Persa, or The Persian (435-482c)

When you’ve entrusted them with anything, they immediately run more quickly away from the Forum than a hare, when, at the games[*], he’s let out of the entrance of his cage.

Take this, will you.

Why don’t you give it then?

There will be here six hundred didrachms, full weight and counted; cause the damsel to be set at liberty, and bring her out here forthwith.

I’ll have her here this moment.

I’ faith, I don’t know to whom now to give this money to be tested[*].

Perhaps you are afraid to entrust it to any one’s hands?

Strange if I wasn’t. More quickly, now-a-days, do bankers abscond from the Forum, than a wheel spins round in a race.

Do you go that way, through the alleys, the back way to the Forum[*];

let this damsel pass through the same way to our house, through the garden.

I’ll have her here this moment.

But not in public view.

Very discreet.

To-morrow she must go to return thanks[*].

I’ faith, just so indeed.

While you’ve been loitering, you might have got back.

If you give attention to any matter with steadiness or with good management,

that same is wont properly to thrive to your satisfaction. And, by my faith, pretty nearly according as each man gives attention to his business, in the same manner do the results[*] finally ensure him success. If he is knavish or a rogue, the business turns out badly which he has commenced; but if he uses good management, it results profitably.

Cleverly and skilfully did I commence upon this business; for that reason do I trust that it will turn out well for me. Now, I’ll this day have the Procurer so hampered, that he shan’t know himself which way to extricate himself. (Goes to the door.) Sagaristio, hallo! Come forth, and bring out the young woman,

and that letter which I sealed for you, which you brought me all the way from Persia, from my master.

Have I delayed at all?

Bravo! bravo! dressed out in splendid style. (To SAGARISTIO.) The tiara[*] does finely set off your dress. Then, too, how beautifully does the slipper become this stranger damsel!

But are you thoroughly up in your parts?

Tragedians and Comedians have never been up so well.

Troth, you are giving me kind assistance. Come, be off that way (pointing.) to a distance out of sight, and hold your tongue. When you see me conversing with the Procurer, that will be the time to accost us; now be off, you,—away with you.

The man to whom the Deities are propitious, in his way they throw some profit. For I this day have made a saving of two loaves daily; this way, she who this day was my slave is now her own; by his cash he has prevailed; this day then she’ll be dining at the expense of another, she’ll be tasting nothing of mine. Am I not a worthy man, am I not a courteous citizen, who this day have made the extensive state of Attica

still larger, and increased it by a female citizen? But how obliging have I been to-day! To how many have I given credit, and have from no person taken surety; so readily did I give credit to all: and I don’t fear that of those whom I’ve trusted to-day any one will forswear himself against me upon trial. I wish from this day forth to be honest—a thing that never will be and never was.

This fellow, this very day, by clever contrivances, I’ll catch in a springe; and so the snare is cunningly laid for him; I’ll accost the fellow. (Aloud.) What are you about?

Giving credit.

Whence do you betake yourself, Dordalus?