Captivi: The Captives (249b-286)

Well, if you are able carefully to remember that, 1 have some hope in this scheme of ours.

I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want to know. (To the SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brought out of doors here, before the house ?

By my faith, I find that you have taken due precaution that we shouldn’t be missed by you, so walled in are we with chains and keepers.

He that takes precaution that he mayn’t be deceived, is hardly on his guard, even while he’s taking precaution; even when he has supposed that he has taken every precaution, full often is this wary man outwitted. Was there not good reason, indeed, for me to watch you carefully, whom I purchased with so large a sum of ready money?

Troth, it isn’t fair for us to hold you to blame, because you watch us closely;

nor yet for you us, if we go away hence, should there be an opportunity.

As you are here, so is my son a captive there among your people.

He, a captive?

Even so.

We, then, have not proved the only cowards[*].

Step you aside this way, for there are some things that I wish to enquire of you in private, on which subjects I would have you not to be untruthful to me.

I will not be,

as to that which I shall know; if I shall not know anything, that which I don’t know I’ll tell you of.

Now is the old fellow in the barber’s shop; now, at this very instant, is Philocrates wielding the razor[*]. He hasn’t cared, indeed, to put on the barber’s cloth[*], so as not to soil his dress. But whether to say that he’s going to shave him close, or trim him[*] through the comb[*], I don’t know; but if he’s wise, he’ll scrape him right well to the very quick.

Which would you? Would you prefer to be a slave, or a free man?—Tell me.

That which is the nearest to good, and the furthest off from evil, do I prefer; although my servitude hasn’t proved very grievous to me, nor has it been otherwise to me than if I had been a son in the family.

Capital! I wouldn’t purchase, at a talent’s price even, Thales the Milesian[*];

for compared with this man’s wisdom, he was a very twaddler. How cleverly has he suited his language to the slave’s condition.

Of what family is this Philocrates born?

The Polyplusian[*]; which one family is flourishing there, and held in highest esteem.

What is he himself? In what esteem is he held there?

In the highest, and that by the very highest men.

Since, then, he is held in such great respect among the Eleans, as you tell of, what substance has he?—Of large amount?

Enough for him, even, when an old man, to be melting out the tallow[*].

What is his father? Is he living?

When we departed thence, we left him alive; whether he’s living now or not, Orcus, forsooth, must know that.

The matter’s all right; he’s not only lying, but he’s even philosophizing now.

What’s his name?

Thesaurochrysonicocrœsides[*].

That name has been given, I suppose, by reason of his wealth, as it were.