Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (91-147)

What if any person asks for fire?

I wish it to be put out,[*] that there may be no cause for any one asking it of you. But if the fire shall be kept in, you yourself shall be forthwith extinguished. Then do you say that the water has run out[*], if any one asks for it.

The knife, the hatchet, the pestle and mortar, utensils that neighbours are always asking the loan of—

Say that thieves have come and carried them off. In fact, in my absence, I wish no one to be admitted into my house; and this, too, do I tell you beforehand,

if Good Luck should come, don’t you admit her.

I’ faith, she takes good care, I think, not to be admitted; for though close at hand[*], she has never come to our house.

Hold your tongue, and go in-doors.

I’ll hold my tongue, and be off.

Shut the door, please, with both bolts. I shall be there directly.

I’m tormented in my mind, because I must go away from my house I’ faith, I go but very unwillingly; but I know full well what I’m about; for the person that is our master of our ward[*] has given notice that he will distribute a didrachm of silver to each man; if I relinquish that, and don’t ask for it, at once I fancy that all

will be suspecting that I’ve got gold at home; for it isn’t very likely that a poor man would despise ever such a trifle, so as not to ask for his piece of money. For as it is, while I am carefully concealing it from all, lest they should know, all seem to know it,

and all salute me more civilly than they formerly used to salute me; they come up to me, they stop, they shake hands [*]; they ask me how I am, what I’m doing, what business I’m about. Now I’ll go there whither I had set out [*]; afterwards, I’ll betake myself back again home as fast as ever I can.

I could wish you, brother, to think that I utter these words by reason of my own regard and your welfare, as is befitting your own sister to do. Although I’m not unaware that we women are accounted troublesome; for we are all of us deservedly considered very talkative,

and, in fact, they say at the present day that not a single woman has been found dumb[*] in any age. Still, brother, do you consider this one circumstance, that I am your nearest relation, and you in like manner are mine. How proper it is that I should counsel and advise you,

and you me, as to what we may judge for the interest of each of us; and for it not to be kept concealed or kept silence upon through apprehension, but rather that I should make you my confidant, and you me in like manner. For that reason, now, have I brought you here apart out of doors, that I might here discourse with you upon your private concerns.

Best of women, give me your hand.

Where is she? Who, pray, is this best of women?

Yourself.

Do you say so?

If you say no, I say no.

Indeed, it’s right that the truth should be spoken; for the best of women can nowhere be found;

one is only worse than another, brother.

I think the same, and I’m determined never to contradict you on that point, sister. What do you wish?

Give me your attention, I beg of you.

’Tis at your service; use and command me, please, if you wish for aught.

A thing that I consider very greatly for your advantage

I’m come to recommend you.

Sister, you are doing after your usual manner.

I wish it were done.

What is it, sister?