Hallo there! stop. GRIPUS Why should I stop? TRACHALIO While I coil up this rope This rope : This is the first mention of the rudens, or netrope, from which the Play derives its name. for you that you are dragging. GRIPUS Now let it alone. TRACHALIO Troth, but I’ll assist you. What’s kindly done to worthy men, isn’t thrown away. GRIPUS There was a boisterous tempest yesterday; no fish have I, young man; don’t you be supposing I have. Don’t you see that I’m carrying my dripping net without the scaly race? TRACHALIO I’ faith, I’m not wishing for fish so much as I am in need of your conversation. GRIPUS Then, whoever you are, you are worrying me to death with your annoyance. TRACHALIO (takes hold of him.) I’ll not allow you to go away from here; stop. GRIPUS Take you care of a mishap, if you please; but why the plague are you dragging me back? TRACHALIO Listen. GRIPUS I won’t listen. TRACHALIO But, upon my faith, you shall listen. GRIPUS Nay but, another time, tell me what you want. TRACHALIO Come now, it’s worth your while at once to hear what I want to tell you. GRIPUS Say on, whatever it is. TRACHALIO See whether any person is following near us. (Looks back.) GRIPUS Why, what reason is there that it should matter to me? TRACHALIO So it is; but can you give me some good advice? GRIPUS What’s the business? Only tell me. TRACHALIO I’ll tell you; keep silence; if only you’ll give me your word that you won’t prove treacherous to me. GRIPUS I do give you my word; I’ll be true to you, whoever you are. TRACHALIO Listen. I saw a person commit a theft; I knew the owner to whom that same property belonged. Afterwards I came myself to the thief, and I made him a proposal in these terms: I know the person on whom that theft was committed; now if you are ready to give me half, I’ll not make a discovery to the owner. He didn’t even give me an answer. What is it fair should be given me out of it? Half, I trust you will say. GRIPUS Aye, even more; but unless he gives it you, I think it ought to be told to the owner. TRACHALIO I’ll act on your advice. Now give me your attention; for it is to yourself all this relates. GRIPUS What has been done by me? TRACHALIO (pointing at the wallet.) I’ve known the person for a long time to whom that wallet belongs.