SAN. What business have you with me?

AESCH. None.

SAN. How then, do you know who I am?

AESCH. I don't want to.

SAN. Have I touched any thing of yours?

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

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

AESCH. 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.

SAN. A free man, with whips?

AESCH. So it shall be.

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

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

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

AESCH. Leave alone {all} that, and come to the point.

SAN. What point? Where am I to come to?

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

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

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

SAN. I am a Procurer,[33] I confess it-- the common bane of youth-- a
perjurer, a {public} nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from
me.

AESCH. Why, faith, that remains to come----

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

AESCH. You bought her for twenty minae; and may your bargain never
thrive! That sum shall be given {for her}.

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

AESCH. By no means.

SAN. I was afraid you would.

AESCH. Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I
claim her by action of freedom.[34] Now consider which you choose;
take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it,
Procurer, till I return.[35] (_He goes into the house of MICIO._)

SCENE II.

_SANNIO alone._

SAN. (_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, pr