Trinummus: The Three Pieces of Money (1096-1135b)

To one good, and faithful, and trusty, and of strict integrity. Health to you, and I rejoice that you have arrived safe and sound[*].

How, health to me? Troth, I have no patience with such health. This I wish to know; how have you kept your trust, who, without my knowledge, have utterly destroyed my property and my children that I entrusted to you and committed to your charge when going hence abroad?

I don’t think that it is fair, when you don’t understand the matter, to censure your old friend with harsh words. For you are both mistaken and you are doing me a very great injustice.

Have you not bought this house which you came out of just now, and driven thence my son Lesbonicus? Is this so as I say, or is it not? Answer me.

I myself did buy the house; I bought it that I might keep it for you. And without that it would have happened that your son would have sold it to another person; and then you would have lost both it and that treasure together, which, concealed there, you had entrusted to my charge. See, I restore it safe to you; for you did I buy it, not for myself.

Prithee, what do you say? By my trust in Gods and men, you make me suddenly to be quite ashamed of my error in speaking unkindly to my friend in return for his services.

How, then; do you now think that I am trusty and faithful?

I do think so, if all these matters are so as you relate them. But what means[*] this garb of yours?

I’ll tell you.

I was digging up the treasure indoors, as a marriage-portion to be given to your daughter. But I will relate to you both this and the rest in the house. Follow me.

Stasimus.

Well!

Run with all haste to the Piraeus[*], and make but one run of it. There you will at once see the ship, on board of which I was carried hither.

Bid Sagario take care that the things are brought which I enjoined him, and do you go together with them. The duty has been already paid[*] to the custom-house officer.

I make no delay.[*]

Get you gone with all speed; and be back directly.

I am both there and here in an instant.

Do you follow me this way indoors.

I follow.

This man alone has remained a firm friend to my master; nor has he allowed his mind to swerve from unshaken fidelity, although I believe that he has undergone many troubles, by reason of the property and the children of my master. Still, this person, as I suspect, alone has maintained his fidelity.

This individual[*] is the very first of all men; excelling all in pleasures and delights. So truly do the blessings which I desire befal me, that whatever I undertake is brought about, and constantly succeeds: so does one delight succeed other delights.

Just now, Stasimus, the servant of Lesbonicus, came to me at home. He told me that his master, Charmides, had arrived here from abroad. Now he must be forthwith waited upon by me, that the father may prove a more sure foundation in that matter on which I have treated with his son. I’ll go. But this door, with its creaking, inopportunely causes me delay.

There never was, nor will there be, nor yet do I think that there is a person upon the earth, whose fidelity and constancy towards his friend equals yours. For without you, it would have been that he would have ousted me out of this house.

If I have in any way acted well towards my friend, or have faithfully consulted his advantage, I seem not to be deserving of praise, but I think I am free from fault.

For a benefit which is conferred on a man for his own, at once is lost to the giver; what is given only as a loan, the same there is a right to ask back, whenever you please.

’Tis so as you say. But I cannot sufficiently-wonder at this, that he has betrothed his sister into a family so influential.

Aye; to Lysiteles, the son of Philto.

Why, he is mentioning my name.

He has got into a most worthy family.

Why do I hesitate to address these persons? But still, I think, I may wait awhile; for something is going to be said to the purpose about this matter.