Because I’m teaching those who know it all. But I’m loitering here. (Moves.) SOPHOCLIDISCA (taking hold of him.) Do stop. PAEGNIUM You are annoying to me. SOPHOCLIDISCA And so I shall be then, if I don’t find out whither you are betaking yourself. PAEGNIUM To your house. SOPHOCLIDISCA And I to your house, i’ faith. PAEGNIUM Why thither? SOPHOCLIDISCA What’s that to you? PAEGNIUM (standing before her.) Why, you shan’t go now, unless, in return, I know. SOPHOCLIDISCA You are teazing. PAEGNIUM I choose to. SOPHOCLIDISCA Never, upon my faith, shall you wring this out of me, so as to prove yourself more artful than I am. PAEGNIUM It’s a misery to contend with you in artfulness. SOPHOCLIDISCA You are a mischievous baggage. PAEGNIUM What is there for you to fear? SOPHOCLIDISCA The very same that there is for you. PAEGNIUM Say then, what is it? SOPHOCLIDISCA But I’m forbidden to tell this to any person, and am instructed that all the dumb people are to speak of it before myself. PAEGNIUM And most especially was I cautioned not to trust this to any person, so that all the dumb people were to mention this before myself. SOPHOCLIDISCA Still, do you do so; on giving our words, let’s trust each other. PAEGNIUM I know this—all procuresses are light of faith, and the weight of a water-gnat Weight of a water-gnat : Tipulae, a water-gnat, or waterspider. This is a very pretty illustration. On a sunny day these little animals may be seen in hundreds skating over the surface of still water. Warner suggests that this simile may have been a proverbial one. is not more light than is the word of a procurer. SOPHOCLIDISCA Tell me, there’s a dear. PAEGNIUM Tell me, there’s a dear. SOPHOCLIDISCA I don’t want to be your dear. PAEGNIUM You’ll easily prevail upon me in that. SOPHOCLIDISCA Keep it yourself. PAEGNIUM And you be mum about this. (Showing her a letter.) SOPHOCLIDISCA It shall be kept a secret. PAEGNIUM It shall not be known. (She shows him a letter.) SOPHOCLIDISCA I’m carrying this letter to Toxilus, your master.