Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
What do you say?
TRACHALIO
So long as the person that has the first right to speak is speaking, do (to DAEMONES) put a check on him, please, if he belongs to you.
GRIPUS
What, do you wish the same thing to be done to myself, that your master has been accustomed to do to yourself?
If he is in the habit of putting a check upon you, this master of ours isn’t in the habit of doing so with us.
1075
DAEMONES
In that remark only has he got the better Has he got the better: In the use of the word comprimere, an indecent double entendre is intended; and agreeing with Gripus’s remark, that the word in that sense could not be applied to him, Daemones says that Gripus is right there, at all events. of you. What do you want now? Tell me.
TRACHALIO
For my part, I neither ask for a share of that wallet there, nor have I ever said this day that it is my own; but in it there is a little casket that belongs to this female (pointing to PALAESTRA), whom a short time since I averred to be free born.
DAEMONES
You are speaking of her, I suppose, whom a short time since you said was my countrywoman?
1080
TRACHALIO
Just so; and those trinkets which formerly, when little, she used to wear, are there in that casket, which is in that wallet. This thing is of no service to him, and will be of utility to her, poor creature, if he gives it up, by means of which to seek for her parents.
DAEMONES
I’ll make him give it up; hold your tongue.
GRIPUS
I’ faith, I’m going to give nothing to that fellow.
1085
TRACHALIO
I ask for nothing but the casket and the trinkets The trinkets: These crepundia, trinkets or toys, seem to have been not unlike the amulets, or charms, in metal, of the present day. As kidnapping was in ancient times much more prevalent than now, these little articles, if carefully preserved by the child, might be the means of leading to the discovery of its parents; at the same time it may be Justly asked how it came to pass that the kidnapper should allow such damning evidence of his villany to remain in existence..
1085
GRIPUS
What if they are made of gold?
TRACHALIO
What’s that to you? Gold shall be paid for gold, silver shall have its weight in silver in return.
GRIPUS
Please let me see the gold; after that I’ll let you see the casket.
DAEMONES
Do you beware of punishment, and hold your tongue. (To TRACHALIO.) As you commenced to speak do you go on.
TRACHALIO
This one thing I entreat of you, that you will have compassion on this female, if, indeed, this wallet is that Procurer’s, which I suspect it is. In this matter, I’m saying nothing of certainty to you, but only on conjecture.
1090
GRIPUS
Do you see how the rascal’s wheedling him?
TRACHALIO
Allow me to say on as I commenced. If this is the wallet that belongs to that villain whose I say it is,
these women here will be able to recognize it; order him to show it to them.
1095
GRIPUS
Say you so? To show it to them?
1095
