HEG. I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want _to know_. (_To the_ SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brought out of doors here, before the house? PHIL. By my faith, I find that you have taken due precaution that we shouldn't be missed by you, so walled in are we with chains and keepers. HEG. He that takes precaution that he mayn't be deceived, is hardly on his guard, even while he's taking precaution; even when he has supposed that he has taken every precaution, full often is this wary man outwitted. Was there not good reason, indeed, for me to watch you carefully, whom I purchased with so large a sum of ready money? PHIL. Troth, it isn't fair for us to hold you to blame, because you watch us _closely_; nor yet for you us, if we go away hence, should there be an opportunity. HEG. As you _are_ here, so is my son a captive there among your people. PHIL. He, a captive? HEG. Even so. PHIL. We, then, have not proved the only cowards [1]. HEG. (_to PHILOCRATES, _supposing him to be the SERVANT of the other_). Step you aside this way, for there are some things that I wish to enquire of you in private, on which subjects I would have you not to be untruthful to me. (_They step aside._) PHIL. I will not be, as to that which I shall know; if I shall not know anything, that which I don't know I'll tell you of. TYND. (_aside_). Now is the old fellow in the barber's shop; now, at this very instant, is _Philocrates_ wielding the razor [2]. He hasn't cared, indeed, to put on the barber's cloth [3], so as not to soil his dress. But whether to say that he's going to share him close, or _trim him_ [4] through the comb [5], I don't know; but if he's wise, he'll scrape him right well to the very quick. HEG. (_to_ PHILOCRATES). Which would you? Would you prefer to be a slave, or a free man?--Tell me. PHIL. That which is the nearest to good, and the furthest off from evil, do I prefer; although my servitude hasn't proved very grievous _to me_, nor has it been otherwise to me than if I had been a son in the family. TYND. (_aside_). Capital! I wouldn't purchase, at a talent's price _even_, Thales the Milesian [6]; for compared with this man's wisdom, he was a very twaddler. How cleverly has he suited his language to the slave's condition. HEG. Of what family is this Philocrates born? PHIL. The Polyplusian [7]; which one family is flourishing there, and held in highest esteem. HEG. What is he himself? In what esteem is he held there? PHIL. In the highest, and _that_ by the very highest men. HEG. Since, then, he is held in such great respect among the Eleans, as you tell of, what substance has he?--Of large amount? PHIL. _Enough for him, even_, when an old man, to be melting out the tallow [8] HEG. What is his father? Is he living? PHIL, When we departed thence, we left him alive; whether he's living now or not, Orcus, forsooth, must know that.