Persa, or The Persian (831-853)

May the Gods and Goddesses rack both yourself and your twin-brother.

Him, you mean, who has been ruining you; for I don’t deserve anything.

But still, what he deserves, I hope that that may prove to your undoing.

Come, if you like, let’s have some sport with this fellow,

unless he isn’t deemed worthy of it.

Just now it’s right.

But it isn’t proper for me.

For the reason, I suppose, that he made no difficulties when I purchased you.

But still—

No still. Beware, then, of a mishap, will you, and obey me. It becomes you to be heedful of my orders; for, i’ faith, had it not been for me and my protection, he would before long have made a street-walker of you. But such are some of those who have gained their freedom, unless they thwart their patron, they don’t appear to themselves free enough, or wise enough, or honest enough,

unless they oppose him, unless they abuse him, unless they are found ungrateful to him who has been kind.

I’ troth, your kindnesses command me to pay obedience to your commands.

I clearly am your patron, who paid the money for you to that man (pointing to DORDALUS.) in return for that, I choose that he shall be made sport of.

For my part, I’ll do my utmost.

For sure, these persons are consulting to do something, I know not what, to injure me.

Hark you.

What do you say?

Is this person here, Dordalus the Procurer, who deals in free women? Is this he who was formerly st stalwart?

What means this? (PAEGNIUM strikes him.) Oh, oh! he has given me a slap in the face! I’ll do you a mischief.

But we have done you one, and shall do it again too.

Oh, oh! he’s pinching my behind.

Of course; it has been many a time twitched before this.

Are you still prating, you bit of a boy?

My patron, do, there’s a dear, come in-doors to dinner.

My lump of laziness, are you now scoffing at me?

What, because I invite you to enjoy yourself?

I don’t want to enjoy myself.

Then don’t.

How then? The six hundred didrachms, how are they? What disturbances they do cause.

I’m utterly undone! They understand full well how to return the compliment to an enemy.