VI Reditus Domum et Lusus Puerilis — The Return Home and Children’s Play
Tulliolus, Corneliola, Lentulus, Scipio
This dialogue contains an account of different kinds of boys’ games; the names of the interlocutors are taken from appellations of the Romans. Concerning which, see Valer. Maximus and Sigonius.
Corn. Welcome home, Tulliolus, shall we have some games?
Tull. Not just now.
Corn. What is there to prevent us playing?
Tull. We must go over again what the master set, and commit it to memory, as he bade us.
Corn. What then?
Tull. You just look at this.
Corn. I say, what are those pictures? I believe they are pictures of ants. Mother mine, Tulliolus is bringing a lot of ants and gnats painted on a writing-tablet.
Tull. Be quiet, you silly thing, they are letters.
Corn. What do you call this first one?
Tull. A.
Corn. Why is this first one rather than the next called A?
Mother. Why art thou Corneliola and not Tulliolus?
Corn. Because I am so called.
Mother. And it is just the same way with those letters. But go and play now, my boy.
Tull. I am putting my tablet and pencil (style) down here. If anybody disturbs them, he will be beaten by mother. Won’t he, mammy? (mea matercula.)
Mother. Yes, my boy.
Tull. Scipio, Lentulus! Come and play.
Sci. What shall we play at?