I at last dare
to avow that my endurance is exhausted.
SCENE EIGHTH
Fontanares, Esteban, Girone and two workmen.
Esteban
Can any of you tell me where a person named Fontanares is hiding
himself?
Fontanares
He is not hiding himself. I am he; he is merely meditating in silence.
(Aside) Where is Quinola? He would know how to send them away
satisfied. (Aloud) What do you want?
Esteban
We want our money! We have been working without wages for three weeks;
the laborer lives from day to day.
Fontanares
Alas, my friends, I do not live at all!
Esteban
You are alone; you can pinch your belly. But we have wives and
children. At the present moment we have pawned everything.
Fontanares
Have confidence in me.
Esteban
Can we pay the baker with this confidence in you?
Fontanares
I am a man of honor.
Girone
Hark you! We also are men of honor.
Esteban
Take the honor of each of us to the Lombard and you will see how much
he will lend you on it.
Girone
I am not a man of talent, not I, and no one will give me trust.
Esteban
I am nothing but a villainous workman, but if my wife needs an iron
pot, I pay for it, by heaven!
Fontanares
I would like to know who it is has set you on me in this way?
Girone
Set us on? Are we dogs?
Esteban
The magistrates of Barcelona have given judgment in favor of Masters
Coppolus and Carpano, and have granted them a lien on your inventions;
pray tell us, where is our lien?
Girone
I shan't go away from this place without my money.
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