[Enters.]

Who calls, and wherefore?... What; these slaves refuse

The pick and axe?... Well, are you wool-weavers,

Or bakers, even, that a guild you form?

Or fishmongers who would run up the cost

Of living? Now, by Hercules ... I mean,

By Heaven, freedmen do you think yourselves

Daring to hold opinions of your own! [With scathing sarcasm.]

The Contractor.

[Hastens on.]