eque puduit eum id aetatis sycophantias
struere et beneficiis me emere gnatum suom sibi.
eos me decretumst persequi mores patris.

I wish to model myself on my own father who dressed up as
a shipmaster for my sake and swindled a slave-dealer out
of a girl I was in love with. He felt no shame at going in
for hocus-pocus at his time of life, and buying his son's
affection, mine, by his kindnesses. These methods of my
father's I have resolved to follow out myself.

nam me hodie oravit Argyrippus filius,
uti sibi amanti facerem argenti copiam;
et id ego percupio obsequi gnato meo.[4] (76)
quamquam illum mater arte contenteque habet, (78)
patres ut consueverunt: ego mitto omnia haec.

Well now, this very day my boy Argyrippus begged me to
supply him with some money, saying he was in love: and I
heartily desire to oblige the dear lad. No matter if his
mother does keep a firm, tight rein on him and play the
ordinary father's part, none of that for me.

praesertim quom is me dignum quoi concrederet 80
habuit, me habere honorem eius ingenio decet;
quom me adiit, ut pudentem gnatum acquomst patrem,
cupio esse amicae quod det argentum suae.

And seeing he has regarded me as worthy of his confidence,
I have special reason to respect his inclinations. Now that
he has applied to me, as a respectful son should to his
father, I am desirous that he should have some money for
his mistress.

_Lib._

Cupis id quod cupere te nequiquam intellego.
dotalem servom Sauream uxor tua
adduxit, cui plus in manu sit quam tibi.

You're desirous of something you'll desire in vain, sir,
I reckon. Your wife's brought along Saurea, that dower slave
of hers, to have more power than you.

_Dem._

Argentum accepi, dote imperium vendidi.
nunc verba in pauca conferam quid te velim.
viginti iam usust filio argenti minis:
face id ut paratum iam sit.

(_bitterly_) Sold myself! Gave up my authority for a dowry!
(_pause_) Now, in a word, here is what I want of you. My son
needs eighty pounds[B] at once: will you see it is procured
at once.

[Footnote B: It has seemed advisable to use the terms of
the English coinage system throughout this version; the
value of the money metals, however,