Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (628-667)

EUCLIO

He discovers STROBILUS, and drags him from behind the altar.Out, out, you earthworm[*], who have this instant crept out of the earth; who just now were nowhere seen, and now that you are seen shall die for it. By my faith, you juggler, I'll receive you now after a disagreable fashion. Begins to shake and beat him.

STROBILUS

What the curst plague does ail you? What business have you with me, old fellow? Why do you torment me? Why are you dragging me? For what reason are you beating me?

EUCLIO

You out-and-out whipping-post, do you even ask that, you, not thief, but thrice-dotted thief.

STROBILUS

What have I stolen from you?

EUCLIO

Give me that back here, if you please.

STROBILUS

What do you want me to give you back?

EUCLIO

Do you ask me that?

STROBILUS

As for me, I've taken nothing away from you.

EUCLIO

But give up that which you have taken away for yourself. Are you going to do so?

STROBILUS

Do what?

EUCLIO

You can't carry it off.

STROBILUS

What do you want?

EUCLIO

Lay it down.

STROBILUS

Troth, for my part, I think that you are in the habit

[*] 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.

EUCLIO

Show me your hands, here.

STROBILUS

Well, I do show them; see, here they are. Holdinq out his hands.

EUCLIO

I see them. Come, show me the third

[*], as well.

STROBILUS

aside. 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.

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.

EUCLIO

Come then, shake out your cloak.

STROBILUS

At your pleasure. Shakes it.

EUCLIO

You haven't it among your under-clothing?

STROBILUS

Search where you please.

EUCLIO

Pshaw! how civilly the rascal speaks, that I mayn't suppose he has taken it away! I know your tricks. Come, show me here again that right hand.

STROBILUS

Here it is. Extending it. EUC. Now show me your left.

STROBILUS

Well, then, I show you both, in fact. Extending them.

EUCLIO

Now I leave off searching. Give back that here.

STROBILUS

Give back what?

EUCLIO

Are you trifling with me? You certainly have got it.

STROBILUS

I, got it? Got what?

EUCLIO

I shan't say; you want to hear. Whatever you have of mine, give it back.

STROBILUS

You are mad; you've searched me all over at your own pleasure, and yet you've found nothing of yours in my possession.

EUCLIO

starting. Stop, stop; who was that? Who was the other

[*] that was within here, together with yourself? Troth, I'm undone; he's now rummaging about within. If I let this one go, he'll escape. At last, I've now searched this one all over; he has got nothing. Be off where you please; Jupiter and the Gods confound you!

STROBILUS

He returns his thanks not amiss[*].

EUCLIO

I'll go in here now, and I'll at once throttle this accomplice of yours. Will you not fly hence from my sight? Will you away from here, or no?

STROBILUS

I'm off.

EUCLIO

Take you care, please, how I see you. (He goes into the Temple.)

STROBILUS

I would rather that I were dead outright, by a shocking death, than not lay an ambush this day for that old fellow. But he'll not venture now to hide his gold here; he'll now be carrying it with him, I guess, and be changing the spot. But hark! there's a noise at the door. Looking in the direction of the Temple. See, the old fellow's bringing out the gold with him! Meanwhile, I'll step aside here to the door. Conceals himself near the door.

EUCLIO

to himself. I had thought that there was the very greatest dependence upon Faith; very nearly had she played me a pretty trick

[*]. If the raven hadn't come to my assistance, to my sorrow I should have been undone. Troth, I very much wish that raven would come to me which gave me the warning, that I might say something kind to him; for I would as soon give[*] him something to eat as lose it. Now I'm thinking of a lonely spot where I shall hide this. The grove of Sylvanus, outside of the wall, is unfrequented, ana planted with many a willow; there will I choose a spot. I'm determined to trust Sylvanus [*], rather than Faith. (Exit.)

STROBILUS

re-appearing from his hiding-place. Capital! capital! the Gods will me to be safe and preserved! Now will I run before to that place, and climb up into some tree, and thence will I watch where the old fellow hides the gold. Although my master bade me remain here, I'm resolved rather to risk a mishap along with emolument. (Exit.)