I’ll tell you, but you be mum. Don’t you know this Strabax?(Pointing to his FATHER’S house.)DINARCHUSWhy shouldn’t I?ASTAPHIUMHe alone rules the roast here at our house. He just now is a landed estate to us. With right good spirit is he wantonly wasting away his property.DINARCHUSHe’s on the road to ruin; i’ faith, I, too, have come to ruin. ASTAPHIUMYou are a simpleton, to expect with words to make undone what is done.DINARCHUSEven Thetis, too, in weeping, made lamentation for her son.Can I not now be admitted in-doors to your house?ASTAPHIUMWhy so rather than the Captain?DINARCHUSWhy, because I’ve given more.ASTAPHIUMBut you were admitted more, when you were giving more; let those who give, in return for that which they give, enjoy our services.You’ve learnt your letters; since you know them yourself, let others learn them.DINARCHUSLet them learn, so long as it is allowed me to con my lesson, that I may not forget what I have paid for. ASTAPHIUMIn the meantime, while you, who are a master, shall be conning your lesson, she, as well, is desirous to con hers.DINARCHUSHow so? ASTAPHIUMIn receiving money ever and anon.DINARCHUSFor my own part, this very day I gave five minae of silver to be carried to her,besides one for provisions.ASTAPHIUMI know that the same was brought; with it we are now enjoying ourselves upon your liberality.DINARCHUSFor these enemies of mine here to be devouring my property! By heavens, I’d rather that I were dead than submit to that!ASTAPHIUMYou are a simpleton. DINARCHUSHow’s that?Part of line 746 in the Latin. There is some corruption.ASTAPHIUMWait.Part of line 746 in the Latin. There is some corruption.DINARCHUSWhy so?ASTAPHIUMBecause, I’ troth, I’d rather that my enemies should envy me, than I my enemies; for to envy because it goes well with another, and goes badly with yourself, is wretchedness. Those who are envious, are in want; they who are envied, possess property.DINARCHUSMay I not be a partaker of the provisions bought with the mina?ASTAPHIUMIf you wanted to be a partaker, you should have taken half home. For here an account of the receipts is entered just as at Acheron; we take in-doors; when it’s got by us, it can’t be carried out of doors. (Turning on her heel.) Kindly farewell.DINARCHUS(catching hold of her.)Do stay.