]
[Footnote 8: _The Trigeminian Gate_)--Ver. 90. The Ostian Gate was
so called because the Horatii left the city by that gate to fight the
Curiatii. The brothers being born at one birth were "trigemini," whence
the gate received its name. The beggars with their wallets were seated
there. See the Trinummus, 1.423, and the Note to the passage.]
[Footnote 9: _Since my patron_)--Ver. 92. Rex; literally, "king."
The Parasites were in the habit of so calling their entertainers.]
SCENE II.--_Enter, from his house, _HEGIO _and a_ SLAVE.
HEG. _Now_, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives
whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon
them chains of light weight [1]; take of those greater ones with which
they are bound. Permit them to walk, if they wish, out of doors,
_or_ if in-doors, but so that they are watched with the greatest
care. A captive at liberty is like a bird that's wild; if opportunity is
once given for escaping, 'tis enough; after that, you can never catch
him.
SLAVE. Doubtless we all are free men more willingly than we live the
life of slaves.
HEG. You, indeed, don't seem _to think_ so [2].
SLAVE. If I have nothing to give, should you like me to give myself to
flight [3]?
HEG. If you do so give _yourself_, I shall at once have something
to be giving to you.
SLAVE. I'll make myself juat like the wild bird you were telling of.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25