--well, now Hegio has taken up his present business, all for his son’s sake, ungentlemanly business as it is, and quite beneath a man of his type. He’s buying up prisoners of war, to see if he can’t come across one to exchange for his boy. And Lord! how I do yearn for him to succeed! You see, it’s a matter of his coming home, or my going hungry. nam nulla est spes iuventutis, sese omnis amant; ille demum antiquis est adulescens moribus, cuius numquam voltum tranquillavi gratiis. condigne pater est eius moratus moribus. nunc ad eum pergam. sed aperitur ostium, unde saturitate saepe ego exii ebrius. For our young fellows are absolutely unpromising--egoists, the whole lot of ’em! But he is a young gentleman of the old school, that lad: I never smoothed the wrinkles out of his brow without getting more than a thankye for it. His father is just such another perfect gentleman. Now for a call on him. (_moves toward Hegio’s house_) But there goes his door, out of which I’ve often come so full of food I was fairly tipsy. (_withdraws_) I. 2. Scene 2. ENTER _Hegio_ WITH _Slave Overseer_. _Hegio_ Advorte animum sis tu: istos captives duos, 110 heri quos emi de praeda a quaestoribus, eis indito catenas singularias istas, maiores, quibus sunt iuncti, demito; Attention, please, my man. Those two captives that I bought yesterday from the commissioners in charge of the spoils-- put the light irons on them and take off the heavy ones they’re coupled with. sinito ambulare, si foris si intus volent, sed uti adserventur magna diligentia. liber captivos avis ferae consimilis est: semel fugiendi si data est occasio, satis est, numquam postilla possis prendere. Let them walk out here or inside, whichever they please; but look after them sharp, mind you. A captive free is a regular wild bird: once given a chance to flit, that is enough--you can never get hold of him again. _Lor._ _Over._ Omnes profecto liberi lubentius sumus quam servimus. Well, of course sir, we’d all rather be free than slaves. _Hegio._ Non videre ita tu quidem. 120 That seems untrue of you at any rate.[A] [Footnote A: Implying that he had not tried to save money to buy his liberty.] _Lor._ _Over._ Si non est quod dem, mene vis dem ipse--in pedes? In case I haven’t anything else to give you, how about my giving you--the slip? _Hegio_ Si dederis, erit extemplo mihi quod dem tibi. Give me that, and I shall shortly have something to give you. _Lor._ _Over._ Avis me ferae consimilem faciam, ut praedicas. I’ll copy that wild bird you speak of. _Hegio_