Plautus's comedies ... made English, with critical remarks upon each play.

SCENE. III.

Enter Gripus, with a Spit in his Hand.

Gri. to his Master within.]

By the Lord Harry, you shan't see Gripus alive at night, if I han't the Port∣mantle again.

Lab.

I'm ready to swoon at the Name of a Port∣mantle; the very word goes to the Guts o'me.

[Aside.

Gri. to himself.]

This Dog Trac•…•…alio has got his Free∣dom; but I, who found the rich Prize, am deny'd every thing.

Lab.

Bless me! The Fellow makes me prick up my Ears.

[Aside.

Gri. to himself.]

'Sbud, I'll post it up every where in Letters as big as Milstones, That if any one has lost a Portmantle full o' Gold and Silver, let them repair to Gri∣pus. They shan't carry't off as they think.

Lab.

O' my Conscience, the Fellow knows o' my Portmantle.—I must board him. Now Heaven prosper me.

Gri. to them within.]

What d'ye call m' in for? I'll scour the Spit here.

[He cleans the Spit.]

Faith, I think 'tis all made up o' Rust, not Iron; the more I scour it, the more yellow, and slender 'tis. Zooks, I think 'thas got a Consumption, it falls away so wretchedly.

Lab.

Bless ye, young Man.

Gri.

And you too, wi' your bald Pate.

Lab.

What are y' about?

Gri.

Scouring this damn'd Spit.

Lab.

How fares your Corps?

Gri.

Why that Question? Are ye a Mountibank?

Lab.

No, Faith, I'm another sort o' Bank.

Gri.

What then, a Bankrupt?

Lab.

Thou'st nick'd it.

Gri.

It agrees wi' your Complexion.—But what's the matter?

Lab.

Why, last Night I was cast away, my Ship sunk, and I've lost all I'm worth.

Gri.

What have ye lost?

Lab.

A Portmantle, full o' Gold and Silver.

Gri.

D'ye remember what was in't?

Lab.

What matters that; since all's gone to the bot∣tom o' the Sea?

Gri.

Nothing: Let's talk o' something else.—Suppose I know who found it; I'd willingly be told the Marks.

Lab.

There was 800 pieces o' Gold in one Purse, and 100 Philips in a little Bag by it self.

Gri. aside]

As I live, a noble Prize; I must require a swinging Reward for finding of it. The Gods are generous, and I shall be damn'dly rich: I see it is his Portmantle.—Go on wi' the rest.

Lab.

A whole Talent o' Silver, in a great Bag; be∣sides, a Bason, an Ewer, a Boat, and a Goblet.

Gri.

O living! You were a plaguy rich Fellow!

Lab.

That same were, is a miserable hard Word, since 'tis gone and past.

Gri.

Come, what will you give the Party that shall find it, and bring it t' ye? Speak quick; in a twink∣ling.

Lab.

Three hundred Pieces.

Gri.

'Tis three hundred times too little.

Lab.

Four hundred.

Gri.

Four hundred Farts.

Lab.

Five hundred then.

Gri.

A Fiddle's end.

Lab.

Six hundred.

Gri.

You'd as good bid so many Farthings.

Lab.

I'll give seven hundred.

Gri.

Ha' ye swallow'd a Fire-Coal, that you can't open your Mouth?

Lab.

I'll give a thousand then.

Gri.

Po, you bid nothing.

Lab.

Not a So•…•…ce more. Go.

Gri.

But hark ye; troth, if I once go, you find me no more here.

Lab.

Will a hundred more do?

Gri.

Sure you nothing but dream.

Lab.

Prethee, tell me, how much will.

Gri.

Not to make ye bid twice, a great Talent's the Price, and not a Farthing to be abated o' that! there∣fore say, Ay, or no.

Lab. aside]

I see I'm forc'd to it.—I'll give it then.

[to him.

Gri. going to the Altar]

Come hither then. Venus shall be witness of all.

Lab.

Command what you please.

Gri.

Lay your Hand upo'th' Altar.

Lab.

I do.

Gri.

You must swear by Venus, to—

Lab.

To do what?

Gri.

What I dictate t'ye.

Lab.

Dictate what you please—

[aside]

I'm so well furnish'd with Equivocations, I need n't borrow o' my Neighbours.

Gri.

Take hold o'th' Altar.

Lab.

I do.

Gri.

Swear to pay me the Mony, as soon as you have your Portmantle.

Lab.

I will.

Gri. and Lab. together]

I do promise here before Venus of Cyrene, if I find the said Portmantle, I lost in the Ship, together with all the Gold and Silver, therein inclosed, and it comes safely into my Hands and possession,—

Gri.

That I will give to this present Gripus— Lay your Hand upo' me, and say after me.

Lab.

That I will give to this present Gripus.—

Gri. and Lab. together]

A great talent o' Silver. So help me Venus.

Gri.

If you equivocate, wish Ven•…•…'s Curse to rot your Head and Joints all over.—

[aside]

And may it come to pass, as soon as you've finish'd your Oath.

Lab.

If I break my Oath, may Venus send all the Plagues o' Bawds upo' my Head.

Gri. aside]

Ay, and tho you keep it.—Stay here; I'll bring out m' old Master t'ye: Be sure to challenge him wi' the Portmantle.

[Exit Gripus with his Spit.