Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (475-503)

I’ve communicated to many friends my design about this proposal; they speak in high terms of the daughter of Euclio. They say that it was discreetly done, and with great prudence. But, in my opinion, indeed, if the other richer men were to do the same, so as to take home as their wives, without dower, the daughters of the poorer persons,

both the state would become much more united, and we should meet with less ill feeling than we now meet with; both, they, the wives, would stand in fear of punishment more than they do stand in fear of it, and we husbands should be at less expense than we now are.

In the greater part of the people this is a most just way of thinking; in the smaller portion there is an objection among the avaricious, whose avaricious minds and insatiate dispositions there is neither law nor magistrate to be able to put a check upon. But a person may say this; How are these rich women with portions to marry, if this law is laid down for the poor?

Let them marry whom they please, so long as the dowry isn’t their companion. If this were so done, the women would acquire for themselves better manners for them to bring, in place of dowry, than they now bring. I’d make mules, which exceed horses in price,

to become cheaper than Gallic geldings[*].

So may the Gods favour me, I listen to him with delight; very shrewdly has he discoursed on the side of economy.

No wife should then be saying: Indeed, I brought you a marriage-portion far greater than was your own wealth;

why, it really is fair that purple and gold should be found for me, maid-servants, mules, muleteers, and lacqueys[*], pages to carry[*] compliments, vehicles in which I may be carried.

How thoroughly he does understand the doings of the wives! I wish he were made Prefect of the manners of the women.