With most willing heart and soul. SIMO Prithee, can’t you venture to make me an abatement of some portion of this money? PSEUDOLUS No: you shall say that I really am a greedy fellow; for you shall never be richer by a single coin of this money. SIMO Well, I really didn’t suppose that it would ever come to pass with me that I should be begging of you. PSEUDOLUS Load your shoulder with it, and follow me this way. (Pointing.) SIMO I—load myself with that? PSEUDOLUS You will load yourself, I’m sure. SIMO What am I to do to this fellow? Doesn’t he, contrary to my expectation, take my money, and then laugh at me? PSEUDOLUS Woe to the conquered Woe to the conquered : The following was the origin of this expression. When the Romans capitulated to the Gauls under Brennus, a thousand pounds weight of gold were to be their ransom. When it was about to be weighed out, the Gauls brought false weights. On this the Roman officer refused to use them, whereupon Brennus threw his sword into the scale, and exclaimed Vae victis! Woe to the conquered! The expression afterwards became proverbial, as signifying that no mercy was to be expected. : turn your back, then. (Turns him round.) SIMO Oh! oh! desist. Let me alone— I’m in pain. PSEUDOLUS Were you not in pain, I should be in pain; and no compassion would you have had for my back, if I hadn’t this day managed this. SIMO There will be an opportunity for me to be revenged on you, if I live. PSEUDOLUS Why do you threaten? I’ve got a back of my own. SIMO Very well, then. (Moves as if going.) PSEUDOLUS Come you back then. SIMO Why come back? PSEUDOLUS Only come you back; you shall not be deceived. SIMO (turns round.) I am come back. PSEUDOLUS Come and have a drink with me. SIMO What—I, come? PSEUDOLUS Do as I ask you. If you do come, I’ll let you take half of this, or even more. (Points to the purse in his hand.) SIMO I’ll come; take me where you like, Pseudolus. PSEUDOLUS How now then? Are you at all angry with me or with your son, Simo, on account of these matters? SIMO Certainly, not at all. PSEUDOLUS (going.) Step this way now.