once did profit and still profit by me,)
All run with joy to me, salute, invite,
And bid me welcome. He, poor half-starv'd wretch,
Soon as he saw me thus caress'd, and found
I got my bread so easily, desired
He might have leave to learn that art of me.
I bade him follow me, if possible:
And, as the Schools of the Philosophers
Have ta'en from the Philosophers their names,
So, in like manner, let all Parasites
Be call'd from me Gnathonics!

PAR. Mark, what ease,
And being kept at other's cost, produces!

GNAT. But hold, I must convey this girl to Thais,
And bid her forth to sup.--Ha, Parmeno!
Our rival's slave, standing at Thais' door!
--How melancholy he appears! All's safe:
These poor rogues find but a cold welcome here.
I'll play upon this knave. (_Aside._)

PAR. These fellows think
This present will make Thais all their own. (_Aside._)

GNAT. To Parmeno, his lov'd and honor'd friend,
Gnatho sends greeting. (_Ironically._)--What are you upon?

PAR. My legs.

GNAT. I see it.--Is there nothing here
Displeasing to you?

PAR. You.

GNAT. I do believe it.
But prithee, is there nothing else?

PAR. Wherefore?

GNAT. Because you're melancholy.

PAR. Not at all.

GNAT. Well, do not be so!--Pray, now, what d'ye think
Of this young handmaid?

PAR. Troth, she's not amiss.

GNAT. I plague the rascal. (_Half aside._)

PAR. How the knave's deceiv'd! (_Half aside._)

GNAT. Will not this gift be very acceptable
To Thais, think you?

PAR. You'd insinuate
That we're shut out.--There is, alas, a change
In all things.

GNAT. For these six months, Parmeno,
For six whole months at least, I'll make you easy;
You sha'n't run up and down, and watch till daylight;
Come, don't I make you happy?

PAR. Very happy.

GNAT. 'Tis my way with my friends.

PAR. You're very good.

GNAT. But I detain you: you, perhaps, was going
Somewhere else.

PAR. Nowhere.

GNAT. May I beg you then
To use your int'rest here, and introduce me
To Thais?

PAR. Hence! away! these doors
Fly open now, because you carry her.

GNAT. Would you have any one call'd forth? (_Exit._

PAR. Well, well!
Pass but two days; and you, so welcome now,
That the doors open with your little finger,
Shall kick against them then, I warrant you,
Till your heels ache again.

_Re-enter GNATHO._

GNAT. Ha! Parmeno!
Are you here still? What! are you left a spy,
Lest any go-between should run by stealth
To Thais from the Captain? (_Exit._

P