Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
’Tis great booty with great risk.
LIBANUS
If indeed all persons by compact were to collect all the tortures, I have, I fancy, a back at home, so that I need not seek it out of doors.
LEONIDA
If you maintain such firmness of resolve, then we are all right.
320
LIBANUS
Why, if the matter were to be atoned for by my back, I could wish to seize the public money: I’ll persist in my denial, and I’ll endure all; in fine, I’ll forswear myself.
LEONIDA
Ah! that’s true valour, when occasion is, for one to endure misfortune with boldness. He that endures misfortune with boldness, that man afterwards enjoys good fortune.
LIBANUS
Why don’t you tell the matter at once? I’m longing to tempt the scourge.
325
LEONIDA
Ask deliberately each particular then, that I may rest me. Don’t you see that I’m still out of breath with running?
LIBANUS
Well, well, I’ll wait your pleasure, even, in fact, till you die.
LEONIDA
Where’s our master, pray?
LIBANUS
The old one is at the Forum, the young one is here in-doors.
LEONIDA
That’s enough for me then.
LIBANUS
Is it then that you’ve become a rich man?
330
LEONIDA
Leave off your raillery.
330
LIBANUS
I’ll have done; for my ears are in expectation of what you are bringing me.
LEONIDA
Give your attention, that equally with myself you may learn this.
LIBANUS
I’m silent, then.
LEONIDA
You oblige me. Don’t you remember that our chamberlain sold some Arcadian asses to a dealer of PellaDealer of Pella : Pella was a wealthy city of Macedonia, famed for the opulence of its merchants. It was the birthplace of Alexander the Great?
LIBANUS
I remember it; after that, what then?
LEONIDA
Well, he has sent some money here then to be paid to Saurea, for the asses; a young man has just now come who has brought this money.
LIBANUS
Where is this person?
