You say what is the fact.STASIMUSI will tell you without any subterfuge: I would make place for him on the highway, on the footpath, in the canvass for public honors; but as to what concerns the stomach—by my troth, not this much (shows the breadth of his finger-nail), unless he should first have thrashed me with his fists. With provisions at the present prices, a feast is a fortune without incumbrancesWithout incumbrances: Every Roman family of consequence was bound to perform particular sacrifices, which were not only ordained by the pontifical laws, but the obligation was also rendered hereditary by the civil law, and ordered to be observed by the law of the Twelve Tables: Sacra privata perpetua manento,Let private sacrifices remain perpetual. This law is quoted and commented upon by Cicero in his Second Book on the Laws. He there tells us that heirs are obliged to continue their sacrifices, be they ever so expensive; and for this reason, as by the above law these sacrifices were to be maintained, no one was presumed to be better able to supply the place of the deceased person than his heir. A property exempt from this necessity, might be truly said to be one without incumbrances..PHILTOAlways, Lesbonicus, do you take care and think this, that that is the best, according as you yourself are the most deserving: if that you cannot attain to, at least be as near as possible to the most deserving. And now, Lesbonicus, I wish you to grant and accept these terms which I propose, and which I ask of you. The Gods are rich; wealth and station befit the Gods: but we poor mortal beings are, as it were, the salt-cellarThe salt-cellar: By this expression, Plautus seems to mean that life is to the body as salt is to flesh; it preserves it from corruption. for the salt of life. The moment that we have breathed forth this, the beggar is held of equal value at Acheron At Acheron : Acheron was a river of the Brutii in Campania. There was another river of this name in Epirus. The word usually denotes one of the rivers of Hell; here it means the Infernal regions themselves. with the most wealthy man when dead.STASIMUS(aside.)It will be a wonder if you don’t carry your riches there with you. When you are dead, you may, perhaps, be as good as your name importsAs your name imports: The meaning of Stasimus is—Perhaps when you are dead, in leaving your property to another, you may really prove yourself the amiable man your name would bespeak you to be; Philto being derived from the Greek θιλέω, to love..PHILTONow, that you may understand that position and means have no place here, and that we do not undervalue your alliance; I ask for your sister without a marriage-portion.May the matter turn out happily. Do I understand her to be promised? Why are you silent?STASIMUSO immortal Gods, what a proposal!PHILTOWhy don’t you say, May the Gods prosper it, I agreeI agree: Spondeo was a word in general use to denote that the person entered into a promise or engagement. Being the nearest male relation of the damsel, Philto wishes Lesbonicus to close the matter by saying spondeo, I agree to betroth her, which he hesitates to do; on which, Stasimus, alluding to his having been the security for the thousand drachmae, tells him that he had been ready enough to say spondeo when it was not to his advantage; namely, at the time when he aid spondeo, I promise, and became the security to the banker for his friend. See Note 1 in page 24.?STASIMUS(aside.)Alas! when there was no advantage in the expression, he used to say, I agree; now, when there is advantage in it, he is not able to say so.LESBONICUSSince you think me, Philto, worthy of an alliance with you, I return you many thanks. But though this fortune of mine has sadly diminished through my folly, I have, Philto, a piece of land near the city here; that I will give as a portion to my sister: for, after all my follies, that alone, besides my existence, is left me.PHILTOReally I care nothing at all about a portion.LESBONICUSI am determined to give her one.STASIMUS(whispers to LESBONICUS.)And are you ready, master, to sever that nurse from us which is supporting us? Take care how you do it. What are we ourselves to eat in future?LESBONICUS(to STASIMUS.)Once more, will you hold your tongue? Am I to be rendered accountable to you?STASIMUS(aside.)We are evidently done for, unless I devise something or other. Philto, I want you.(He remeoves to a distance, and beckons to PHILTO.)PHILTOIf you wish aught, Stasimus.STASIMUSStep a little this way.PHILTOBy all means.STASIMUSI tell you this in secrecy, that neither he nor any one else may learn it of you.PHILTOTrust me boldly with anything you please. STASIMUSBy Gods and men I warn you, not to allow that piece of land ever to become yours or your son’s. I’ll tell you my reasons for this matter.PHILTOTroth, I should like to hear them.STASIMUSFirst of all then, when at any time the ground is being ploughed, in every fifth furrow the oxen die.PHILTOPreserve me from it.Part of line 525 in the Latin.STASIMUSThe gate of Acheron is in that land of ours.Then the grapes, before they are ripe, hang in a putrid state.LESBONICUS(in a low voice.)He is persuading the man to something, I think. Although he is a rogue, still he is not unfaithful to me.