ere goes our
door! Wonder who's coming out. (_steps aside_)

II. 3.

Scene 3.

ENTER _Nicobulus_ FROM HIS HOUSE.

_Nic._

Ibo in Piraeum, visam ecquae advenerit
in portum ex Epheso navis mercatoria.
nam meus formidat animus, nostrum tam diu
ibi desidere neque redire filium.

I'll walk down to the Piraeus and see if any merchantman
has come in from Ephesus. It worries me to have my son
dilly-dallying there so long and not returning.

_Chrys._

Extexam ego illum pulchre iam, si di volunt.
haud dormitandumst: opus est chryso Chrysalo. 240
adibo hunc, quem quidem ego hodie faciam hic arietem
Phrixi, itaque tondebo auro usque ad vivam cutem.
servos salutat Nicobulum Chrysalus.

(_aside_) I'll unravel him handsomely now, God willing. No
sleepyheadedness allowed: Chrysalus, you must be a golden
chrysalis! Here's at him--the man I'll certainly make a
[G]Phrixus's ram here to-day, and by the same token shear off
his gold right down to the quick! (_aloud, ceremoniously_)
Greetings,to Nicobulus from servant Chrysalus, sir.

[Footnote G: The owner of the ram with the golden fleece.]

_Nic._

Pro di immortales, Chrysale, ubi mist filius?

Chrysalus! for the love of heaven where is my son?

_Chrys._

Quin tu salutem primum reddis quam dedi?

(_affecting pique_) Why don't you return my greeting first,
sir?

_Nic._

Salve. sed ubinamst Mnesilochus?

How d'ye do. (_more animatedly_) But where on earth is
Mnesilochus?

_Chrys._

Vivit, valet.

Alive and well.

_Nic._

Venitne?

Has he come?

_Chrys._

Venit.

He has.

_Nic._

Euax, aspersisti aquam.
benene usque valuit?

(_fervently_ Oh, good, good! That news is like a dash of
water! Has he been well all this time?

_Chrys._

Pancratice atque athletice.

In fighting trim, a perfect athlete.

_Nic._

Quid hoc? qua causa eum in Ephesum miseram,
accepitne aurum ab hospite Archidemide? 250

How about it? The business I sent him to Ephesus for? Did he
get the gold from my friend Archidemides?

_Chrys._

Heu, cor meum et cerebrum, Nicobule, finditur,
istius hominis ubi fit quomque mentio.
tun hospitem illum nominas hostem tuom?

(_disgustedly_) Ugh! My heart and head fairly split,