For what reason so? THERAPONTIGONUS Because he agreed with me on these terms to give it back: that if any one should assert her to be free born in due course of law, he would, without dispute, pay back all the money. CURCULIO Then let’s go to the Procurer. THERAPONTIGONUS I agree. PHAEDROMUS This first I wish; to despatch my matter. THERAPONTIGONUS What’s that? PHAEDROMUS That you will betroth her to me. (The CAPTAIN considers.) CURCULIO Why do you hesitate, Captain, to give her as a wife to him? THERAPONTIGONUS If she is agreable. PLANESIUM My brother, it is my wish. THERAPONTIGONUS So be it then. CURCULIO You do rightly. PHAEDROMUS Captain, do you betroth me to her for my wife? THERAPONTIGONUS I do betroth her. PHAEDROMUS (pointing to CURCULIO.) And to him do I promise support at my expense. CURCULIO You do kindly. But THER, But see, here’s the Procurer coming; my treasurer My treasurer : In allusion to the money which he intends to have back from the Procurer. Thesaurum seems here to have the signification of treasurer or treasury. , I mean. (Enter CAPPADOX, in haste.) CAPPADOX (to himself.) Those who say Those who say : This and the following line are clearly in a very corrupt state. Indeed, it is hard to gather any sense whatever from them. it’s bad for bankers to be trusted, utter nonsense; I say it’s neither good nor bad for them to be trusted, and that, I’ve fully experienced this day. They are not They are not : He seems to mean, that, where there is no possibility of the debtor paying back the money, the case is more fortunate than where you are tormented by hopes of getting it back, which, however, are doomed to disappointment. badly trusted, who never repay, but with whom it is lost outright. As for example, before this Lyco paid me the ten minae, he had to go to every banker’s counter. After there were no proceeds, I summoned the fellow with much noise; he appealed against me to the court. I was most confoundedly afraid that this day he’d be settling accounts with me before the Praetor Before the Praetor : He was afraid that Lyco would cheat him, by filing his schedule, or taking the benefit, in the Roman style. See the Note to l. 373 (Act III., Sc. 1). ; but my friends forced him, so he paid the money at home. Now I’m resolved to make haste to my house. (Runs towards his door.) THERAPONTIGONUS Hallo! you Procurer; I want you. PHAEDROMUS And I want you. CAPPADOX But I don’t want either of you. THERAPONTIGONUS Stay this instant, will you. PHAEDROMUS And make you haste to disgorge the money with all despatch. CAPPADOX (to PHAEDROMUS.) What have you to do with me? (To the CAPTAIN.) Or what have you? THERAPONTIGONUS Because this day I shall be making a javelin of you, discharged from a catapulta, and twist you with the string With the string : Nervus, a cord, was also the name of the iron chain fastened round the neck and legs of the prisoner. If the debtor did not pay within thirty days after judgment, lie was liable to be thrown into prison by the creditor. , just as the catapultas are in the habit of doing. PHAEDROMUS I’ll this day make a coxcomb of you, to be sleeping with a puppy With a puppy : He jokes on the double meaning of the word catellus, which signified an iron chain, and also a little dog. in your bed—an iron one, I mean. CAPPADOX But I’ll make you both to be rotting in a strong-barred prison.