Mercator, or The Merchant (855-884)

For easily dost thou render any one resolute through thy deeds, and then again, the same person diffident forthwith from being over bold.

I’m thinking which way to run in search of him.

The matter’s resolved upon, that I’ll seek her everywhere, wherever in the world she has been carried off from hence; and neither shall any river stand in my way, nor mountain, nor the sea,

indeed, nor heat, nor cold; I dread neither wind nor hail; the torrents of rain I’ll submit to; labour, heat, and thirst, will I endure. I’ll neither stop nor rest anywhere at night, or in the day, assuredly, before I shall have met with either my mistress or my death.

Some voice, I know not who’s, flew to my ear.

You do I invoke,

ye Lares of the roads[*], that you will kindly lend me aid.

Jupiter! isn’t that Charinus?

Fellow-citizens, fare ye well.

Charinus, stop, this instant.

Who calls me back?

Hope, Safety, Victory.

What do you want with me?

To go along with you.

Look for another companion; these companions that have possession of me, will not part with me.

Who are they?

Care, misery, sickness, tears, and lamentation.

Drive away those companions, and look this way and return.

If indeed you wish to speak to me, do you follow.

Stop, this instant!

You do amiss, in delaying me as I haste; the sun is setting.

If you would make haste in this direction, just as you are hastening in that one, you’d be doing more rightly;

this way there is now a prospering gale, only tack about. Here is a fair Westerly breeze; there is a showery Southern blast. The one causes a calm; the other stirs up all the waves. Betake yourself towards the land, Charinus, in this direction. Don’t you see right opposite? Black clouds and showers are coming on. Look now to the left,

how full the heaven is of brightness. Don’t you see right opposite?

He has thrown religious scruples[*] in my way; I’ll betake myself in that direction.

You are wise. O Charinus, turn your steps, and turn your feet as well, in the opposite direction.

Extend your arm. Catch hold of me. Do you hold me new?

I’m holding you.

Hold on, then.

Whither now were you going?