Quinola
I hang between two thieves. But these thieves are powdered over with
virtue and tricked out with fine manners. And they would like to hang
the rest of us!
Sarpi
You rogue, while you are waiting for your master to propel the galleys
by new methods, you ought to be rowing in them yourself.
Quinola
The king, who justly appreciates my merits, well understands that he
would lose too much by such an arrangement.
Sarpi
You shall be watched!
Quinola
That I can well believe, for I keep watch on myself.
Avaloros (to Sarpi)
You are rousing his suspicions, for he is an honest lad. (To Quinola)
Come my good fellow, have you any idea of what is meant by wealth?
Quinola
No, for I have seen it from too great a distance.
Avaloros
Say, such a sum as two thousand golden doubloons?
Quinola
What? I do not know what you mean! You dazzle me. Is there such a sum?
Two thousand doubloons! That means to be a land-holder, to own a
house, a servant, a horse, a wife, an income; to be protected instead
of being chased by the Holy Brotherhood!--What must I do to gain it?
Avaloros
You must assist me in obtaining a contract for the mutual advantage of
your master and myself.
Quinola
I understand! To tangle him up. O my conscience, that is very fine!
But, dear conscience, be silent for a while; let me forget you for a
few days, and we will live comfortably together for the rest of my
life.
Avaloros (to Sarpi)
We have him.
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