ever was, and
I never will be, make no mistake, don't you build up hopes I
will be good for anything.

_Hegio_

Propemodum ubi loci fortunae tuae sint facile intellegis.
si eris verax, tua ex re, facies ex mala meliusculam.
recte et vera loquere, sed neque vere neque tu recte adhuc 960
fecisti umquam.

You have no difficulty in appreciating your position pretty
fairly well. Now be truthful, and you'll be acting to your
own advantage and make a bad prospect somewhat better. Out
with your story, make it straightforward and honest--virtues
you have never displayed hitherto, however.

_Stal._

Quod ego fatear, credin pudeat cum autumes?

When I'm ready to admit a thing myself d'ye think I should
be ashamed of it just because you say it's so?

_Hegio_

At ego faciam ut pudeat, nam in ruborem te totum dabo.

I'll make you ashamed, though: (_savagely_) I tell you what,
I'll make one big blush of you.

_Stal._

Eia, credo ego imperito plagas minitaris mihi.
tandem ista aufer ac dic quid fers, ut feras hinc quod petis.

(_ironically_) La! La! I'm promised a whipping, it seems,
and I such a novice at it--oh, yes I am! Look here, get done
with that talk and say what you've got to propose, so as to
get what you're after.

_Hegio_

Satis facundu's. sed iam fieri dicta compendi volo.

Quite a gift of tongue, sir! But oblige me by saving some of
it for the moment.

_Stal._

Ut vis fiat.

Anything you like.

_Hegio_

Bene morigerus fuit puer, nunc non decet.
hoc agamus. iam animum advorte ac mihi quae dicam edissere.[27] (967)

(_half aside_) That compliance he showed as a boy hardly
becomes him at present. (_aloud_) To business! Now then,
pay attention and answer me fully.

_Stal._

Nugae istaec sunt. non me censes scire quid dignus siem? (969)

Rot! Don't you suppose I know what I deserve?

_Hegio_

At ea subterfugere potis es pauca, si non omnia. 970

Well, you have a chance to escape a little of it, if not all.

_Stal._

Pauca effugiam, scio; nam multa evenient, et merito meo,
quia et fugi et tibi surripui filium et eum vendidi.

Little enough I'll escape, I know that; for there'll be
plenty coming, and it serves me right, seeing I ran away
and kidnapped your son and sold hi