SOSTRATOS. And a man beat you although you were doing no wrong?

PYRRHIAS. Yes, and [looking to the left] here he comes. [Calling to KNEMON] I’m just off, sir. [To SOSTRATOS] You talk to him. [Exit PYRRHIAS, right.]

SOSTRATOS. Oh, I couldn’t. I never convince anyone when I talk. [Looks to left] How can one describe a man like this? He doesn’t look at all amiable to me, by God he doesn’t. And he means business. I’ll just move a bit away from the door: that’s better. He’s actually yelling at the top of his voice, though he’s all on his own. I don’t think he’s right in the head. To tell the truth, I’m afraid of him, I really am.

[Enter KNEMON, left.]

KNEMON. Well, wasn’t Perseus the lucky one, twice over, too. First, he could fly, so he never had to meet any of those who walk the earth: and then he had this marvellous device with which he used to turn anyone who annoyed him into stone. I wish I had it now [looking at audience]. There’d be no shortage of stone statues all round here.

Life is becoming intolerable, by God it is. People are actually walking on to my land now, and talking to me. [Ironically] Of course, I’m used to hanging about on the public highway – sure I am! When I don’t even work this part of my land any longer, I’ve abandoned it because of the traffic. But now they’re following me up to the tops, hordes of them. Heavens, here’s another one, standing right beside the door.

SOSTRATOS. [Aside] I wonder if he’ll hit me?

KNEMON. Privacy – you can’t find it anywhere, not even if you want to hang yourself.

SOSTRATOS. [Addressing him] Am I offending you, sir? I’m waiting here for someone, I arranged to meet him.

KNEMON. What did I tell you? Do you and your friends think this is a public walk-way? or Piccadilly Circus? Sure, make a date to meet at my door, if you want to see someone. Feel free, put up a bench if you want, build yourselves a club-house. What I suffer! Sheer impertinence, that’s the whole trouble, in my opinion. [Exit KNEMON into his house.]

Sostratos befriends Gorgias, the misanthrope’s stepson, who suggests that he prove his diligence by coming to work the fields. The misanthrope then falls down a well.

[Enter SOSTRATOS, from KNEMON’s house.]