Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
What I shall bid you.
LABRAX
Dictate in words just as you like. (Aside.) What I’ve got at home, I shall never beg I shall never beg: He says this to himself, meaning that he has a sufficient stock of perjury at home, without going to another person for it. See l. 558. of any one else.
1335
GRIPUS
Take hold of this altar.
LABRAX
I am taking hold of it.
GRIPUS
Swear that you will pay me the money on that same day on which you shall gain possession of the wallet.
GRIPUS
Venus of Cyrene, I invoke thee as my witness, if I shall find that wallet which I lost in the ship,
safe with the gold and silver, and it shall come into my possession—Then to this Gripus do I promise; say so and place your hand upon me.
1340
LABRAX
Then to this Gripus do I promise, Venus, do thou hear me—
GRIPUS
That I will forthwith give him a great talent of silver."
If you defraud me, say, may Venus utterly destroy your body, and your existence in your calling. (Aside.) As it is, do you have this for yourself, when you’ve once taken the oath.
1345
LABRAX
If, Venus, I shall do anything amiss against this oath, I supplicate thee that all Procurers may henceforth be wretched.
GRIPUS
As it is, it shall be so, even if you do keep your oath. Do you wait here; (going towards the cottage)—I’ll at once make the old gentleman come out; do you forthwith demand of him that wallet.
1350
LABRAX
If ever so much he shall restore to me this wallet, I’m not this day indebted to him three obols even.
It’s according to my own intention what my tongue swears. (The door opens.) But I’ll hold my peace; see, here he’s coming out, and bringing the old man.
1355
[Textpart 3]
Follow this way.
GRIPUS
Where is this Procurer?
Hark you (to LABRAX), see now; this person (pointing at DAEMONES) has got your wallet.
DAEMONES
I have got it, and I confess that it is in my possession; and if it’s yours, you may have it. Everything, just as each particular was in it, shall in like manner be given safe to you.
(Holding it out.) Take it, if it’s yours.
1360
