Now, damsel, that you mayn’t be mistaken, you are not mine; so don’t think it.

PASICOMPSA.

Prithee, tell me, then, whose I am?

LYSIMACHUS.

You’ve been bought back for your own master. I’ve bought you back for him; he requested me to do so.

PASICOMPSA.

My spirits have returned, if good faith is kept with me.

LYSIMACHUS.

Be of good courage; this person will give you your liberty. I’ troth, he did so dote upon you this day as soon as ever he had seen you.

PASICOMPSA.

I’ faith, it’s now two years since he commenced his connexion with me. Now, as I’m sure that you are a friend of his, I’ll disclose it.

LYSIMACHUS.

How say you? Is it now two years since he formed the connexion with you?

PASICOMPSA.

Certainly, it is; and we agreed, on oath, between ourselves, I with him, and he with me, that I would never have intercourse with any man except himself, nor he with any woman except myself.

LYSIMACHUS.

Immortal Gods! Isn’t he even to sleep with his wife?

PASICOMPSA.

Prithee, is he a married man? He neither is nor will he be.

LYSIMACHUS.

Indeed, I wish he wasn’t. I’ faith, the fellow has been committing perjury.

PASICOMPSA.

No young man do I more ardently love.

LYSIMACHUS.

Why, really he’s a child, you simpleton; for, in fact, it’s not so very long a time since his teeth fell out.

PASICOMPSA.

What? His teeth?

LYSIMACHUS.

It’s no matter? Follow me this way, please; he requested that I would find you room for one day in my house, since my wife is away in the country. [He goes into his house, followed by PASICOMPSA]

[…]

DEMIPHO.

[to himself] At last I’ve managed to ruin myself; a mistress has been purchased for me without the knowledge of my wife and son. I’m resolved on it; I’ll have recourse again to former habits and enjoy myself. In my allotment of existence, almost now run through, the little that there remains of life, I’ll cheer up with pleasure, wine, and love. For it’s quite proper for this time of life to enjoy itself. When you are young, then, when the blood is fresh, it’s right to devote your exertions to acquiring your fortune; and then when at last, you are an old man, you may set yourself at your ease; drink, and be amorous; this, the fact that you are living, is now so much profit. This, as I say, I’ll carry out in deed.

Meanwhile a friend of Charinus tells him that the girl has been sold. And Lysimachus, who is holding the girl in his house for Charinus’ father, Demipho, comes in for a nasty surprise when his wife Dorippa arrives home.

[Enter DORIPPA.]

DORIPPA. [To herself]