Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
As for me, I’ve taken nothing away from you.
635
EUCLIO
But give up that which you have taken away for yourself. Are you going to do so?
635
EUCLIO
You can’t carry it off.
STROBILUS
What do you want?
STROBILUS
Troth, for my part, I think that you are in the habit In the habit: The real meaning of the author in this line is so indelicate, that it requires another turn to be given to the passage. of quizzing, old gentleman.
EUCLIO
Put that down, please; cease your quibbling; I’m not trifling now.
STROBILUS
What am I to put down? Why don’t you mention it, whatever it is, by its own name?
By my faith, I really have neither taken nor touched anything.
640
EUCLIO
Show me your hands, here.
640
STROBILUS
Well, I do show them; see, here they are.
EUCLIO
I see them. Come, show me the thirdShow me the third: This passage has been considered as extravagant; but it really does not appear inconsistent with the ridiculous conduct of the wretched Euclio throughout. Thornton supposes that the following passage in the old play of Albumazar, Act III., Sc. 8 (where Trinculo questions Ronca about the purse, which the latter has stolen from him), is an imitation of this passage: Trin. Show me your hand. Ron. Here ’tis. Trin. But where’s the other? Ron. Why, here. Trin. But I mean, where’s your other hand? Ron. Think you me the giant with an hundred hands? Trin. Give me your right. Ron. My right? Trin. Your left? Ron. My left? Trin. Now both. Ron. There’s both, my dear Antonio, as well.
STROBILUS
Sprites, and frenzy, and madness, possess this old fellow. Are you doing me an injustice, or not?
EUCLIO
A very great one, I confess, inasmuch as you are not strung up; and that too shall be done this moment, un less you do confess.
STROBILUS
What am I to confess to you?
EUCLIO
What it was you took away hence.
645
STROBILUS
May the Gods confound me, if I’ve taken away anything of yours, (aside) and if I don’t wish I had taken it away.
645
EUCLIO
Come then, shake out your cloak.
STROBILUS
At your pleasure.
