Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (230-242b)

and when I’m not able to bear the burden equally with yourself, I, the ass, must lie down in the mire; you, the ox, would regard me no more than if I had never been born; and I should both find you unjust, and my own class would laugh at me; in neither direction should I have a fixed stall, if there should be any separation[*]; the asses would tear me with their teeth, the oxen would butt at me with their horns.

This is the great hazard, in my passing over from the asses to the oxen.

The nearer you can unite yourself in alliance with the virtuous, so much the better. Do you receive this proposal, listen to me, and promise her to me.

But indeed there is no marriage-portion.

You are to give none; so long as she comes with good principles, she is sufficiently portioned.

I say so for this reason, that you mayn’t be supposing that I have found any treasures.

I know that; don’t enlarge upon it. Promise her to me.

So be it. (Starts and looks about.) But, O Jupiter, am I not utterly undone?

What’s the matter with you?