Only have good courage; for I trust that in a few days I shall
bring him back home. For see _now_; there's a captive here, a young
man of Elis, born of a very high family, and of very great wealth; I
trust that it will come to pass that I shall get my son in exchange for
him.
ERG. May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so!
HEG. But are you invited out anywhere to dinner?
ERG. Nowhere that I know of. But, pray, why do you ask me?
HEG. Because this is my birthday; for that reason I'd like you to be
invited to dinner at my house.
ERG. 'Tis kindly said. HEG. But if you can be content to eat a very
little--
ERG. Aye, even ever so little; for on such fare as that do, I enjoy
myself every day at home.
HEG. Come, _then_, please, set yourself up for sale.
ERG. I'll put myself up for purchase, just like a landed estate, unless
any one shall _privately_ make a better offer that pleases myself
and my friends more, _and_ to my own conditions will I bind myself.
HEG. You are surely selling me a bottomless pit [6], _and_ not a
landed estate. But if you are coming, _do so_ in time.
ERG. Why, for that matter. I'm at leisure even now.
HEG. Go then, _and_ hunt for a hare; at present, _in me_ you
have but a ferret [7], for my fare is in the way of frequenting a rugged
road.
ERG. You'll never repulse me by that, Hegio, so don't attempt it. I'll
come, in spite of it, with teeth well shod.
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