ERG. (_to himself_). I'm determined to do it; so that every one may pursue his own path, let no one be bringing any of his business in this street; for my fist is a balista, my arm is my catapulta, my shoulder a battering-ram; then against whomsoever I dart my knee, I shall bring him to the ground. I'll make all persons to be picking up their teeth [1], whomsoever I shall meet with. HEG. (_to himself_). What threatening is this? For I cannot wonder enough. ERG. I'll make him always to remember this day and place, and myself _as well_. Whoever stops me upon my road, I'll make him put a stop to his own existence. HEG. (_to himself_). What great thing is this fellow preparing to do, with such mighty threats? ERG. I first give notice, that no one, by reason of his own fault, may be caught--keep yourselves in-doors at home, _and_ guard yourselves from my attack. HEG. (_to himself_). By my faith, 'tis strange if he hasn't got this boldness by means of his stomach. Woe to that wretched man, through whose cheer this fellow has become quite swaggering. ERG. Then the bakers, that feed swine, that fatten their pigs upon refuse bran, through the stench of which no one can pass by a baker's shop; if I see the pig of any one of them in the public _way_, I'll beat the bran out of the masters' themselves with my fists. HEG. (_to himself_). Royal and imperial edicts does he give out. The fellow is full; he certainly has his boldness from his stomach. ERG. Then the fishmongers, who supply stinking fish to the public--who are carried about on a gelding, with his galloping galling pace [2]--the stench of whom drives all the loungers in the Basilica [3] into the Forum, I'll bang their heads with their bulrush fish-baskets, that they may understand what annoyance they cause to the noses of other people. And then the butchers, as well, who render the sheep destitute of their young--who agree with you about killing lamb [4], and then offer you lamb at double the price--who give the name of wether _mutton_ to a ram--if I should _only_ see that ram in the public way, I'll make both ram and owner most miserable beings. HEG. (_to himself_). Well done! He really does give out edicts fit for an Aedile, and 'tis indeed a surprising thing if the Aetolians haven't made him inspector of markets [5]. ERG. No Parasite now am I, but a right royal king of kings; so large a stock of provision for my stomach is there at hand in the harbour. But _why_ delay to overwhelm this old gentleman Hegio with gladness? With him, not a person among mankind exists equally fortunate. HEG. (_apart_). What joy is this, that he, _thus_ joyous, is going to impart to me? ERG. (_knocking at _HEGIO'S_ door_). Hallo, hallo!--where are you? Is any one coming to open this door? HEG. (_apart_). This fellow's betaking himself to my house to dine. ERG. Open you both these doors [6], before I shall with knocking cause the destruction, piecemeal, of the doors.