Return here about mid-day.A BANKERWill the interest be paid then?TRANIOIt will be paid. Be off.A BANKERWhy should I run to and fro here, or use or waste my pains? What if I remain here until mid-day in preference?TRANIOWhy 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?TRANIOBravo! faith. Really now, do be off; do attend to me.A BANKER(aloud.)I’ faith, I’ll call him now by name.TRANIOBravo! 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 expressionThat 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 principalTake 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.TRANIOWhat? 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 BANKERNot owe it?TRANIONot 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 theLet him pay the: Quin sortem potius dare licet? is the reading here, in Weise’s Edition; but the line seems hopelessly incorrect. principal. A BANKERBut I don’t ask for it.THEUROPIDES(calling out to TRANIO, from a distance.)Hark you! you whip-knave, come back to me.TRANIO(to THEUROPIDES.)I’ll be there just now. (To the BANKER.) Don’t you be troublesome: no one’s going to pay you; do what you please. You are the only person, I suppose, that lends money upon interest.(Moves towards THEUROPIDES.)A BANKER(bawling aloud.)Give me my interest! pay me my interest! you pay my interest! Are you going to give me my interest this instant? Give me my interest!TRANIOInterest here, interest there! The old rogue knows how to talk about nothing but interest. I do not think that ever I saw any beast more vile than you.A BANKERUpon my faith, you don’t alarm me now with those expressions.This is of a hot nature; although it is at a distance off, it scorches badlyIt scorches badly: This line is given by Gruter to Theuropides, by Acidalius to Tranio, and by Lambinus to the Banker. The latter seems the most appropriate owner of it; and he probably alludes, aside, to the effects of his pressing in a loud voice for the money. Tranio is introduced as using the same expression, in l. 650; but there can be no doubt that the line, as there inserted, is spurious..TRANIOThe translator appears to repeat line 601 verbatim here.Don’t you be troublesome; no one’s going to pay you; do what you please. You are the only person, I suppose, that lends money upon interest.THEUROPIDES(to TRANIO.)Pray, what interest is this that he is asking for?TRANIO(in a low voice, to the BANKER.)Look now; his father has arrived from abroad, not long since; he’ll pay you both interest and principal; don’t you then attempt any further to make us your enemies. See whether he puts you off.A BANKERNay but, I’ll take it, if anything’s offered.THEUROPIDES(to TRANIO, coming towards him.)What do you say, then—?