When I had search’d the whole town, I return’d to my lodging, where, the ceremony of kisses ended, I got my boy to a closer hug, and, enjoying my wishes, thought myself happy even to envy:  Nor had I done when Ascyltos stole to the door, and springing the bolt, found us at leap-frog; upon which, clapping his hands, he fell a laughing, and turning me out of the saddle; “What,” said he, “most reverend gentleman, what were you doing, my brother sterling?” Not content with words only, but untying the thong that bound his wallet, he gave me a warning, and with other reproaches, “As you like this, so be for parting again.”

The unexpectedness of the thing made me take no notice of it, but politickly turn it off with a laugh; for otherwise I must have been at loggar-heads with my rival:  Whereas sweetening him with a counterfeit mirth, I brought him also to laugh for company:  “And you, Encolpius,” began he, “are so wrapt in pleasures, you little consider how short our money grows, and what we have left will turn to no account:  There’s nothing to be got in town this summertime, we shall have better luck in the country; let’s visit our friends.”

Necessity made me approve his advice, as well as conceal the smart of his lash; so loading Gito with our baggage, we left the city, and went to the house of one Lycurgus, a Roman knight; who, because Ascyltos had formerly been his pathick, entertain’d us handsomly; and the company, we met there, made our diversions the pleasanter:  For, first there was Tryphoena, a very beautiful woman, that had come with one Lycas, the owner of a ship, and of a small seat, that lay next the sea.

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.  The refusal set him the sharper; he follow’d me where-ever I went, and getting into my chamber at night, when entreaty did no good, he fell to downright violence; but I rais’d such an outcry that I wak’d the whole house, and, by the help of Lycurgus, got rid of him for that bout.

At length perceiving Lycurgus’s house was not for his purpose, he would have persuaded me to his own; but I rejecting the proffer, he made use of Tryphoena’s authority; and she the rather persuaded me to yield to him, because she was in hopes of living more at liberty there.  I follow’d therefore whither my love led me; but Lycurgus having renew’d his old concern with Ascyltos, wou’d not suffer him to depart:  At last we agreed, that he shou’d stay with Lycurgus, and we go with Lycas:  Over and beside which, it was concluded, that every of us, as opportunity offer’d, should pilfer what he could for the common stock.