Page:The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter (1922), vol. 2.djvu/221

 : Why Nossis, the daughter of Erinna, had it three days ago. Oh but it was a beauty!


 * So Nossis had it, did she? Where did she get it, I wonder?


 * I’m afraid you’ll say something if I tell you.


 * My dear Metro, if anybody hears anything you tell me, from Koritto’s mouth, I hope I go blind.


 * It was given to her by Eubole of Bitas, and she cautioned her not to let a soul hear of it.


 * That woman will be my undoing, one of these days; I yielded to her importunity and gave it to her before I had used it myself, Metro dear, but to her it was a godsend; now she takes it and gives it to some one who ought not to have it. I bid a long farewell to such a friend as she; let her look out for another friend instead of me. As for Nossis, Adrasteia forgive me, I don’t want to talk bigger than a lady should—I wouldn’t give her even a rotten dildo; no, not even if I had a thousand!


 * Please don’t flare up so quickly when you hear something unpleasant. A good woman must put up with everything. It’s all my fault for gossiping. My tongue ought to be cut out; honestly it should: but to get back to the question I asked you a moment Rh