Let them walk out here or inside, whichever they please; but look after them sharp, mind you.  A captive free is a regular wild bird:  once given a chance to flit, that is enough—­you can never get hold of him again.

Lor.
    Over.

  Omnes profecto liberi lubentius
  sumus quam servimus.

      Well, of course sir, we’d all rather be free than slaves.

Hegio.

  Non videre ita tu quidem. 120

      That seems untrue of you at any rate.[A]

        [Footnote A:  Implying that he had not tried to save money
        to buy his liberty.]

Lor.
    Over.

  Si non est quod dem, mene vis dem ipse—­in pedes?

      In case I haven’t anything else to give you, how about my
      giving you—­the slip?

Hegio

  Si dederis, erit extemplo mihi quod dem tibi.

      Give me that, and I shall shortly have something to give
      you.

Lor.
    Over.

  Avis me ferae consimilem faciam, ut praedicas.

      I’ll copy that wild bird you speak of.

Hegio

Ita ut dicis:  nam si faxis, te in caveam dabo. sed satis verborumst. cura quae iussi atque abi. ego ibo ad fratrem ad alios captives meos, visam ne nocte hac quippiam turbaverint. inde me continuo recipiam rursum domum.

      Exactly—­for then I’ll cage you.  But enough of this.  Mind my
      orders and be off with you.  I’ll drop in at my brother’s for
      a look at my other prisoners, and see if they made any
      disturbance last night.  Then I’ll return home again at once.
                                        [EXIT Overseer INTO HOUSE.

Erg.

Aegre est mi, hunc facere quaestum carcerarium propter sui gnati miseriam miserum senem. 130 sed si ullo pacto ille huc conciliari potest, vel carnificinam hunc facere possum perpeti.

(with a loud sigh) It does grieve me to see the poor old gentleman at this gaoler’s job for his poor son’s sake. (in lower tone) However, if he only manages to get the lad back here somehow, let him turn hangman, too,—­I can stand it.

Hegio

  Quis hic loquitur?

      (looking round) Who is that speaking here?

Erg.

Ego, qui tuo maerore maceror, macesco, consenesco et tabesco miser; ossa atque pellis sum miser a macritudine; neque umquam quicquam me iuvat quod edo domi:  foris aliquantillum etiam quod gusto, id beat.

(stepping forward) I—­a man that am all worn out by your woe, that am getting thin, growing old, pining away in sorrow; I’m nothing but skin and bones, I feel for you so.  Nothing I eat—­at home—­ever does me any good, (aside) But how I do relish the merest morsel when I’m dining out!

Hegio