Tut! you’re trying to mollify me Trying to mollify me : Inasmuch as he pretends to be jealous of Stichus enjoying the favour of the pretended Saurea, and being appointed his vicarius, or deputy, in preference to himself. . I know that he is my deputy, and that there isn’t a servant in the house who is more valuable to his master than he is. But the wines that I sold yesterday to Exaerambus, the wine merchant, has he yet paid Stichus for them? LIBANUS I think he has, in full; for I saw Exaerambus himself bringing hither his banker. LEONIDA On such terms would I always deal Would I always deal : Sic dedero. Camerarius and Lambinus give these words a rather far-fetched meaning, and think that they signify, I had rather give away my commodities, than sell them and be so ill- paid. ; before, what I’ve trusted, I’ve hardly been paid within a year after. Now he’s quite in a hurry; even of his own accord he brings him to the house, and writes a transfer of the money Writes a transfer of the money : Scribere nummos seems here to have the usual meaning of rescribere nummos, to transfer or set down money to the account of another person in one’s banker’s books. . Has Dromo paid down the wages agreed upon? LIBANUS Less than half, I think. LEONIDA What about the remainder? LIBANUS He said that he would pay it directly it was paid Directly it was paid : It was the custom with the owners of slaves to let out their services for a specified sum. He pretends that Dromo is a slave that has been let out by him for a job, and enquires whether the money is paid on which he is told, that he has only been paid half, inasmuch as the job is not yet finished, and that the other half is retained until he has completed it. to him; for it was retained until he had finished the work that was agreed on to be done by him. LEONIDA The cups that I lent to Philodamus, has he brought them back? LIBANUS Not yet. LEONIDA What, not yet? If you wish to make a present Wish to make a present : At the suggestion of Gronovius, dare is read, in this line, with a comma after it, instead of da, the usual reading. In the latter case the passage would read, — if you choose, do a service for a friend, which certainly has not the point of the other version. , lend to a person that is a friend— THE ASS-DEALER (aside.) I’ faith, I’m quite undone; he’ll be just now driving me away with his ill-temper. LIBANUS (in a low voice to LEONIDA.) Hallo! you, enough now. Do you hear what he’s saying? LEONIDA (in the same way to LIBANUS.) I hear, and I’ll have done. THE ASS-DEALER (aside.) At last, I think, he has done: now it’s best to accost him before he commences again to prate. (To LEONIDA.) How soon, sir, will you give me your attention? LEONIDA Oh, by all means—have you been here any time? Troth, I didn’t observe you; pray, don’t lay it to my charge: anger has so blinded my eyesight. THE ASS-DEALER ’Tisn’t to be wondered at. But if he’s at home, I was wanting Demaenetus. LEONIDA Libanus says that he isn’t within. But still, if you like to pay that money over to me, I’ll give you an acquittance that the account is discharged as to that item. THE ASS-DEALER This way rather, for me to pay you in the presence of your master, Demaenetus. LIBANUS My master knows him, and he my master. THE ASS-DEALER In his master’s presence, I’ll pay him. LIBANUS At my peril, so you only pay him, I’ll engage the matter’s safe. For if our old gentleman were to know that confidence wasn’t placed in him, to whom he himself always entrusts the management of all matters, he would be angry. LEONIDA I don’t much care; don’t let him not pay it, if he don’t like; so let him stand here. LIBANUS Give it him, I say. Oh dear, I’m sadly afraid that he’ll be thinking that I’ve persuaded you not to trust him; prithee, do give it and don’t be afraid. Upon my word, it will be safe. THE ASS-DEALER I think it will be—so long, indeed, as I myself keep it in my hand. I’m a stranger; I don’t know Saurea. LIBANUS Well, know him now then. THE ASS-DEALER It may be he, it may not be he; i’ faith, I know not; if it’s he, why then it must be he. I know for sure that I shall give this up to no person that I don’t know. LEONIDA (aside.) Troth now, may all the Gods confound the fellow. (Aloud to LIBANUS.) Take care you don’t entreat him with a word. He’s arrogant, because he’s fingering my twenty minae. No one will take it. (To the ASS-DEALER.) Take yourself off home, be off from here, and don’t be troublesome. THE ASS-DEALER You are in too angry mood: it isn’t right for a person who is a slave to give himself airs.