O Florus, faithful friend to the good and illustrious Nero, if by chance any one should offer to sell you a boy born at Tibur and Gabii, and should treat with you in this manner;" This[ boy who is] both good- natured and well- favored from head to foot, shall become and be yours for eight thousand sesterces; a domestic slave, ready in his attendance at his master 's nod; initiated in the Greek language, of a capacity for any art; you may shape out any thing with[ such] moist clay; besides, he will sing in an artless manner, but yet entertaining to one drinking. Lavish promises lessen credit, when any one cries up extravagantly the wares he has for sale, which he wants to put off. No emergency obliges me[ to dispose of him]: though poor, I am in nobody 's debt. None of the chapmen would do this for you; nor should every body readily receive the same favor from me. Once,[ in deed,] he[ loitered on an errand]; and( as it happens) absconded, being afraid of the lash that hangs in the staircase. Give me your money, if this runaway trick, which I have expected, does not offend you. "In my opinion, the man may take his price, and be secure from any punishment: you wittingly purchased a good- for- nothing boy: the condition of the contract was told you. Nevertheless you prosecute this man, and detain him in an unjust suit. 