Micio alone.
Mic. These things are[30] not nothing at all, nor yet all just as he says; still they do give me some uneasiness; but I was unwilling to show him that I took them amiss, for he is such a man; when I would pacify him, I steadily oppose and resist him; and in spite of it he hardly puts up with it like other men; but if I were to inflame, or even to humor his anger, I should certainly be as mad as himself. And yet Æschinus has done me some injustice in this affair. What courtesan has he not intrigued with? Or to which of them has he not made some present? At last, he recently told me that he wished to take a wife,[31] I suppose he was just then tired of them all. I was in hopes that the warmth of youth had now subsided; I was delighted. But look now, he is at it again; however, I am determined to know it, whatever it is, and to go meet the fellow, if he is at the Forum.
Exit.
[ ACT THE SECOND.]
[ Scene I.]
Enter Æschinus and Parmeno with the Music-Girl, followed by Sannio and a crowd of people.
San. I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed.
Æsch. (to the Girl.) Be quiet, and now then stand here just where you are. Why do you look back? There’s no danger; he shall never touch you while I am here.
San. I’ll have her, in spite of all.
Æsch. Though he is a villain, he’ll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating.