I’ve made it already; for you to go away, to let go of the rope, and not to be a nuisance to me.TRACHALIOStop while I propose terms.GRIPUSI’ faith, do, prithee, disposePropose—dispose: -2. He plays on the resemblance of the words refero, to make a proposal, and aufero, to betake one’s self away, of yourself forthwith.TRACHALIODo you know any one in these parts?GRIPUSMy own neighbours I must know.TRACHALIOWhere do you live here? GRIPUS(pointing.)At a distance out away yonder, as far off as the farthest fields.TRACHALIO(pointing to the cottage of DAEMONES.)The person that lives in that cottage, should you like it to be decided by his arbitration?GRIPUSLet go of the rope for a moment while I step aside and consider.TRACHALIOBe it so.(Lets go of the rope.)GRIPUS(aside.)Capital, the thing’s all right; the whole of this booty is my own. He’s inviting me here inside of my own abode to my own master as umpire. By my troth, he never this day will award three obols away from his own servant.Assuredly, this fellow doesn’t know what proposal he has been making. (To TRACHALIO.) I’ll go to the arbitrator with you.TRACHALIOWhat then? GRIPUSAlthough I know for sure that this is my own lawful right, let that be done rather than I should now be fighting with you. TRACHALIONow you satisfy me.GRIPUSAlthough you are driving me before an arbitrator whom I don’t know, if he shall administer justice, although he is unknown, he is as good as known to me; if he doesn’t, though known, he is the same as though entirely unknown.

(Enter DAEMONES, from his cottage, with PALAESTRA and AMPELISCA, and SERVANTS.)DAEMONES(to the WOMEN.)Seriously, upon my faith, young women, although I wish what you desire, I’m afraid that on your account my wife will be turning me out of doors, who’ll be saying that I’ve brought harlots here before her very eyes. Do you take refuge at the altar rather than IRather than I: Daemones here alludes to the disposition of his wife, and says that if the damsels do not quit his house, he shall be obliged to do so in self-defence..THE WOMENWe, wretched creatures, are undone.(They weep.)DAEMONESI’ll place you in safety; don’t you fear. But why (turning to the SERVANTS) are you following me out of doors? Since I’m here, no one shall do them harm.Now then, be off, I say, in-doors, both of you, you guards from off guard.(They go in.)GRIPUSO master, save you.DAEMONESSave you. How goes it?TRACHALIO(pointing to GRIPUS.)Is he your servant?GRIPUSI’m not ashamed to say yes.TRACHALIOI’ve nothing to do with you.GRIPUSThen get you gone hence, will you.TRACHALIOPrithee, do answer me, aged sir; is he your servant? DAEMONESHe is mine.TRACHALIOOh then, that is very good, since he is yours.