Chapter 4

(Enter TOXILUS.)

TOXILUS: (to himself.) If you give attention to any matter with steadiness or with good management, that same is wont properly to thrive to your satisfaction. And, by my faith, pretty nearly according as each man gives attention to his business, in the same manner do the results finally ensure him success. If he is knavish or a rogue, the business turns out badly which he has commenced; but if he uses good management, it results profitably.

Cleverly and skilfully did I commence upon this business; for that reason do I trust that it will turn out well for me. Now, I’ll this day have the Procurer so hampered, that he shan’t know himself which way to extricate himself. (Goes to the door.) Sagaristio, hallo! Come forth, and bring out the young woman, and that letter which I sealed for you, which you brought me all the way from Persia, from my master.

(Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, from the house, each dressed in Persian costume.)

SAGARISTIO: Have I delayed at all?

TOXILUS: Bravo! bravo! dressed out in splendid style. (To SAGARISTIO.) The tiara does finely set off your dress. Then, too, how beautifully does the slipper become this stranger damsel!

But are you thoroughly up in your parts?

SAGARISTIO: Tragedians and Comedians have never been up so well.

TOXILUS: Troth, you are giving me kind assistance. Come, be off that way (pointing.) to a distance out of sight, and hold your tongue. When you see me conversing with the Procurer, that will be the time to accost us; now be off, you,—away with you. (SAGARISTIO and the DAMSEL go aside, out of sight.)

(Enter DORDALUS.)

DORDALUS: (to himself.) The man to whom the Deities are propitious, in his way they throw some profit. For I this day have made a saving of two loaves daily; this way, she who this day was my slave is now her own; by his cash he has prevailed; this day then she’ll be dining at the expense of another, she’ll be tasting nothing of mine. Am I not a worthy man, am I not a courteous citizen, who this day have made the extensive state of Attica still larger, and increased it by a female citizen? But how obliging have I been to-day! To how many have I given credit, and have from no person taken surety; so readily did I give credit to all: and I don’t fear that of those whom I’ve trusted to-day any one will forswear himself against me upon trial. I wish from this day forth to be honest—a thing that never will be and never was.

TOXILUS: (apart.) This fellow, this very day, by clever contrivances, I’ll catch in a springe; and so the snare is cunningly laid for him; I’ll accost the fellow. (Aloud.) What are you about?

DORDALUS: Giving credit.

TOXILUS: Whence do you betake yourself, Dordalus?

DORDALUS: I’m going to give you credit.

TOXILUS: May the Gods grant whatever you may desire.

How now, have you given the damsel her liberty by this?

DORDALUS: I’m going to give you credit, i’ faith, I’m going to give you credit, I repeat.

TOXILUS: Are you now increased in number by one freed-woman?

DORDALUS: You worry me to death.

Why, I tell you that I’ll give you credit.

TOXILUS: Tell me in sober truth, is she now at liberty?

DORDALUS: Go, go to the Forum, to the Praetor; make all enquiries, since you don’t choose to give me credit. She is at liberty, I say. Do you hear me at all?

TOXILUS: May all the Deities bless you then. And never from this time forward, will I wish to you or yours what you don’t wish.

DORDALUS: Be off: don’t be swearing that. I quite believe you.

TOXILUS: Where is your freed-woman now?

DORDALUS: At your house.

TOXILUS: Do you say so? Is she at our house?

DORDALUS: I do say so, I tell you; she is at your house, I say.

TOXILUS: So may the Deities favour me, for this thing many blessings from me are in store for you: for there’s a certain matter, which I refrained from mentioning to you; now I’ll disclose it, and from it you can make a very large profit. I’ll give you cause to remember me so long as you exist.

DORDALUS: My ears are wanting some kind deeds by way of assistance to these kind words.

TOXILUS: It’s only your deserts, that I should do as you deserve. And that you may know that I will do so, take this letter (showing him a letter.) read it over.

DORDALUS: What has this got to do with me?

TOXILUS: Why yes, it bears reference to yourself, and it does relate to you. But it has just now been brought me from Persia, from my master.

DORDALUS: When?

TOXILUS: Not long since.

DORDALUS: What does it say?

TOXILUS: Make enquiry of its own self: it will tell you itself.

DORDALUS: Give it me, then. (Taking it from TOXILUS.)

TOXILUS: But read it aloud.

DORDALUS: Be silent while I read it over.

TOXILUS: I’ll not utter a word.

DORDALUS: (reading.) Timarchides sends health to Toxilus and all the family. If you are well, I am glad; I am quite well, and carrying on my business, and am making money; and I am not able to return home for these eight months, for there is some business which detains me here; the Persians have taken Chrysopolis, a city of Arabia, full of good things, and an ancient town; there the booty is being collected, that a public auction may be made; this matter causes me to be absent from home.

I wish attention and hospitality to be shown to the person who brings this letter to you. Attend to what he wants; for at his own house at home he has shown me the greatest attentions.

What has it to do with me or my welfare, what matters the Persians are about, or what your master is doing?

TOXILUS: Hold your tongue, silly babbler; you don’t know what blessing awaits you.

It’s in vain that Fortune is ready to light for you her torch that leads to profit.

DORDALUS: What Fortune is this that leads to profit?

TOXILUS: (pointing to the letter.) Ask that which knows: I know about as much as yourself, except that I was the first to read it through. But as you’ve begun, learn the matter from the letter.

DORDALUS: You counsel me aright. Keep silence.

TOXILUS: Now you’ll come to that which does relate to your interest.

DORDALUS: (reading on.) The person that brings this letter, has taken with him a well-bred female of engaging charms, who has been stolen, and brought from the inmost parts of Arabia; I wish you to take charge of her that she may be sold there; but he who makes purchase of her, must buy her at his own risk;

nobody will promise or give a warranty. Take you care that he receives money full weight and counted. Pay attention to this, and give attention that the stranger is attended to. Farewell.

TOXILUS: What then? After you have read over what has been committed to the wax, do you believe me now?

DORDALUS: Where now is this stranger that brought this letter?

TOXILUS: He’ll be here just now, I believe; he has sent for her from the ship.

DORDALUS: I don’t want any lawsuits or quirks at all. Why should I be laying out so much money at such a distance? Unless I get her on warranty, what need have I of this purchase?

TOXILUS: Will you, or will you not, hold your tongue? I never did believe you to be such a blockhead. What are you afraid of?

DORDALUS: I’ faith, I really am afraid; I’ve experienced it now so many times, and it will not befall me without having already experienced it, to be getting stuck in such a quagmire.

TOXILUS: There seems to be no risk.

DORDALUS: I know that; but I’m afraid about myself.

TOXILUS: It matters nothing whatever to me, so far as I’m concerned; it’s for your sake I mentioned it, that I might at the earliest moment give you an opportunity of advantageously purchasing her.

DORDALUS: I return you thanks; but it’s a nicer thing for you to become wise through others, than for others through yourself.

TOXILUS: Surely no person can follow after her from the inmost parts of Arabia. Will you make purchase of her, then?

DORDALUS: Only let me see the commodity.

TOXILUS: You say what’s fair. But look, most à propos, the stranger is coming himself, who brought this letter hither.

DORDALUS: (pointing down the side-scene.) Is that he?

TOXILUS: That’s he.

DORDALUS: And is that the girl that was stolen?

TOXILUS: I know just about as well as yourself, except that I have seen her. Upon my faith, she certainly is genteel looking, whoever she is.

DORDALUS: Faith, she has pretty regular features.

TOXILUS: (aside.) With what contempt the hang-dog does speak of her. (To DORDALUS.) Let’s examine her beauty in silence.

DORDALUS: I approve of your advice. (They stand aside.)

(Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, dressed as PERSIANS.)

SAGARISTIO: Doesn’t Athens seem to you a rich and opulent place?

DAUGHTER: I’ve seen the appearance of the city; the customs of the people I’ve observed but little of.

TOXILUS: (apart.) At the very outset has she forborne to make a wise remark.

DORDALUS: (apart.) I cannot by her very first words form an estimate of her wisdom.

SAGARISTIO: What as to that which you have seen? How does the city seem fortified to you, with its wall?

DAUGHTER: If the inhabitants have good morals, I think it’s properly fortified.

If Perfidiousness, and Peculation, and Avarice are exiled from the city, Envy in the fourth place, Ambition in the fifth, Scandal in the sixth, Perjury in the seventh.

TOXILUS: (apart.) Bravo!

DAUGHTER: Idleness in the eighth, Injustice in the ninth, Immorality, which is the very worst in its attack, in the tenth.

If these things shall not be away from it, a wall a hundred-fold were too little for preserving its interests.

TOXILUS: (apart.) What say you?

DORDALUS: (apart.) What do you mean?

TOXILUS: (apart.) You are among those ten companions; you must depart in banishment from here.

DORDALUS: (apart.) Why so?

TOXILUS: (apart.) Because you are perjured.

DORDALUS: (apart.) Really she has spoken not without some cleverness.

TOXILUS: (apart.) That’s to your advantage, I say; you buy her.

DORDALUS: (apart.) Upon my faith, the more I look at her, the more she pleases me.

TOXILUS: (apart.) If you do buy her, immortal Gods, no other Procurer will be more wealthy than yourself; at your will you’ll be turning people out of their estates and households; you’ll be transacting business with men of the highest rank; they’ll be longing for your favour; they’ll be coming to make merry at your house.

DORDALUS: (apart.) But I shan’t allow them to be admitted.

TOXILUS: (apart.) But then at night they’ll be singing before your threshold, and be burning down your door;

do you at once order your house to be fastened with a door of iron, change for a house of iron, fix in thresholds of iron, a bar of iron and a ring; if you don’t prove sparing of the iron, do you order thick fetters of iron to be rivetted upon yourself.

DORDALUS: (apart.) Away to utter perdition!

TOXILUS: (pushing him.) Go then, make purchase of her, and follow my advice.

DORDALUS: (apart.) Only let me know how much he asks for her.

TOXILUS: (apart.) Should you like me to call him here?

DORDALUS: (apart.) I’ll go to him.

TOXILUS: (accosting him.) How fare you, guest?

SAGARISTIO: I’m come; I’ve brought her (pointing to the DAMSEL.) as I just now said I would. For yesterday at night the ship arrived in harbour: I want her to be sold, if she can; if she cannot, I intend to go away from here as soon as I can.

DORDALUS: Greetings to you, young man.

SAGARISTIO: If indeed I shall dispose of her at her own price—

TOXILUS: (pointing to DORDALUS.) Why, you’ll either sell her handsomely with him for your purchaser, or you can to no one.

SAGARISTIO: Are you a friend of his?

TOXILUS: In the same measure as all the Divinities who inhabit the heavens.

DORDALUS: Then you are an assured enemy to me; for to the race of procurers no God was ever so kind as to prove propitious.

SAGARISTIO: Attend to the business in hand. Have you any need to purchase her?

DORDALUS: If you have need for her to be sold,

I, too, have need to purchase her; if you have no sudden occasion to sell, just in the same degree have I to buy.

SAGARISTIO: State a sum; name a price.

DORDALUS: The commodity is your own; it’s for you to name a sum.

TOXILUS: (to SAGARISTIO.) He asks what’s right.

SAGARISTIO: Do you wish to buy at a bargain?

DORDALUS: Do you wish to sell at a handsome profit?

TOXILUS: I’ faith, I’m sure that both of you would like to do so.

DORDALUS: Come, boldly name your price.

SAGARISTIO: I tell you beforehand; no one will dispose of her to you on warranty. Do you so understand it, then?

DORDALUS: I understand it.

Declare what’s the lowest price at which you’ll offer her, for which she may be taken by the purchaser.

TOXILUS: Hold your tongue, hold your tongue. Really, upon my faith, you are a very simple man, with your childish ways.

DORDALUS: Why so?

TOXILUS: Why because I wish you first to make enquiries of the damsel which relate to your interest.

DORDALUS: And really, upon my faith, you’ve given me no bad advice. Look at that, will you. I, an experienced Procurer, had almost fallen into the pit, if you had not been here. How important a point it is to have a person your friend at hand when you are about anything.

TOXILUS: I want you to make enquiry of her, of what family or in what country she was born, or of what parents, so that you mayn’t say that you’ve bought her at hazard by my persuasion or suggestion.

DORDALUS: On the contrary, I approve of your counsel, I tell you.

TOXILUS: (to SAGARISTIO.) Unless it’s troublesome, he’s desirous to make a few enquiries of her.

SAGARISTIO: By all means;

at his own pleasure.

TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.) Why do you delay? Go to him yourself; and do you yourself ask him as well, that you may be allowed to make such enquiries as you please; although he has told me that he gives permission to do so of her, still I had rather that you yourself should go to him, that he mayn’t be holding you in contempt.

DORDALUS: You give me very proper advice. (Accosting SAGARISTIO.) Stranger, I should like to ask some questions of her. (Pointing to the YOUNG WOMAN.)

SAGARISTIO: From earth to heaven, whatever you like.

DORDALUS: Just bid her to step this way to me.

SAGARISTIO: (to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Go you, then, and humour him. (To DORDALUS.) Make enquiry, question her, just as you please.

TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.) Well, well, get on then; make your preparations. (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Take you care to commence with a good omen.

DAUGHTER: The auspices are favourable.

TOXILUS: (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Hold your tongue. (To DORDALUS.) Step you aside here; I will now conduct her to you.

DORDALUS: Do what you think is most for my interest.

TOXILUS: (to the YOUNG WOMAN, who advances with him.) Follow me. (To DORDALUS.) I’ve brought her, if you are wishful to make any enquiries of her.

DORDALUS: But I want you to be present.

TOXILUS: I cannot do otherwise than pay attention to this stranger (pointing to SAGARISTIO.) whom my master bade me show courtesy to. What if he doesn’t choose that I should be present together with you?

SAGARISTIO: Yes, but do come.

TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.) I’ll lend you my assistance, then.

DORDALUS: You’re lending it yourself as well when you are assisting your friend.

TOXILUS: Examine her. (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Hark you, be on your guard.

DAUGHTER: (aside.) Enough has been said to me. (Aloud.) Although I am a slave, I know my duty, so that whatever he asks I’ll tell the truth as I have heard it.

TOXILUS: (pointing to DORDALUS.) Young woman, this is an honorable man.

DAUGHTER: I believe you.

TOXILUS: You’ll not be long in servitude with him.

DAUGHTER: I’ faith, and so I trust, if my parents do their duty.

DORDALUS: I do not wish you to be surprised, if we make enquiries of you about either your country or your parents.

DAUGHTER: Why should I be surprised at that, my dear sir? My state of servitude has forbidden me to be surprised at any misfortune of my own.

TOXILUS: (aside.) May the Gods confound her! so cunning and crafty is she. She has got shrewd sense: how readily she does say what’s needed.

DORDALUS: What’s your name?

TOXILUS: (aside.) Now I’m afraid she’ll be tripping.

DAUGHTER: My name was Lucris in my own country.

TOXILUS: The name and the omen are worth any price. Why don’t you make purchase of her? (Aside.) I was greatly afraid that she would be tripping. She has got herself free.

DORDALUS: If I make purchase of you, I trust that you’ll prove Lucris to myself as well.

TOXILUS: If you do make purchase of her, never, on my word, do I think that she’ll remain your slave throughout the month.

DORDALUS: And so indeed I’d hope, i’ faith.

TOXILUS: That what you wish may come to pass, employ your own energies.

(Aside.) In nothing even as yet has she made a slip.

DORDALUS: Where were you born?

DAUGHTER: According to what my mother told me,in the kitchen, in a corner on the left hand.

TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.) This woman will prove a lucky Courtesan for you; she has been born in a warm spot, where full oft there is an abundance of all good things. (Aside.) The Procurer was taken in when he asked where she was born.

She has played him off nicely.

DORDALUS: But I ask of you, what is your country?

DAUGHTER: What should be mine but that where I now am?

DORDALUS: But this I’m asking, what was?

DAUGHTER: Everything that was, do I consider as nothing, since it was, and is not now. Just like a man when he has breathed forth his spirit; why enquire of him who he was?

TOXILUS: (aside.) So may the Deities kindly favour me, right cleverly. And yet I really do pity her.

DORDALUS: But still, young woman, come, tell me at once which is your country? Why are you silent?

DAUGHTER: For my part, I really am telling you my country. Since I’m in servitude here, this is my country.

TOXILUS: Do cease now making enquiries about that. Don’t you see that she’s unwilling to declare, lest you should recall to her the remembrance of her misfortunes?

DORDALUS: What’s the matter? Is your father in captivity?

DAUGHTER: Not in captivity; but what he had, he has lost.

TOXILUS: She will prove to be born of a good family; she knows how to say nothing but the truth.

DORDALUS: Who was he? Tell me his name?

DAUGHTER: Why should I tell of him, wretched man, who he was? For the present’twere proper for him to be called Miserable, and me Miserable.

DORDALUS: What kind of a person was he considered by the public?

DAUGHTER: Not a person more acceptable; slaves and free persons all liked him.

TOXILUS: You do speak of a miserable man, inasmuch as he’s almost lost himself, and has lost his friends.

DORDALUS: I shall purchase her, I think.

TOXILUS: What, still I think?

DORDALUS: I imagine that she’s of a noble family.

TOXILUS: You’ll make riches by her.

DORDALUS: May the Gods grant it so.

TOXILUS: Do you only buy her.

DAUGHTER: Now this I tell you: my father will be here directly, when he knows that I’ve been sold, and will ransom me thus separated from him.

TOXILUS: What say you now?

DORDALUS: What’s the matter?

TOXILUS: Do you hear what she says?

DAUGHTER: For although his fortunes are broken, he still has friends. (Pretends to cry.)

DORDALUS: Don’t weep, please; you’ll soon be at liberty, if—you have sweethearts enough. Would you like to belong to me?

DAUGHTER: So long, indeed, as I don’t belong to you too long. I’d like.

TOXILUS: How well she does keep in mind her liberty. She’ll be producing you fine hauls. About it, if you are about it. I’ll go back to him. (To the YOUNG WOMAN.) Do you follow me. (To SAGARISTIO) I’ve brought her back to you.

DORDALUS: Young man, are you disposed to sell her?

SAGARISTIO: I’d like it, rather than lose her.

DORDALUS: Do you compress it then into a few words; state the price at which she’s offered.

SAGARISTIO: I’ll do so, as I see you wish it. Take her for a hundred minae.

DORDALUS: That’s too much.

SAGARISTIO: For eighty.

DORDALUS: That’s too much.

SAGARISTIO: There can’t a didrachm be abated from the price which I shall now name.

DORDALUS: What is it, then? Speak out at once and name it.

SAGARISTIO: At your own risk, she’s offered at sixty minae.

DORDALUS: Toxilus, what am I to do?

TOXILUS: (aside to DORDALUS.) The Gods and Goddesses are pursuing you with their vengeance, you rogue, for not making haste to purchase her.

DORDALUS: Take them, then.

TOXILUS: Well done, you have got a rich prize! Be off, and fetch the money out here. On my faith, she’s not dear at three hundred minae.

SAGARISTIO: Hark you, for her clothing there’ll be ten minae added to this as well.

DORDALUS: Yes, be deducted, not added.

TOXILUS: Do hold your tongue, will you; don’t you see that he’s seeking an excuse to have the bargain broken? Why don’t you be off and fetch the money?

DORDALUS: (to TOXILUS, as he is going.) Hark you, do you keep an eye upon him.

TOXILUS: Why don’t you then go in?

DORDALUS: I’ll go and fetch the money. (Goes into his house.)

(The DAUGHTER of SATURIO, TOXILUS, and SAGARISTIO.)

TOXILUS: Upon my word, young lady, you have given us praiseworthy aid, good. and wise, and sensible.

DAUGHTER: If for good persons anything good is done, the same is wont to be both important and pleasing.

TOXILUS: Do you hear, you Persian, when you’ve got the money of him, do you pretend as though you are going straight to the ship.

SAGARISTIO: Don’t teach me.

TOXILUS: Betake yourself back again to our house, that way (pointing.) down the lane through the garden.

SAGARISTIO: You are naming what’s intended to be done.

TOXILUS: But don’t you at once be changing your quarters with the money, I recommend you.

SAGARISTIO: What’s worthy of yourself, do you take to be worthy of me?

TOXILUS: Hold your tongue; lower your voice; the spoil is coming out of doors.

(Re-enter DORDALUS, from his house, with a bag of money.)

DORDALUS: Sixty minae of assayed silver are here (pointing at the bag.) less two didrachms.

SAGARISTIO: What’s the meaning of those didrachms?

DORDALUS: To pay for this bag, or else to cause it to come home again.

SAGARISTIO: Lest you mightn’t be enough of a Procurer, did you fear, wretched, filthy, avaricious creature, that you might lose your bag?

TOXILUS: Pray, let him alone; since he is a Procurer, he isn’t doing anything surprising.

DORDALUS: I’ve judged from omens that I should make some profit to-day;

nothing is of value so small to me, but that I grudge to lose it. Come, take this, will you? (Holds out the bag to SAGARISTIO.)

SAGARISTIO: Place it around my neck, if it is not too much trouble.

DORDALUS: Certainly, it shall be done. (Hangs it round his neck.)

SAGARISTIO: Is there anything else that you wish with me?

TOXILUS: Why are you in such haste?

SAGARISTIO: My business is of that nature; the letters that have been entrusted me, I want to deliver;

and I’ve heard that my twin-brother’s a slave here; I wish to be off to seek him out, and redeem him.

TOXILUS: And, i’ faith, you’ve not badly put me in mind of it; I think that I’ve seen here one very like you in figure, of just the same size.

SAGARISTIO: Why, it must surely be my brother.

DORDALUS: But we’d like to know what your name is.

TOXILUS: What does it matter to us to know?

SAGARISTIO: Listen then, that you may know; my name is Lying- speakerus, Virgin-seller-onides, Trifle-great-talker-ides, Silver-screwer-outides, Thee-worthy-to-talk-to-ides, Wheedler-out-of-coin-ides,

What-he-has-once-got-hold-of-ides, Never-again-part-with-it-ides.

DORDALUS: Dear me; upon my faith, this name of yours is written in many ways.

SAGARISTIO: Such is the way with the Persians; we have long names of many words twisted together. Do you wish for anything else?

DORDALUS: Farewell!

SAGARISTIO: And you farewell; for my mind’s aboard ship already.

DORDALUS: You’d better have gone to-morrow, and dined here to-day.

(SAGARISTIO is going.) Farewell! (Exit SAGARISTIO.)

(TOXILUS, DORDALUS, and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO.)

TOXILUS: Since that fellow’s gone, I may say here whatever I please. This day has assuredly shone a gainful one for you; for you’ve not been buying her, but making a clear profit of her.

DORDALUS: He indeed quite understands what he has been about, in having sold me a stolen woman at my own risk; he has got the money, and taken himself off. How do I know now whether she mayn’t be claimed at once? Whither am I to follow him? To the Persians, nonsense.

TOXILUS: I imagined that my services would be a cause for thankfulness with you.

DORDALUS: Why, yes, indeed, I do return you thanks,

Toxilus, for I found that you zealously gave me your assistance.

TOXILUS: What, I, to you?

DORDALUS: In seriousness, yes. By-the-bye, I forgot just now to give some directions in-doors, which I intended to be given. Do keep watch on her. (Pointing to the YOUNG WOMAN.)

TOXILUS: She’s all safe, for certain. (DORDALUS goes into his house.)

DAUGHTER: My father’s delaying now.

TOXILUS: What, if I put him in mind?

DAUGHTER: It’s full time.

TOXILUS: (going to the side of the stage, and calling aloud.) Hallo! Saturio, come forward; now’s the opportunity for taking vengeance on the enemy. (SATURIO.)

SAGARISTIO: See, here I am. Have I delayed at all?

TOXILUS: Well, go you off there at a distance out of sight; keep silence. When you see me talking to the Procurer, do you then make a row.

SATURIO: A word’s enough to the wise. (He withdraws out of sight.)

(Enter DORDALUS, from his house, with a whip in his hand.)

DORDALUS: On coming into the house, I lashed them all with the whip; my house and furniture are in such a dirty state.

TOXILUS: Are you returned at last?

DORDALUS: I’m returned.

TOXILUS: Assuredly, I have this day done you many services.

DORDALUS: I confess it; I give you thanks.

TOXILUS: Do you want anything else with me?

DORDALUS: That happiness may. attend you.

TOXILUS: I’ faith, all that indeed I shall surely enjoy at home now; for I shall now go take my place at table with your freed-woman.

You, when I’m gone—

DORDALUS: Why don’t you hold your tongue? I know what it is you want. (TOXILUS goes into the house.)

(Enter SATURIO, in a seeming rage.)

SATURIO: If I don’t prove the destruction of that fellow—

DORDALUS: I’m undone.

SATURIO: And most luckily there he is, himself, before the door.

DAUGHTER: (running towards him.) Most welcome, my dear father. (She embraces him.)

SATURIO: Welcome, my child.

DORDALUS: (aside.) That Persian has utterly ruined me!

DAUGHTER: (to DORDALUS.) This is my father.

DORDALUS: Ha!—what?—father? I’m utterly undone! Why then, in my misery, do I delay to bewail my sixty minae?

SATURIO: By my faith, you scoundrel, I’ll give you cause to bewail your own self as well.

DORDALUS: I’m undone!

SATURIO: Come, walk before a magistrate, Procurer.

DORDALUS: Why do you summon me before a magistrate?

SATURIO: I’ll tell you there, before the Praetor. But before the magistrate I summon you.

DORDALUS: Don’t you summon a witness?

SATURIO: What, for your sake, hangdog, am I to be touching the ear of any being that’s free—you, who are here trading in persons, free citizens?

DORDALUS: Let me but speak—

SATURIO: I won’t.

DORDALUS: Hear me.

SATURIO: I’m deaf. Walk on—follow me this way (dragging him.) you villanous mouser after maidens! Follow after me this way, my daughter, to the Praetor.

DAUGHTER: I’ll follow. (Exit SATURIO, dragging DORDALUS, his DAUGHTER following.)