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Enter MNESILOCHUS from the house of BACCHIS.

MNESILOCHUS
Insolent, of a froward, passionate, ungovernable, inconsiderate disposition, without reason and moderation, am I; without fine principles of rectitude and honor, hard of belief, powerless to control my passions, born of a temper ill-disposed, unamiable and ungracious is my life1 In fine, I am that which I could wish others to be. There's not a person more worthless, or more unworthy for the Gods to bless, or for men to love or to associate with. 'Tis more just that I should have enemies than friends--'tis more reasonable that the bad should give me their assistance than the good. There's not a person more deserving of all the reproaches that are befitting worthless men, than I, who have given up to my father the money that was in my power. Could this be believed by any one whatever? Am I not a madman, who have miserably undone myself and the device of Chrysalus?

PISTOCLERUS
aside . He must now be consoled by me; I'll accost him. Aloud. Hallo, Mnesilochus! what's the matter?

MNESILOCHUS
I'm ruined.

PISTOCLERUS
May the Gods grant better things!

MNESILOCHUS
I'm ruined.

PISTOCLERUS
Won't you hold your tongue, simpleton?

MNESILOCHUS
Hold my tongue?

PISTOCLERUS
You are not now quite right in your senses.

MNESILOCHUS
I'm undone. Many sharp and poignant woes are now arising in my breast. Did I not put faith in that accusation? Without any cause was I angry with you.

PISTOCLERUS
Come, come, do have a good heart.

MNESILOCHUS
Whence have it? A dead man is of more value than I am.

PISTOCLERUS
The Captain's Parasite came here, just now, to fetch the gold hence. I drove the fellow away from this door and from this fair one, and packed him off through my harsh language.

MNESILOCHUS
But of what service is that to me? Wretch that I am, what shall I do? I have nothing; and he certainly will carry her off.

PISTOCLERUS
By my faith, if I had the means, I'd engage not.

MNESILOCHUS
I know you'd give it me; I know your ways; and were you not in love, I should now have the very greatest possible confidence in your assistance. At present, you yourself have more than enough of your own business, for me to suppose that you, who are in want yourself; are able to give me any assistance.

PISTOCLERUS
Do but hold your tongue: some Divinity will favour us.

MNESILOCHUS.
Nonsense. Moves as if going.

PISTOCLERUS
Do stay Takes hold of him.

MNESILOCHUS
What's the matter?

PISTOCLERUS
Why, I see Chrysalus here, your main resource.

1 Is my life: "Vivo." Literally "I live," "I exist."

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