TRA. I'll tell you. He wishes to give his son a wife as soon as he can; for that purpose he wants a new apartment for the women. But he says that some builder, I don't know who, has been praising up to him this _house of yours_, as being remarkably well built; now he's desirous to take a model from it, if you don't make any objection-- SIM. Indeed, he is really choosing a plan for himself from a piece of poor workmanship. TRA. _It was_ because he heard that here the summer heat was much modified; that this house was wont to be inhabited each day all day long. SIM. Why really, upon my faith, on the contrary, while there's shade in every direction, in spite of it, the sun is always here from morning till night: he stands, like a dun, continually at the door; and I have no shade anywhere, unless, perhaps, there may be some in the well. TRA. Well now, have you one from Sarsina, if you have no woman of Umbria [6]? SIM. Don't be impertinent. It is just as I tell you. TRA. Still, he wishes to look over it. SIM. He may look over it, if he likes. If there is anything that takes his fancy, let him build after my plan. TRA. Am I to go and call _this_ person hither? SIM. Go _and_ call him. TRA. (_to himself, as he goes to the other side of the stage to call_ THEUROPIDES). They say that Alexander the Great and Agathocles [7] achieved two very great exploits; what shall be the lot of myself, a third, who, unaided, am achieving deeds imperishable? This old fellow is carrying his pack-saddle, the other one, as well. I've hit upon a novel trade for myself, not a bad one; whereas muleteers have mules to carry pack-saddles; I've got men to carry the pack-saddles. They are able to carry heavy burdens; whatever you put upon them, they carry. Now, I don't know whether I am to address him. I'll accost him, _however_. (_Calling aloud._) Hark you, Theuropides! THEU. (_coming forward_). Well; who's calling me? TRA. A servant most attached to his master. Where you sent me, I got it all agreed to. THEU. Prithee, why did you stay there so long? TRA. The old gentleman hadn't leisure; I was waiting until then. THEU. You keep up that old way of yours, of being tardy. TRA. Hark you! if you please reflect upon this proverb: to blow and swallow [8] at the same moment isn't easy to be done; I couldn't be here and there at the same time. THEU. What now? TRA. Come and look, and inspect it at your own pleasure. THEU. Very well, you go before me. TRA. Am I delaying _to do so?_ THEU. I'll follow after you. TEA. (_as they advance_). Look, the old gentleman himself is awaiting you before the door, but he is concerned that he has sold this _house_. THEU. Why so? TRA. He begs me to persuade Philolaches to let him off.