You may judge by experience, as I’ve ruptured myself with running for your sake, in order that what I knew, you might have the means of knowing directly. CHARINUS I’ll make you a free man within a few months. ACANTHIO You are smoothing me down. CHARINUS What, should I presume ever to make mention of an untrue thing to you? On the contrary, before I said so, you knew already whether I intend to utter an untruth. ACANTHIO Ah! your words, upon my faith, are increasing my weakness. You are worrying me to death! CHARINUS What, is this the way you’re obedient to me? ACANTHIO What do you want me to do? CHARINUS What, you? What I want is this— ACANTHIO What is it then that you do want? CHARINUS I’ll tell you. ACANTHIO Tell me, then. CHARINUS But still, I’d like to do it in a quiet way. ACANTHIO Are you afraid lest you should wake the drowsy Spectators The drowsy Spectators : No wonder if this most tiresome dialogue has sent them to sleep. from their nap? CHARINUS Woe be to you! ACANTHIO For my part, that same am I bringing to you from the harbour. CHARINUS What are you bringing? Tell me. ACANTHIO Violence, alarm, torture, care, strife, and beggary. CHARINUS I’m undone! You really are bringing me hither a store of evils. I’m ruined outright. ACANTHIO Why, yes, you are— CHARINUS I know it already; you’ll be saying I’m wretched. ACANTHIO ’Tis you have said so; I’m mum. CHARINUS What mishap is this? ACANTHIO Don’t enquire. It is a very great calamity. CHARINUS Prithee, do relieve me at once. Too long a time have I been in suspense. ACANTHIO Softly; I still wish to make many enquiries before I’m beaten. CHARINUS By my troth, you assuredly will be beaten, unless you say at once, or get away from here. ACANTHIO Do look at that, please, how he does coax me; there’s no one more flattering when he sets about it. CHARINUS By heavens, I do entreat and beseech you to disclose to me at once what it is; inasmuch as I see that I must be the suppliant of my own servant. ACANTHIO And do I seem so unworthy of it? CHARINUS Oh no, quite worthy.