Where is Philolaches? TRANIO You never could have met me more opportunely than you have met me. A BANKER How’s that? TRANIO (taking him aside.) Step this way. A BANKER (aloud.) Why isn’t the money repaid me? TRANIO I know that you have a good voice; don’t bawl out so loud. A BANKER (aloud.) I’ faith, I certainly shall bawl out. TRANIO O do humour me now. A BANKER What do you want me to humour you in? TRANIO Prithee, be off hence home. A BANKER Be off? TRANIO Return here about mid-day. A BANKER Will the interest be paid then? TRANIO It will be paid. Be off. A BANKER Why should I run to and fro here, or use or waste my pains? What if I remain here until mid-day in preference? TRANIO Why no; be off home. On my word, I’m telling the truth. Only do be off. A BANKER (aloud.) Then do you pay me my interest. Why do you trifle with me this way? TRANIO Bravo! faith. Really now, do be off; do attend to me. A BANKER (aloud.) I’ faith, I’ll call him now by name. TRANIO Bravo! stoutly done! Really you are quite rich now when you bawl out. A BANKER (aloud.) I’m asking for my own. In this way you’ve been disappointing me for these many days past. If I’m troublesome, give me back the money; I’ll go away then. That expression That expression : By hoc verbum he probably alludes to the expression, reddite argentum, down with the money. puts an end to all replies. TRANIO (pretending to offer it him.) Then, take the principal Take the principal : He finds he must say something, so he says this, although he has no money with him. He knows, however, that the usurer will first insist on the interest being paid, because if he takes the principal, it will be a legal waver of his right to claim the interest. . A BANKER (aloud.) Why no, the interest; I want that first. TRANIO What? Have you, you fellow most foul of all fellows, come here to burst yourself? Do what lies in your power. He’s not going to pay you; he doesn’t owe it. A BANKER Not owe it? TRANIO Not a tittle, indeed, can you get from here. Would you prefer for him to go abroad, and leave the city in exile, driven hence for your sake? Why then, in preference let him pay the Let him pay the : Quin sortem potius dare licet? is the reading here, in Weise’s Edition; but the line seems hopelessly incorrect. principal. A BANKER But I don’t ask for it.