Perde 4
[Textpart 3]
What has been done by me?
TRACHALIO
I’ve known the person for a long time to whom that wallet belongs.
TRACHALIO
And in what manner it was lost.
GRIPUS
But I know in what manner it was found;
and I know the person who found it, and who is now the owner. That, I’ faith, is not a bit the more your matter than it is my own. I know the person to whom it now belongs; you, the person to whom it formerly belonged. This shall no individual get away from me; don’t you be expecting to get it in a hurry.
965
TRACHALIO
If the owner comes, shan’t he get it away?
GRIPUS
That you mayn’t be mistaken, no born person is there that’s owner of this but my own self—who took this in my own fishing.
TRACHALIO
Was it really so?
GRIPUS
Which fish in the sea will you say is my own? When I catch them, if indeed I do catch them, they are my own; as my own I keep them. They are not claimed as having a right to freedom Claimed as having a right to freedom: Manu asserere was to assert or claim the liberty of a slave by action at law. Gripus applies the term to the fish of the sea, and means to say that when he catches them, he sells them as his own venales, or slaves. nor does any person demand a share in them. In the market I sell them all openly as my own wares.
Indeed, the sea is, surely, common to all persons.
975
TRACHALIO
I agree to that; prithee, then, why any the less is it proper that this wallet should be common to me? It was found in the sea.
975
GRIPUS
Assuredly you are an outrageously impudent fellow; for if this is justice which you are saying, then fishermen would be ruined. Inasmuch as, the moment that the fish were exposed upon the stalls,
no one would buy them; every person would be demanding his own share of the fish for himself; he would be saying that they were caught in the sea that was common to all.
980
TRACHALIO
What do you say, you impudent fellow? Do you dare to compare a wallet with fish? Pray, does it appear to be the same thing?
GRIPUS
The matter doesn’t lie in my power; when I’ve cast my hook and net into the sea, whatever has adhered I draw out.
Whatever my net and hooks have got, that in especial is my own.
985
TRACHALIO
Nay but, I’ faith, it is not; if, indeed, you’ve fished up any article that’s made Article that’s made: Vas. An utensil or article that is manufactured.
TRACHALIO
But look now, you conjurer, did you ever see a fisherman who caught a wallet-fish, or exposed one for sale in the market? But, indeed, you shan’t here be taking possession of all the profits that you choose;
