house._)

SYR. (_apart._) Do so, still I'll get rid of him.

DEM. (_seeing SYRUS._) But see! there's that rascal, Syrus.

SYR. (_aloud, pretending not to see DEMEA._) Really, upon my faith, no
person can stay here, if this is to be the case! For my part, I should
like to know how many masters I have-- what a cursed condition this
is!

DEM. What's he whining about? What does he mean? How say you, good
sir, is my brother at home?

SYR. What the plague do you talk to me about, "good sir"? I'm quite
distracted!

DEM. What's the matter with you?

SYR. Do you ask the question? Ctesipho has been beating me, poor
wretch, and that Music-girl, almost to death.

DEM. Ha! what is it you tell me?

SYR. Aye, see how he has cut my lip. (_Pretends to point to it._)

DEM. For what reason?

SYR. He says that she was bought by my advice.

DEM. Did not you tell me, a short time since, that you had seen him on
his way into the country?

SYR. I did; but he afterward came back, raving like a madman; he
spared nobody-- ought he not to have been ashamed to beat an old man?
Him whom, only the other day, I used to carry about in my arms when
thus high? (_Showing._)

DEM. I commend him; O Ctesipho, you take after your father. Well, I do
pronounce you a man.

SYR. Commend him? Assuredly he will keep his hands to himself in
future, if he's wise.

DEM. {'Twas done} with spirit.

SYR. Very much so, to be beating a poor woman, and me, a slave, who
didn't dare strike him in return; heyday! very spirited indeed!

DEM. He could not {have done} better: he thought the same as I {did},
that you were the principal in this affair. But is my brother within?

SYR. He is not.

DEM. I'm thinking where to look for him.

SYR. I know where he is-- but I shall not tell you at present.

DEM. Ha! what's that you say?

SYR. {I do say} so.

DEM. Then I'll break your head for you this instant.

SYR. I can't tell the person's name {he's gone to}, but I know the
place where he lives.

DEM. Tell me the place then.

SYR. Do you know the portico down this way, just by the shambles?
(_Pointing in the direction._)

DEM. How should I but know it?

SYR. Go straight along, right up that street; when you come there,
there is a descent right opposite that goes downward, go straight down
that; afterward, on this side (_extending one hand_), there is a
chapel: close by it is a narrow lane, where there's also a great wild
fig-tree.

DEM. I know