CLOVUS and JARUS walk through the town on the way to see their friend Beleus . . .

Jarus: Ah, poor Beleus! His wife has left him, he is disgraced, he is shamed. I do not think there is much we can do to cheer him up.

Clovus: I cannot agree with you, Jarus.

Jarus: What, Clovus? Surely you know his wife left him with that man who came through town, the one selling . . . what was it . . . .no matter, surely you know about that?

Clovus: Indeed I do.

Jarus: Well then, Beleus cannot be in too good a shape to be sure! Who among us would be? I should not wonder if he will leave his abode at all.

Clovus: I should not wonder either, Jarus.

Jarus: Then why, Clovus, do you disagree with me? Enlighten me with the words you will bestow upon Beleus, that he will be lifted from his dismal mood and be made a happy man again.

Clovus: Neither you nor I, Jarus, could say anything to aid our friend.

Jarus: Hah! Then you are caught, my good Clovus! Did you not disagree with me when I said there was not much we could do to cheer Beleus up, and just now you said that we could not say anything to bring cheer to Beleus?

Clovus: That is correct.

Jarus: Well then, I shall take my point.

Clovus: You take what is not yours, Jarus.

Jarus: Indeed?!

Clovus: I said 'Neither you nor I, Jarus, could say anything . . .'' which we shall not. You said 'I do not think there is much we can do . . ., which we shall.

Jarus: A minor point, for . . .

Clovus: What we shall do, Jarus, is not turn here, at the entryway to Beleus' home, but instead continue on our leisurely walk, for it is indeed a fine day for one.

Jarus: Why Clovus, I begin to think that you do not wish to visit our friend at all!

Clovus: Well, at least I must give you a point there, Jarus, for you are right. As you said 'Ah, poor Beleus..' some minutes ago, and looked up towards the heavens as you did so, you did not see Beleus cross the street to his place with our own town's fair Porlia, a lively girl so I am told, though I am not one to make my judgments on hearsay as a rule.

Jarus: Ah! You are a scoundrel, Clovus!

Clovus: So more than one has told me before, though I tend to think more highly of myself.

Jarus: And Beleus! Why I think --

Clovus: -- that what travails are endured by men and women, soon are they remedied?

Jarus: Hah! Indeed yes, Clovus, indeed yes! Let us walk, for it is a fine day for it.

Clovus: I am glad you think so, Jarus.