Asinaria, or The Ass-Dealer (620-635)

Why so?

Because your eyes are filled with tears; ’twas for that reason I asked.

One who would have been a protector to you, you have lost.

I’ faith, I surely haven’t lost one; for this reason, be cause I never had one.

Health to you, Philenium.

What you desire, the Gods will give you.

I could desire your favours, and a cask of wine, if wishes were to come to pass.

Whip-knave, beware how you speak a word.

Why, ’tis for you, not for myself, I wish it.

For that reason, then, say on what you please.

Troth, I’d like to give him a beating.

Who, pray, would allow you to do so, you frizzle- pated[*] mountebank? Could you thrash me, you, who reckon as your daily food your own thrashings?

How far superior, Libanus, are your lots to my own,

who never will live this day until the evening.

For what reason, prithee?

Because I’m in love with her, and she’s in love with me, and nowhere have I anything to bestow upon her; for that reason has her mother expelled me with all my affection from her house. The twenty minae of silver have brought me to my end, which the young man, Diabolus, declared that he would give her this day,

in order that she mightn’t send her anywhere, for this whole year, except to himself. Don’t you see of what force are twenty minae of silver, or what they can effect? The man who parts with them is happy; I, who part not with them, am undone.