16–18
Timolaus
That is enough, Lycinus. Spare his blushes. You have quite swamped his ship; she is laughter-logged, and can weather it no longer. Now, we have still some distance before us; let us break it up into four parts, and each have so many furlongs, in which he may demand of the Gods what he will. This will lighten our journey, and amuse us into the bargain; we shall revel in a delightful waking dream of unlimited prosperity; for each of us will have full control of his own Wish, and it will be understood that the Gods must grant everything, however impracticable. Above all, it will give us an idea who would make the best use of the supposed wealth; we shall see what kind of a man it would have made of him.
Samippus
A good idea. I am your man; I undertake to wish when my turn comes, We need not ask Adimantus whether he agrees; he has one foot on board already. We must have Lycinus’s sanction, however.
Lycinus
Why, let us to our wealth, if so it must be. Where all is prosperity, I would not be thought to cast an evil eye.
Lycinus
You; and then Samippus, and then Timolaus. I shall only want the last hundred yards or so before the Gate for mine, and a quick hundred, too.
Adimantus
Well, I stick to my ship still; only I shall wish some more things, as it is allowed. May the God of Luck say Yes to all! I will have the ship, and everything in her; the cargo, the merchants, the women, the sailors, and anything else that is particularly nice to have.
Samippus
You forget one thing you have on board —
