Captivi: The Captives (338b-350)

Listen then, and you’ll know. I don’t ask for myself to be released, until he has returned.

But I beg of you to give me him (pointing to PHILOCRATES) with a price set[*] upon him, that I may send him to my father, that this person, your son, may be redeemed there.

Why no; I’d rather send another person hence, when there shall be a truce, to confer with your father there, and to carry your injunctions which you shall entrust him with, just as you wish.

But it’s of no use to send to him one that he doesn’t know; you’d be losing your labour.

Send this person; he’ll have it all completed, if he gets there. And you cannot send any person to him more faithful, nor one in whom he places more confidence, nor who is more a servant after his own mind; nor, in fact, one to whom he would more readily entrust your son. Have no fears; at my own peril I’ll make proof of his fidelity,

relying upon his disposition; because he is sensible that I’m kindly disposed towards him.