the gate received its name. The beggars with their wallets were seated
there. See the Trinummus, 1.423, and the Note to the passage.]

[Footnote 9: _Since my patron_)--Ver. 92. Rex; literally, "king."
The Parasites were in the habit of so calling their entertainers.]


SCENE II.--_Enter, from his house, _HEGIO _and a_ SLAVE.

HEG. _Now_, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives
whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon
them chains of light weight [1]; take of those greater ones with which
they are bound. Permit them to walk, if they wish, out of doors,
_or_ if in-doors, but so that they are watched with the greatest
care. A captive at liberty is like a bird that's wild; if opportunity is
once given for escaping, 'tis enough; after that, you can never catch
him.

SLAVE. Doubtless we all are free men more willingly than we live the
life of slaves.

HEG. You, indeed, don't seem _to think_ so [2].

SLAVE. If I have nothing to give, should you like me to give myself to
flight [3]?

HEG. If you do so give _yourself_, I shall at once have something
to be giving to you.

SLAVE. I'll make myself juat like the wild bird you were telling of.