ipse dominus dives, operis et laboris expers, 170 quodcumque homini accidit libere, posse retur:  aequom esse putat, non reputat laboris quid sit[10] (172) ergo in servitute expetunt multa iniqua:  (174) habendum et ferundum hoc onust cum labore.

And your plutocrat of a master, that never does a handsturn of work himself, takes it for granted that any whim that comes into a man’s head can be gratified:  yes, he counts that the fair thing, and never takes account of how much the work is.  Ah, I tell you, there’s a great deal of injustice this slavery lets you in for:  you’ve got to take your load and carry it, and that is work.

Mer.

Satius me queri illo modo servitutem:  hodie qui fuerim liber, cum nunc potivit pater servitutis, his qui verna natus est queritur.

(aside) It would be more in order for Mercury to do some of this grumbling about menial station—­was free this very day, and now his father has made a slave of him.  It’s this fellow, a born drudge, that is grumbling.

Sos.

Sum vero verna verbero:  num numero mi in mentem fuit, 180 dis advenientem gratias pro meritis agere atque alloqui? ne illi edepol si merito meo referre studeant gratiam, aliquem hominem allegent qui mihi advenienti os occillet probe, quoniam bene quae in me fecerunt ingrata ea habui atque inrita.

(frightened again) I need a drubbing, I do, drudge that I am.  I was not too quick, was I, to think of addressing the gods and giving ’em due thanks on my arrival?  Oh Lord! if they took a notion to pay me back my dues, they’d commission some one to mash my face for me in fine shape on my arrival, now that I haven’t appreciated the good turns they’ve done me and have let ’em go for nothing. (makes sure he is safe)

Mer.

  Facit ille quod volgo haud solent, ut quid se sit dignum sciat.

      (aside) Rather uncommon that,—­his knowing what he
      deserves to get.

Sos.

Quod numquam opinatus fui neque alius quisquam civium sibi eventurum, id contigit, ut salvi poteremur domi. victores victis hostibus legiones reveniunt domum, duello exstincto maximo atque internecatis hostibus.

What I never dreamed would happen nor anyone else on our side, either, has happened, and here we are safe and sound. (magnificently) Our legions come back victorious, our foes vanquished, a mighty contest concluded and our enemies massacred to a man.

quod multa Thebano poplo acerba obiecit funera, 190 id vi et virtute militum victum atque expugnatum oppidum est imperio atque