(_to Pistoclerus_) Don’t muddle him. _Mnes._ Iam imperatum in cera inest. That’s down now according to orders. _Chrys._ Dic quem ad modum. Let’s hear how you’ve put it. _Mnes._ “Mnesilochus salutem dicit suo patri.” (_reading_) “Mnesilochus sends best wishes to his father.” _Chrys._ Adscribe hoc cito: “Chrysalus mihi usque quaque loquitur nec recte, pater, quia tibi aurum reddidi et quia non te fraudaverim.” Hurry up, add this: “Chrysalus keeps talking away at me everywhere, father, and talking harshly, because I handed the gold over to you and did not defraud you.” _Pistoc._ Mane dum scribit. Give him time to write. _Chrys._ Celerem oportet esse amatoris manum. A lover’s hand ought to be nimble. _Pistoc._ [21]At quidem hercle est ad perdundum magis quam ad scribundum cita. Gad, yes! but it makes shorter work of cash than correspondence. _Mnes._ Loquere. hoc scriptumst. Go on. That’s written. _Chrys._ “Nunc, pater mi, proin tu ab eo ut caveas tibi, sycophantias componit, aurum ut abs ted auferat; 740 et profecto se ablaturum dixit.” plane adscribito. “Now then, father dear, do be on your guard against him--he is laying a rascally scheme to take the gold from you; and he vows he will take it.” Write that down plain. _Mnes._ Dic modo. (_after a moment_) Yes, yes, go on. _Chrys._ “Atque id pollicetur se daturum aurum mihi, quod dem scortis quodque in lustris comedim congraecem, pater, sed, pater, vide ne tibi hodie verba det: quaeso cave.” “And besides, he promises he will give it to me to spend on women and to squander in riotous living in low resorts, father. But, father, do see that he doesn’t impose upon you to-day: for mercy’s sake, take care.” _Mnes._ Loquere porro. (_finishing_) All right, some more. _Chrys._ Adscribe dum etiam-- Just go on and add--(_thinking_) _Mnes._ Loquere quid scribam modo. Well, say what. _Chrys._ “Sed, pater, quod promisisti mihi, te quaeso ut memineris, ne illum verberes; verum apud te vinctum adservato domi.” cedo tu ceram ac linum actutum. age obliga, obsigna cito. “However, I beg you to remember what you promised me, father: don’t beat him; but tie him up and keep watch on him at home.” (_to Pistoclerus_) The wax and tape, you, look sharp! (_Pistoclerus obeys. To Mnesilochus_) Come on, fasten it, seal it, quick! _Mnes._ Obsecro, quid istis ad istunc usust conscriptis modum, ut tibi ne quid credat atque ut vinctum te adservet domi? 750 (_obeying_) For heaven’s sake, what’s the use of a document like this, telling him not to believe you at all, to tie you up and keep watch on you at home? _Chrys._