Captivi: The Captives (452c-465)

Right heartily, farewell.

I’ faith, I compassed my design, when I purchased these men of the Quaestors out of the spoil. I have released my son from slavery, if so it pleases the Gods;

and yet I hesitated a long time whether I should purchase or should not purchase these persons. Watch that man indoors, if you please, you servants, that he may nowhere move a foot without a guard. I shall soon make my appearance at home; now I’m going to my brother’s, to see my other captives; at the same time I’ll enquire whether any one knows this young man.

(To PHILOCRATES.) Do you follow, that I may despatch you. I wish attention first to be paid to that matter.

Wretched is that man who is in search of something to eat, and finds that with difficulty; but more wretched is he who both seeks with difficulty, and finds nothing at all; most wretched is he, who, when he desires to eat, has not that which he may eat. But, by my faith, if I only could, I’d willingly tear out the eyes of this day;

—with such enmity has it filled all people towards me. One more starved out I never did see, nor one more filled with hunger[*], nor one who prospers less in whatever he begins to do. So much do my stomach and my throat take rest on these fasting holidays[*]. Away with the profession of a Parasite to very utter and extreme perdition!