(innocently) Yes, for a man with poor eyes; they’re big
      enough, if your sight is good enough, though.

Nic.

  Animum advortito igitur.

      Well then, pay attention.

Chrys.

  Nolo inquam.

      I don’t want to, I tell you.

Nic.

  At volo inquam.

      But I want you to, I tell you.

Chrys.

  Quid opust?

      What’s the use?

Nic.

  At enim id quod te iubeo facias.

      See here now, you do what I order.

Chrys.

  Iustumst ut tuos tibi servos tuo arbitratu serviat.

      (after reflection, impartially) It’s right for your own
      servant to serve you as you see fit, sir.

Nic.

  Hoc age sis nunciam.

      Now kindly attend to this at once.

Chrys.

  Ubi lubet, recita:  aurium operam tibi dico.

      Read when you like, sir:  I promise you my ears.

Nic.

Cerae quidem haud parsit neque stilo; sed quidquid est, pellegere certumst.  “Pater, ducentos Philippos quaeso Chrysalo da, si esse salvom vis me aut vitalem tibi.” malum quidem hercle magnum.

(looking tablets over with a sigh) He hasn’t been sparing of wax or stylus, it seems.  But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through, (reading) “Father, do for mercy’s sake give Chrysalus two hundred pounds, if you wish to have your son safe, or alive.”  Give him a good sound thrashing, by heaven!

Chrys.

  Tibi dico.

      I say.

Nic.

  Quid est?

      Well?

Chrys.

  Non prius salutem scripsit?

      Didn’t he write a word of greeting first?

Nic.

  Nusquam sentio. 1000

      (looking) Not a sign of it.

Chrys.

Non dabis, si sapies; verum si das maxume, ne ille alium gerulum quaerat, si sapiet, sibi:  nam ego non laturus sum, si iubeas maxume. sat sic suspectus sum, cum careo noxia.

(indignant) You won’t do it, if you’re wise; but no matter how much you do do it, let him look up another porter, if he’s wise:  for I won’t carry it, no matter how much you order me.  I am suspected enough as it is, when I’m perfectly blameless.

Nic.

  Ausculta porro, dum hoc quod scriptumst perlego.

      Listen, further, while I read through what is written here.

Chrys.

  Inde a principio iam inpudens epistula est.

      That’s an impudent letter, impudent from the very beginning!