Hear me then; if, I’ faith, I should be off from here, I shan’t be here.LABRAXPart of line 1328 in the Latin.Would you like a hundred as well as the thousand?GRIPUSYou are asleep.LABRAXSay how much you ask.GRIPUSThat you mayn’t be adding anything against your inclination,a great talent; it’s not possible for three obols to be bated thence; then do you say either yes or no at once.LABRAX(aside.)What’s to be done here? It’s a matter of necessity, I see: (to GRIPUS) the talent shall be paid.GRIPUS(going towards the altar.)Just step this way; I wish Venus here to put the question to you.LABRAXWhatever you please, that command me.GRIPUSTouch this altar of Venus.LABRAX(touching it.)I am touching it.GRIPUSBy Venus here must you swear to me.LABRAXWhat must I swear?GRIPUSWhat I shall bid you.LABRAXDictate in words just as you like. (Aside.) What I’ve got at home, I shall never begI shall never beg: He says this to himself, meaning that he has a sufficient stock of perjury at home, without going to another person for it. See l. 558. of any one else.GRIPUSTake hold of this altar.LABRAX(taking hold of it.)I am taking hold of it.GRIPUSSwear that you will pay me the money on that same day on which you shall gain possession of the wallet.LABRAXBe it so. GRIPUS(speaking, while LABRAX repeats after him.)Venus of Cyrene, I invoke thee as my witness, if I shall find that wallet which I lost in the ship, safe with the gold and silver, and it shall come into my possession—Then to this Gripus do I promise; say so and place your hand upon me.LABRAXThen to this Gripus do I promise, Venus, do thou hear me—GRIPUS(followed by LABRAX.)That I will forthwith give him a great talent of silver."GRIPUSIf you defraud me, say, may Venus utterly destroy your body, and your existence in your calling. (Aside.) As it is, do you have this for yourself, when you’ve once taken the oath.LABRAXIf, Venus, I shall do anything amiss against this oath, I supplicate thee that all Procurers may henceforth be wretched.GRIPUS(aside.)As it is, it shall be so, even if you do keep your oath. Do you wait here; (going towards the cottage)—I’ll at once make the old gentleman come out; do you forthwith demand of him that wallet.(Goes in.)LABRAX(to himself.)If ever so much he shall restore to me this wallet, I’m not this day indebted to him three obols even.It’s according to my own intention what my tongue swears. (The door opens.) But I’ll hold my peace; see, here he’s coming out, and bringing the old man.

(Enter GRIPUS, followed by DAEMONES, with the wallet.)GRIPUSFollow this way.Where is this Procurer?