all these this day will I cut off at two single blows. Now, if there were any purchaser for this Priam of ours, I would sell the old fellow in the lumpIn the lump: Coemptionalem senem. Those slaves were called coemptionale. who, by reason of age or bad character, were so utterly worthless that they would fetch no price, and were consequently thrown into a lot with other slaves or property of real value., whom I have on sale the moment that J shall have taken the city. But, lo! I see our Priam standing before the door; I’ll go and speak to him.

(Enter NICOBULUS from his house.)NICOBULUS Pray, whose voice is it that sounds near me?CHRYSALUS O Nicobulus! NICOBULUS What’s the matter?CHRYSALUS O, capital! NICOBULUS Well, have you done aught of what I sent you upon?CHRYSALUS What—ask you that? Step closer this way.NICOBULUS(coming nearer.)Well, I do come closer.CHRYSALUS I am an excellent pleader. By rebuking him, and by whatever hard language I really was able to think of, I forced the fellow to tears.NICOBULUS What did he say? CHRYSALUS He uttered not a word: crying, he listened in silence to what I was saying; in silence he wrote down on his tablets; these sealed he gave to me; he bade me deliver them to you. (Gives him the tablets.) But I am afraid that they sing to the same tune that the former ones did. Observe the seal, is it his?NICOBULUS I recognize it. I’d like to read them over.(Goes to a distance.)CHRYSALUS Read them through. (Aside.) Now is the upper lintelThe upper lintel: He alludes to the Phrygian gate, which he has before mentioned in l. 955 being cut down, now is the destruction of Troy near at hand. The wooden horse is shaking it right cleverly.NICOBULUS Chrysalus, just step here while I am reading these through.CHRYSALUS Prithee, what need is there for me to be near you?NICOBULUSThat you may know what’s written here.CHRYSALUS I don’t care, and I don’t wish to know.NICOBULUS Still, do come here. CHRYSALUS What need is there?NICOBULUS Hold your tongue. CHRYSALUSI’ll stay.CHRYSALUS I won’t, I say.NICOBULUS But I will, I say. CHRYSALUS What need is there?NICOBULUS Still do you only do that which I bid you.CHRYSALUS I’ll come. ’Tis right to do so; your own servant ought to be obedient at your command.(Goes up to him.)NICOBULUS(looking at the tablets.)Heyday! he hasn’t been sparingHasn’t been sparing: By this expression he means that his son has written a very long letter, as he has been neither sparing of the wax for the table’s, nor of the use of the stylus or pen. of his wax or pen. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through. Attend to me, please, this very instant.