)

SAN. Ha! (_Alarmed._)

SYRUS. --And have bought up a large stock of goods
To carry over thither.--Hir'd a vessel.
That 'tis, I know, which keeps you in suspense:
When you return, I hope, you'll settle this.

SAN. I shall not budge a foot.--Undone by Heav'n!
Urg'd by these hopes they've undertaken this. (_Aside._)

SYRUS. He fears. I've thrown a small rub in his way. (_Aside._)

SAN. (_to himself._) Confusion! they have nick'd me to a hair!
I've bought up sev'ral slaves, and other wares,
For exportation; and to miss my time
At Cyprus-fair would be a heavy loss.
Then if I leave this business broken thus,
All's over with me; and at my return
'Twill come to nothing, grown quite cold and stale.
"--What! come at last?--Why did you stay so long?
Where have you been?"--that it were better lose it,
Than wait for it so long, or sue for't then.

SYRUS (_coming up to him._) Well, have you calculated what's your due?

SAN. Monstrous oppression! Is this honorable,
Or just in AEschinus, to take away
My property by force?

SYRUS. So, so! he comes. (_Aside._)
--I have but one word more to say to you.
See how you like it.--Rather, Sannio,
Than run the risk to get or lose the whole,
E'en halve the matter: and he shall contrive
To scrape together by some means ten minae.

SAN. Alas, alas! am I in danger then
Of losing ev'n my very principal?
Shame on him! he has loosen'd all my teeth:
My head is swell'd all over like a mushroom:
And will he cheat me too?--I'm going nowhere.

SYRUS. Just as you please.--Have you aught else to say
Before I go?

SAN. Yes, one word, prithee Syrus!
However things have happen'd, rather than
I should be driven to commence a suit,
Let him return me my bare due at least;
The sum she cost me, Syrus.--I'm convinc'd
You've had no tokens of my friendship yet;
But you shall find I will not be ungrateful.

SYRUS. I'll do my best. But I see Ctesipho.
He is rejoic'd about his mistress.

SAN. Say,
Will you remember me?

SYRUS. Hold, hold a little! (_SYRUS and SANNIO retire._)

[Changes:

_Harper_
SYRUS. He fears. I've thrown a small rub in his way.
_Colman 1768_
SYRUS. He fears. I hinted Cyprus. There's the rub.]

SCENE IV.

_Enter CTESIPHO at another part of the stage._

CTES. Favors are welcome in the hour of need
From any hand; but doubly welcome when
Conferr'd by those from whom we most expect them.
O brother, brother, how shall I applaud thee?
Ne'er can I ri