In serious truth, i’ faith. STRABAX Although I seem a simpleton to you, I like myself to have a bit of recreation. For pretty though you are, you are so to your own loss, unless I amuse myself a bit with you. PHRONESIUM Should you like me to embrace you and give you a kiss? STRABAX Do whatever you like, I’ll deem it agreable. (She kisses him.) STRATOPHANES What, shall I suffer her to be embracing other men before my eyes? I’ faith, ’twere better that I were dead. Woman, take your hands off of him, unless, perhaps, by this sword of mine, won from the enemy, you wish yourself and him to die. (Flourishing his sword.) PHRONESIUM There’s no use in badinage No use in badinage : φλυαρεῖν, to trifle, to play upon; almost exactly corresponding with our use of the French term badinage . , Captain. If you want yourself to be loved, with gold, Stratophanes, not with iron, may you prevent him from loving me. STRATOPHANES How, the plague, are you pretty or witty, to be fond of a fellow of that description? PHRONESIUM (aside, to STRATOPHANES.) Don’t it come to your recollection what an actor once said upon the stage? All people have an eye to their profit, and are not over delicate. STRATOPHANES That you could possibly caress this fellow, so dirty and foul! PHRONESIUM Although he is dirty, although he is foul, still, he’s pretty to me. STRATOPHANES Didn’t I give you some gold? PHRONESIUM To me? You gave money for the child’s food. STRABAX Now, if you hope to have her, another mina of gold is requisite. STRATOPHANES A sore mishap upon these people, and a weighty one! STRABAX By all means, keep that by way of provision for your own journey. Part of line 937 in the Latin. STRATOPHANES What does she owe you? STRABAX Three things. STRATOPHANES What, pray? STRABAX Perfumes, her favours, and kisses. PHRONESIUM (apart.) He answers him like for like. (To STRATOPHANES.) But now, at all events, if you do love me, do you give me some little trifle from your most abundant treasures. STRATOPHANES Do say, there’s a dear, what it is that I’m to give you; only say. If I have it left, you shall have it. PHRONESIUM Mere kickshaws Mere kickshaws : Κάμπας. This is from the Greek καμπὴ, a caterpillar, and means nonsensical, trifling stuff. He gives her a hint, in the next line, to beware of the great teeth of the countrymen. you’re talking about. Be off, be off. (STRABAX kisses her.) STRATOPHANES I’ve considered this over with myself. Part of line 942 in the Latin. A corrupt passage. My good sir, take you care, will you, that she don’t inflict a wound upon you, whose teeth are made of iron. She’s allowing access to her to all in common. You take your hand off of her. STRABAX (striking him.) Then, by my troth, do you take that, with a hearty punch, warlike man! STRATOPHANES I’ve given her gold. STRABAX And I, silver. STRATOPHANES And I a mantle and a purple garment.