How he does dissemble with me; how ignorant I am of the business he’s about. He has gone to fetch slaves from in-doors to bind me. The ship speeds prosperously on; finely, too, is this craft boarding itCraft boarding it: Pulcre haec confertur ratis. This is a figure taken from naval affairs. Ships were said conferri when they closed together on commencing the engagement.. But I’ll hold my tongue, for I hear the door opening.

(Re-enter NICOBULUS, with SLAVES carrying fetters.)NICOBULUS Artamo, do you fasten the hands of that fellow this very instant.(The SLAVES bind him.)CHRYSALUS What have I done? NICOBULUS Pitch your fist into him if he mutters a word. (To CHRYSALUS, pointing at the tablets.) What does this letter say?CHRYSALUS Why do you ask me? As I received it from him, so I’ve brought it sealed to you.NICOBULUS Come now, you rascal, have you not shamefully abused my son in your talk, because he gave me up that gold, and said that you would still take that gold away from me by some knavish trick?CHRYSALUS Have I said so? NICOBULUS You have.CHRYSALUS What person is there, who says that I’ve said so?NICOBULUS Hold your tongue. No person says so; this letter which you have brought me accuses you. See, ’tis this that requests you to be chained.(Points to the open tablets.)CHRYSALUS Ah! your son has been making a BellerophonA Bellerophon: He alludes to the hero Bellerophon, who, being accused by Sthenoboea of having made an attempt on her chastity, was sent by Proetus, King of Argos, with a letter to Iobates, in which he was desired to put the bearer to death. of me; I myself brought this letter, for the purpose that I might be bound. Be it so.