990A

(_apparently reluctant_) Stay I will.

_Nic._

Euge litteras minutas.

(_opening tablets_) Well, well! What tiny letters.

_Chrys._

Qui quidem videat parum;
verum, qui satis videat, grandes satis sunt.

(_innocently_) Yes, for a man with poor eyes; they're big
enough, if your sight is good enough, though.

_Nic._

Animum advortito igitur.

Well then, pay attention.

_Chrys._

Nolo inquam.

I don't want to, I tell you.

_Nic._

At volo inquam.

But I want you to, I tell you.

_Chrys._

Quid opust?

What's the use?

_Nic._

At enim id quod te iubeo facias.

See here now, you do what I order.

_Chrys._

Iustumst ut tuos tibi servos tuo arbitratu serviat.

(_after reflection, impartially_) It's right for your own
servant to serve you as you see fit, sir.

_Nic._

Hoc age sis nunciam.

Now kindly attend to this at once.

_Chrys._

Ubi lubet, recita: aurium operam tibi dico.

Read when you like, sir: I promise you my ears.

_Nic._

Cerae quidem haud parsit neque stilo;
sed quidquid est, pellegere certumst.
"Pater, ducentos Philippos quaeso Chrysalo
da, si esse salvom vis me aut vitalem tibi."
malum quidem hercle magnum.

(_looking tablets over with a sigh_) He hasn't been sparing
of wax or stylus, it seems. But whatever it is, I'm resolved
to read it through, (_reading_) "Father, do for mercy's sake
give Chrysalus two hundred pounds, if you wish to have your
son safe, or alive." Give him a good sound thrashing, by
heaven!

_Chrys._

Tibi dico.

I say.

_Nic._

Quid est?

Well?

_Chrys._

Non prius salutem scripsit?

Didn't he write a word of greeting first?

_Nic._

Nusquam sentio. 1000

(_looking_) Not a sign of it.

_Chrys._

Non dabis, si sapies; verum si das maxume,
ne ille alium gerulum quaerat, si sapiet, sibi:
nam ego non laturus sum, si iubeas maxume.
sat sic suspectus sum, cum careo noxia.

(_indignant_) You won't do it, if you're wise; but no matter
how much you do do it, let him look up another porter, if
he's wise: for I won't carry it, no matter how much you
order me. I am suspected enough as it is, when I'm perfectly
blameless.

_Nic._

Auscu