Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (610-631)

By my troth, he will surely have a charming booty there, if any one shall meet with that pot loaded with gold. But I entreat thee, Faith, to hinder that. Now I shall go wash me, that I may perform the sacrifice; so that I may not delay my new connexion by marriage, but that, when he sends to me, he may forthwith take my daughter home. Over and over again now, Goddess Faith, do thou take care that I shall carry away the pot safe from thy Temple.

To thy fidelity[*] have I entrusted the gold; in thy grove and Temple is it placed.

Immortal Gods, what a deed did I hear this person speaking of, how that he had hidden here, in the Temple of Faith, a pot filled with gold; prithee, beware you, how you are more faithful to him than to myself! And he, as I fancy, is the father of her whom my master’s in love with.

I’ll go hence into it; I’ll thoroughly ransack the Temple, to see if I can anywhere find the gold, while he’s engaged. But if I do find it, O Goddess Faith, I’ll offer to thee a gallon jug [*] full of honeyed wine, that I’ll surely offer to thee; but I’ll drink it up myself, when I have offered it.

It wasn’t for nothing that the raven was just now croaking on my left hand[*];

he was both scratching the ground with his feet and croaking with his voice. At once my heart began to jump about [*], and to leap within my breast. But why do I delay to run?

Out, out, you earthworm[*], who have this instant crept out of the earth; who just now were nowhere seen, and now that you are seen shall die for it.

By my faith, you juggler, I’ll receive you now after a disagreable fashion.

What the curst plague does ail you? What business have you with me, old fellow? Why do you torment me? Why are you dragging me? For what reason are you beating me?