Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (450-470)

nor will I ever again entrust it to that place, for it to be in such great peril. (Speaking to CONGRIO and his SCULLIONS.) Now, then, go you all of you in the house, cooks and music-girls; introduce even, if you like, a whole company of hirelings [*]; cook, bustle, and hurry now at once just as much as you please.

O dear, I’m a ruined man.

Be off! your labour was hired here, not your talk.

Harkye, old gentleman, for the beating, by my faith, I shall demand of you a recompense. I was hired a while ago to cook, and not to be basted.

Proceed against me at law! Don’t be troublesome! Either cook the dinner, or away with you from the house to downright perdition!

Go there yourself then. (CONGRIO and the COOKS and MUSIC-GIRL go back into the house.)

He’s gone. Immortal Gods! A poor man, who begins to have dealings or business with an opulent one, commences upon a rash undertaking! Thus, for instance, Megadorus who has pretended that, for the sake of honoring me, he sends these cooks hither, is plaguing unfortunate me in every way; for this reason has he sent them, that they might purloin this (putting his hand on the pot) from unfortunate me.

Just as I might expect, even my dunghill-cock in-doors, that was bought with the old woman’s savings[*], had well nigh been the ruin of me; where this was buried, he began to scratch there all round about with his claws. What need of more words? So exasperated were my feelings, I took a stick, and knocked off the head of the cock—a thief caught in the act.

I’ faith, I do believe that the cooks had promised a reward to the cock, if he should discover it; I took the opportunity[*] out of their hands, however. What need of many words? I had a regular battle[*] with the dunghill- cock. But see, my neighbour Megadorus is coming from the Forum. I can’t, then, venture to pass by him, but I must stop and speak to him.