Hallo there! stop. GRIPUSWhy should I stop?TRACHALIOWhile I coil up this ropeThis rope: This is the first mention of the rudens, or netrope, from which the Play derives its name. for you that you are dragging. GRIPUSNow let it alone. TRACHALIOTroth, but I’ll assist you. What’s kindly done to worthy men, isn’t thrown away.GRIPUSThere 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?TRACHALIOI’ faith, I’m not wishing for fish so much as I am in need of your conversation.GRIPUSThen, 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.GRIPUSTake you care of a mishap, if you please; but why the plague are you dragging me back?TRACHALIOListen. GRIPUSI won’t listen.TRACHALIOBut, upon my faith, you shall listen.GRIPUSNay but, another time, tell me what you want.TRACHALIOCome now, it’s worth your while at once to hear what I want to tell you. GRIPUSSay on, whatever it is.TRACHALIOSee whether any person is following near us.(Looks back.)GRIPUSWhy, what reason is there that it should matter to me?TRACHALIOSo it is; but can you give me some good advice?GRIPUSWhat’s the business? Only tell me.TRACHALIOI’ll tell you; keep silence; if only you’ll give me your word that you won’t prove treacherous to me.GRIPUSI do give you my word; I’ll be true to you, whoever you are.TRACHALIOListen. 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.GRIPUSAye, even more; but unless he gives it you, I think it ought to be told to the owner.TRACHALIOI’ll act on your advice. Now give me your attention; for it is to yourself all this relates.GRIPUSWhat has been done by me? TRACHALIO(pointing at the wallet.)I’ve known the person for a long time to whom that wallet belongs.