PHILO. Very well. TRA. And let no one answer, when the old gentleman
knocks at the door.
PHILO. Anything else?
TRA. Order the master-key [4] of the house to be brought me at once from
within; this house I'll lock here on the outside.
PHILO. To your charge I commit myself, Tranio, and my hopes. (_He goes
into the house, and the things are removed from the stage._)
TRA. (_to himself_). It matters not a feather whether a patron or a
dependant is the nearest at hand for that man who has got no courage in
his breast. For to every man, whether very good or very bad, even at a
moment's notice, it is easy to act with craft; but this must be looked
to, this is the duty of a prudent man, that what has been planned and
done in craftiness, may all come about smoothly and without mishap; so
that he may not have to put up with anything by reason of which he might
be loth to live; just as I shall manage, that, from the confusion which
we shall here create, all shall really go on smoothly and tranquilly,
and not produce us any inconvenience in the results. (_Enter a_
BOY, _from the house._) But, why have you come out? I'm undone!
(_The_ BOY _shows him the key._) O very well, you've obeyed my
orders most opportunely.
BOY. He bade me most earnestly to entreat you some way or other to scare
away his father, that he may not enter the house.
TRA. Even more, tell him this, that I'll cause that he shan't venture
even to look at the house, _and_ to take to flight, covering up his
head [5] with the greatest alarm.
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