4–5
Lysias I perceived from the breathing that there was more than one person there, and thought at first that Lyde must be sleeping with her. Pythias, I was mistaken! My hands passed over a smooth, beardless man’s face; the fellow was close-cropped, and reeked of scent like any woman. I had not brought my sword with me, or you may be sure I should have known what to do with it.—What are you both laughing at? Is it so amusing, Pythias?
Foessa Oh, Lysias! is that all? Why, it was Pythias who was sleeping with me!
Pythias Foessa, don’t tell him!
Foessa Why not? Lysias, dear, it was Pythias; I had asked her to come and sleep with me; I was so lonely without you.
5
Lysias Pythias? Then her hair has grown pretty fast in five days.
Foessa She has been ill, and her hair was falling off, and she had to have it cropped. And now she has got false hair. Pythias, show him that it is so. Behold your rival, Lysias! this is the young gentleman of whom you were jealous.
Lysias And what lover would not have been jealous? I had the evidence of my hands, remember.
Foessa Well, you know better now. Suppose I were to return you evil for evil? What should you say to that? It is my turn to be angry with you now.
Lycinus No, you mustn’t be angry. We will have some wine, and Pythias must join us; the truce cannot be ratified without her.
5
Foessa Of course not. A pretty scrape you have led me into, Pythias, you nice young man!
