Perde 4
[Textpart 3]
Be silent while I read it over.
500
TOXILUS
I’ll not utter a word.
500
DORDALUS
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 Chrysopolis: Chrysopolis (Golden City) would have peculiar charms for the ear of Dordalus; of course there was no such place in reality., 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.
505
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.
510
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.
515
DORDALUS
What Fortune is this that leads to profit?
TOXILUS
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
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;
520
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.
525
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.
530
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?
530
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,
