Few persons do that which you mention; for in the Forum there is hardly every tenth person that knows his own self. PSEUDOLUS (from behind.) I’m all right; he is philosophizing now. SIMO I’m looking for a fellow here, a bad one, a law breaker, an impious, perjured, and dishonest rogue. BALLIO (aside.) He’s looking for me, for those are my titles If he would only mention the name. (To SIMMIA.) What’s the name of this person? SIMO Ballio, the procurer. BALLIO Do I know him? I am the very person, young man, that you are looking for. SIMO What, are you Ballio? BALLIO I really am he. SIMO How you are clothed, a housebreaker (He takes hold of BALLIO’S cloak.) BALLIO I think if you were to see me in the dark, you’d be keeping your hand off. SIMO My master bade me present you many greetings. Receive this letter from me; he bade me give you it. BALLIO Who’s the person that bade you? PSEUDOLUS (from behind.) I’m undone, now the fellow’s in the middle of the mud. He doesn’t know the name—this business is at a dead lock. BALLIO Who do you say sent me this? SIMO Observe the seal; do you yourself tell me his name, that I may know that you are Ballio himself. BALLIO Give me the letter. SIMO Take it, and look at the seal. (Gives him the letter.) BALLIO (looking at it.) Oho! ’Tis nothing more nor less than Polymachaeroplagides Polymachaeroplagides : This high-sounding name is compounded of three Greek words, and signifies the son of many blows with the sword, or something akin to it. , his own very self; I recognize it. Hallo you, Polymachaeroplagides is his name! SIMO I know now that I have rightly given you the letter, since you have mentioned the name of Polymachaeroplagides, BALLIO How fares he? SIMO By my troth, just as a brave man and a good soldier should. But make haste, I beg, to read this letter through, for it is requisite to do so, and to take this money at once and send out the damsel. For it’s necessary for me this day to be at Sicyon To be at Sicyon : This was a very ancient city of the Peloponnesus on the Gulf of Corinth. , or else to suffer death to-morrow; so peremptory is my master. BALLIO I know it: you are telling those who know it already. SIMO Make haste then to read the letter through. BALLIO I’ll do so, if you’ll only hold your tongue. (He reads the letter.) The Captain Polymachaeroplagides sends this letter, written to the procurer Ballio, sealed with the impression which was formerly agreed upon between us two. Part of line 1001 in the Latin. SIMO The token’s in the letter