After they had all wished each other sound minds and good health, Trimalchio turned to Niceros.

"You used to be better company at dinner," he remarked, "and I don't know why you should be dumb today, with never a word to say.

If you wish to make me happy, tell about that experience you had, I beg of you." Delighted at the affability of his friend, "I hope I lose all my luck if I'm not tickled to death at the humor I see you in," Niceros replied.

"All right, let's go the limit for a good time, though I'm afraid these scholars'll laugh at me, but I'll tell my tale and they can go as far as they like.

What t'hell do I care who laughs?
It's better to be laughed at than laughed down." These words spake the hero, and began the following tale: "We lived in a narrow street in the house Gavilla now owns, when I was a slave.