Nerva.
[Entering.] Ho, Valentinus! Your company is much demanded in these days it would seem! Maronis asks that you will give a soothing potion to Tertulla who is restless as the wind that blows between the old moon and the new!
Valentinus.
Willingly! [He goes.]
Nerva.
[Noticing the door which Pertinax entering left ajar.] By Jupiter, for a prison we keep open house! [Taking a key from his girdle he locks the door.] I will kill two flies with one flap, preventing thieves from entering and jail-birds from taking flight! [Turning to go he notices Pertinax.] What, is the lyre of Anacreon unstrung?
Pertinax.
[Angrily.] Silence, brazen one!
Nerva.
Oh, if my conversation is not desired I will even stop my mouth, so great my zeal to please! [He helps himself to little cakes. Suddenly the door is tried from without.] Hear that! My precaution was none too soon! [There is a violent knocking on the door.] Knock away, whoever you may be! My motto is the same as that of the great Fabius, “Hasten slowly!”