Oh no, I’ll send some one else instead when we have an armistice; that will be preferable:  he shall confer with your father and carry out your orders to your satisfaction.

Tynd.

At nihil est ignotum ad illum mittere:  operam luseris. hunc mitte, hic transactum reddet omne, si illuc venerit. nec quemquam fideliorem neque cui plus credat potes mittere ad eum nec qui magis sit servos ex sententia, neque adeo cui suom concredat filium hodie audacius. ne vereare, meo periclo huius ego experiar fidem, fretus ingenio eius, quod me esse scit erga se benevolum. 350

But it’s no good sending a stranger to him:  you’ll have frittered away your time.  Send him:  (pointing to Philocrates) he will transact the whole affair, once he gets there.  You can’t send him a more reliable man, one he would trust more, a servant that’s more to his mind; I may go so far as to say there is no one he would be readier to entrust his own son to.  Never fear:  I will be responsible for his fidelity.  I can depend on his goodness of heart; he appreciates my kindness to him.

Hegio

  Mittam equidem istunc aestumatum tua fide, si vis.

      Very well, I’ll send him under a forfeit, on your guarantee,
      if you wish.

Tynd.

  Volo;
  quam citissime potest, tam hoc cedere ad factum volo.

      I do wish it.  And I wish to have all this an accomplished
      fact just as quickly as possible.

Hegio

  Num quae causa est quin, si ille huc non redeat, viginti minas
  mihi des pro illo?

      Have you any objection to paying me eighty pounds for him in
      case he doesn’t return?

Tynd.

  Optuma immo.

      Not the slightest—­fair as can be.

Hegio

  Solvite istum nunciam,
  atque utrumque.

      (to overseers) Take the chains off that fellow at once,
      off both of them, in fact.

Tynd.

  Di tibi omnis omnia optata offerant,
  cum me tanto honore honestas cumque ex vinclis eximis.
  hoc quidem haud molestumst, iam quod collus collari caret.

(as slaves obey) God grant your every wish, sir, for your highly considerate conduct toward me and for releasing me. (aside, stretching himself) I tell you what, it’s no unpleasant sensation, having that necklet off one’s neck.

Hegio

  Quod bonis bene fit beneficium, gratia ea gravida est bonis.
  nunc tu illum si illo es missurus, dice monstra praecipe
  quae ad patrem vis nuntiari. vin vocem huc ad te?

“A good deed done a good man yields a large return of good.”  Now if you intend to send that fellow home, inform him, instruct him, give him full particulars as to the message he’s to carry your father.  Shall I call him over here to you?

Tynd.