4–5
PANNYCHIS
You’ve ruined me, fellow. Good day to you, Polemo. It’s a long time since I’ve seen you.
POLEMO
Who is this who’s being so familiar with you? Can’t you speak? Very well, Pannychis, go your own way. And here I’ve been rushing in haste from Thermopylae for five days, all for a woman like you! But it serves me right, though I’m grateful to think that henceforth I’ll be free from your plundering.
PHILOSTRATUS
Who are you, my good man?
POLEMO
Polemo of the Stirian deme and the Pandionic tribe, let me tell you. One who first was leader of a thousand, but now has five thousand shields following him, one who loved Pannychis, while I believed she was still content with mortal thoughts.
5
PHILOSTRATUS
But now, my good freelance, you’ll find that Pannychis is mine. She’s had a talent from me, and shall have another presently, as soon as I’ve disposed of my cargo. Come with me now, Pannychis, and leave this fellow to be colonel among his Thracians.
POLEMO
She’s a free woman, and will go with you only if she wishes.
PANNYCHIS
What am I to do, Dorcas?
DORCAS
You’d better go in; you can’t go near Polemo when he’s so angry, and a little jealousy will only heighten his passion.
PANNYCHIS
Please let’s go in, Philostratus.
10
POLEMO
I warn you that your drinking days will end today, or all my training in killing must go for nothing. Call up the Thracians, Parmeno. On with them in full armour, sealing off the alley with their phalanx! Hoplites in the centre, slingers and archers on the wings, and the rest in reserve!
