What—ask you that? Step closer this way. NICOBULUS (coming nearer.) Well, I do come closer. CHRYSALUS I am an excellent pleader. By rebuking him, and by whatever hard language I really was able to think of, I forced the fellow to tears. NICOBULUS What did he say? CHRYSALUS He uttered not a word: crying, he listened in silence to what I was saying; in silence he wrote down on his tablets; these sealed he gave to me; he bade me deliver them to you. (Gives him the tablets.) But I am afraid that they sing to the same tune that the former ones did. Observe the seal, is it his? NICOBULUS I recognize it. I’d like to read them over. (Goes to a distance.) CHRYSALUS Read them through. (Aside.) Now is the upper lintel The upper lintel : He alludes to the Phrygian gate, which he has before mentioned in l. 955 being cut down, now is the destruction of Troy near at hand. The wooden horse is shaking it right cleverly. NICOBULUS Chrysalus, just step here while I am reading these through. CHRYSALUS Prithee, what need is there for me to be near you? NICOBULUS That you may know what’s written here.