[Supposed to have been written by Priseian the Grammarian.]
_One_ son of Hegio has been made prisoner (_Captus_) in
battle. A runaway slave has sold the other (_Alium_) when four
years old. The father (_Pater_) traffics in Elean captives, only
(_Tantum_) desirous that he may recover his son, and (_Et_)
among these he buys his son that was formerly lost. He (_Is_), his
clothes and his name changed with his master, causes that (_Ut_) he
is lost _to Hegio_; _and_ he himself is punished. And
(_Et_) he brings back the captive and the runaway together, through
whose information (_Indicio_) he discovers his other.

[Footnote 1: In this Acrostic it will be found that the old form of
"Capteivei" is preserved.]

* * * * *

THE PROLOGUE.

These two captives (_pointing to_ PHILOCRATES _and_ TYNDARUS),
whom you see standing here, are standing here because--they are both [1]
standing, _and_ are not sitting. That I am saying this truly, you
are my witnesses. The old man, who lives here (_pointing to_
HEGIO's _house_), is Hegio--his father (_pointing to_
TYNDARUS). But under what circumstances he is the slave of his own
father, that I will here explain to you, if you give attention. This old
man had two sons; a slave stole one child when four years old, and
flying hence, be sold him in Elis [2], to the father of this
_captive_ (_pointing to_ PHILOCRATES). Now, do you understand
this? Very good. I' faith, that man at a distance [3] there
(_pointing_) says, no. Come nearer _then_. If there isn't room