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381
(Enter the ASS-DEALER, with a BOY.)
THE ASS-DEALER
(to himself.)
According as it was pointed out to me, this must be the house where Demaenetus is said to live.
(To the BOY.) Go, boy, and knock, and call Saurea the chamberlain out here, if he’s in-doors.
(The BOY goes to knock.)
According as it was pointed out to me, this must be the house where Demaenetus is said to live.
(To the BOY.) Go, boy, and knock, and call Saurea the chamberlain out here, if he’s in-doors.
LIBANUS
Who’s breaking in our door in this fashion? Enough there, I say, if you hear me at all.
Who’s breaking in our door in this fashion? Enough there, I say, if you hear me at all.
THE ASS-DEALER
No one has touched it as yet: are you out of your senses?
385
No one has touched it as yet: are you out of your senses?
385
LIBANUS
Why I thought that you had touched it, because you were steering your course in that direction. I don’t want the door, my fellow-slave
1
, to be thumped by you; I really am attached to our house.
Why I thought that you had touched it, because you were steering your course in that direction. I don’t want the door, my fellow-slave
1
, to be thumped by you; I really am attached to our house.
THE ASS-DEALER
I’ faith, there’s no fear of the hinges being broken off the doors, if you answer all who make enquiries in this fashion.
I’ faith, there’s no fear of the hinges being broken off the doors, if you answer all who make enquiries in this fashion.
LIBANUS
This door is of this habit; it cries out at once for tho porter, if it sees any door-kicker at a distance coming towards it. But what are you come for? What are you enquiring about?
390
This door is of this habit; it cries out at once for tho porter, if it sees any door-kicker at a distance coming towards it. But what are you come for? What are you enquiring about?
390
THE ASS-DEALER
I wanted Demaenetus.
I wanted Demaenetus.
LIBANUS
If he were at home, I would tell you so.
If he were at home, I would tell you so.
THE ASS-DEALER
Well, his chamberlain then?
Well, his chamberlain then?
LIBANUS
No more is ne at home.
No more is ne at home.
THE ASS-DEALER
Where is he?
Where is he?
LIBANUS
He said he was going to the barber’s.
He said he was going to the barber’s.
THE ASS-DEALER
Hasn’t he returned, since he went there?
395
Hasn’t he returned, since he went there?
395
LIBANUS
I’ faith, he hasn’t. What did you want?
I’ faith, he hasn’t. What did you want?
THE ASS-DEALER
He was to have received twenty mine of silver, if he had been in.
He was to have received twenty mine of silver, if he had been in.
LIBANUS
What was it for?
What was it for?
THE ASS-DEALER
He sold some asses at market to a dealer from
Pella
.
He sold some asses at market to a dealer from
Pella
.
LIBANUS
I understand; you are bringing it now. I think that he’ll be here just now.
I understand; you are bringing it now. I think that he’ll be here just now.
THE ASS-DEALER
Of what appearance is your chamberlain Saurea? If it’s he, I shall be able to know at once.
Of what appearance is your chamberlain Saurea? If it’s he, I shall be able to know at once.
LIBANUS
Lantern-jawed, with reddish hair, a little pot-bellied, with glaring eyes, middling stature, sour aspect.
400
Lantern-jawed, with reddish hair, a little pot-bellied, with glaring eyes, middling stature, sour aspect.
400
THE ASS-DEALER
A painter couldn’t have more correctly described his appearance— And, i’ faith, I see the very man; he’s coming this way, wagging his head.
A painter couldn’t have more correctly described his appearance— And, i’ faith, I see the very man; he’s coming this way, wagging his head.
LIBANUS
Whoever gets in his way when he’s in a passion, he’ll be for striking him.
Whoever gets in his way when he’s in a passion, he’ll be for striking him.
THE ASS-DEALER
By my faith, if, indeed, he were coming filled with the threats and the courage of the grandson ofAeacus
2
, if he were to touch me in his wrath, in his wrath he would be getting a thrashing.
405
By my faith, if, indeed, he were coming filled with the threats and the courage of the grandson ofAeacus
2
, if he were to touch me in his wrath, in his wrath he would be getting a thrashing.
405
Asinaria. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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