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SCENE III.
Enter CAPPADOX.Cap.
Who say 'tis ill to trust to bankers, trifle,—
'Tis good and ill, as I have prov'd this day.
181
They're ill entrusted with; for 'tis quite lost.
Why, here's a fellow should have paid ten minæ:
When, after rummaging each banker's counter
And nothing coming, I set up a clamour—
He'll go to law—I was in desperate fear
He would not pay it, but before the Prætor.
But friends were urgent, so he paid the money
At home—And now I'll homeward hast myself.
The.
Hola! you pandar—Stop, I want you.
Phæ.
Ay,
I want you too—
Cap.
But I want neither of you.
The.
Stay where you are, and pay me back the money.
Cap.
Why, what have I to do with you, or you
With me?
The.
This day I'll make a javelin of you;
And, like a catapulta, throw you off
Quick from the string.
Phæ.
No, you're too delicate
For that: I'll make you lie down with a dog,
I mean a dog of iron.
182
And both of you
In a strong prison made of heart of oak,
Will I confine, to stay there till you rot.
The.
Seize him by the throat, and to the gallows with him!
[meaning Cappadox.
Phæ.
No need—He'll voluntarily go thither—
Cap.
Immortal Gods! what! seize me uncondemn'd,
Unheard! Planesium, help me—Phædromus?—
Pla.
My brother, do not ruin him by law;
I do beseech you, for he us'd me well,
While at his house, with modesty and care.
183
'Twas not by his good will—Thank Æsculapius,
That you are honest. Had he been in health,
He'd pack'd you off to any place that offer'd.
Phæ.
Let's see, if I can settle this between you—
Sir, let him go—Procurer, come you hither—
I will determine it, so you'll abide
By my decision.
Cap.
We refer to you;
So you decree I'm nothing out of pocket.
The.
That which you promis'd?—
Cap.
Promis'd?
Phæ.
He had your word.
Cap.
My word's against him now.—I now deny it.
Speech was for use, nor giv'n me for my loss.
The.
He trifles—seize the fellow by the throat.
Cap.
Well, well—I'm ready to obey your orders.
The.
Then since you are an honest man, make answer
To what I ask.
Cap.
Then ask me what you please.
Phæ.
Did you not promise, if 'twas made appear
That she was free, you would return the money?
Cap.
I cannot well remember to have said so.
The.
Do you deny it?—
Cap.
Yes, by Hercules!
Before whom? in what place?
The.
Before myself;
And Lyco too, the banker.
Cap.
You'll not say so.
184
Yes, but I will.
Cap.
I heed you not a rush—
Nay, fright not me.
The.
'Twas done when I was present,
And Lyco too, the banker.
[to Phæ.
Phæ.
I believe you.
And now attend, procurer, to my sentence.
The girl is free. This man is prov'd her brother,
[meaning The.
And she's his sister: soon she'll be my wife;
So pay the captain's money.—That's my sentence.
The.
You'll lie in bonds unless you pay the money.
Cap.
By Hercules! you have not judg'd with equity:
And you'll repent it, Phædromus. For you,
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound you!
[to The.
Follow me then—
The.
And whither?
Cap.
To my banker—
That's to the Prætor. For I always pay
My debts 'fore him.
The.
I'll have you to the prison,
Not to the Prætor, if you don't repay it.
Cap.
I wish you hang'd—And now you know my mind.
The.
Indeed!—
Cap.
By Hercules! indeed.
The.
And I
Am well acquainted with these fists of mine.
Cap.
What then?
The.
What then? d'ye ask? if you provoke me,
I'll quickly make you quiet.
185
Is it so?
Then take your money.
The.
Well—
Phæ.
And captain, you
Sup with me—'Tis my wedding night—
The.
May all
End well to all!—Spectators, your applause—
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