ENTER Therapontigonus AND Lyco.

THERAPONTIGONUS: (bellowing) ’Tis now in no common rage I ragefully stride on, but in that selfsame rage in which I have learned so well to root up cities. Now unless thou dost hastily make haste to give me the hundred and twenty pounds I left with thee, make haste to leave this life.

LYCO: (mimicking him) And by heaven, ’tis now with no common warmth I’ll make things warm for thee, but with that selfsame warmth with which I am wont to make things warm for him to whom–I owe nothing.

THERAPONTIGONUS: No insolence to me, fellow, and think not of entreaty!

LYCO: And there’ll be no forcing me, fellow, not me, to return you your money twice over; I won’t do it.

THERAPONTIGONUS: (less violent) I expected this very thing when I trusted it to you–that never a penny would you return.

LYCO: Then why do you come to me for it now?

THERAPONTIGONUS: I want to know to whom you returned it.

LYCO: That one-eyed freedman of yours–said he was called Summanus–I returned it to him.

THERAPONTIGONUS: What one-eyed freedmen of mine, what Summanuses, are you dreaming of, man? Not a single freedman have I got.

LYCO: You act more wisely than certain pimps who do have freedmen, and leave ’em in the lurch.

THERAPONTIGONUS: What does this mean?

LYCO: It means I followed your instructions, out of regard for you, not to repudiate the man that brought me your own seal.

THERAPONTIGONUS: You ass of asses! to trust writing!

LYCO: Not trust what public and private business all depends on? (disgustedly) I’m going. Your account is duly settled. Farewell, warrior. (turns away)

THERAPONTIGONUS: (hotly) "Farewell," is it?

LYCO: (over his shoulder) Or fare the other way, to the end of your life, if you like–little I care.       [ EXIT Lyco ]

THERAPONTIGONUS: What shall I do now? What boots it to have made monarchs my menials, if this cloistered caitiff is to flout me thus?