Chrys.

  Adscribe dum etiam—­

      Just go on and add—­(thinking)

Mnes.

  Loquere quid scribam modo.

      Well, say what.

Chrys.

  “Sed, pater, quod promisisti mihi, te quaeso ut memineris,
  ne illum verberes; verum apud te vinctum adservato domi.”
  cedo tu ceram ac linum actutum. age obliga, obsigna cito.

“However, I beg you to remember what you promised me, father:  don’t beat him; but tie him up and keep watch on him at home.” (to Pistoclerus) The wax and tape, you, look sharp! (Pistoclerus obeys.  To Mnesilochus) Come on, fasten it, seal it, quick!

Mnes.

  Obsecro, quid istis ad istunc usust conscriptis modum,
  ut tibi ne quid credat atque ut vinctum te adservet domi? 750

      (obeying) For heaven’s sake, what’s the use of a
      document like this, telling him not to believe you at all,
      to tie you up and keep watch on you at home?

Chrys.

  Quia mi ita lubet. potin ut cures te atque ut ne parcas mihi?
  mea fiducia opus conduxi et meo periclo rem gero.

Because it suits me.  Can’t you mind your own business and not bother about me? (arrogantly) I was relying on myself when I contracted for this job, and I’ll take the risk myself in doing it.

Mnes.

  Aequom dicis.

      Fairly spoken.

Chrys.

  Cedo tabellas.

      Hand over the tablets.

Mnes.

  Accipe.

      (doing so) Here they are.

Chrys.

Animum advortite.  Mnesiloche et tu, Pistoclere, iam facite in biclinio cum amica sua uterque accubitum eatis, ita negotiumst, atque ibidem ubi nunc sunt lecti strati potetis cito.

Attention now!  Mnesilochus, and you too, Pistoclerus, go at once and take your places on your duplex dining-couch, each of you beside his girl—­that’s the thing to do—­and right there where the couches are set at present you hurry up and begin drinking.

Pistoc.

  Numquid aliud?

      (turning to go) Nothing else?

Chrys.

  Hoc, atque etiam:  ubi erit accubitum semel,
  ne quoquam exsurgatis, donec a me erit signum datum.

      Just this—­and one thing more:  when you’ve once taken your
      places, don’t move an inch off the couches until you get the
      signal from me.

Pistoc.

  O imperatorem probum!

      O peerless leader!

Chrys.

  Iam bis bibisse oportuit.

      (bustling them off) You should have put down two
      drinks already.

Mnes.

  Fugimus.