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When Lycas found Tryphoena was with himself eagerly inclin'd to revenge, he order'd to increase our punishments, which when Eumolpus perceiv'd, he endeavour'd to mitigate after this manner. "I pity the wretches," said he, "that lie at your mercy.
Upon which I was so far from begging pardon, that without any respect I held my fists at Tryphoena, and plainly told her she shou'd feel me, if her lecherous ladiship, who only in the ship deserv'd to be punisht, was not content to decline her pretentions to Gito.
The delight we receiv'd in this place was more than can be exprest, tho' Lycurgus's table was thrifty enough: The first thing was every one to chuse his play-mate: The fair Tryphoena pleas'd me, and readily inclin'd to me; but I had scarce given her the courtesie of the house, when Lycas storming to have his old amour slockt from him, accus'd me at first of under-dealing; but soon from a rival addressing himself as a lover, he pleasantly told me, I must repair his damages, and plyed me hotly: But Tryphoena having my heart, I could not lend him an ear.
Whoever kept sober at the festival of Dionysus, whose incarnate second self he regarded himself, incurred his deepest displeasure. "The flute-player's wife, Queen Tryphoena, and her oldest daughter she bore your name, Berenike ruined his life. Compared with them, the King was worthy and virtuous. What had become of the heroes and the high-minded princes of the house of Ptolemy?
Our fight was unknown till Tryphoena and Doris were got out of bed; for we daily attended their levy, and waited on them while they were dressing; but, when contrary to custom they found us missing, Lycas tent after us, and especially to the sea-side, for he had heard we made that way, but not a word of the pillage, for the ship lay somewhat to sea-ward, and the master had not yet return'd on board.
"Tryphoena, you do from the bottom of your heart, as you are in perfect mind, promise never to complain of any injury you have receiv'd from Gito; nor mention, upbraid him with, or study to revenge directly or indirectly any action of his before this day; and to prevent your forcing him to an unwilling compliance, be it further agreed, that you never kiss, coll, or bring him to a closer hug, without the forfeiture of 100 denarii: And for better security, that you always pay your mony, before you have your ware.
When Lycas, still resenting the abuse he received in his vitiated wife, and the affronts at the porch of Hercules' temple, with greater rage cry'd out, "I thought you had been convinc'd, Tryphoena, that Heaven has the care of humane affairs, when it not only brought our enemies into our power, which they strove to avoid, but reveal'd it in a vision to us both; see what you'l get by pardoning them, whom Heaven it self has brought to punishment, for my part, I am not naturally so cruel, but am afraid the judgment I shou'd prevent from justly falling upon others, may light on my own head."
And Queen Tryphoena, whom history recorded as a monster, had not killed her husband, but merely thrust him from the throne.
Upon this, both sides drew up their ranks, when the pilot perceiving how commical a war it was, with much ado was perswaded to let Tryphoena dispatch an herald to capitulate: Articles immediately according to the custom of countries being mutually agreed off on both sides; Tryphoena snatcht an olive-branch, the ensign of peace, that stuck to the image of prosperity pictur'd in the ship, and holding it in the midst of us, thus addrest her self.
Upon which the more lustful Tryphoena askt, and made me tell her, what those wanton caresses meant; she was inspired with new heat at the relation; and mindful of our old amours, offer'd to revive our former commerce; but worn off my legs with those employments, I gave her invitations but an ill return; yet she with all the desires of a woman transported by her passion, threw her arms about me, and so closely lockt me in her imbraces, I was forc'd to cry out; one of her maids came in at the noise, and easily believing I wou'd force from her the favours I had deny'd her mistress, rusht between, and loos'd the bands: Tryphoena meeting with such a repulse, and even raging with desire, took it more grievous at my hands, and with threats at her going off, flew to Lycas; not only to raise his resentments against me, but to join with him in pursuit of revenge.
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