He sold some asses at market to a dealer from Pella.LIBANUSI understand; you are bringing it now. I think that he’ll be here just now.THE ASS-DEALEROf what appearance is your chamberlain Saurea? If it’s he, I shall be able to know at once.LIBANUSLantern-jawed, with reddish hair, a little pot-bellied, with glaring eyes, middling stature, sour aspect.THE ASS-DEALERA painter couldn’t have more correctly described his appearance— And, i’ faith, I see the very man; he’s coming this way, wagging his head.LIBANUSWhoever gets in his way when he’s in a passion, he’ll be for striking him.THE ASS-DEALERBy my faith, if, indeed, he were coming filled with the threats and the courage of the grandson ofAeacusOf of the grandson of Aeacus: He alludes to the wrath of Achilles the son of Pelens, and grandson ofAeacus, the direful spring of the Grecian woes, with which the Iliad commences., if he were to touch me in his wrath, in his wrath he would be getting a thrashing.

(Enter LEONIDA, counterfeiting SAUREA.)LEONIDA(to himself.)What’s this to do here? Not a person bares a bit about my orders! How did I order Libanus to come to the barber’s shop, and he didn’t come at all. I’ faith, for sure he hasn’t consulted well for his back and his legs. THE ASS-DEALER(to himself.)This is a very overbearing fellow.LIBANUS(to the ASS-DEALER.)Woe to me this day!LEONIDAI bid welcome to Libanus, the freed-man! Are you set at liberty now?LIBANUSI do implore you. LEONIDAIn good sooth, to your great misfortune surely have you fallen in my way. Why didn’t you come to the barber’s shop, as I ordered you?LIBANUS(pointing to the ASS-DEALER.)This person detained me.LEONIDAI’ faith, if in fact you were now to say that supreme Jove had detained you,and he were present to sue for you, you shouldn’t escape the evil consequences. Whip-knave, did you disobey my orders?(Offers to strike him.)LIBANUS(to the ASS-DEALER.)Stranger, I’m done for.THE ASS-DEALERPrithee, Saurea, for my sake, don’t beat him.LEONIDAI wish, now, I had a whip in my hand—THE ASS-DEALERPrithee, do be appeased. LEONIDA—With which to lash your sides, which have grown callous with blows.(To the ASS-DEALER, who interposes.)Stand off this way; let me be the death of this fellow who is continually inflaming me with anger—a thief to whom I can never once enjoin a single thing, but that I must command the same things a hundred times, and din them in his earsDin them in his ear: Obganniam. This word literally signifies to bark like a fox.. For that reason, now, by my troth, what with bawling and passion, I cannot endure the labour. Have you, you rascal, (pointing) ordered this dirt to be removed hence from the door? Have you ordered the labours of the spiders to be swept down from the pillars? Have you ordered those bosses on our doorBosses on our door: The bullae, or bosses, here mentioned, were large heads of brass or gilt nails with which the doors of the Romans were ornamented. to be brought to brightness? It’s of no use; I must walk about with a stick, as though I were a lame man. Because only for these single three days I have been giving my constant attendance at the Forum, in order to find some one who requires money upon interest, here, in the meantime, are you sleeping at home, and my master is living in a pigstye, not in a house.(He strikes LIBANUS.) There now, take you that.LIBANUS(to the ASS-DEALER.)Prithee, stranger, do take my part. THE ASS-DEALERSaurea, for my sake, I entreat you, do let him go.LEONIDAHark you! has any one paid for the carriage of that olive oil?LIBANUSHe has paid. LEONIDATo whom was it given?LIBANUSTo Stichus himself, your deputy.