University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

Enter GRIPUS, and DÆMONES, with the Wallet.
GRIPUS,
to Dæmones in entering.
Follow me this way.—Where is this Procurer?—
(Calling.)
Ho!—Hearkye!—Ho there!—
(To Labrax.)
He has got your wallet.

Dæm.
I have it; I confess, that I have got it:
If it be your's, e'en take it.—All that's in it
Shall be return'd you safe and whole.—Then take it,
If it be your's.

Lab.
O ye immortal Powers!
'Tis mine.—Welcome, dear wallet!

Dæm.
Is it your's?

Lab.
Mine, do you ask?—By heav'ns, if Jove himself
Had got it, it were mine.

Dæm.
There's nothing touch'd,
Except one little casket, that contain'd
Some trinkets, which I found my daughter by.

Lab.
Daughter? what daughter?

Dæm.
She that was your property,
Palæstra;—she is found to be my daughter.

Lab.
'Tis a rare chance by heav'ns; and I am glad,
That things have happen'd to your wish so luckily.

Dæm.
I hardly can believe you.

Lab.
To convince you
That I am glad, you shall not pay one doit;
I'll give her to you.

Dæm.
You oblige me.

Lab.
Nay
The obligation's on my side, good Sir. (Takes the wallet.)


Grip.
Hearkye! you've got the wallet now.

Lab.
I have it.

Grip.
Come, quick then.

Lab.
Quick then? what?

Grip.
Give me the money.

Lab.
I'll neither give, nor do I owe you aught.

Grip.
What dealing's this? Not owe me?

Lab.
No indeed.

Grip.
Did you not swear?

Lab.
I swore; and I will swear
Whate'er I please. Oaths were contriv'd to guard,
Not to destroy our property.

Grip.
Come pay me
The silver talent, thou most perjur'd knave!

Dæm.
Gripus, what talent?

Grip.
Which he swore to give me.

Lab.
I chose to swear: what then?—Are you a Pontiff,
That you can fine me for my perjury?

Dæm.
On what occasion promis'd he this money?

Grip.
He swore, if I would help him to his wallet,
That he would give me a great silver talent.

Lab.
Get one to go with me before a judge,
Where I will prove you trick'd me in the bargain:
Besides, I'm under age.

Grip.
Here,—go with Him.

(Pointing to Dæmones.)
Lab.
No, I must have some other: he's your master.

Dæm.
You shall not carry off this wallet from him,
Till I have found him guilty.—Did you promise him
The money?

Lab.
I confess it.

Dæm.
What you promis'd
My servant, of a right belongs to me.—
Don't think your pimp's tricks will avail you here:
They will not do.

Grip.
You thought, that you had got
A fool to deal with, one that you could cozen.
Come, pay the money down: and I will give it
Directly to my master for my freedom.

Dæm.
Since I have been so courteous, and through me
These things were sav'd,—

Grip.
Through me, say not through you.

Dæm.
(To Grip.)
Don't be a fool, but hold your tongue: (To Labrax.)
You ought
On your part to return the obligation.

Lab.
Yes truly! you defend my right so well!

Dæm.
'Twere strange indeed, should I defend your right
To my own disadvantage.

Grip.
So,—all's well:
The pimp grows softer: I foresee my freedom.

Dæm.
This fellow found your wallet, he's my slave,
And I have sav'd it for you with it's treasure.

Lab.
I thank you for't; and now I see no reason
But you should have the talent which I promis'd.

Grip.
Hearkye me! come then,—if you're wise, come give it me.

Dæm.
Won't you be quiet?

Grip.
You pretend forsooth
You're taking of my part, when all the while
'Tis for yourself you're acting.—Though I've lost
One prize, you shall not chouse me out of this.

Dæm.
Speak but another word, I'll have you drub'd.

Grip.
Nay, you may even kill me, but I'll not
Be silent, till my mouth's stopt with a talent.

Lab.
'Tis for your interest he's concern'd: be quiet.

Dæm.
(To Labrax.)
Come hither, step aside here.

Lab.
If you please.

(Dæmones and Labrax walk on one side.)
Grip.
Do all above board; I will have no whisperings.

Dæm.
What was the price you gave for Ampelisca,
That other girl?

Lab.
I paid a thousand pieces.

Dæm.
Say, shall I make a fair and good proposal?

Lab.
I am content, Sir.

Dæm.
I'll divide the talent.

Lab.
'Tis well.

Dæm.
Yourself take one half for her freedom;
The other give to Gripus.

Lab.
Very well.

Dæm.
And for that half I'll set the fellow free,
Through whom you found your wallet, I my daughter.

Lab.
I thank you heartily: 'tis rightly done.

Grip.
Well, shall I have the money out of hand?

Dæm.
Th'affair is settled, Gripus: I have got it.

Grip.
Faith I had rather though, that I had got it.

Dæm.
There's nothing for you, therefore don't expect it.—
You must release him of his oath.

Grip.
I'm ruin'd!
I shall be dead, if I don't han0g myself.—
You shall not cozen me a second time.

Dæm.
Labrax, you'll sup with me.

Lab.
Agreed, with pleasure.

Dæm.
Come with me in now both of you.—
(He addresses himself to the Spectators.)
—Spectators,
I would invite You too, but I have nought
To give you, I have no good chear within;
Besides, I fancy you're bid forth to supper.
If it shall please you to applaud our play,
I do invite you all to a collation
Sixteen years hence.—
(To Labrax and Gripus.)
You two will sup with me
To-night.

Lab.
With pleasure.

Dæm.
(To the Spectators.)
Give us your applause.

[Exeunt.