Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
Softly; I still wish to make many enquiries before I’m beaten.
CHARINUS
By my troth, you assuredly will be beaten, unless you say at once, or get away from here.
ACANTHIO
Do look at that, please, how he does coax me; there’s no one more flattering when he sets about it.
CHARINUS
By heavens, I do entreat and beseech you to disclose to me at once what it is; inasmuch as I see that I must be the suppliant of my own servant.
170
ACANTHIO
And do I seem so unworthy of it?
CHARINUS
Oh no, quite worthy.
ACANTHIO
Well, so I thought.
CHARINUS
Prithee, is the ship lost?
ACANTHIO
The ship’s all right; don’t fear about that.
CHARINUS
Well then, the rest of the cargo?
ACANTHIO
That’s right and tight.
CHARINUS
Why then don’t you tell
me what it is, for which, just now, running through the city, you were seeking me?
175
ACANTHIO
Really, you are taking the words out of my mouth.
CHARINUS
I’ll hold my tongue.
ACANTHIO
Do hold your tongue. I doubt, if I brought you any good news, you’d be dreadfully pressing, who are now insisting upon my speaking out, when you must hear bad news.
CHARINUS
Troth then, prithee do you let me know what this misfortune is.
ACANTHIO
Since you beg of me, I’ll tell you. Your father—
180
CHARINUS
My father did what?
180
