By this I understood he was inform’d of my affairs; and that some one had been in pursuit of me; upon which I ask’t my Gito whether any body was to enquire for me.  “Not this day,” said he, “but yesterday there came a very pretty woman, who, when she had tir’d me with a long sifting discourse; at last told me you deserv’d to be punisht, and shou’d as a slave, if you longer complain’d.”

This so sensibly touch’d me, that I began afresh to reproach fortune:  Nor had I done, e’re Chrysis came in, and wildly throwing her arms about me:  “Now,” said she, “I’ll hold my wish, you’re my love, my joy; nor may you think to quench this flame, but by a more close embrace.”

I was much disturb’d at Chrysis’s wantonness, and gave her fair language, to get rid of her; for I was very apprehensive of the danger of Eumolpus’s hearing it, since his good fortune had made him so proud.  I did therefore what I could to appease her rage; I dissembl’d love, whisper’d soft things, and in short manag’d it so like a lover, that she believ’d me one.  I made her understand in what danger we both were, if she shou’d be found with me in that place, and that our lord Eumolpus punisht the least offence.  Upon which she immediately made out, and the more hastily, because she saw Gito returning, who had left me a little before she came.

She was scarce out, when on a sudden one of the slaves came to me, and told me that our lord so highly resented my two days absence, that unless, as he advised me, I invented a good excuse to allay his heat, I shou’d certainly be punish’d.

Gito perceiving how concern’d I was, spoke not a word of the woman, but advis’d me to behave myself merrily to Eumolpus, rather than serious.  I pursu’d the counsel, and put on so pleasant a face that he receiv’d me in drollery, without the grave stiffness of a master.  He was pleasant on the success of my amours; prais’d my meen and wit that was so agreeable to the ladies:  and “I’m no stranger,” said he, “to your love of a very beautiful lady.  But now, Encolpius, that rightly manag’d, may turn to our advantage; therefore do you personate the lover, I’ll continue the character I’ve begun.”

Matrona inter primas honesta, Philomela nomine quae multas saepe hereditates officio aetati extorserat, tum anus et floris extincti, filium filiamque ingerebat orbis senibus, et per hanc successionem artem suam perseverabat extendere.  Ea ergo ad Eumolpum venit et commendare liberos suos eius prudentiae bonitatique . . . credere se et vota sua.  Illum esse solum in toto orbe terrarum, qui praeceptis etiam salubribus instruere iuvenes quotidie posset.  Ad summam, relinquere se pueros in domo Eumolpi, ut illum loquentem audirent:  quae sola posset hereditas iuvenibus dari.  Nec aliter fecit ac dixerat, filiamque speciosissimam cum fratre ephebo in cubiculo reliquit simulavitque se in templum ire ad vota nuncupanda.  Eumolpus, qui tam frugi erat ut illi etiam ego puer