Captivi: The Captives (170-203)

born of a very high family, and of very great wealth; I trust that it will come to pass that I shall get my son in exchange for him.

May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so!

But are you invited out anywhere to dinner?[*]

Nowhere that I know of. But, pray, why do you ask me?

Because this is my birthday;

for that reason I’d like you to be invited to dinner at my house.

’Tis kindly said.

But if you can be content to eat a very little—[*]

Aye, even ever so little; for on such fare as that do I enjoy myself every day at home.

Come, then, please, set yourself up for sale.[*]

I’ll put myself up for purchase, just like a landed estate, unless any one shall privately make a better offer that pleases myself and my friends more, and to my own conditions will I bind myself.

You are surely selling me a bottomless pit[*], and not a landed estate. But if you are coming, do so in time.

Why, for that matter, I’m at leisure even now.

Go then, and hunt for a hare; at present, in me you have but a ferret[*],

for my fare is in the way of frequenting a rugged road.

You’ll never repulse me by that, Hegio, so don’t attempt it. I’ll come, in spite of it, with teeth well shod.

Really, my viands are but of a rough sort[*].

Are you in the habit of eating brambles?

Mine is an earthy dinner.

A pig is an earthy animal.

Earthy from its plenty of vegetables.

Treat your sick peoples[*] at home with that fare? Do you wish anything else?

Come in good time.

You are putting in mind one who remembers quite well.

I’ll go in-doors, and in the house I’ll make the calculation how little money I have at my banker’s; afterwards I’ll go to my brother’s, whither I was saying I would go.

If the immortal Gods have so willed it that you should undergo this affliction, it becomes you to endure it with equanimity; if you do so, your trouble will be lighter[*]. At home you were free men, I suppose; now if slavery has befallen you, ‘tis a becoming way for you to put up with it, and by your dispositions to render it light, under a master’s rule.

Unworthy actions which a master does must be deemed worthy ones.

Alas! alas! alas!

There’s no need for wailing; you cause much injury to your eyes. In adversity, if you use fortitude of mind, it is of service.

But we are ashamed, because we are in bonds.