Persa, or The Persian (306-330)

Make all haste, be off home.

Now I’ll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I’ll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air[*].

But who’s this that’s walking like a two-handled jug[*]?

I’ll spit about me in a dignified style.

Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do?

Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?

Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.

What’s this swelling[*] here upon your neck?

It’s a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.

When did that first come upon you?

To-day.

You should order it to be lanced.

I’m afraid to lance it before it’s ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.

I’d like to examine your complaint.

Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns.

Why so?

Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.

Do let them out, please; don’t starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.

Why, I’m afraid that I mayn’t be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.

I’ll drive them back; be of good heart,

You shall be trusted then; I’ll lend them you Follow this way, please (taking the purse from his neck.) in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.

What is it you say?

My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.

You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe;

for now I’ve arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I’m to get this money out of this Procurer.

So much the better.

Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.

Make use of it just as you please.

May this same matter turn out well for me, and for yourself, and for my stomach,

and for everlasting victuals for it as well for all time to come; that I may have more than enough, a superfluity, and that it may outlast me. Follow me this way, my daughter, with the Gods’ good leave. The matter to which we are to give our attention, you know, you remember, you understand; to you I have communicated all my designs.