If the immortal Gods ever did determine that any person should be assisted by their aid, now do they intend that Calidorus shall be preserved for me, and the procurer destroyed, inasmuch as they produced you for my assistant, so clever and so knowing a fellow.
How now! By my faith I was looking about for you; I was very greatly afraid that you were off.
It was my character to do so, I confess.
Where were you loitering?
Where I pleased.
That I know well enough already.
Why then do you ask me what you know?
Why this I want, to put you in mind.
Needing to be put in mind yourself, don't you be putting me in mind.
Really I am treated by you quite with contempt.
And why shouldn't I treat you with contempt, I who have the repute of being a military gentleman?
I want this then, which has been commenced, to be completed.
Do you see me a-doing anything else?
Therefore walk on briskly.
No, I choose to go slowly.
This is the opportunity; while this Harpax is asleep, I want you to be the first to accost him.
Why are you hurrying? Softly; don't you fear. I wish Jupiter would so make it, that he were openly in the same place with me, whoever he is, that has arrived from the Captain. Never a jot, by my troth, should he be a bit the better Harpax than I. Have good courage, I'll have this business nicely accounted for to you. So by my tricks and lies would I put this military stranger in a fright that he himself would deny that he is the person that he is, and would believe me to be the person that he himself is.
How can that be?
You are murdering me when you ask me that.
A clever fellow.
And so are you too, who are quite my equal with your mischievous tricks and lies * * * * * * *
May Jupiter preserve you for me.
Aye, and for myself. But look, does this dress become me quite well?
It suits very well.
Be it so.
May the Deities grant you as many blessings as you may wish for yourself. For if I were to wish for as many as you are deserving of, they would be less than nothing;
This man's an honest fellow.
It is neither this person, then
But take care that you don't be tripping.
Can't you hold your tongue? He that puts a man in mind of that which, remembering it, he does keep in mind, causes him to forget it. I recollect everything; they are stored up in my breast; my plans are cleverly laid.
I'm silent. But what good turn shall I do you if you carry through this matter with management? So may the Gods love me—
They won't do so; you'll be uttering sheer falsehoods then.
How I do love you, Simmia, for your roguery, and both fear and laud you.
That I have learned to make a present of to others; you can't put your flatteries on me.
In how delightful a manner I shall receive you this day, when you have completed this matter.
Ha, ha, ha!
With nice viands, wine, perfumes, and titbits between our cups. There, too, shall be a charming damsel, who shall give you kiss upon kiss.
You will be receiving me in a delightful manner.
Aye, and if you effect it, then I'll make you say so still more.
If I don't effect it, do you, the executioner, take me off to torture. But make haste and point out to me where is the door of the procurer's house.
'Tis the third hence.
Hist! hush! the door's opening.
In my mind, I believe that the house is poorly.
Why so?
Because, i' faith, it is vomiting forth the procurer.
Is this he?
This is his own self.
'Tis a worthless commodity.
Do see that: he doesn't go straight, but sideways, just as a crab is wont.
I do believe that this fellow is not so bad a cook as I thought he was; for he has clawed off nothing as yet except a cup and a tankard.
I agree with you.
Step slily out into the street; I'll be here in ambush.
But see, here's a person, who, from uncertainty, will make the thing more certain for me that I wish to know.
He's coming straight towards me. Where in the world am I to say this fellow comes from?
Harkye! you who are standing there with a goat's beard, answer me this that I ask you.
How now! Don't you salute me first?
Well, troth, you shall get just as much from here then.
Do you know any person in this lane, I ask you?
I know myself.
Few persons do that which you mention; for in the Forum there is hardly every tenth person that knows his own self.
I'm looking for a fellow here, a bad one, a law breaker, an impious, perjured, and dishonest rogue.
Ballio, the procurer.
Do I know him? I am the very person, young man, that you are looking for.
What, are you Ballio?
I really am he.
How you are clothed, a housebreaker * * * * * * * * * *
I think if you were to see me in the dark, you'd be keeping your hand off.
My master bade me present you many greetings. Receive this letter from me; he bade me give you it.
Who's the person that bade you?
Who do you say sent me this?
Observe the seal; do you yourself tell me his name, that I may know that you are Ballio himself.
Give me the letter.
Take it, and look at the seal.
Polymachæroplagides
: This high-sounding name is compounded of three Greek words, and signifies "the son of many blows with the sword," or something akin to it.
I know now that I have rightly given you the letter, since you have mentioned the name of Polymachæroplagides,
How fares he?
By my troth, just as a brave man and a good soldier should. But make haste, I beg, to read this letter through, for it is requisite to do so, and to take this money at once and send out the damsel. For it's necessary for me this day to be at SicyonTo be at Sicyon
: This was a very ancient city of the Peloponnesus on the Gulf of Corinth.
I know it: you are telling those who know it already.
Make haste then to read the letter through.
I'll do so, if you'll only hold your tongue.
The token's in the letter
I see the token and I recognize it. But is he in the habit of sending no greeting written in his letter?
Such is the military etiquette, Ballio; with their hand they send health to their well-wishers, and with the same do they send destruction to their evil-wishers. But as you have commenced, go on to ascertain of yourself what this letter says.
Listen then.
I am, and the real Harpax tooThe real Harpax too
: He lays a stress on the name, to catch a laugh from the audience by implying that he is a regular Harpax or "plunderer," both in name and reality.
What then?
Pay me the money, take away the woman.
Which of us is delaying the matter?
Follow me in-doors then.
I'm following.