I’m going to give you creditTo give you credit: He probably says this satirically, as Toxilus has really paid him the money. If so, we must suppose that his soliloquy is spoken in a bantering manner, on the absurdity of trusting people. Perhaps he has been just requested at the Forum to give credit to some intended customers. It is not improbable that a portion of this Play is lost here, or that it is in a very corrupt state..TOXILUSMay the Gods grant whatever you may desire. How now, have you given the damsel her liberty by this?DORDALUSI’m going to give you credit, i’ faith, I’m going to give you credit, I repeat.TOXILUSAre you now increased in number by one freed-woman? DORDALUSYou worry me to death. Why, I tell you that I’ll give you credit.TOXILUSTell me in sober truth, is she now at liberty?DORDALUSGo, go to the Forum, to the PraetorTo the Praetor: Who has just manumitted the damsel, by his lictor laying upon her the vindicta, or festuca, the rod of liberty, and then registering her name.; make all enquiries, since you don’t choose to give me credit. She is at liberty, I say. Do you hear me at all?TOXILUSMay all the Deities bless you then. And never from this time forward, will I wish to you or yours what you don’t wish.DORDALUSBe off: don’t be swearing that. I quite believe you.TOXILUSWhere is your freed-woman now?DORDALUSAt your house.TOXILUSDo you say so? Is she at our house?DORDALUSI do say so, I tell you; she is at your house, I say.TOXILUSSo may the Deities favour me, for this thing many blessings from me are in store for you: for there’s a certain matter, which I refrained from mentioning to you; now I’ll disclose it, and from it you can make a very large profit. I’ll give you cause to remember me so long as you exist.DORDALUSMy ears are wanting some kind deeds by way of assistance to these kind words.TOXILUSIt’s only your deserts, that I should do as you deserve. And that you may know that I will do so, take this letter (showing him a letter.) read it over. DORDALUSWhat has this got to do with me?TOXILUSWhy yes, it bears reference to yourself, and it does relate to you. But it has just now been brought me from Persia, from my master.DORDALUSWhen? TOXILUSNot long since.DORDALUSWhat does it say?TOXILUSMake enquiry of its own self: it will tell you itself.DORDALUSGive it me, then.(Taking it from TOXILUS.)TOXILUSBut read it aloud.DORDALUSBe silent while I read it over.TOXILUSI’ll not utter a word.DORDALUS(reading.)Timarchides sends health to Toxilus and all the family. If you are well, I am glad; I am quite well, and carrying on my business, and am making money; and I am not able to return home for these eight months,for there is some business which detains me here; the Persians have taken ChrysopolisChrysopolis: Chrysopolis (Golden City) would have peculiar charms for the ear of Dordalus; of course there was no such place in reality., a city of Arabia, full of good things, and an ancient town; there the booty is being collected, that a public auction may be made; this matter causes me to be absent from home.