On my word, never shall any mortal be made the wiser by me; only to my master alone will I tell it; and to him, too, in such a way that he shall not disclose that this matter originated in yourself. SYNCERASTUS I shall trust you at my peril, and yet I will trust you. But do you keep this a secret to yourself. MILPHIO To Faith herself it is not more safely confided. Speak out boldly (there’s room and opportunity); we are here alone. SYNCERASTUS If your master chooses to act with caution, he’ll prove the ruin of my master. MILPHIO How can that be? SYNCERASTUS Easily. MILPHIO Then let me be acquainted with this easily, that he may know it as well. SYNCERASTUS Because Adelphasium, whom your master dotes on is free by birth. MILPHIO In what way? SYNCERASTUS In the same way that her other sister Anterastylis is. MILPHIO But how am I to believe that? SYNCERASTUS Because he bought them at Anactorium, when little children, of a Sicilian pirate. MILPHIO For how much? SYNCERASTUS For eighteen minae. MILPHIO (with an air of surprise.) These two for eighteen minae For eighteen minœ? : He asks this question, as thirty minae was about the average price for a single slave. ? SYNCERASTUS And their nurse for the third. He, too, who sold them told him that he was selling persons who had been kidnapped: he said that they were free-born, and from Carthage. MILPHIO Ye Gods, by our hopes in you! you mention a most interesting matter; for my master Agorastocles was born in the same place; he was stolen thence when about six years old; after that, the person who stole him brought him here and sold him to my master; that person adopted him as heir to his wealth, when he departed this life. SYNCERASTUS You mention everything that can render it the more easy; let him assert their freedom, his own countrywomen, in an action on their freedom. MILPHIO Only do keep silence and hold your tongue. SYNCERASTUS He certainly will bring the Procurer to a backgammon, if he gets them away. MILPHIO Nay but, I’ll cause him to be ruined before he moves one foot Moves one foot : Calcem. By some this word is thought to be used for calculum, a chessman, and that reference is made to the use of the word incitas in the previous line, which was the mate or backgammon in the game of duodecim scripta (somewhat similar to our game of backgammon) and in which calculi, pieces or chessmen, were used ; ’tis so contrived already. SYNCERASTUS May the Gods grant it so, that I don’t continue the slave of this Procurer. MILPHIO On the contrary, upon my faith, I’ll cause you to be a free man with myself, if the Gods are willing. SYNCERASTUS May the Gods grant it so! Do you detain me for anything else, Milphio? MILPHIO Fare you well, and may happiness attend you. SYNCERASTUS I’ faith, that lies in the power of yourself and your master. Farewell, and mind that these things have been told in secrecy. MILPHIO This has not been mentioned even. Farewell.