Rudens, or The Fisherman's Rope (1249-1275b)

At times, I’ve seen the Comedians, when acting, in this fashion

repeat sayings in a wise manner, and be applauded for them, when they pointed out this prudent conduct to the public. But when each person went thence his own way home, there wasn’t one after the fashion which they had recommended.

Go in-doors, don’t be troublesome, moderate your tongue. I’m going to give you nothing, don’t you deceive yourself.

Then I pray the Gods that whatever’s in that wallet, whether it’s gold, or whether silver, it may all become ashes.

This is the reason why we have bad servants. For this master, if he had combined with any servant,

would have made both himself and the other guilty of a theft. While he was thinking that he himself had made a capture, in the meantime he himself would have been made a capture: capture would have led to capture. Now will I go in-doors from here and sacrifice; after that, I’ll at once order the dinner to be cooked for us.

Tell me all these things over again my life, my Trachalio, my freed-man, my patron, aye rather, my father; has Palaestra found her father and mother?

She has found them.

And is she my countrywoman?

So I think.

And is she to marry me?

So I suspect.

Prithee, do you reckon that he will betroth her to me?

So I reckon[*].

Well, shall I congratulate her father too upon his finding her?

So I reckon.

Well, her mother too?

So I reckon.

What then do you reckon?

What you ask me, I reckon.

Tell me then how much do you reckon it at?

What I, I reckon—

Then really, do carry over[*]. Don’t be always making a reckoning.

So I reckon.

What if I run?

So I reckon.

Or rather gently, this way?

So I reckon.

Ought I to salute her as well when I arrive?

So I reckon.