In portu magno, multae naves stant. Nautae res suas movent, et clamores in portu audiuntur. Mercator, nomine Marcus, inter naves ambulat, ubi odor aromatum aerem implet. Marcus ad navem prope accedit. Nauta ibi stat et mercem suam in tabula exposuit. Marcus nautam salutat: “Salve, bone nauta! Quid vendas?”
Nauta respondet: “Salve, mercator! Habeo piper, cinnamum, myrrham, et alia aromata ex terris longinquis.” Marcus aromata spectat, caput inclinat, et rogat: “Quanti est piper?”
“Unus aureus pro libra,” dicit nauta. Marcus oculos levat et ridet. “Unus aureus? Hoc nimium est! Piper satis carum est. Tibi offero duo denarios,” respondet Marcus.
Nauta frontem contrahit et caput movet. “Duo denarii? Hoc piper ex India venit. Longum iter fecit per mare et multa pericula. Minimum tres denarios dare debes!”
Marcus manus in latus ponit et cogitat. Tandem dicit: “Bene, tibi tres denarios dabo. Sed piper optimum esse debet.” Nauta ridet et dicit: “Certissime, mercator! Semper bona vendo.” Nauta piper Marco dat, et Marcus pretium solvit.
Postea Marcus vinum in nave videt. Amphorae magnae ordinatae sunt, et vinum rubrum sub sole splendet. “Estne vinum bonum?” rogat Marcus.
“Est vinum de Graecia,” respondet nauta. “Habet gustum optimum et est idoneum convivio tuo. Sed unus aureus pro amphora est pretium.”
Marcus iterum oculos levat et dicit: “Unus aureus? Hoc vinum vere speciale esse debet! Sed bene. Amphoram unam emo.” Pretium dat et amphoram accipit.
Dum amphoram portat, Marcus alia mercem videt. “Quid sunt hae res?” rogat. Nauta respondet: “Hae sunt serica ex Sina. Vestes pulcherrimae sunt.” Marcus sericum tangit et dicit: “Molle est! Sed hodie satis emi. Fortasse cras reveniam.”
Nauta ridet et dicit: “Vale, mercator! Iter prosperum tibi sit!” Marcus cum aromatibus et vino ad domum suam redit. In mente sua iam de convivio cogitat, ubi piper et vinum novum convivas delectabunt.
Nocte Marcus servos suos vocat et iubet convivium parare. “Hoc vinum Falernum optimum est,” inquit Marcus, “et piper hoc cibo saporem addet.” Dum Marcus residet, de portu et nautis iterum cogitat. “Mercatus bonus est ubi homines ingeniosi conveniunt,” sibi dicit. “Fortasse cras iterum ad portum ibo.”
In the large harbor, many ships are docked. Sailors move their goods, and the sounds of shouting fill the air. A merchant named Marcus walks among the ships, where the scent of spices fills the air. Marcus approaches a nearby ship. A sailor stands there, displaying his wares on a table. Marcus greets the sailor: “Greetings, good sailor! What are you selling?”
The sailor replies: “Greetings, merchant! I have pepper, cinnamon, myrrh, and other spices from distant lands.” Marcus examines the spices, nods, and asks: “How much is the pepper?”
“One gold coin per pound,” says the sailor. Marcus raises his eyebrows and laughs. “One gold coin? That’s too much! Pepper is expensive enough. I offer you two denarii,” Marcus responds.
The sailor furrows his brow and shakes his head. “Two denarii? This pepper comes from India. It traveled a long way across the sea and through many dangers. You must pay at least three denarii!”
Marcus places his hands on his hips and thinks. Finally, he says: “Fine, I will give you three denarii. But the pepper must be of the best quality.” The sailor laughs and says: “Of course, merchant! I always sell the best goods.” The sailor gives Marcus the pepper, and Marcus pays the price.
Later, Marcus notices wine on the ship. Large amphorae are neatly arranged, and the red wine gleams under the sun. “Is the wine good?” Marcus asks.
“It is wine from Greece,” the sailor replies. “It has an excellent taste and is perfect for your banquet. But the price is one gold coin per amphora.”
Marcus raises his eyebrows again and says: “One gold coin? This wine must be truly special! But fine. I’ll buy one amphora.” He pays the price and takes the amphora.
As Marcus carries the amphora, he notices other goods. “What are these items?” he asks. The sailor replies: “These are silks from China. They are the finest garments.” Marcus touches the silk and says: “It’s soft! But I’ve bought enough today. Perhaps I’ll return tomorrow.”
The sailor laughs and says: “Farewell, merchant! May your journey be successful!” Marcus returns home with the spices and wine. In his mind, he is already planning the banquet, where the pepper and new wine will delight his guests.
That night, Marcus calls his servants and orders them to prepare the banquet. “This Falernian wine is the best,” says Marcus, “and this pepper will enhance the flavor of the dishes.” As Marcus sits back, he reflects once more on the harbor and the sailors. “A good market is where clever people gather,” he tells himself. “Perhaps I will go to the harbor again tomorrow.”