n for a virgin, belonging to an extortionate
courtesan, I've found means of satisfying for him, without
molestation, without outlay, {and} without cost; then, this other
point-- that is really a thing that I consider my crowning merit, to
have found out the way by which a young man may be enabled to learn
the dispositions and manners of courtesans, so that by knowing them
betimes, he may detest them ever after. (_PYTHIAS enters from the
house unperceived._) For while they are out of doors, nothing seems
more cleanly, nothing more neat or more elegant; and when they dine
with a gallant, they pick daintily about:[103] to see the filth, the
dirtiness, the neediness of these women; how sluttish they are when at
home, and how greedy after victuals; in what a fashion they devour the
black bread with yesterday's broth:-- to know all this, is salvation
to a young man.

SCENE V.

_Enter PYTHIAS from the house._

PYTH. (_apart, unseen by PARMENO._) Upon my faith, you villain, I'll
take vengeance upon you for these sayings and doings; so that you
sha'n't make sport of us with impunity. (_Aloud, coming forward._) O,
by our trust in the Gods, what a disgraceful action! O hapless young
man! O wicked Parmeno, to have brought him here!

PAR. What's the matter?

PYTH. I do pity him; and so that I mightn't see it, wretched creature
that I am, I hurried away out of doors. What a dreadful example they
talk of making him!

PAR. O Jupiter! What is this tumult? Am I then undone? I'll accost
her. What's all this, Pythias? What are you saying? An example made of
whom?

PYTH. Do you ask the question, you most audacious fellow? You've
proved the ruin of the young man whom you brought hither for the
Eunuch, while you were trying to put a trick upon us.

PAR. How so, or what has happened? Tell me.

PYTH. I'll tell you: that young woman who was to-day made a present to
Thais, are you aware that she is a citizen of this place, and that her
brother is a person of very high rank?

PAR. I didn't know {that}.

PYTH. But so she has been discovered {to be}; he, unfortunate {youth},
has ravished her. When the brother came to know of this being done, in
a most towering rage, {he}----

PAR. Did what, pray?

PYTH. First, bound him in a shocking manner.

PAR. Bound him?

PYTH. And even though Thais entreated him that he wouldn't do so----

PAR. What is it you tell me?

PYTH. Now he is threatening that he {will} also {do} that which i