---
title: "The Persian · Persa"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 2 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/2/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Persian · Persa, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/2/"
---

# The Persian · Persa

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A slave in love cheats a pimp with a fake Persian.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi014, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi014.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 2. Lines 280–585

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/2/#p-N

[¶0] SAGARISTIO:
You are abusive to your senior.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Male dícis maiorí.

[¶1] PAEGNIUM:
As you deserved it first, do you put up with it. My master bade me hold my labour at his bidding, my tongue in freedom.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Prior proméritus perpetiáre.
servam operam, linguam liberam erus iussit med habere.

[¶2] SAGARISTIO:
Will you not tell me, where is Toxilus?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Dicisne mi, ubi sit Toxilus?

[¶3] PAEGNIUM:
I tell you that—you may go to perdition everlasting.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Dico ut perpetuo pereas.

[¶4] SAGARISTIO:
This day you shall be flogged with a rope’s end.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Caedere hodie tu restibus.

[¶5] PAEGNIUM:
On your account, indeed, you cuckoo! I’ faith, you carrion, if I were to give you a broken head, I shouldn’t be afraid of that.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tua quidem, cucule, causa!
non hercle, si os perciderim tibi, metuam, morticine.

[¶6] SAGARISTIO:
I understand you, you’ve been up to some bad work just now.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Video ego te: iam incubitatus es.

[¶7] PAEGNIUM:
So I have. What business is that to you?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ita sum. quid id ad te [attinet]?

[¶8] But I haven’t, like yourself, all for nothing.
SAGARISTIO:
Assurance!

> Latin: at non sum, ita ut tu, gratiis.
Sagaristio:
Confidens.

[¶9] PAEGNIUM:
I’ faith, I certainly am; for I am assured that I shall be free; don’t be hoping that you’ll ever be so.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Sum hercle vero.
nam ego me confido liberum fore, tu te numquam speras.

[¶10] SAGARISTIO:
Can’t you cease your impertinence?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Potin ut molestus ne sies?

[¶11] PAEGNIUM:
That which you are mentioning, you can’t do yourself.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quod dicis facere non quis.

[¶12] SAGARISTIO:
Away with you to utter perdition.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Abi in malam rem.

[¶13] PAEGNIUM:
And off home with you; for there it’s all ready prepared for you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At tu domum: nam ibi tibi parata praestost.

[¶14] SAGARISTIO:
He summons me on my recognizances.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vadatur hic me.

[¶15] PAEGNIUM:
I only wish the sureties may be out of the way, so that you may get to prison.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Vtinam vades desint, in carcere ut sis.

[¶16] SAGARISTIO:
Why’s this?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid hoc?

[¶17] PAEGNIUM:
Aye, why is it?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quid est?

[¶18] SAGARISTIO:
Still abusing me, rascal?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Etiam, scelus, male loquere?

[¶19] PAEGNIUM:
Why, inasmuch as you are a slave, it ought at least to be allowed a slave to abuse you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tandem ut liceat,
quom servos sis, servom tibi male dicere.

[¶20] SAGARISTIO:
And is it so? Just look (holding up his fist.) what I shall give you.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Itane? specta
quid dedero.

[¶21] PAEGNIUM:
Nothing; for nothing have you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Nil, nam nil habes.

[¶22] SAGARISTIO:
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound me,
if I don’t this very day, if I lay hold of you, fell you to the ground with blows.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Di deaeque me omnes perdant—

[¶23] PAEGNIUM:
I am your friend; I trust that what you wish may befall you,
and that it may come to pass;

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Amicus sum, eveniant volo tibi quae optas.
Sagaristio:
Atque id fiat,
nisi te hodie, si prehendero, defigam in terram colaphis.

[¶24] if you fell me, may others make you feel yourself fixed to the cross before long.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tun me defigas? te cruci ipsum adfigent propediem alii.

[¶25] SAGARISTIO:
But you may the Gods and Goddesses—You understand what I was going to say after that, if I hadn’t been able to restrain my tongue. Can’t you be off?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Qui te di deaeque—scis quid hinc porro dicturus fuerim,
ni linguae moderari queam. potin abeas?

[¶26] PAEGNIUM:
You drive me off with ease; for already my shadow’s getting a whipping in-doors.
(Goes into the house.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Abigis facile.
nam umbra mea iam intus vapulat.—

[¶27] SAGARISTIO: (to himself.)
May the Gods and Goddesses confound that fellow! just like a crawling serpent he has got a double tongue, and is a wicked one.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vt istúnc di deaeque perdant.
tamquam proserpens bestiast bilinguis et scelestus.

[¶28] Upon my faith, I’m glad he’s gone. (Going towards the door.) Open, you door. But look! he’s coming from within, the person that I most especially wished to meet with.
(Enter TOXILUS, from his MASTER’S house, followed by SOPHOCLIDISCA.)
TOXILUS: (to SOPHOCLIDISCA.)

> Latin: hercle illum abiisse gaudeo. foris aperit, eccere autem
quem convenire maxime cupiebam egreditur intus.

[¶29] Tell her that it’s now arranged whence the money is to come. Bid her be of good heart; tell her that I love her exceedingly. When she cheers up, then does she cheer me up. What I’ve told you to tell her,
do you quite understand it?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Better than your legs understand you, do I understand it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Paratum iam esse dicito, unde argentum sit futurum,
iubeto habere animum bonum, dic me illam amare multum;
ubi se adiuvat, ibi me adiuvat. quae dixi ut nuntiares,
satin ea tenes?
Sophoclidisca:
Magis cálleo quam aprugnum callum callet.—

[¶30] TOXILUS:
Make all haste, be off home.
(SOPHOCLIDISCA goes into the house of DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Propera, abi domum. …

[¶31] SAGARISTIO: (apart.)
Now I’ll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I’ll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air.
(Struts along.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Nunc ego huic graphice facetus fiam.
subnixis alis me inferam atque amicibor gloriose.

[¶32] TOXILUS:
But who’s this that’s walking like a two-handled jug?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sed quís hic ansatus ambulat?

[¶33] SAGARISTIO: (apart.)
I’ll spit about me in a dignified style.
(Spits about.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Magnifice conscreabor.

[¶34] TOXILUS:
Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sagaristio hic quidemst. quíd agitur, Sagaristio? ut valetur?

[¶35] Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?
SAGARISTIO: (in a lofty way.)
Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.

> Latin: ecquid, quod mandavi tibi, †estne in te speculae?
Sagaristio:
Adito.
videbitur. factum volo. venito. promoneto.

[¶36] TOXILUS:
What’s this swelling here upon your neck?
(Touches his neck.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid hoc híc in collo tibi tumet?

[¶37] SAGARISTIO:
It’s a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vomicast, pressare parce;
nam ubi quí mala tangit manu, dolores cooriuntur.

[¶38] TOXILUS:
When did that first come upon you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quando istaec innatast tibi?

[¶39] SAGARISTIO:
To-day.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Hodie.

[¶40] TOXILUS:
You should order it to be lanced.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Secari iubeas.

[¶41] SAGARISTIO:
I’m afraid to lance it before it’s ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Metuo, ne immaturam secem, ne exhibeat plus negoti.

[¶42] TOXILUS:
I’d like to examine your complaint.
(Comes nearer.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Inspicere morbum tuom lubet.

[¶43] SAGARISTIO: (retreatinq.)
Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ah ah, abi atque cave sis
a cornu.

[¶44] TOXILUS:
Why so?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid iam?

[¶45] SAGARISTIO:
Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quia boves bini hic sunt in crumina.

[¶46] TOXILUS:
Do let them out, please; don’t starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Emitte sodes, ne enices fame; sine ire pastum.

[¶47] SAGARISTIO:
Why, I’m afraid that I mayn’t be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Enim métuo, ut possim reicere in bubile, ne vagentur.

[¶48] TOXILUS:
I’ll drive them back; be of good heart,

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ego reiciam. habe animum bonum.

[¶49] SAGARISTIO:
You shall be trusted then; I’ll lend them you Follow this way, please (taking the purse from his neck.) in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Credetur, commodabo.
sequere hac sis. argentum hic inest, quod mecum dudum orasti.

[¶50] TOXILUS:
What is it you say?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid tú ais?

[¶51] SAGARISTIO:
My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Dominus me bovis mercatum Eretriam misit.
nunc mi Eretria erit haec tua domus.

[¶52] TOXILUS:
You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nimis tú facete loquere.
atque ego omne argentúm tibi hoc actutum incolume redigam;

[¶53] for now I’ve arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I’m to get this money out of this Procurer.
SAGARISTIO:
So much the better.

> Latin: nam iam omnes sycophantias instruxi et comparavi,
quo pacto ab lenone auferam hoc argentum,
Sagaristio:
Tanto melior.

[¶54] TOXILUS:
Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Et mulier ut sit libera atque ipse ultro det argentum.
sed sequere me: ad eam rem usus est tua mihi opera.—

[¶55] SAGARISTIO:
Make use of it just as you please.
(They go into the house.) (Enter SATURIO and his DAUGHTER, in the habit of a PERSIAN.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vtere ut vis.—

[¶56] SATURIO:
May this same matter turn out well for me, and for yourself, and for my stomach,
and for everlasting victuals for it as well for all time to come; that I may have more than enough, a superfluity, and that it may outlast me. Follow me this way, my daughter, with the Gods’ good leave. The matter to which we are to give our attention, you know, you remember, you understand; to you I have communicated all my designs.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quae res bene vortat mi et tibi et ventri meo
perennitatique adeo huic, perpetuo cibus
ut mihi supersit, suppetat, superstitet:
sequere hac, mea gnata, me, cum dis volentibus.
quoi rei opera detur scis, tenes, intellegis;
communicavi tecum consilia omnia.

[¶57] For that reason have I dressed you out after this fashion; young woman, to-day you are to be sold.
DAUGHTER:
Prithee, my dear father, although you do eagerly long for victuals at another’s cost, are you for the sake of your appetite going to sell your own daughter?

> Latin: ea causa ad hoc exemplum te exornavi ego.
venibis tu hodie, virgo.
Virgo:
Amabo, mi pater,
quamquam libenter escis alienis studes,
tuin véntris causa filiam vendas tuam?

[¶58] SATURIO:
It is a wonder, indeed, if I don’t sell you, who are my own, for the sake of King Philip or Attalus, rather than my own.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Mirum quin regis Phílippi causa aut Attali
te potius vendam quam mea, quae sis mea.

[¶59] DAUGHTER:
Whether do you regard me as your slave or as your daughter?

> Latin: Virgo:
Vtrum tú pro ancilla mé habes an pro filia?

[¶60] SATURIO:
I’ faith, that of the two which shall appear most for the interest of my stomach; it’s my authority over you, I suppose, not yours over me.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Vtrum hercle magis in ventris rem videbitur.
meum, opino, imperiumst in te, non in me tibi.

[¶61] DAUGHTER:
This power is yours, father; but still,
although our circumstances are but very limited, it’s better to pass our lives with frugality and moderation; for if disgrace is added to poverty, poverty will be more unendurable, our character more frail.

> Latin: Virgo:
Tua istaéc potestas est, pater. verum tamen,
quamquam res nostrae sunt, pater, pauperculae,
modice et modeste meliust vitam vivere;
nam ad paupertatem si admigrant infamiae,
gravior paupertas fit, fides sublestior.

[¶62] SATURIO:
Why really you are impertinent.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Enim véro odiosa es.

[¶63] DAUGHTER:
I am not, nor do I think that I am,
when, though of youthful age, I give good advice to my father. For enemies carry about slander not in the form in which it took its rise.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non sum, neque me esse arbitror,
quom parva natu recte praecipio patri.
nam inimici famam non ita ut natast ferunt.

[¶64] SATURIO:
Let them carry it about, and let them go to utter and extreme perdition. I don’t value all their enmities any more than if an empty table were now set before me.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Ferant eantque maximam malam crucem;
neque ego ínimicitias omnes pluris existimo,
quam mensa inanis nunc si apponatur mihi.

[¶65] DAUGHTER:
Father, the scandal of men is everlasting; even then does it survive, when you would suppose it to be dead.

> Latin: Virgo:
Patér, hominum immortalis est infamia;
etiam tum vivit, cum esse credas mortuam.

[¶66] SATURIO:
What? Are you afraid lest I should sell you?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quid? metuis, ne te vendam?

[¶67] DAUGHTER:
I am not afraid of that, father; but I wish you not to pretend to do so.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non metuo, pater.
verum insimulari nolo.

[¶68] SATURIO:
Then it’s in vain you wish me not; this shall be done rather after my own fashion than yours.

> Latin: Satvrio:
At nequiquam nevis.
meo modo istuc potius fiet quam tuo
fiat. quae hae res sunt?

[¶69] DAUGHTER:
Shall be done!
SATURIO:
What is the matter, now?
DAUGHTER:
Father, reflect upon these words: if a master has threatened punishment to a slave, although it is not intended to be, still, when the whip is taken up, while he is taking off his tunics, with what an amount of misery is he afflicted. Now, that which is not to be, I’m still in fear of.

> Latin: Virgo:
Cogita hoc verbum, pater:
erus sí minatus est malum servo suo,
tametsi íd futurum non est, ubi captumst flagrum,
dum tunicas ponit, quanta adficitur miseria!
ego nunc quod non futurumst formido tamen.

[¶70] SATURIO:
Damsel or woman none will there ever be, but what she must be good for nothing, who is too wise to be giving satisfaction to her parents.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Virgo atque mulier nulla erit quin sit mala,
quae praeter sapiet quam placet parentibus.

[¶71] DAUGHTER:
Damsel and woman none can there be, but what she must be good for nothing, who holds her peace if she sees anything going on wrong.

> Latin: Virgo:
Virgo atque mulier nulla erit quin sit mala,
quae reticet, si quid fieri pervorse videt.

[¶72] SATURIO:’Twere better for you to beware of a mischief.
DAUGHTER:
But if I cannot
beware, what am I to do? For it’s as to yourself I wish to beware.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Malo cavere meliust te.
Virgo:
At si non licet
cavere, quid agam? nám ego tibi cautum volo.

[¶73] SATURIO:
What, am I a mischief?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Malusne égo sum?

[¶74] DAUGHTER:
You are not, nor is it becoming for me to say so; but for this purpose am I using my endeavours, that others may not say so who have that liberty.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non es, neque me dignumst dicere,
verum ei rei operam do, ne alii dicant, quibus licet.

[¶75] SATURIO:
Let each one say what he pleases; from this purpose I shall not be moved.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Dicat quod quisque volt; ego de hac sententia
non demovebor.

[¶76] DAUGHTER:
But, could it be after my own way,
you would be acting prudently, rather than foolishly.

> Latin: Virgo:
At, meo sí liceat modo,
sapienter potius facias quam stulte.

[¶77] SATURIO:
It is my pleasure.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Lubet.

[¶78] DAUGHTER:
I know that I must let it be your pleasure so far as I’m concerned; but it should not please you to be your pleasure, if I had my way.

> Latin: Virgo:
Lubere per me tibi licere intellego;
verum lubere hau lubeat, sí liceat mihi.

[¶79] SATURIO:
Are you going to be obedient to your father’s orders, or not?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Futura es dicto oboediens an non patri?

[¶80] DAUGHTER:
To be obedient.

> Latin: Virgo:
Futura.

[¶81] SATURIO:
Do you know then what I instructed you?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Scis iam tibi quae praecepi?

[¶82] DAUGHTER:
Everything.

> Latin: Virgo:
Omnia.

[¶83] SATURIO:
Both this, how you were stolen?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Et ut surrupta fueris?

[¶84] DAUGHTER:
I understand it perfectly well.

> Latin: Virgo:
Docte calleo.

[¶85] SATURIO:
And who your parents were?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Et qui parentes fuerint?

[¶86] DAUGHTER:
I keep it in my memory. You cause me of necessity to be artful; but take you care, when you wish to give me in marriage, that this story doesn’t cause the match to be given up.

> Latin: Virgo:
Habeo in memoria.
necessitate me mala ut fiam facis.
verum videto, me ubi voles nuptum dare,
ne haec fama faciat repudiosas nuptias.

[¶87] SATURIO:
Hold your tongue, simpleton. Do you not see the customs of people now-a-days, that marriage is easily effected here with a reputation of any kind? So long as there’s a marriage-portion, no fault is reckoned as a fault.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Tace, stúlta. non tu nunc hominum mores vides?
quoivis modi hic cum [mala] fama facile nubitur:
dum dos sit, nullum vitium vitio vortitur.

[¶88] DAUGHTER:
Then take you care, and let this occur to your thoughts, that I am without a fortune.

> Latin: Virgo:
Ergo istuc facito ut veniat in mentem tibi,
me esse indotatam.

[¶89] SATURIO:
Take you care, please, how you say that.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Cave sis tu istuc dixeris.

[¶90] By my faith, through the merits of the Gods and of my ancestors I’ll say it, you must not say that you are without a fortune, who have a marriage-portion at home. Why look, I’ve got a whole carriage-full of books at home. If you carefully give your attention to this matter in which we are exerting ourselves, six hundred bon-mots shall be given you out of them as a fortune,
all Attic ones, too; you shall not receive a single Sicilian one. With this for a fortune, you might safely marry a beggar even.

> Latin: pol deum virtute dicam et maiorum meum,
ne te indotatam dicas, quoi dos sit domi:
librorum eccillum hábeo plenum soracum.
si hoc adcurassis lepide, cui rei operam damus,
dabuntur dotis tibi inde sescenti logi,
atque Attici omnes; nullum Siculum acceperis:
cum hac dote poteris vel mendico nubere.

[¶91] DAUGHTER:
Why, then, don’t you take me, father, if you are going to take me anywhere? Either do you sell me, or do with me what you please.

> Latin: Virgo:
Quin tu me ducis, si quo ducturu's ducturus es, pater?
vel tu me vende vel face quid tibi lubet.

[¶92] SATURIO:
You ask what’s fair and right. Follow me this way.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Bonum aequomque oras. sequere hac.—

[¶93] DAUGHTER:
I’m obedient to your command.
(They go into the house, to TOXILUS.) (Enter DORDALUS, from his house.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Dicto sum audiens.—

[¶94] DORDALUS: (to himself.)
I wonder what I’m to say my neighbour is going to do, who swore to me that he would pay the money to-day? But if he should not pay it, and this day go by, I shall have forfeited the money, he his oath. But the door there makes a noise. I wonder who’s coming out of doors?
(Enter TOXILUS, from his MASTER’S house, with a purse in his hand.)
TOXILUS: (speaking at the door to the PERSONS within.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quidnam esse acturum hunc dicam vicinum meum,
qui mihi iuratust sese hodie argentum dare?
quod si non dederit atque hic dies praeterierit,
ego argentum, ille iusiurandum amiserit.
sed ibi concrepuit foris. quisnam egreditur foras?

[¶95] Take you care of that in-doors; I shall betake myself home just now.
DORDALUS:
Toxilus, how are you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Curate isti intus, iam égo domum me recipiam.
Dordalvs:
Oh,
Toxile, quid agitur?

[¶96] TOXILUS:
How now!—pimping filth mixed up with mud! How now!—public dung-heap! dirty, dishonest, lawless, enticer, disgrace to the public; you hawk after money, greedy and envious;
you impudent, rapacious, craving fellow (in three hundred lines no person could run through your villanies), will you take the money? (Holding out the purse.) Take the money, will you, shameless fellow. Take hold of the money, will you. Are you going to take the money, then? Can I make you take the money, filth? (Keeps moving it away.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Oh, lutum lenonium,
commixtum caeno sterculinum publicum,
impure, inhoneste, iniure, inlex, labes popli,
pecuniae accípiter avide atque invide,
procax, rapax, trahax—trecentis versibus
tuas ímpuritias traloqui nemo potest—
accipin argentum? accipe sis argentum, impudens,
tené sis argentum, etiam tu argentum tenes?
possum te facere ut argentum accipias, lutum?

[¶97] You didn’t suppose that I should have had so much money—you, who didn’t venture to trust me at all except upon oath?

> Latin: non mihi censebas copiam argenti fore,
qui nisi iurato mihi nil ausu's ausus es credere?

[¶98] DORDALUS:
Do let me recover breath, so as to give you an answer. Fellow, dregs of the populace, you stable for she-slaves, you liberator of harlots, you surface for the lash,
you wearer-out of the fetters, you citizen of the treadmill, you slave everlastingly, you gormandizer, glutton, pilferer, runaway, give me the money, will you. Give me the money, impudence. Can I get the money out of you? Give me the money, I say. Why don’t you give me the money? Are you ashamed of nothing?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sine respirare me, ut tibi respondeam.
vir summe populi, stabulum servitutium,
scortorum liberator, suduculum flagri,
compedium tritor, pistrinorum civitas,
perenniserve, lurco, edax, furax, fugax,
cedo sis mi argentum, da mihi argentum, impudens,
possum a te exigere argentum? argentum, inquam, cedo,
quin tu mi argentum reddis? nilne te pudet?

[¶99] You impersonation of slavery, a Procurer is asking money of you for the liberation of your mistress, so that all may hear it.

> Latin: leno te argentum poscit, solida servitus,
pro liberanda amica, ut omnes audiant.

[¶100] TOXILUS:
Troth now, prithee, do hold your tongue. For sure your voice is in first-rate strength.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace, obsecro hercle. ne tua vox valide valet.

[¶101] DORDALUS:
I’ve got a tongue made for returning a compliment. Salt is provided for me at the same price as for yourself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Referundae ego habeo linguam natam gratiae.
eodém mihi pretio sal praehibetur quo tibi.

[¶102] Unless this tongue protects me, it shall never lick a bit of salt.

> Latin: nisi me haec defendet, numquam delinget salem.

[¶103] TOXILUS:
I’ll cease to be angry now. It was for this I blamed you, because you refused to trust me for the money.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam omitte iratus esse. id tibi suscensui,
quia te negabas credere argentum mihi.

[¶104] DORDALUS:’Twas a wonder, indeed, that I didn’t trust you, that you might do the same to me that some of the bankers do.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mirum quin tibi ego crederém, ut idem mihi
faceres quod partim faciunt argentarii:

[¶105] When you’ve entrusted them with anything, they immediately run more quickly away from the Forum than a hare, when, at the games, he’s let out of the entrance of his cage.
TOXILUS: (holding out the money.)

> Latin: ubi quid credideris, citius extemplo a foro
fugiunt quam ex porta ludis cum emissust lepus.

[¶106] Take this, will you.
DORDALUS:
Why don’t you give it then?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Cape hoc sis.
Dordalvs:
Quin das?

[¶107] TOXILUS: (giving it.)
There will be here six hundred didrachms, full weight and counted; cause the damsel to be set at liberty, and bring her out here forthwith.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nummi sescenti hic erunt,
probi, numerati. fac sit mulier libera,
atque huc continuo adduce.

[¶108] DORDALUS:
I’ll have her here this moment.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Iam faxo hic erit.

[¶109] I’ faith, I don’t know to whom now to give this money to be tested.

> Latin: non hercle, quoi nunc hoc dem spectandum, scio.

[¶110] TOXILUS:
Perhaps you are afraid to entrust it to any one’s hands?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Fortasse metuis in manum concredere?

[¶111] DORDALUS:
Strange if I wasn’t. More quickly, now-a-days, do bankers abscond from the Forum, than a wheel spins round in a race.
TOXILUS: (pointing.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mirum quin … [citius iam a foro argentarii]
[abeunt, quam in cursu rotula circumvortitur.]

[¶112] Do you go that way, through the alleys, the back way to the Forum;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Abi istác travorsis angiportis ad forum;

[¶113] let this damsel pass through the same way to our house, through the garden.
DORDALUS:
I’ll have her here this moment.

> Latin: eadem ístaec facito mulier ad me transeat
per hortum.
Dordalvs:
Iam hic faxo aderit.

[¶114] TOXILUS:
But not in public view.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At ne propalam.

[¶115] DORDALUS:
Very discreet.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sapienter sane.

[¶116] TOXILUS:
To-morrow she must go to return thanks.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Supplicatum cras eat.

[¶117] DORDALUS:
I’ faith, just so indeed.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ita hercle vero.—

[¶118] TOXILUS:
While you’ve been loitering, you might have got back.
(Exit DORDALUS; TOXILUS goes into the house.) (Enter TOXILUS.)
TOXILUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Dum stas, reditum oportuit.

[¶119] If you give attention to any matter with steadiness or with good management,
that same is wont properly to thrive to your satisfaction. And, by my faith, pretty nearly according as each man gives attention to his business, in the same manner do the results finally ensure him success. If he is knavish or a rogue, the business turns out badly which he has commenced; but if he uses good management, it results profitably.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
si quam rem accures sobrie aut frugaliter,
solet illa recte sub manus succedere.
atque edepol ferme ut quisque rem accurat suam,
sic ei procedit postprincipio, denique
si malus aut nequamst, male res vortunt quas agit,
sin autem frugist, eveniunt frugaliter.

[¶120] Cleverly and skilfully did I commence upon this business; for that reason do I trust that it will turn out well for me. Now, I’ll this day have the Procurer so hampered, that he shan’t know himself which way to extricate himself. (Goes to the door.) Sagaristio, hallo! Come forth, and bring out the young woman,
and that letter which I sealed for you, which you brought me all the way from Persia, from my master.
(Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, from the house, each dressed in Persian costume.)

> Latin: hanc ego rem exorsus sum facete et callide,
igitur proventuram bene confido mihi.
nunc ego lenonem ita hodie intricatum dabo,
ut ipsus sese, qua se expediat, nesciat.
Sagaristio, heus, exi atque educe virginem
et istás tabellas, quas consignavi tibi,
quas tu attulisti mi ab ero meo usque e Persia.

[¶121] SAGARISTIO:
Have I delayed at all?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Numquid moror?

[¶122] TOXILUS:
Bravo! bravo! dressed out in splendid style. (To SAGARISTIO.) The tiara does finely set off your dress. Then, too, how beautifully does the slipper become this stranger damsel!

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Euge, euge, exornatu's exornatus es basilice;
tiara ornatum lepida condecorat schema.
tum hanc hospitam autem crepidula ut graphice decet.

[¶123] But are you thoroughly up in your parts?
SAGARISTIO:
Tragedians and Comedians have never been up so well.

> Latin: sed satin estis meditati?
Sagaristio:
Tragici et comici
numquam aeque sunt meditati.

[¶124] TOXILUS:
Troth, you are giving me kind assistance. Come, be off that way (pointing.) to a distance out of sight, and hold your tongue. When you see me conversing with the Procurer, that will be the time to accost us; now be off, you,—away with you.
(SAGARISTIO and the DAMSEL go aside, out of sight.) (Enter DORDALUS.)
DORDALUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Lepide hercle adiuvas.
[age, illúc abscede procul e conspectu et tace.]
[ubi cum lenone me videbis conloqui]
id erit adeundi tempus. nunc agite ite vos.

[¶125] The man to whom the Deities are propitious, in his way they throw some profit. For I this day have made a saving of two loaves daily; this way, she who this day was my slave is now her own; by his cash he has prevailed; this day then she’ll be dining at the expense of another, she’ll be tasting nothing of mine. Am I not a worthy man, am I not a courteous citizen, who this day have made the extensive state of Attica
still larger, and increased it by a female citizen? But how obliging have I been to-day! To how many have I given credit, and have from no person taken surety; so readily did I give credit to all: and I don’t fear that of those whom I’ve trusted to-day any one will forswear himself against me upon trial. I wish from this day forth to be honest—a thing that never will be and never was.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quoí homini di própitii sunt, áliquid obiciúnt lucri;
nam égo hodie compendi feci binos panes in dies.
íta ancillá mea quae fuit hodie, sua nunc est: argento vicit;
iám hodie alienum cenabit, nil gustabit de meo.
sumne probus, sum lepidus civis, qui Atticam hodie civitatem
maximam maiorem feci atque auxi civi femina?
sed ut ego hodie fui benignus, ut ego multis credidi,
nec satis a quiquam homine accepi: ita prosum credebam omnibus;
nec metuo, quibus credidi hodie, ne quis mi in iure abiurassit:
bonus volo iam ex hoc die esse—quod neque fiet neque fuit.

[¶126] This fellow, this very day, by clever contrivances, I’ll catch in a springe; and so the snare is cunningly laid for him; I’ll accost the fellow. (Aloud.) What are you about?
DORDALUS:
Giving credit.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hunc hominem ego hodie in trasennam doctis deducam dolis,
itaque huic insidiae paratae sunt probe. adgrediar virum.
quid agis?
Dordalvs:
Credo.

[¶127] TOXILUS:
Whence do you betake yourself, Dordalus?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Únde agis te, Dordale?

[¶128] DORDALUS:
I’m going to give you credit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Credo tibi.

[¶129] TOXILUS:
May the Gods grant whatever you may desire.
How now, have you given the damsel her liberty by this?

> Latin: di dent, quae velis.
Toxilvs:
Eho, an iám manu emisisti mulierem?

[¶130] DORDALUS:
I’m going to give you credit, i’ faith, I’m going to give you credit, I repeat.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Crédo edepol, credo, inquam, tibi.

[¶131] TOXILUS:
Are you now increased in number by one freed-woman?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam liberta auctu's auctus es?

[¶132] DORDALUS:
You worry me to death.
Why, I tell you that I’ll give you credit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Enicas.
quin tíbi me dico crédere.

[¶133] TOXILUS:
Tell me in sober truth, is she now at liberty?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Dic bona fíde: iam liberast?

[¶134] DORDALUS:
Go, go to the Forum, to the Praetor; make all enquiries, since you don’t choose to give me credit. She is at liberty, I say. Do you hear me at all?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ólim.
i, i ád forum ad praetorem, éxquire, siquidém mihi credere nón vis.
líbera, inquam, est: ecquid audis?

[¶135] TOXILUS:
May all the Deities bless you then. And never from this time forward, will I wish to you or yours what you don’t wish.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At tibi di bene faciant omnes.
númquam enim pósthac tibi nec tuorum quoiquam quod nolis volam.

[¶136] DORDALUS:
Be off: don’t be swearing that. I quite believe you.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Abi, né iura, satis crédo.

[¶137] TOXILUS:
Where is your freed-woman now?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vbi núnc tua libertást?

[¶138] DORDALUS:
At your house.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Apud te.

[¶139] TOXILUS:
Do you say so? Is she at our house?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ain, apud mést?

[¶140] DORDALUS:
I do say so, I tell you; she is at your house, I say.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Aio, inquam, apud te ést, inquam.

[¶141] TOXILUS:
So may the Deities favour me, for this thing many blessings from me are in store for you: for there’s a certain matter, which I refrained from mentioning to you; now I’ll disclose it, and from it you can make a very large profit. I’ll give you cause to remember me so long as you exist.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ita mé di ament, ut ob ístam rem tibi múlta bona instant á me.
nam est rés quaedam, quam occúltabam tibi dícere: nunc eam nárrabo,
unde tú pergrande lucrúm facias: faciam, út mei memineris, dúm vitam
vivás.

[¶142] DORDALUS:
My ears are wanting some kind deeds by way of assistance to these kind words.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Bene dictis tuís bene facta aurés meae auxilium expóscunt.

[¶143] TOXILUS:
It’s only your deserts, that I should do as you deserve. And that you may know that I will do so, take this letter (showing him a letter.) read it over.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tuom prómeritumst, merito út faciam. et ut mé scias esse ita fácturum,
tabellás tene has, péllege.

[¶144] DORDALUS:
What has this got to do with me?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Istaé quid ad mé?

[¶145] TOXILUS:
Why yes, it bears reference to yourself, and it does relate to you. But it has just now been brought me from Persia, from my master.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Immo ád te attinént et tuá refert.
nam ex Pérsia sunt haec állatae mihi a méo ero.

[¶146] DORDALUS:
When?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quando?

[¶147] TOXILUS:
Not long since.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Haud dúdum.

[¶148] DORDALUS:
What does it say?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid istaé narrant?

[¶149] TOXILUS:
Make enquiry of its own self: it will tell you itself.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Percóntare ex ipsís. ipsae tibi nárrabunt.

[¶150] DORDALUS:
Give it me, then.
(Taking it from TOXILUS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Cedo sáne [mihi].

[¶151] TOXILUS:
But read it aloud.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At clare récitato.

[¶152] DORDALUS:
Be silent while I read it over.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tace, dúm pellego.

[¶153] TOXILUS:
I’ll not utter a word.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hau verbúm faciam

[¶154] DORDALUS: (reading.)
“Timarchides sends health to Toxilus and all the family. If you are well, I am glad; I am quite well, and carrying on my business, and am making money; and I am not able to return home for these eight months,”
“for there is some business which detains me here; the Persians have taken Chrysopolis, a city of Arabia, full of good things, and an ancient town; there the booty is being collected, that a public auction may be made; this matter causes me to be absent from home.”

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Salutem dicit Toxilo Timarchides
et familiae omni. si valetis, gaudeo.
ego valeo recte et rem gero et facio lucrum,
neque istóc redire his octo possum mensibus,
itaque hic est quod me detinet negotium.
Chrysopolim Persae cepere urbem in Arabia,
plenam bonarum rerum atque antiquom oppidum:
ea comportatur praeda, ut fiat auctio
publicitus; ea res me domo expertem facit.

[¶155] “I wish attention and hospitality to be shown to the person who brings this letter to you. Attend to what he wants; for at his own house at home he has shown me the greatest attentions.”

> Latin: operam atque hospitium ego isti praehiberi volo,
qui tibi tabellas adfert. cura quae is volet,
nam is mihi honores suae domi habuit maxumos.

[¶156] What has it to do with me or my welfare, what matters the Persians are about, or what your master is doing?
TOXILUS:
Hold your tongue, silly babbler; you don’t know what blessing awaits you.
It’s in vain that Fortune is ready to light for you her torch that leads to profit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quíd id ad me aut ad meam rem refert, Persae quid rerum gerant
aut quid erus tuos?
Toxilvs:
Tace, stultiloque; nescis quid te instet boni
neque quam tibi Fortuna faculam lucrifera adlucere volt.

[¶157] DORDALUS:
What Fortune is this that leads to profit?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quae istaec lucrifera est Fortuna?

[¶158] TOXILUS: (pointing to the letter.)
Ask that which knows: I know about as much as yourself, except that I was the first to read it through. But as you’ve begun, learn the matter from the letter.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Istas, quae norunt, roga.
ego tantumdem scio quantum tu, nisi quod pellegi prior.
sed, ut occepisti, ex tabellis nosce rem.

[¶159] DORDALUS:
You counsel me aright. Keep silence.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Bene me mones.
fac silentium.

[¶160] TOXILUS:
Now you’ll come to that which does relate to your interest.
DORDALUS: (reading on.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nunc ad illud venies quod refert tua.

[¶161] “The person that brings this letter, has taken with him a well-bred female of engaging charms, who has been stolen, and brought from the inmost parts of Arabia; I wish you to take charge of her that she may be sold there; but he who makes purchase of her, must buy her at his own risk;”

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Iste quí tabellas adfert adduxit simul
forma expetenda liberalem virginem,
furtivam, abductam ex Arabia penitissuma;
eam te volo accurare ut istic veneat.
ac suo periclo is emat qui eam mercabitur:

[¶162] “nobody will promise or give a warranty. Take you care that he receives money full weight and counted. Pay attention to this, and give attention that the stranger is attended to. Farewell.”

> Latin: mancipio neque promittet neque quisquam dabit.
probum et numeratum argentum ut accipiat face.
haec cura, et hospes cura ut curetur. vale.

[¶163] TOXILUS:
What then? After you have read over what has been committed to the wax, do you believe me now?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quíd igitur? postquam recitasti quod erat cerae creditum,
iam mihi credis?

[¶164] DORDALUS:
Where now is this stranger that brought this letter?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vbi nunc illest hospes, qui hasce huc attulit?

[¶165] TOXILUS:
He’ll be here just now, I believe; he has sent for her from the ship.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam hic credo aderit: arcessivit illam a navi.

[¶166] DORDALUS:
I don’t want any lawsuits or quirks at all. Why should I be laying out so much money at such a distance? Unless I get her on warranty, what need have I of this purchase?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nil mi opust
litibus neque tricis. quam ob rem ego argentum enumerem foras?
nisi mancipio accipio, quid eo mi opus est mercimonio?

[¶167] TOXILUS:
Will you, or will you not, hold your tongue? I never did believe you to be such a blockhead. What are you afraid of?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tacen an non taces? numquam ego te tam esse matulam credidi.
quid metuis?

[¶168] DORDALUS:
I’ faith, I really am afraid; I’ve experienced it now so many times,
and it will not befall me without having already experienced it, to be getting stuck in such a quagmire.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Metuo hercle vero. sensi ego iam compluriens,
neque mi haud imperito eveniet, tali ut in luto haeream.

[¶169] TOXILUS:
There seems to be no risk.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nil pericli mihi videtur.

[¶170] DORDALUS:
I know that; but I’m afraid about myself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Scio istuc, sed metuo mihi.

[¶171] TOXILUS:
It matters nothing whatever to me, so far as I’m concerned; it’s for your sake I mentioned it, that I might at the earliest moment give you an opportunity of advantageously purchasing her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Mea quidem istuc nil refert: tua ego hoc facio gratia,
ut tibi recte conciliandi primo facerem copiam.

[¶172] DORDALUS:
I return you thanks; but it’s a nicer thing for you to become wise through others, than for others through yourself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Gratiam habeo. sed te de aliis, quam alios de te suaviust
fieri doctos.

[¶173] TOXILUS:
Surely no person can follow after her from the inmost parts of Arabia. Will you make purchase of her, then?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ne quis vero ex Arabia penitissuma
persequatur. etiam tu illam destinas?

[¶174] DORDALUS:
Only let me see the commodity.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Videam modo
mercimonium.

[¶175] TOXILUS:
You say what’s fair. But look, most à propos, the stranger is coming himself, who brought this letter hither.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Aequa dicis. séd optume eccum ipse advenit
hospes ille, qui has tabellas attulit.

[¶176] DORDALUS: (pointing down the side-scene.)
Is that he?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Hicinest?

[¶177] TOXILUS:
That’s he.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hic est.

[¶178] DORDALUS:
And is that the girl that was stolen?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Haecine illást furtiva virgo?

[¶179] TOXILUS:
I know just about as well as yourself, except that I have seen her. Upon my faith, she certainly is genteel looking, whoever she is.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iuxta tecum aeque scio,
nisi quia specie quidem edepol liberalist, quisquis est.

[¶180] DORDALUS:
Faith, she has pretty regular features.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sat edepol concinnast facie.

[¶181] TOXILUS: (aside.)
With what contempt the hang-dog does speak of her. (To DORDALUS.) Let’s examine her beauty in silence.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vt contemptim carnufex.
taciti contemplemur formam.

[¶182] DORDALUS:
I approve of your advice.
(They stand aside.) (Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, dressed as PERSIANS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Laudo consilium tuom.

[¶183] SAGARISTIO:
Doesn’t Athens seem to you a rich and opulent place?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Satin Athenae tibi sunt visae fortunatae atque opiparae?

[¶184] DAUGHTER:
I’ve seen the appearance of the city; the customs of the people I’ve observed but little of.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Vrbis speciem vidi, hominum móres perspexi parum.

[¶185] At the very outset has she forborne to make a wise remark.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Numquid in principió cessavit verbum docte dicere?

[¶186] I cannot by her very first words form an estimate of her wisdom.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Hau potui etiam in primo verbo perspiceré sapientiam.

[¶187] SAGARISTIO:
What as to that which you have seen? How does the city seem fortified to you, with its wall?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid id quod vidisti? ut munitum muro tibi visum oppidumst?

[¶188] DAUGHTER:
If the inhabitants have good morals, I think it’s properly fortified.

> Latin: Virgo:
Si incolae bene sunt morati, pulchre munitum arbitror.

[¶189] If Perfidiousness, and Peculation, and Avarice are exiled from the city, Envy in the fourth place, Ambition in the fifth, Scandal in the sixth, Perjury in the seventh.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
Bravo!

> Latin: perfidia et pecúlatus ex urbe et avaritia si exulant,
quarta invidia, quinta ambitio, sexta óbtrectatio,
septimum periurium,
Toxilvs:
Euge.

[¶190] DAUGHTER:
Idleness in the eighth, Injustice in the ninth, Immorality, which is the very worst in its attack, in the tenth.

> Latin: Virgo:
Octava indiligentia,
nona iniuria, decimum, quod pessimum adgressust, scelus:
haec unde aberunt, ea urbs moenita muro sat erit simplici;

[¶191] If these things shall not be away from it, a wall a hundred-fold were too little for preserving its interests.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: ubi ea aderúnt, centumplex murus rebus servandis parumst.

[¶192] What say you?
DORDALUS: (apart.)
What do you mean?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid ais tu?
Dordalvs:
Quid vis?

[¶193] TOXILUS: (apart.)
You are among those ten companions; you must depart in banishment from here.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tu in illis es decem sodalibus:
té in exilium ire hinc oportet.

[¶194] DORDALUS: (apart.)
Why so?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid iam?

[¶195] TOXILUS: (apart.)
Because you are perjured.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quia periurus es.

[¶196] Really she has spoken not without some cleverness.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
That’s to your advantage, I say; you buy her.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Verba quidem haud indocte fecit.
Toxilvs:
Ex tuo, inquam, usust: eme hanc.

[¶197] Upon my faith, the more I look at her, the more she pleases me.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
If you do buy her,
immortal Gods, no other Procurer will be more wealthy than yourself; at your will you’ll be turning people out of their estates and households; you’ll be transacting business with men of the highest rank; they’ll be longing for your favour; they’ll be coming to make merry at your house.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Edepol qui cum hanc magis contemplo, magis placet.
Toxilvs:
Si hanc emeris,
di immortales, nullus leno te alter érit opulentior.
evortes tuo arbitratu hómines fundis, familiis;
cum optimis viris rem habebis, gratiam cupient tuam:
venient ad te comissatum.

[¶198] DORDALUS: (apart.)
But I shan’t allow them to be admitted.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
At ego intro mitti votuero.

[¶199] But then at night they’ll be singing before your threshold, and be burning down your door;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At enim illi noctu occentabunt ostium, exurent fores:

[¶200] do you at once order your house to be fastened with a door of iron, change for a house of iron, fix in thresholds of iron, a bar of iron and a ring; if you don’t prove sparing of the iron, do you order thick fetters of iron to be rivetted upon yourself.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: proin tu tibi iubeás concludi aédis foribus ferreis,
ferreas aedis commutes, limina indas ferrea,
ferream seram atque anellum; ne sis ferro parseris:
ferreas tute tibi impingi iubeas crassas compedis.

[¶201] Away to utter perdition!
TOXILUS: (pushing him.)
Go then, make purchase of her, and follow my advice.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
I sis in malum cruciatum.
Toxilvs:
I sane tu, [hanc eme atque] ausculta mihi.

[¶202] Only let me know how much he asks for her.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
Should you like me to call him here?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Modo uti sciam, quanti indicet.
Toxilvs:
Vin huc vocem?

[¶203] DORDALUS: (apart.)
I’ll go to him.
TOXILUS: (accosting him.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ego illo accessero.

[¶204] How fare you, guest?
SAGARISTIO:
I’m come; I’ve brought her (pointing to the DAMSEL.) as I just now said I would. For yesterday at night the ship arrived in harbour: I want her to be sold, if she can; if she cannot, I intend to go away from here as soon as I can.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid agis, hospes?
Sagaristio:
Venio, adduco hanc ad te, ut dudum dixeram.
nám heri in portum noctu navis venit. veniri hanc volo,
si potest; si non potest, iri hinc volo quantum potest.

[¶205] DORDALUS:
Greetings to you, young man.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Salvos sis, adulescens.

[¶206] SAGARISTIO:
If indeed I shall dispose of her at her own price—
TOXILUS: (pointing to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Siquidem hanc vendidero pretio suo.

[¶207] Why, you’ll either sell her handsomely with him for your purchaser, or you can to no one.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At qui aut hoc emptore vendes pulchre, aut alio non potis.

[¶208] SAGARISTIO:
Are you a friend of his?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Esne tu huic amicus?

[¶209] TOXILUS:
In the same measure as all the Divinities who inhabit the heavens.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tam quam di omnes qui caelum colunt.

[¶210] DORDALUS:
Then you are an assured enemy to me; for to the race of procurers no God was ever so kind as to prove propitious.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tum tu mi es inimicus certus. nam generi lenonio
numquam ullus deus tám benignus fuit, qui fuerit propitius.

[¶211] SAGARISTIO:
Attend to the business in hand. Have you any need to purchase her?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Hoc age. opusnest hac tibi empta?

[¶212] DORDALUS:
If you have need for her to be sold,
I, too, have need to purchase her; if you have no sudden occasion to sell, just in the same degree have I to buy.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Si tibi venissest opus,
mihi quoque emptast; si tibi subiti nihil est, tantumdemst mihi.