Asinaria, or The Ass-Dealer (96-117b)

Impose upon or rob myself in any way you can, my wife in any way, my servant Saurea in any way. I promise you that it shall not prove to your detriment, if you effect it to-day.

On the same principle you might bid me to fish in the air,

and to hunt with a javelin in the midst of the sea.

Take Leonida as your coadjutor[*]; devise some plan or other, think of some expedient: bring it about that my son this day gets some money to give his mistress.

What say you, Demaenetus ⋯

if the foe should intercept me, will you ransom me?

I will ransom you.

Then do you attend to something else, whatever you please.

I’m off to the Forum, unless you wish for anything.

Be off—why are you not walking[*]?

And do you hear, too—?

Well now.

If I want you for anything, where will you be?

Wherever it shall be agreable to my feelings. Really, there’s not a person that I shall stand in dread of from this time forward, for fear he might be able to do me an injury, since in your discourse you have disclosed to me all your sentiments. Why, your own self even I don’t stand much in awe of, if I carry this out. I’ll go where I intended, and there I’ll commune upon my plans.

Do you hear me? I shall be with Archibulus, the banker.

In the Forum, you mean?

There, if there shall be any occasion for me[*].