What was it sounded just now as though it were iron?MEGADORUSHere at my place, I ordered them to dig up the garden. (EUCLIO runs off into his house.) But where is this man? He’s off, and he hasn’t fully answered me; he treats me with contempt. Because he sees that I wish for his friendship, he acts after the manner of mankind. For if a wealthy person goes to ask a favour of a poorer one, the poor man is afraid to treat with him; through his apprehension he hurts his own interest. The same person, when this opportunity is lost, too late, then wishes for it.EUCLIO(coming out of the house, addressing STAPHYLA within.)By the powers, if I don’t give you up to have your tongue cut out by the roots, I order and I authorize you to hand me over to any one you please to be incapacitated.MEGADORUSBy my troth, Euclio, I perceive that you consider me a fit man for you to make sport of in my old age, for no deserts of my own.EUCLIOI’ faith, Megadorus, I am not doing so, nor, should I desire it, had I the meansHad I the means: Neque, si cupiam, copia est. In saying this, Euclio intends to play upon the words of Megadorus, ludos facias, which may either signify you make sport of me, or you give a public show or spectacle, which the wealthy Patricians of Rome were in the habit of doing. Euclio pretends to take his words in the latter sense, and replies, I couldn’t even if I would, by reason of his poverty, as he pretends. It was usual for the Aediles to provide the spectacles from their private resources, from which circumstance one who lived a life of extravagance was said Aedilitatem petere, to be aspiring to the Aedileship..MEGADORUSHow now? Do you then betroth your daughter to me?EUCLIOOn those terms, and with that portion which I mentioned to you.MEGADORUSDo you promise her then?