Would come upon him ere he could return.
But now, not finding me, I'm very sure
He'll hobble back again immediately;
Question me where I've been, that I've not seen him
All the day long; and what shall I reply?

SYRUS. What? can you think of nothing?

CTES. No, not I.

SYRUS. So much the worse.--Have you no client, friend,
Or guest?

CTES. I have. What then?

SYRUS. You've been engag'd
With them.

CTES. When not engag'd? It can not be.

SYRUS. It may.

CTES. Aye, marry, for the day I grant you.
But if I pass the night here, what excuse
Then, Syrus?

SYRUS. Ah! I would it were the custom
To be engag'd at night too with one's friends!
--But be at ease! I know his mind so well,
That when he raves the loudest, I can make him
As gentle as a lamb.

CTES. How so?

SYRUS. He loves
To hear you prais'd. I sing your praises to him,
And make you out a little God.

CTES. Me!

SYRUS. You.
And then the old man blubbers like a child,
For very joy.--But have a care! (_Looking out._)

CTES. What now?

SYRUS. The wolf i' th' fable!

CTES. What, my father?

SYRUS. He.

CTES. What's the best, Syrus?

SYRUS. In! fly! I'll take care.

CTES. You have not seen me, if he asks: d'ye hear?

SYRUS. Can't you be quiet? (_Pushes out CTESIPHO._)

SCENE II.

_Enter DEMEA at another part of the stage._

DEM. Verily I am
A most unhappy man! for first of all,
I can not find my brother any where:
And then besides, in looking after him,
I chanc'd on one of my day laborers,
Who had but newly left my farm, and told me
Ctesipho was not there. What shall I do?

{_CTESIPHO and SYRUS apart._}

CTES. (_peeping out._) Syrus?

SYRUS. What?

CTES. Does he seek me?

SYRUS. Yes.

CTES. Undone!

SYRUS. Courage!

DEM. (_to himself_). Plague on it, what ill luck is this?
I can't account for it: but I believe
That I was born for nothing but misfortunes.
I am the first who feels our woes; the first
Who knows of them; the first who tells the news:
And come what may, I bear the weight alone.

SYRUS (_behind_). Ridiculous! he says he knows all first;
And he alone is ignorant of all.

DEM. I'm now return'd to see if Micio
Be yet come home again.

{_CTESIPHO and SYRUS apart._}

CTES. (_peeping out_). Take care, good Syrus,
He don't rush in upon us unawares!

SYRUS. Peace! I'll take care.

CTES. 'Faith, I'll not trust to you,
But shut myself and her in some by-place
Together: that's the safest.

SYR