There is no one.CALLICLESOf Philippean piecesOf Philippean pieces: These were gold coins much in circulation throughout Greece, struck by Philip, King of Macedon. to the number of three thousand. Alone with myself, in tears, he entreated me, by our friendship and by my honour, not to entrust this to his son, nor yet to any one, from whom that might come to his knowledge. Now, if he comes back hither safe, I will restore to him his own. But if anything should happen to him, at all events I have a stock from which to give a marriage-portion to his daughter, who has been entrusted to me, that I may settle her in a condition of life that befits her.MEGARONIDESO ye immortal gods! how soon, in a few words, you have made another man of me; I came to you quite a different person. But, as you have begun, proceed further to inform me.CALLICLESWhat shall I tell you? How that this worthless fellow had almost utterly ruined his caution and my own trustiness and all the secret.MEGARONIDESHow so?CALLICLESBecause, while I was in the country for only six days, in my absence and without my knowledge, without consulting me, he advertised with billsAdvertised with bills: The method among the Romans of letting, or selling houses, was similar to ours. A ball was fixed upon the house, or some conspicuous place near it, inscribed with Aedes locandae,This house to be lot, or Aedes vendundae, This house for sale. this house for sale.MEGARONIDESThe wolf hungered the more, and opened his mouth the wider; he watched tillHe watched till: He alludes to the conduct of Lesbonicus, who watched for the absence of his guardian, Callicles, that he might sell the house. This he would attempt to do, probably, on the plea that his father, not having been heard of for a long time, must be presumed to be dead, and the house has consequently descended to him, as his heir the dog went to sleep; and intended to carry off the whole entire flock.CALLICLESI’ faith, he would have done it, if the dogs had not perceived this in time. But now, in my turn, I wish to ask you this: let me know what it was my duty for me to do. Whether was it right for me to discover the treasure to him, against which very thing his father had cautioned me, or should I have permitted another person to become the owner of this house? Ought that money to have belonged to him who bought the house? In preference, I myself bought the house; I gave the money for the sake of the treasure, that I might deliver it safe to my friend. I have not, then, bought this house either for myself or for my own use; for Charmides have I bought it back again; from my own store have I paid the money. This, whether it has been done rightfully or wrongfully, I own, Megaronides, that I have done.Here, then, are my misdeeds; here, then, is my avarice. Is it for these things that they spread false reports against me?MEGARONIDESStay—you have overcome your corrector. You have tied my tongue; there is nothing for me to say in answer.CALLICLESNow I entreat you to aid me with your assistance and counsel, and to share this duty of mine in common with me.MEGARONIDESI promise you my assistance.CALLICLESWhere, then, will you be a short time hence?MEGARONIDESAt home.CALLICLESDo you wish anything else?MEGARONIDESAttend to the trust reposed in you.CALLICLESThat is being carefully done.MEGARONIDESBut how say you—? CALLICLESWhat do you want?MEGARONIDESWhere is the young man living now?CALLICLESThis back partThe back part: Posticulum probably means detached buildings at the back of the house, and within the garden walls, which adjoin the posticum or posticula, the back door or garden-gate. of the building he retained when he sold the house.MEGARONIDESThat I wanted to know. Now, then, go at once. But what say you, where is the damsel now? She is at your house, I suppose?CALLICLESShe is so; I take care of her almost as much as of my own daughter.MEGARONIDESYou act properly.CALLICLESBefore I go away, are you going to ask me anything else?