The sweets and the bitters, all have I disclosed to you. You know my love, you know my difficulty, you know my poverty. CHARINUS I well remember all; do you only let me know what you want me to do. CALIDORUS Pseudolus has directed me thus, that I should bring to him some bold and zealous person. CHARINUS You observe your directions well; for you bring him one both friendly and zealous. But this Pseudolus is a stranger to me. CALIDORUS He is a very clever fellow—he is my contriver. He said that he would effect those things for me that I have told you of. PSEUDOLUS (apart.) I’ll address this person in a very lofty strain. CALIDORUS Whose voice is it that’s heard here? PSEUDOLUS Oh! thee, sovereign lord, thee, oh! thee do I address who dost rule over Pseudolus: thee do I seek, to impart to thee delights thrice three, threefold, acquired by three contrivances, obtained over three persons through craftiness and through subtlety, which in this very little sealed packet I have brought unto you I have brought unto you : The note of interrogation at the end of this passage, as found in Ritschel’s Edition, seems to be out of place. . (Holds up the letter.) CALIDORUS That’s the fellow; how the hang-dog does bluster just like a tragedian. PSEUDOLUS Advance a step on thy side towards me. Boldly stretch forth thine arm for greeting. CALIDORUS (taking his hand.) Tell me, Pseudolus, whether, as Hope or as Safety, must I greet you? PSEUDOLUS Why both. CALIDORUS As both I greet you. But what has been done? Why are you silent? I have carried this person here. (Pointing to CHARINUS.) PSEUDOLUS How? Carried him here? CALIDORUS Brought, I meant to say. PSEUDOLUS Who’s this person? CALIDORUS Charinus. PSEUDOLUS Well done; I return him thanks Return him thanks : χύριν τούτῳ ποιὼ. He speaks in Greek for the purpose of punning on the name of Charinus in the word χάριν, thanks. then. CHARINUS Will you then boldly enjoin me what it is necessary to do? PSEUDOLUS My thanks, so far. May it be well with you, Charinus; I don’t like that we should be troublesome to you. CHARINUS You, troublesome to me? Now, really, that’s troublesome. PSEUDOLUS Well, then, wait a moment. (Takes the letter out from under his dress.) CALIDORUS What’s that? PSEUDOLUS This letter have I just now intercepted, and the token. CALIDORUS Token? What token?