---
Stand close to that pimp's side--There--there--just there!
And now be sure you always keep your eyes
Steadfastly fix'd on mine; and when I wink,
To drive your fist directly in his face.

SAN. Aye, if he dare.

AESCH. (_to PARMENO_). Now mind!-- (_To SANNIO_). Let go the girl
(_SANNIO still struggling with the Girl, AESCHINUS winks, and
PARMENO strikes SANNIO_).

SAN. Oh monstrous!

AESCH. He shall double it, unless
You mend your manners.
(_PARMENO strikes SANNIO again._)

SAN. Help, help: murder, murder!

AESCH. (_to PARMENO_). I did not wink: but you had better err
That way than t'other.--Now go in with her.
(_PARMENO leads the Girl into MICIO'S house._)

SAN. How's this?--Do you reign king here, AEschinus?

AESCH. Did I reign king, you should be recompens'd
According to your virtues, I assure you.

SAN. What business have you with me?

AESCH. None.

SAN. D'ye know
Who I am, AEschinus?

AESCH. Nor want to know.

SAN. Have I touch'd aught of yours, Sir?

AESCH. If you had,
You should have suffer'd for't.

SAN. What greater right
Have you to take away my slave, for whom
I paid my money? answer me!

AESCH. 'Twere best
You'd leave off bellowing before our door:
If you continue to be troublesome,
I'll have you dragg'd into the house, and there
Lash'd without mercy.

SAN. How, a freeman lash'd!

AESCH. Ev'n so.

SAN. O monstrous tyranny! Is this,
Is this the liberty they boast of here,
Common to all?

AESCH. If you have brawl'd enough,
Please to indulge me with one word, you pimp.

SAN. Who has brawl'd most, yourself or I?

AESCH. Well, well!
No more of that, but to the point!

SAN. What point?
What would you have?

AESCH. Will you allow me then
To speak of what concerns you?

SAN. Willingly:
Speak, but in justice.

AESCH. Very fine! a pimp,
And talks of justice!

SAN. Well, I am a pimp;
The common bane of youth, a perjurer,
A public nuisance, I confess it: yet
I never did you wrong.

AESCH. No, that's to come.

SAN. Prithee return to whence you first set out, Sir!

AESCH. You, plague upon you for it! bought the girl
For twenty minae; which sum we will give you.

SAN. What if I do not choose to sell the girl?
Will you oblige me?

AESCH. No.

SAN. I fear'd you would.

AESCH. She's a free-woman, and should _not_ be sold,
And, as such, by due course of law I claim her.
Now then consider which you like the best,
To take the money, or maintain your