Listen, and give attention, and devour my words. First of all, that we are your slaves, we don’t deny; but if twenty silver minae are forthcoming for you, by what name will you call us?ARGYRIPPUSFreed-men. LEONIDAAnd not patrons?ARGYRIPPUSThat in preference. LEONIDA(produces the bag.)Here are twenty minae in this bag. These, if you like, I’ll give you.ARGYRIPPUSMay the Deities ever preserve you, protector of your master, honor to the people, treasury of resources, preserver of my inner manOf my inner man: Interioris corporis. Literally, of my inner body. This is a periphrasis signifying life, the seat of which, the vital parts, are within the body., and commander of love; place it here, put down that bag, here on the spot, at onceOn the spot, at once: In loco plane. These words seem to imply not in a hanging position, but clean or pat upon the ground. Warner, however, renders the passage, Tye the bag around my neck. It was probably the intention of Argyrippus to take it after Leonida had fairly put it down..LEONIDAI don’t like you, who are my master, to carry this load.ARGYRIPPUSStill, do you rid yourself of the trouble, and fasten that bag to myself.LEONIDAI’ll carry it, porter-like; you, as befits my master, go, without any burden, before me.ARGYRIPPUSHow now?Why’s this?Why don’t you give up the bagGive up the bag: Crumenam seems a better reading than crumena, which Richter adopts. here, for your master to feel its weight?LEONIDABid her to whom I’m about to give it, to beg and entreat it of me. For that’s a dangerous spot where you bid me put it down at once.PHILENIUM(to LEONIDA.)Apple of my eye, my rose, my life, my delight, Leonida, do give me the money, and don’t sever us lovers asunder.LEONIDA(to PHILENIUM.)Call me, then, your little sparrow, your chicken, your quail, your pet lamb: say that I’m your pet kid or your pet calf; take me by the ears, press your lips to my lips.ARGYRIPPUSShe, kiss you, you whip-scoundrel? LEONIDAReally, how unbecoming it does seem!But, by the powers, you shan’t get it this day, if my knees are not embraced.ARGYRIPPUS(aside.)Necessity compels to anything. (To LEONIDA.) Let them be embraced (kneels down and embraces his knees): now give what I’m asking for.PHILENIUMCome, my Leonida, prithee do bring safety to your master thus in love. Redeem yourself from him by this service, and purchase him for yourself with this money.LEONIDAYou are very pretty and amiable; and if this were mine, you should never this day ask me for it, but I would give it you: ’tis better for you to ask it of him (pointing to LIBANUS), for ’twas he gave it me to keep for him. Approach him then prettily, my pretty one. (Delivers the bag to LIBANUS.) Take this, please, Libanus.ARGYRIPPUSScoundrel, are you still trifling with me?LEONIDAI’ faith, I should never have done so, if you hadn’t embraced my knees so roughly. (Aside to LIBANUS.) Come, please, in your turn, do you at once have some sport with him, and give her an embrace.LIBANUS(aside to LEONIDA.)Hold your tongue; trust me for that.ARGYRIPPUSWhy don’t we accost him, Philenium? (pointing to LIBANUS)—really, a very worthy fellow, upon my faith, and not like this thief (pointing to LEONIDA).LIBANUS(aside to LEONIDA.)We must walk up and down; now, in my turn, they’ll be entreating me.