Captivi: The Captives (351-398b)

Well then, I’ll send him with a price set upon him, on the surety of your promise, if you wish it.

I do wish it; so soon as ever it can, I want this matter to be brought to completion.

What reason is there, then, that if he doesn’t return, you should not pay me twenty minae for him?

Yes—very good.

Release him now forthwith;

and, indeed, both of them.

May all the Gods grant you all your desires, since you have deigned me honor so great, and since you release me from my chains. Really, this is not so irksome now, since my neck is free from the collar-chain.

The kindnesses that are done to the good, thanks for the same are pregnant with blessings. Now, if you are about to send him thither, direct, instruct him, give him the orders

which you wish to be carried to your father. Should you like me to call him to you?

Do call him.

May this affair turn out happily for myself and for my son, and for yourselves. (To PHILOCRATES.) Your new master wishes you to pay faithful obedience to your former owner in what he wishes. For I have presented you to him, with the price of twenty minae set upon you:

and he says that he is desirous to send you away hence to his father, that he may there redeem my son, and that an exchange may be made between me and him for our respective sons.

My disposition takes its course straight in either direction, both to yourself and to him; as a wheel[*] you may make use of me;

either this way or that can I be turned, whichever way you shall command me.

You yourself profit the most from your own disposition, when you endure slavery just as it ought to be endured. Follow me. (To TYNDARUS.) See here’s your man.

I return you thanks, since you give me this opportunity and permission

to send this messenger to my parents, who may relate all the matter in its order to my father, what I’m doing here, and what I wish to be done. (To PHILOCRATES.) Now, Tyndarus, thus is it arranged between myself and him, that I’m to send you, valued at a fixed price, to my father in Elis;

so that, if you don’t return hither, I’m to give twenty minae for you.

I think that you’ve come to a right understanding. For your father expects either myself or some messenger to come from here to him.

I wish you, then, to mind what message it is I want you to carry hence to my country to my father.

Philocrates, as up to this moment I have done, I will take all due care to endeavour that which may especially conduce to your interest, and to pursue the same with heart and soul, and with my ears.

You act just as you ought to act; now I wish you to give attention. In the first place of all, carry my respects to my mother and my father,

and to my relations, and if any one else you see well-disposed towards me: say that I am in health here, and that I am a slave, in servitude to this most worthy man, who has ever honored me more and more with his respect, and does so still.

Don’t you be instructing me as to that; I can, still, easily bear that in mind.

For, indeed, except that I have a keeper, I deem myself to be a free man.

Tell my father on what terms I have agreed with this party about his son.

What I remember, it is sheer delay to be putting me in mind of.

To redeem him, and to send him back here in exchange for both of us.

I’ll remember it.

But as soon as he can that is especially to the interest of us both.