Cistellaria, or The Casket (712-720)

This woman’s to our purpose; let’s then give heed to her a little, mistress.

To my sorrow, I’m utterly undone. What shall I say to my mistress, who bade me with such earnestness take care of it, through which Silenium might the more readily recognize her parents—who, when little, was adopted by my mistress as her own,

and whom a certain Courtesan gave to her?

(aside.) She’s talking about this matter of ours. According as she gives these indications by her talk, she must surely know where your daughter is.

Now is she desirous of her own accord to restore her to her father and mother, whose daughter she is; prithee, my good sir, you are attending to something else; I commend my matter to you.

I’m giving my attention to this, and this is as good as food to me, that you are talking of; but amid my attending to this matter, I was answering this mistress of mine what she was enquiring; now I return to you. If you have need of anything, say you, and give your orders. What were you looking, for?