Persa, or The Persian (510-547b)

I wish attention and hospitality to be shown to the person who brings this letter to you. Attend to what he wants; for at his own house at home he has shown me the greatest attentions.

What has it to do with me or my welfare, what matters the Persians are about, or what your master is doing?

Hold your tongue, silly babbler; you don’t know what blessing awaits you.

It’s in vain that Fortune is ready to light for you her torch that leads to profit.

What Fortune is this that leads to profit?

Ask that which knows: I know about as much as yourself, except that I was the first to read it through. But as you’ve begun, learn the matter from the letter.

You counsel me aright. Keep silence.

Now you’ll come to that which does relate to your interest.

The person that brings this letter, has taken with him a well-bred female of engaging charms, who has been stolen, and brought from the inmost parts of Arabia; I wish you to take charge of her that she may be sold there; but he who makes purchase of her, must buy her at his own risk;

nobody will promise or give a warranty. Take you care that he receives money full weight and counted. Pay attention to this, and give attention that the stranger is attended to. Farewell.

What then? After you have read over what has been committed to the wax, do you believe me now?

Where now is this stranger that brought this letter?

He’ll be here just now, I believe; he has sent for her from the ship.

I don’t want any lawsuits or quirks at all. Why should I be laying out so much money at such a distance? Unless I get her on warranty, what need have I of this purchase?

Will you, or will you not, hold your tongue? I never did believe you to be such a blockhead. What are you afraid of?

I’ faith, I really am afraid; I’ve experienced it now so many times,

and it will not befall me without having already experienced it, to be getting stuck in such a quagmire.

There seems to be no risk.

I know that; but I’m afraid about myself.

It matters nothing whatever to me, so far as I’m concerned; it’s for your sake I mentioned it, that I might at the earliest moment give you an opportunity of advantageously purchasing her.

I return you thanks; but it’s a nicer thing for you to become wise through others, than for others through yourself.

Surely no person can follow after her from the inmost parts of Arabia. Will you make purchase of her, then?

Only let me see the commodity.

You say what’s fair. But look, most à propos, the stranger is coming himself, who brought this letter hither.

Is that he?

That’s he.

And is that the girl that was stolen?

I know just about as well as yourself, except that I have seen her. Upon my faith, she certainly is genteel looking, whoever she is.

Faith, she has pretty regular features.

With what contempt the hang-dog does speak of her. (To DORDALUS.) Let’s examine her beauty in silence.