'What part of us am I? I come far, I come wide.I can tell you what part of us runs and does not move from its place; what grows out of us and grows smaller.4 Ah! you run about and look scared and hustled, like a mouse in a pot. So keep your mouth shut, or do not worry your betters who are unaware of your existence; unless you think I have any respect for the boxwood rings you stole from your young woman. May the God of grab be on my side!5 Let us go on 'Change and borrow money: then you will see that my iron ring commands credit. My word, a[p. 109] draggled fox is a fine creature! I hope I may never get rich and make a good end, and have the people swearing by my death, if I do not put on the black cap6 and hunt you down everywhere. It was a fine fellow who taught you to behave like this, too; a chattering ape, not a master. We had some real schooling, for the master used to say, ' Are all your belongings safe? Go straight home, and don't stop to look round you; and mind you do not abuse your elders. Count up all the wastrels, if you like; not one of them is worth twopence in the end.' Yes, I thank God for education; it made me what I am."
Now find me.'
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1 Cf. note, p. 57.
2 Deurode is a transliteration of the Greek δε̂υρο δή “come hither,” used of a person trained to be obsequious.
3 Lit. folly and nursery rhymes.
4 The answer to these riddles according to Buecheler is“the foot, the eye, and the hair.”
5 Occupo is a goblin who helps people in business, like the Lares mentioned in c. 60.
6 Toga perversa: a magistrate wore his toga reversed when he had to pronounce a capital sentence.
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