In vain-his Hylas, number'd with the bless'd,
The starry seats, in blooming youth, possess'd.
In vain-immortal Hylas heard no more—
And Argo saw the quick-retiring shore:
Her chiefs aspersing his unspotted fame,
Affix deserter-to Alcides' name;

Yet soon, on foot, with hero soul sublime,
He reach'd rude Phasis' haunts, and Cholcos'
clime.

Esc. Well-I see you at last!

THY.

Esc. Too true!

What a face full of sorrow!

[head, THY. So it seems, by your rough bushy foreYour visage drawn out, and mustachios so horrid! I never, till yesterday, saw such another— A beggar from Athens, in leanness your brother! Nota shoe to his foot, the poor squalid Pythagorist, Believe me, was also in love with a bag of grist!

Esc. My friend, you are jocular-I'm full of The lovely Cynisca hath slighted me so! [woeAh! nobody guesses what pain I endure; I'm scarce a hair's breadth from a maniac, I'm

sure.

THY. I know you, my friend-rough or smooth

is your brow,

As it happens-but what hath befallen you now? Esc. Cleonicus and I, at a villa of mine, Met the Argive and Thessalian jockey, to dine On a roast pig and couple of fowls I had kill’d— When we heartily ate—and as heartily swill'd! Alas! little thought I indeed of a scrape;

While fragrant and brisk was the juice of the grape, Though bottled four years from the vintage (the

savour

Of cockles and garlic enriching the flavour). And now with our toasts the full bumpers were crown'd,

As the name of each mistress went merrily round. But she not a tittle: 'twas very distressing: Quoth the jockey aside—' Now I'll give her a

dressing

Mute hath met with a Wolf, that no word can
escape her'
[taper!)
(How she flush'd! at her face you might kindle a
It seems there's one Wolfe—very slender in truth,
Though cried up as a handsome and delicate youth!
With him long ago she was smitten, I heard;
But I let the thing lie, and still cherish'd my beard.
In fine, we had all of us drunk, and were mellow-
When the jockey,arch Apis,a mischievous fellow,
Struck up, on a sudden, a frolicsome ditty,
Of Wolfe who was lovely, and sighing, and pretty!'
Like an infant she sobb'd-when in violent pique,
(You know me) I hit her a blow on the cheek!
Then, swelling with passion, I hit her another-
I shall never forget-'twas so horrid a pother!

And Mischief! (said I) was I right in my fears?
Begone, nor insult me! a curse on thy tears!
Begone; since a sweeter thy bosom possesses;
Go, cherish his love with thy wanton caresses!'
Quick-rising, she gather'd her vest in a knot,
And fleet, as from under the roof of a cot
The swallow (just fed her yet clamorous brood)
Skims around for another provision of food;
She flew from her chair, in a frantic disorder,
Glided over the lobby; and then through the
foredoor
[cost-

Glanced away-sure the proverb is true to my
'The bull in the midst of the thicket is lost!'
Two months will to-morrow be gone, since I've
seen her-
[dinner!'

Since here I've been sighing- How fatal a And never, alas! from that terrible day, sir, Hath my beard (like a Thracian's) felt edge of [Wolfe,

a razor!

Ever since hath she lived day and night with her Regardless of me, a poor shade, or the gulf Into which she has plunged me! I wish I could hate her,

And rise, overhead as I am, in love-water.
Like the mouse that hath bitten the pitch I com-
plain,

Attempting to swallow the morsel in vain.
Thyonichus, what shall I do, to get rid

Of my passion? I'll do as my neighbour Sim did! You know, though he loved the proud girl to distraction,

He enlisted and fought away love in an action!
And I too-no dastardly fellow I wist—
To fight it away, am resolved to enlist!

THY. I wish thee success with the little wing'd

god!

But, if thou'rt determined on warfare abroad, King Ptolemy, best of all kings, I engage, is Full ready, my boy, to reward thee with wages. Esc. Is he generous?

THY. He boasts a benevolent spirit. Attach'd to the freeborn, encouraging merit! Goodnature and courtesy welcome the guest; And pleasantry adds to his dainties a zest : Yet, whilst for his friends generosity shapes him, Believe me, an enemy never escapes him. He gives like a monarch, nor ever refuses— Besides, he's the patron and boast of the Muses! Go, therefore (thy love swallow'd up by ambition), To Egypt, and offer a modest petition!

Go arm thee, and throw the short cloak o'er thy shoulder[bolder;

To meet the fierce phalanx stand bolder and But hasten-In life there's no room for delayE'en now, my dear boy, we begin to decay! Age silvers the brow, to the cheeks stealing on"Tis in vigour of youth that the battle is won!

SCENE, Praxinoe's House, in the Suburbs of Alexandria.

GORGO, PRAXINOE, EUnoe.

GORGO.

My dear little girl, is Praxinoe at home? EUN. She is but how late, Mrs. Gorgo, you come!

PRA. Indeed! I thought Madam her head would ne'er push in

But, Eunoe, see for a chair and a cushion.
EUN. I have-

PRA.

GOR.

Pray sit down

What a terrible din! What a pother! 'tis well I escaped in whole skin! What a brave heart have I! to pass so many folks That clatter'd in sandals, and jostled in cloaks!