The Stake
Val. Nine. But what shall the stake be?
Manr. Three denarii each deal and a doubling of the stakes.
Cast. Wait, my Manricus, you are getting on too fast! That would not be play, but madness, where so much money would be risked. How could you have pleasure in the anxiety lest you should lose so much money? One denarius would be sufficient, and the increase shall be one-half up to five asses.
Val. You counsel rightly. For so we shall not play without stakes, which would be insipid, nor for what would grieve us, if we lost, for that is bitter.
Cast. Have you all nine cards? Hearts are trumps, and this queen is mine.
Val. What a happy omen that is! Certainly it is most true that the hearts of women ordinarily rule.
Cast. Leave off your reflections. Answer to this: I increase the stake!