Act IV, Scene IX

Enter CRITO, looking about him.

CRITO (to himself.) It was said that Chrysis used to live in this street, who preferred to gain wealth here dishonorably to living honestly as a poor woman in her own country: by her death that property has descended to me by law. But I see some persons of whom to make inquiry. (Accosting them.) Good-morrow to you.

MYS. Prithee, whom do I see? Isn’t this Crito, the kinsman of Chrysis? It is he.

CRI. O Mysis, greetings to you.

MYS. Welcome to you, Crito.

CRI. Is Chrysis then----? Alas!

MYS. Too truly. She has indeed left us poor creatures quite heart-broken.

CRI. How fare you here, and in what fashion? Pretty well?

MYS. What, we? Just as we can, as they say; since we can’t as we would.

CRI. How is Glycerium? Has she discovered her parents yet?

MYS. I wish she had.

CRI. What, not yet? With no favorable omen did I set out for this place; for, upon my faith, if I had known that, I never would have moved a foot hither. She was always said to be, and was looked upon as her sister; what things were hers she is in possession of; now for me to begin a suit at law here, the precedents of others warn me, a stranger, how easy and profitable a task it would be for me. At the same time, I suppose that by this she has got some friend and protector; for she was pretty nearly a grown-up girl when she left there. They would cry out that I am a sharper; that, a pauper, I’m hunting after an inheritance; besides, I shouldn’t like to strip the girl herself.

MYS. O most worthy stranger! I’faith, Crito, you still adhere to your good old-fashioned ways.

CRI. Lead me to her, since I have come hither, that I may see her.

MYS. By all means. (They go into the house of GLYCERIUM.)

DAV. (to himself.) I’ll follow them; I don’t wish the old man to see me at this moment. (He follows MYSIS and CRITO.)