Scene III.

Enter Pythias and Dorias; Phædria at a distance.

Pyth. Where shall I find, unhappy that I am, Where seek this rascal-slave? - this slave, that durst To do a deed like this? - Undone! undone!

Phæd. What this may be, I dread.

Pyth. And then the villain, After he had abused the virgin, tore The poor girl's clothes, and dragg'd her by the hair.

Phæd. How's this!

Pyth. Who, were he now within my reach, How could I fly upon the vagabond, And tear the villain's eyes out with my nails?

Phæd. What tumult's this, arisen in my absence? I'll go and ask her. - (Going up.) What's the matter, Pythias? Why thus disturb'd? and whom is it you seek?

Pyth. Whom do I seek? Away, Sir Phædria! You and your gifts together!

Phæd. What's the matter?

Pyth. The matter, Sir! the Eunuch, that you sent us, Has made fine work here! the young virgin, whom The Captain gave my mistress, he has ravish'd.

Phæd. Ravish'd? How say you?

Pyth. Ruin'd, and undone!

Phæd. You're drunk.

Pyth. Would those who wish me ill were so!

Dori. Ah Pythias! what strange prodigy is this?

Phæd. You're mad: how could an Eunuch -

Pyth. I don't know Or who, or what he was. - What he has done, The thing itself declares. - The virgin weeps, Nor, when you ask what ails her, dare she tell. But he, good man, is nowhere to be found: And I fear too, that when he stole away, He carried something off.

Phæd. I can't conceive Whither the rascal can have flown, unless He to our house, perhaps, slunk back again.

Pyth. See now, I pray you, if he has.

Phæd. I will.

Exit.

Dori. Good lack! so strange a thing I never heard.

Pyth. I've heard, that they lov'd women mightily But could do nothing; yet I never thought on't: For if I had, I'd have confin'd him close In some by-place, nor trusted the girl to him.