Plautus's comedies ... made English, with critical remarks upon each play.

SCENE II.

Enter Trachalio from the Temple, in great haste.

Tra. aloud.]

—Oh, Cyrenian People, your Assist∣ance here;—help, good Country-men, Friends, and all the Neighbours, help the Distressed, I beseech ye, and punish the worst of all Rogueries;—lest In∣nocence shou'd be overpower'd by Villains, so notori∣ous for their Crimes!—O punish Rogues, and re∣ward the Honest; and let us live by the Laws, not Op∣pression!—Make haste to the Temple here;—once more I beg your Assistance; all who are nigh, and within call. Succour them, who, according to th' an∣cient Custom, ha' fled to Venus, and her Priestess for Protection! Nip this unjust Violence i' the Bud, before it reaches any of you.

Dem.

What disturbance is this?

Tra. kneeling.]

I adjure you by these Knees, old Gen∣tleman, who e'r you are, to—

Dem.

Let my Knees alone, and tell me what's the matter, and why this Hubbub?

Tra.

Let me pray and beg of ye, as ye hope for a good Crop of Herbs, and a plentiful Harvest o' Plants, with a good and safe Voyage to Capoua, and as y' hope ne'r to be blink-ey'd, as long as you've a day to live,—

Dem.

Are ye mad?

Tra.

—And as ye hope for a good store o'Seed for next Year, good Sir, don't refuse your Assistance, to him who begs of ye.

Dem.

I adjure you too, by your Legs, Shanks and Sides, as ye' hope for a good Crop o' Birch, and a plen∣tiful Harvest o' Lashes, to tell me th' occasion o' this Hubbub.

Tra.

Why are your Wishes bad, when mine were all good?

Dem.

So were mine too, when I wish'd for your de∣serts.

Tra.

Let that pass, Sir.

Dem.

Well, what's the business?

Tra.

Two poor Innocent Girls i' the Temple want your help; where they're notoriously abus'd contrary to all the Laws and Priviledges o' the Place. Then the Priestess her self is treated after a most Inhuman man∣ner.

Dem.

Who dares offer Violence to the Priestess o' Venus? But what Girls are these? And what Injuries offer'd them?

Tra.

Patience, Sir, and I'll tell ye.—At present they hang about the Statue o' Venus; now there's a most impudent Rascal who wou'd needs pluck 'em away by main force, whereas they're both born free.

Dem.

What sacrilegious Fellow's that?

Tra.

A cheating, wicked, murdering, perjur'd, lawless, impudent, prosigate Villain; to sum up all, a Bawd: What need I say worse?—

Dem.

In good Faith, one who deserves to be ston'd.

Tra.

A Dog, who had th' Insolence to take the Priest∣ess by the Throat.

Dem.

As I live he shall pay sauce for that.—

[Goes to his Door.]

Soho, Turbalio, and Sparax, where are ye?