocking to be mentioned; I pray the Gods may forbid it!

Ctes. I did wrong.

Æsch. (in a lower voice.) What says Sannio to us at last?

Syr. He is pacified at last.

Æsch. I’ll go to the Forum to pay him off; you, Ctesipho, step in-doors to her.

San. (aside to Syrus.) Syrus, do urge the matter.

Syr. (to Æschinus.) Let us be off, for he is in haste for Cyprus.45

San. Not particularly so; although still, I’m stopping here doing nothing at all.

Syr. It shall be paid, don’t fear.

San. But he is to pay it all.

Syr. He shall pay it all; only hold your tongue and follow us this way.

San. I’ll follow.

Ctes. (as Syrus is going.) Harkye, harkye, Syrus.

Syr. (turning back.) Well now, what is it?

Ctes. (aside.) Pray do discharge that most abominable fellow as soon as possible; for fear, in case he should become more angry, by some means or other this matter should reach my father, and then I should be ruined forever.

Syr. That shall not happen, be of good heart; meanwhile enjoy yourself in-doors with her, and onder the couches46 to be spread for us, and the other things to be got ready. As soon as this business is settled, I shall come home with the provisions.

Ctes. Pray do so. Since this has turned out so well, let us make a cheerful day of it.

Ctesipho goes into the house of Micio; and exeunt Æschinus and Syrus, followed by Sannio.