Full oft have I entrusted many matters to you, Milphio,matters of doubt and necessity, and standing in need of good counsel, which you wisely, discreetly, cleverly, and skilfully have by your aid brought to completion for me. For which services I do confess that both your liberty and many kind thanks are due unto you.MILPHIOAn old adage, if you timely introduce it, is a clever thing: but your compliments are to me what are wont to be called sheer nonsense, and, upon my faith, mere bagatellesMere bagatelles: Λῆροι. This word almost exactly answers to the word bagatelles, or kickshaws, borrowed by us from the French. As to the origin of the word gerrae, in the sense of trifles, or nonsense, Festus gives the following anecdote:—Osier-twigs, in bundles, were called gerrae. When the Athenians were besieging the Syracusans, and were often calling aloud for these fascines, the besieged, in ridicule, used to cry out, gerrae, on which account that word came in use, to signify, in contempt, anything trifling.. Just now, you are full of kind speeches towards me; yesterday, without hesitation, upon my back you wore out three bulls’ hides with flogging. AGORASTOCLESBut if, being in love, I did anything by reason of my distraction, Milphio, it’s only reasonable that you should pardon me for it.MILPHIOI’ve seen nothing more reasonable. I, too, am now dying for love; allow me to thrash you just as you did me, for no fault at all; and then, after that, do you pardon me being thus in love.AGORASTOCLESIf you have a mind for it, or it gives you pleasure, I do permit it; tie me up, bind me, scourge me; I recommend you, I give you my permission.MILPHIOIf, hereafter, you should revoke your permission, when you are unloosed, I myself should be hung upBe hung up: Pendeam. He alludes to the practice of tying slaves up by the hands for the purpose of being flogged. for punishment. AGORASTOCLESAnd would I venture to do that, to yourself espercially? On the contrary, if I see you but struck, it gives me pain immediately.MILPHIOTo me, indeed, i’ faith.AGORASTOCLESNo, to me. MILPHIOI could prefer that to be the case. But what now do you wish?AGORASTOCLESWhy need I tell a lie to you? I am desperately in love.MILPHIOMy shoulder-blades feel that.AGORASTOCLESBut I mean with this damsel, my neighbour Adelphasium, the elder Courtesan that belongs to this Procurer.MILPHIOFor my own part, I’ve heard that from yourself already.AGORASTOCLESI’m on the rack with love for her. But than this Procurer Lycus, her master, not dirt itself is more dirty.MILPHIODo you wish now to present him with some mischief?AGORASTOCLESI should like it. MILPHIOWhy look then, present him with me.AGORASTOCLESGo and be hanged! MILPHIOBut tell me seriously, do you wish to present him with a plague? AGORASTOCLESI should like it.MILPHIOWell then, present him with this selfsame me; I’d cause him to be having both a mischief and a plague.AGORASTOCLESYou are joking. MILPHIOShould you like this very day, without risk to yourself, to make her freeTo make her free: Tuam libertam.Your freed-woman; you being the one to give her her liberty.?AGORASTOCLESI should like it, Milphio.MILPHIOI’ll manage for you to make her so. You have indoors three hundred golden Philippean piecesPhilippean pieces: The Philippean piece had the head of Philip of Macedon on it, and was in value about two guineas of our money..AGORASTOCLESSix hundred even.