ut I'm
resolved--I'm going to speak right up to him boldly, so that
I can make him think I'm a dangerous character and let me
be. (_tries to swagger_)

_Mer._

Quo ambulas, tu qui Volcanum in cornu conclusum geris?

Whither dost stroll, thou who conveyest (_pointing to
lantern_) Vulcan pent within yon horn?

_Sos._

Quid id exquiris tu, qui pugnis os exossas hominibus?

What dost want to know for, thou who bonest folks' faces for
'em with yon fists?

_Mer._

Servosne es an liber?

Art slave or free?

_Sos._
Utcumque animo conlibitum est meo.

Whichever I please.

_Mer._

Ain vero?

So? In sooth?

_Sos._

Aio enim vero.

Yes, so in sooth.

_Mer._

Verbero.

Thou whipped slave!

_Sos._

Mentiris nunc.

You lie: I'm none.

_Mer._

At iam faciam ut verum dixas dicere.

(_advancing_) But I shall soon make thee say 'tis true.

_Sos._

Quid eo est opus?

(_shrinking back_) Oh, what's the use of that?

_Mer._

Possum scire, quo profectus, cuius sis aut quid veneris?

(_sternly_) May I be informed where thou art bound, who owns
thee, or why thou camest? (_halts_)

_Sos._

Huc eo, eri iussu, eius sum servos. numquid nunc es certior?

(_encouraged_) I'm bound for here--master's orders--and I'm
his slave. Are you any wiser now?

_Mer._

Ego tibi istam hodie, sceleste, comprimam linguam.

I'll soon make thee hold thy tongue, miscreant!

_Sos._

Haud potes:
bene pudiceque adservatur.

No chance, she's chaperoned in nice modest fashion.

_Mer._

Pergin argutarier?
quid apud hasce aedis negoti est tibi?

Still at thy quips, eh? What business hast thou at this
house?

_Sos._

Immo quid tibi est? 350

Well, and what have you?

_Mer._

Rex Creo vigiles nocturnos singulos semper locat.

King Creon posts separate sentries about here every night.

_Sos._

Bene facit: quia nos eramus peregre, tutatust domi;
at nunc abi sane, advenisse familiares dicito.

(_in superior manner_) Much obliged. Seeing we were abroad,
he's kept guard for us at home. But now you can be off: say
the family servants have got back.

_Mer._

Nescio quam tu familiaris sis: nisi actutum hinc abis,
familiaris accipiere faxo haud f