Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (821b-835e)

Where, pray?

A four pound pot[*], I say, full of gold!

What crime is this that I hear of from you?

I’ve stolen it from this old fellow, Euclio.[*]

Where is this gold?

In my box at home; I now wish to be made free.

I, make you free, you fellow,

brimful of wickedness?

Out upon you, master, I know what you would be at. Troth, I’ve cleverly tried your inclination; you were just getting ready to take it away from me; what would you do, if I had found it?

You can’t make good your pretences. Come, give up the gold!

I, give up the gold?

Give it up, I say, that it may be given back to him.

Where am I to get it from?

That which you confessed just now to be in your box.

I’ faith, I’m in the habit of talking nonsense;

’twas in that way I was speaking.

But do you know what?—

Even kill me outright, i’ faith, you never shall get it hence of me ⋯

— the pot belonging to the old fellow, which I’ve not got.

I will have it, whether you will or no; when I’ve tied you up all fours, and torn asunder your body for you tied up to the beam. But why do I delay to rush upon the jaws of this rascal, and why this instant do I not compel his soul to take its journey before its time[*]? Are you going to give it me or not?

I will give it you.

I want you to give it me now, and not at a future time.

I’ll give it now; but I entreat you to allow me to recover breath. (LYCONIDES lets him go.) Aha! What is it you want me to give you, master?

Don’t you know, you rascal? And do you dare to refuse me the four pound pot full of gold which you just now said you had stolen? (Calling at the door.) Hallo there! Where now are the flogging men?

Master, do hear a few words. Lyc. I won’t hear; floggers, hallo there—hallo!

What’s the matter?

I want the chains to be got ready.

Listen to me, I beg of you; afterwards order them to bind me as much as you please.

I will hear you; but hasten the matter very quickly.

If you order me to be tortured to death, see what you obtain; in the first place, you have the death of your slave. Then, what you wish for you cannot get. But if you had only allured me by the reward of dear liberty, you would already have obtained your wish. Nature produces all men free, and by nature all desire freedom. Slavery is worse than every evil, than every calamity; and he whom Jupiter hates, him he first makes a slave.