If I do knock, he won’t open it He won’t open it : A note of interrogation seems out of place after recludet. . ADVOCATI Then break the pannel Break the pannel : Panem frangite Literally, break the bread, meaning the pannel. He plays upon the resemblance of the verb pulto, to knock, and puls, pottage. . AGORASTOCLES If the Procurer comes out, do you think I ought to enquire of the fellow whether my slave has come to him or not? ADVOCATI Why not? AGORASTOCLES With two hundred golden Philippean pieces? ADVOCATI Why not? AGORASTOCLES Then the Procurer will be going astray at once. ADVOCATI About what matter? AGORASTOCLES Do you ask? Because a less sum will be named by one hundred pieces. ADVOCATI You judge rightly. AGORASTOCLES He’ll think that some other person is being looked after. ADVOCATI No doubt. AGORASTOCLES He’ll be denying it at once. ADVOCATI On his oath even. AGORASTOCLES The fellow will involve himself in the guilt of theft— ADVOCATI Beyond a doubt, it certainly is so. AGORASTOCLES Of however much it is that shall have been brough to him. ADVOCATI Why not? AGORASTOCLES Jupiter confound you Jupiter confound you : For their repeated and tiresome answers of quippini? why not? ! ADVOCATI Why not your own self? AGORASTOCLES (going towards the door of LYCUS.) I’ll go and knock at this door. ADVOCATI Even so. Why not? AGORASTOCLES It’s time to be quiet, for the door makes a noise. I see the Procurer Lycus coming out of doors; come this way, pray! ADVOCATI Why not? But, if you please, cover up our heads, that the Procurer mayn’t know us, who have been his decoyers His decoyers : Illices. Illex was a bird-call, quail-pipe, or decoy used by fowlers for catching birds. into so great a calamity. (He throws the lappets of their garments over their heads.) (Enter LYCUS, from his house.) LYCUS (to himself.) Let all soothsayers go hang themselves now at once. Why should I believe them in future, as to what they say? For they, just now at the sacrifice, told me that evil and the greatest disaster was portended to me. I have since then amplified my fortune with profit. AGORASTOCLES (accosting him.) Save you, Procurer. LYCUS May the Gods bless you, Agorastocles. AGORASTOCLES You now salute me more kindly than hitherto.