Eun.

  Novi, hominem haud malum mecastor.

      Yes indeed.  Why, he seems quite nice.

Mega.

  Eius cupio filiam
  virginem mihi desponderi. verba ne facias, soror.
  scio quid dictura es:  hanc esse pauperem. haec pauper placet.

      It’s his daughter—­there’s the engagement I’m eager for.  Now
      don’t make a fuss, sister.  I know what you’re about to say—­
      that she’s poor.  But this particular poor girl suits me.

Eun.

  Di bene vortant.

      God’s blessing on your choice, dear!

Mega.

  Idem ego spero.

      I trust so.

Eun.

  Quid me? num quid vis?

      (about to leave) Well, there’s nothing I can do?

Mega.

  Vale.

      Yes—­take good care of yourself.

Eun.

  Et tu, frater.

      You too, brother. [EXIT Eunomia.

Mega.

  Ego conveniam Euclionem, si domi est.
  sed eccum video. nescio unde sese homo recipit domum.

      Now for an interview with Euclio, if he’s at home.
      (looking down street) Hullo, though! here he is!  Just
      getting back from somewhere or other.

II. 2.

    Scene 2.

    ENTER Euclio.

Eucl.

Praesagibat mi animus frustra me ire, quom exibam domo; itaque abibam invitus; nam neque quisquam curialium venit neque magister quem dividere argentum oportuit. 180 nunc domum properare propero, nam egomet sum hic, animus domi est.

(without seeing Megadorus) I knew it!  Something told me I was going on a fool’s errand when I left the house; that’s why I hated to go.  Why, there wasn’t a single man of our ward there, or the director either, who ought to have distributed the money.  Now I’ll hurry up and hurry home:  I’m here in the body, but that’s where my mind is.

Mega.

  Salvos atque fortunatus, Euclio, semper sies.

      (advancing with outstretched hand) Good day to you,
      Euclio, yes, and the best of everything to you always!

Eucl.

  Di te ament, Megadore.

      (taking hand gingerly) God bless you, Megadorus.

Mega.

  Quid tu? recten atque ut vis vales?

      How goes it?  All right, are you?  Feeling as well as you
      could wish?

Eucl.

  Non temerarium est, ubi dives blande appellat pauperem.
  iam illic homo aurum scit me habere, eo me salutat blandius.

(aside) There’s something behind it when a rich man puts on that smooth air with a poor one.  Now that fellow knows I’ve got gold:  that’s why he’s so uncommon smooth with his salutations.

Mega.