ACT IV

ENTER _Strobilus._

_Strob._

Hoc est servi facinus frugi, facere quod ego persequor, ne morae molestiaeque imperium erile habeat sibi. nam qui ero ex sententia servire servos postulat, in erum matura, in se sera condecet capessere. 590 sin dormitet, ita dormitet, servom sese ut cogitet.[13] (591)

(_self-complacently_) This is the way for a good servant to act, the way I do: no thinking master’s orders are a botheration and nuisance. I tell you what, if a servant wants to give satisfaction, he’d just better make it a case of master first and man second. Even if he should fall asleep, he ought to do it with an eye on the fact that he’s a servant.

erile[14] imperium ediscat, ut quod frons velit oculi sciant; (599) quod iubeat citis quadrigis citius properet persequi. 600 qui ea curabit, abstinebit censione bubula, nec sua opera rediget umquam in splendorem compedes.

He’s got to know his master’s inclinations like a book, so that he can read his wishes in his face. And as for orders, he must push ’em through faster than a fast four-in-hand. If a chap minds all this, he won’t be paying taxes on rawhide, or ever spend his time polishing a ball and chain with his ankles.

nunc erus meus amat filiam huius Euclionis pauperis; eam ero nunc renuntiatum est nuptum huic Megadoro dari. is speculatum huc misit me, ut quae fierent fieret particeps. nunc sine omni suspicione in ara hic adsidam sacra; hinc ego et huc et illuc potero quid agant arbitrarier.

Now the fact is, master’s in love with the daughter of poor old Euclio here; and he’s just got word she’s going to be married to Megadorus there. So he’s sent me over to keep my eyes peeled and report on operations. I’ll just settle down alongside this sacred altar (_does so_) and no one’ll suspect me. I can inspect proceedings at both houses from here.

IV. 2.