Whence come you? THEUROPIDES I met that person from whom I bought this house. TRANIO Did you tell him anything about that which I was telling you? THEUROPIDES I’ faith, I certainly told him everything. TRANIO (aside.) Woe to unfortunate me! I’m afraid that my schemes are everlastingly undone! THEUROPIDES What is it you are saying to yourself? TRANIO Why nothing. But tell me, prithee, did you really tell him? THEUROPIDES I told him everything in its order, I tell you. TRANIO Does he, then, confess about the guest? THEUROPIDES Why no; he utterly denies it. TRANIO Does he deny it? THEUROPIDES Do you ask me again? I should tell you if he had confessed it. What now are you of opinion ought to be done? TRANIO What is my opinion? By my troth, I beg of you, appoint an arbitrator together with him; but take you care that you appoint one who will believe me; you’ll overcome him as easily as a fox eats a pear As a fox eats a pear : This may either mean, very easily indeed, or not at all. It is not clear that a fox will eat a pear; but if he does, his teeth will go through it with the greatest ease. Not improbably, Tranio uses the expression for its ambiguity. . A BANKER (to himself.) But see, here’s Tranio, the servant of Philolaches, people who pay me neither interest nor principal on my money. (Goes towards TRANIO, who steps forward to meet him.) THEUROPIDES (to TRANIO.) Whither are you betaking yourself? TRANIO I’m going no whither. (Aside.) For sure, I am a wretch, a rascal, one born with all the Gods my foes! He’ll now be accosting me in the old man’s presence. Assuredly, I am a wretched man; in such a fashion both this way and that do they find business for me. But I’ll make haste and accost him. (Moves towards the BANKER.) A BANKER (apart.) He’s coming towards me. I’m all right I’ve some hopes of my money; he’s smiling. TRANIO (to himself.) The fellow’s deceived. Part of line 567b in the Latin. (To the BANKER.) I heartily bid you hail, my friend Saturides Friend Saturides : A nickname coined by the author, from satur, brimful, of money, probably. . A BANKER And hail to you. What about the money? TRANIO Be off with you, will you, you brute. Directly you come, you commence the attack Commence the attack : Pilum injecisti. Literally, you have thrown the dart. To throw the dart was a common expression, signifying to make the first attack; as the darts were thrown before recourse was had against me. A BANKER (apart.) This fellow’s empty-handed. TRANIO (overhearing him.) This fellow’s surely a conjurer. A BANKER But why don’t you put an end to this trifling? TRANIO Tell me, then, what it is you want.