he boy back with us in a few days. For, look you
(_pointing to house_) I have a young Elean prisoner inside
here--splendid family, quantities of money: I count on being
able to exchange him for my son.

_Erg_

Ita di deaeque faxint. sed num quo foras
vocatus es ad cenam?

(_heartily_) The gods and goddesses be with you! I say,
though,--you haven't been invited out to dinner anywhere?

_Hegio_

Nusquam quod sciam
sed quid tu id quaeris?

(_cautiously_) Nowhere, to my knowledge. But why do you ask?

_Erg_

Quia mi est natalis dies;
propterea te vocari ad te ad cenam volo

Well, to-day is my birthday: so consider yourself invited to
take dinner at--your house.

_Hegio_

Facete dictum. sed si pauxillo potes,
contentus esse.

(_laughing_) Well put! But only on condition you can be
content with very little.

_Erg._

Ne perpauxillum modo,
nam istoc me assiduo victu delecto domi,
age sis, roga emptum. nisi qui meliorem adferet
quae mi atque amicis placeat condicio magis, 180
quasi fundum vendam, meis me addicam legibus

Yes, only don't make it very, very, very little, for that is
what I regale myself on constantly at home. Come on, come
on, do please say "Done!" (_after a pause, formally_) In the
event of no party making a better offer, more satisfactory
to myself and associates, I'll knock myself down to you--on
my own terms--just as if I was selling an estate by auction.

_Hegio_

Profundum vendis tu quidem, haud fundum, mihi
sed si venturu's, temperi.

An estate indeed! You mean an empty state. But if you intend
to come, come in season.

_Erg._

Em, vel iam otium est.

Oho! I'm at leisure this minute, for that matter.

_Hegio_

I modo, venare leporem: nunc irim tenes;
nam meus scruposam victus commetat viam.

No, no, go hunt your hare: you've got only a hedge-hog so
far. For it is a rocky road my table travels.

_Erg._

Numquam istoc vinces me, Hegio, ne postules:
cum calceatis dentibus veniam tamen.

You'll never down me that way, Hegio, and don't you think to
do it: I'll be with you just the same--with my teeth shod.

_Hegio_

Asper meus victus sane est.

My meals are perfect terrors, really.

_Erg._

Sentisne essitas?

Tearers? Do you eat brambles?

_Hegio_