Really so, indeed? You are a fool.GRIPUSMy respects to you, Mister Thales Thales: Thales of Miletus was one of the seven wise men of Greece. Gripus ironically calls Trachalio by this name, in reply to the other having called him a fool.(Going.)TRACHALIO(holding him.)You shan’t carry that off this day, unless you find a place of safe keeping for it, or an umpire,by whose arbitration this matter may be settled.GRIPUSPrithee, are you in your senses?TRACHALIOI’m mad, in need of hellebore.GRIPUSBut I’m troubled with sprites; still I shan’t let this go.(Hugs the wallet.)TRACHALIOOnly add a single word more, that instant I’ll drive my fists smash into your brains. This instant on this spot, just as a new napkin is wont to be wrung, I’ll wring out of you whatever moisture there is, if you don’t let this go.(Seizes the wallet.)GRIPUSTouch me; I’ll dash you down on the ground just in such fashion as I’m in the habit of doing with a polypus fishWith a polypus fish: The polypus not being eatable, the fishermen would throw it violently on the ground on finding it in the nets.. Would you like to fight?(Assumes a boxing attitude.)TRACHALIOWhat need is there? Nay, in preference, divide the booty.GRIPUSYou can’t get anything from here but harm to yourself, so don’t expect it. I’m taking myself off.TRACHALIOBut I’ll turn aside your ship from that direction, that you mayn’t be off anywhere—stop.(Stands in front of him, and holds the rope.)GRIPUSIf you are the helmsman of this ship, I’ll be the pilot.Let go of the rope now, you villain.TRACHALIOI will let go; do you let go of the wallet.GRIPUSI’ faith, you shall never this day become a scrap the more wealthy from this.TRACHALIOYou cannot convince me by repeatedly denying, unless either a part is given me, or it is referred to arbitration, or it is placed in safe keeping.GRIPUSWhat, that which I got out of the sea—?TRACHALIOBut I spied it out from the shore.GRIPUS—With my own pains and labour, and net and boat.TRACHALIOIf now the owner, whose property it is, were to come, how am I, who espied from afar that you had taken this, a bit the less the thief than yourself?GRIPUSNone whatever.(Going.)TRACHALIO(seizing the net.)Stop, you whip-knave; just let me learn of you by what reasoning I am not the sharer, and yet the thief.GRIPUSI don’t know; neither do I know these city laws of yours, only that I affirm that this is mine.(Looks at the wallet.)TRACHALIOAnd I, too, say that it is mine.GRIPUSStay now; I’ve discovered by what method you may be neither thief nor sharer.TRACHALIOBy what method?GRIPUSLet me go away from here; you quietly go your own way, and don’t you inform against me to any one, and I won’t give anything to you. You hold your tongue; I’ll be mum. This is the best and the fairest plan.TRACHALIOWell, what proposition do you venture to make?