| [ARGVMENTVM] | ARGUMENT OF THE PLAY |
| Amanti argento filio auxiliarier Sub imperio vivens volt senex uxorio. Itaque ob asinos relatum pretium Saureae Numerari iussit servolo Leonidae. Ad amicam id fertur. cedit noctem filius. Rivalis amens ob praereptam mulierem, Is rem omnem uxori per parasitum nuntiat. Accurrit uxor ac virum e lustris rapit. | An old gentleman, whose wife is the head of the household, desires to give his son financial support in a love affair. He therefore had some money, brought to Saurea in payment for some asses, counted out to a certain rascally servant of his own, Leonida. This money goes to the young fellow's mistress, and he concedes his father an evening with her. A rival of his, beside himself at being deprived of the girl, sends word, by a parasite, to the old gentleman's wife, of the whole matter. In rushes the wife and drags her husband from the house of vice. |
| [PERSONAE] | DRAMATIS PERSONAE |
|
LIBANVS SERVVS DEMAENETVS SENEX ARGYRIPPVS ADVLESCENS CLEARETA LENA LEONIDA SERVVS MERCATOR PHILAENIVM MERETRIX DIABOLVS ADVLESCENS PARASITVS ARTEMONA MATRONA |
LIBANUS, slave of Demaenetus. DEMAENETUS, an old gentleman of Athens. ARGYRIPPUS, his son. CLEARETA, a procuress. LEONIDA, slave of Demaenetus. A TRADER. PHILAENIUM, a courtesan, daughter of Cleareta. DIABOLUS, a young gentleman of Athens. A PARASITE. ARTEMONA, wife of Demaenetus. |
| Scene:—Athens. A street running in front of the houses of Demaenetus and Cleareta: between the houses is a narrow lane. |
| [PROLOGVS] | PROLOGUE |
| Hoc agite sultis, spectatores, nunciam, quae quidem mihi atque vobis res vertat bene gregique huic et dominis atque conductoribus. face nunciam tu, praeco, omnem auritum poplum. | Kindly give us your entire attention now, spectators: I heartily hope it will result in benefit to me, also to you, and to this company and its managers, and to those that hire them. (turning to a herald) Herald, provide all this crowd with ears at once. (the herald proclaims silence) |
| age nunc reside, cave modo ne gratiis. nunc quid processerim huc et quid mihi voluerim dicam: ut sciretis nomen huius fabulae; nam quod ad argumentum attinet, sane brevest. | Enough enough! Sit down—and be sure you put that in your bill! (to audience) Now I shall say why I have come out before you here and what I wished: I have come to acquaint you with the name of this play. For as far as the plot is concerned, that is quite simple. |
| nunc quod me dixi velle vobis dicere, 10 dicam: huic nomen Graece Onagost fabulae; Demophilus scripsit, Maccus vortit barbare; Asinariam volt esse, si per vos licet. inest lepos ludusque in hac comoedia, ridicula res est. date benigne operam mihi, ut vos, ut alias, pariter nunc Mars adiuvet. | Now I shall say what I said I wished to say: the Greek name of this play is ONAGOS: Demophilus wrote it: Maccus translated it into a foreign tongue. He wishes to call it THE COMEDY OF ASSES, by your leave. It is a clever comedy, full of drollery and laughable situations. Do oblige me by being attentive, that now too, as in other days, Mars may be with you. |
| [ACTVS I] | ACT I |
| enter Demaenetus, from his house, bringing Libanus. | |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Sicut tuom vis unicum gnatum tuae superesse vitae sospitem et superstitem, ita ted obtestor per senectutem tuam perque illam, quam tu metuis, uxorem tuam, 20 si quid med erga hodie falsum dixeris, ut tibi superstes uxor aetatem siet atque illa viva vivos ut pestem oppetas. | (very solemnly) As you hope to have your only son survive hale and hearty, sir, when you're gone yourself, I implore you, sir, by your hoary hairs and by the one you dread, your wife, sir—if you tell me any lie to-day, may she outlast you by years and years, yes, sir, and you die a living death with her alive. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Per Dium Fidium quaeris: iurato mihi video necesse esse eloqui quidquid roges.[1] (24) (27) proinde actutum istuc quid sit quod scire expetis eloquere: ut ipse scibo, te faciam ut scias. | (laughing) You beg me by the very God of Truth. Once under oath, I see I must tell you whatever you ask. Come then, quick! Let me hear what you wish to know, and so far as I know myself, I shall let you know. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Die obsecro hercle serio quod te rogem, cave mihi mendaci quicquam. | For God's sake, sir, do please answer my question seriously! No lying to me, sir, mind that! |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| 30 Quin tu ergo rogas? | Then why not ask your question? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Num me illuc ducis, ubi lapis lapidem terit? | (anxiously) You won't take me where stone rubs stone, sir? |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Quid istuc est? aut ubi istuc est terrarum loci?[2] (32) | What do you mean? Where in the world is that? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| (34) Apud fustitudinas, ferricrepinas insulas, ubi vivos homines mortui incursant boves. | There at the Clubbangian-Chainclangian Islands, sir, where dead oxen attack living men. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Modo pol percepi, Libane, quid istuc sit loci: ubi fit polenta, te fortasse dicere. | (reflecting, then with a chuckle) Bless my soul! At last I get your meaning, Libanus—the barley mill[A]: I daresay that's the place you mention. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ah, neque hercle ego istuc dico nec dictum volo, teque obsecro hercle, ut quae locutu's despuas. | (in grotesque terror) Oh Lord, no! I'm not mentioning that, and I don't want it mentioned, either, and for the love of heaven, sir, do spit away that word! |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Fiat, geratur mos tibi. | (spitting) All right. Anything to humour you. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 40 Age, age usque excrea. | Go on, sir, go on! Hawk it way up! |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Etiamne? | (spitting again) Will that do? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Age quaeso hercle usque ex penitis faucibus, etiam amplius. | Go on, sir, for God's sake, way from the bottom of your gullet! (Demaenetus spits violently) Farther down still, sir! |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Nam quo usque? | Eh? How far? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Usque ad mortem volo. | (half aside) To the door of death, I hope. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Cave sis malam rem. | (angrily) Kindly look out, my man, look out! |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Uxoris dico, non tuam. | (hastily) Your wife's, sir, I mean, not yours. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Dono te ob istuc dictum, ut expers sis metu. | (laughing) Never fear—for that remark I grant you immunity. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Di tibi dent quaecumque optes. | And heaven grant you all your prayers, sir. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Redde operam mihi. cur hoc ego ex te quaeram? aut cur miniter tibi propterea quod me non scientem feceris? aut cur postremo filio suscenseam, patres ut faciunt ceteri? | Now listen to me for a change. Why should I ask you about this? Or threaten you because you haven't informed me? Or for that matter, why should I fly into a rage at my son, as other fathers do? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 50 Quid istuc novi est? demiror quid sit et quo evadat sum in metu. | (aside) Hm! What's this surprise? Wonder what it means! Where it will end is what scares me. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Equidem scio iam, filius quod amet meus istanc meretricem e proxumo Philaenium. estne hoc ut dico, Libane? | As a matter of fact, I know already that my son has an affair with that wench, Philaenium, next door. Isn't that so, Libanus? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Rectam instas viam. ea res est. sed eum morbus invasit gravis. | You're on the right track, sir. That's how it is. But he has suffered a severe shock. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Quid morbi est? | Shock? What? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quia non suppetunt dictis data. | Well, his presents are falling short of his promises. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Tune es adiutor nunc amanti filio? | Are you aiding my son in this amour? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Sum vero, et alter noster est Leonida. | Indeed I am, sir, and so is my mate, your servant Leonida. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Bene hercle facitis et a me initis gratiam. 60 verum meam uxorem, Libane, nescis qualis sit? | Well, well, my lad, thanks! You are both earning my gratitude. But (looking cautiously around) my wife, Libanus, don't you know her temperament? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Tu primus sentis, nos tamen in pretio sumus. | (with certainty) You feel it first, sir, but we get plenty of it. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Fateor eam esse importunam atque incommodam. | (awkwardly) I confess that she is ... high-handed and ... hard to get along with. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Posterius istuc dicis quam credo tibi. | I believe that before you speak a word, sir. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Omnes parentes, Libane, liberis suis qui mi auscultabunt, facient obsequellam[3] quippe qui mage amico utantur gnato et benevolo. atque ego me id facere studeo, volo amari a meis; | (with an air of profound moral conviction) Libanus, all parents who take my advice will be a bit indulgent to their children, seeing it makes a son more friendly and affectionate. Yes, and I am anxious to be so myself. I wish to be loved by my own flesh and blood; |
| volo me patris mei similem, qui causa mea nauclerico ipse ornatu per fallaciam 70 quam amabam abduxit ab lenone mulierem; neque puduit eum id aetatis sycophantias struere et beneficiis me emere gnatum suom sibi. eos me decretumst persequi mores patris. | I wish to model myself on my own father who dressed up as a shipmaster for my sake and swindled a slave-dealer out of a girl I was in love with. He felt no shame at going in for hocus-pocus at his time of life, and buying his son's affection, mine, by his kindnesses. These methods of my father's I have resolved to follow out myself. |
| nam me hodie oravit Argyrippus filius, uti sibi amanti facerem argenti copiam; et id ego percupio obsequi gnato meo.[4] (76) (78) quamquam illum mater arte contenteque habet, patres ut consueverunt: ego mitto omnia haec. | Well now, this very day my boy Argyrippus begged me to supply him with some money, saying he was in love: and I heartily desire to oblige the dear lad. No matter if his mother does keep a firm, tight rein on him and play the ordinary father's part, none of that for me. |
| 80 praesertim quom is me dignum quoi concrederet habuit, me habere honorem eius ingenio decet; quom me adiit, ut pudentem gnatum acquomst patrem, cupio esse amicae quod det argentum suae. | And seeing he has regarded me as worthy of his confidence, I have special reason to respect his inclinations. Now that he has applied to me, as a respectful son should to his father, I am desirous that he should have some money for his mistress. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Cupis id quod cupere te nequiquam intellego. dotalem servom Sauream uxor tua adduxit, cui plus in manu sit quam tibi. | You're desirous of something you'll desire in vain, sir, I reckon. Your wife's brought along Saurea, that dower slave of hers, to have more power than you. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Argentum accepi, dote imperium vendidi. nunc verba in pauca conferam quid te velim. viginti iam usust filio argenti minis: face id ut paratum iam sit. | (bitterly) Sold myself! Gave up my authority for a dowry! (pause) Now, in a word, here is what I want of you. My son needs eighty pounds[B] at once: will you see it is procured at once. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 90 Unde gentium? | Where in the world from? |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Me defraudato. | Cheat me out of it. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Maxumas nugas agis: nudo detrahere vestimenta me iubes. defraudem te ego? age sis, tu sine pennis vola. tene ego defraudem, cui ipsi nihil est in manu, nisi quid tu porro uxorem defraudaveris? | What awful nonsense you do talk! You're telling me to strip the clothes off a naked man. I cheat you out of it? Come, sir, will you kindly fly without wings! I cheat you out of it, when you don't own a thing, unless you've played the same game and cheated your wife out of something? |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Qua me, qua uxorem, qua tu servom Sauream potes, circumduce, aufer; promitto tibi non offuturum, si id hodie effeceris. | Well, me, or my wife, or servant Saurea—do your best, swindle us, rook us, I promise you your interests won't suffer, if you accomplish this to-day. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Iubeas una opera me piscari in aere, venari autem rete iaculo in medio mari.[5] 100 | You might as well order me to go a-fishing in the air, yes, and to take my casting net and do some deep sea—hunting. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Tibi optionem sumito Leonidam, fabricare quidvis, quidvis comminiscere: perficito, argentum hodie ut habeat filius, amicae quod det. | Have Leonida for your adjutant: manufacture something, devise something—anything: see you get the money to-day for my son to give his girl. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quid ais tu, Demaenete? | Look here. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Quid vis? | Well? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Si forte in insidias devenero, tun redimes me, si me hostes interceperint? | Suppose I happen to fall into an ambuscade, ransom me, will you, if I'm intercepted by the enemy? |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Redimam. | I will. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Tum tu igitur aliud cura quid lubet. ego eo ad forum, nisi quid vis. | (after a pause, airily) Well then, in that case you may dismiss the matter from your mind. I'm off to the forum, unless you want me further. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Ei, bene ambula. atque audin etiam? | Go ahead! A pleasant stroll to you! (Libanus walks away) And I say,—listening still, are you? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ecce. | (pertly, without turning) Behold me! |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Si quid te volam, ubi eris? | If I want you for anything, where will you be? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 110 Ubicumque libitum erit animo meo profecto nemo est quem iam dehinc metuam mihi ne quid nocere possit, cum tu mihi tua oratione omnem animum ostendisti tuom quin te quoque ipsum facio haud magni, si hoc patro. pergam quo occepi atque ibi consilia exordiar. | Precisely where it pleases my fancy. (half aside) I tell you what, from now on I won't be scared of a man alive, for fear he can do me any harm, after your showing me all the secrets of your soul. Why, you won't count for much with me your own self, either, if I carry this through. (setting off again) I'll go along to where I was bound and lay my plans there. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Audin tu? apud Archibulum ego ero argentarium. | Look here! I shall be at banker Archibulus's. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Nempe in foro? | In the forum, you mean? |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Ibi, si quid opus fuerit. | Yes, there,—if anything's needed. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Meminero. |
(nonchalantly) I'll keep it in mind. [exit Libanus to forum. |
| Dem. | Dem. |
| Non esse servos peior hoc quisquam potest nec magis versutus nec quo ab caveas aegrius 120 eidem homini, si quid recte curatum velis, mandes: moriri sese misere mavolet, quam non perfectum reddat quod promiserit. | A more rascally servant than this of mine can't be found, or a wilier one, or one harder to guard against. But he's just your man to commit a matter to, if you want it well managed: he'd prefer to expire in pain and torment rather than fail to fulfil his promise to the letter. |
| nam ego illud argentum tam paratum filio scio esse quam me hunc scipionem contui. sed quid ego cesso ire ad forum, quo inceperam? [6]atque ibi manebo apud argentarium. |
Why, I'm just as
confident that that money is in store for my son as that
I've got my eyes on this cane here. But I must be off to the
forum, where I was going. Yes, and I'll wait there at the
banker's. [exit Demaenetus. |
| [I. 2.] | Scene 2. |
| enter Argyrippus precipitately from house of Cleareta. | |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Sicine hoc fit? foras aedibus me eici? promerenti optume hocin preti redditur? bene merenti mala es, male merenti bona es; 130 at malo cum tuo, nam iam ex hoc loco ibo ego ad tres viros vostraque ibi nomina faxo erunt, capitis te perdam ego et filiam, perlecebrae, permities, adulescentum exitium. nam mare haud est mare, vos mare acerrumum; nam in mari repperi, his elavi bonis. | (violently to those within) So that's the way, is it? Thrown out of doors, am I? This is my reward for all the good turns I've done you, eh? Evil for good and good for evil is your system. But it will be evil for you! I'll go direct from here to the police and leave your names with 'em. I'll humble you and your daughter! You decoys, you destroyers, you wreckers of young fellows! Why, the sea's no sea: you are—the wildest sea of all! Why at sea I made my money, here I am cleaned out of it. |
| ingrata atque inrita esse omnia intellego quae dedi et quod bene feci, at posthac tibi male quod potero facere faciam, meritoque id faciam tuo. ego pol te redigam eodem unde orta es, ad egestatis terminos, 140 ego edepol te faciam ut quae sis nunc et quae fueris scias. | All I've given you and all I've done for you gets no thanks, goes for nothing, I find: but after this all I can do against you I'll do, and do it with good reason. By the Lord, I'll put you down where you came from, the depths of destitution, I will. By heaven, I'll make you appreciate what you are now and what you were. |
| quae prius quam istam adii atque amans ego animum meum isti dedi, sordido vitam oblectabas pane in pannis inopia, atque ea si erant, magnas habebas omnibus dis gratias; eadem nunc, cum est melius, me, cuius opera est, ignoras mala, reddam ego te ex fera fame mansuetem, me specta modo. | You, who before I courted that girl of yours and offered her my loving heart, used to regale yourself on coarse bread in rags and poverty: yes, and gave hearty thanks to Heaven, if you got your bread and rags. Yet here you are, now that you are better off, snubbing me that made you so, curse you! I'll tame you down, you wild beast, by the famine treatment: trust me for that. |
| nam isti quid succenseam ipsi? nihil est, nihil quicquam meret; tuo facit iussu, tuo imperio paret: mater tu. eadem era es. te ego ulciscar, te ego ut digna es perdam atque ut de me meres, at scelesta viden ut ne id quidem, me dignum esse existumat 150 quem adeat, quem conloquatur quoique irato supplicet? | As for that girl of yours, why should I be angry with her? She's done nothing, she's not at all to blame. It is your dictates she follows, your orders she obeys: you're mother and mistress both. You're the one I'll have revenge on; you're the one I'll ruin as you deserve, as your behaviour to me merits. (pauses and glares at house) But d'ye see how the wretch doesn't even think it worth while to come to me, talk with me, go on her knees to me, when I'm in a rage? |
| atque eccam inlecebra exit tandem; opinor hic ante ostium meo modo loquar quae volam, quoniam intus non licitum est mihi. | (Cleareta's door opens) Ah, there she is coming out at last, the decoy! I wager I'll have my full say in my own fashion out in front of the door here, seeing I couldn't do it inside. |
| [I. 3.] | Scene 3. |
| enter Cleareta from house. | |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Unum quodque istorum verbum nummis Philippis aureis non potest auferre hinc a me si quis emptor venerit; nec recte quae tu in nos dicis, aurum atque argentum merumst: fixus hic apud nos est animus tuos clavo Cupidinis. remigio veloque quantum poteris festina et fuge: quam magis te in altum capessis, tam aestus te in portum refert. | (calmly and pleasantly) Not a single one of those words do I part with for golden sovereigns, not if some purchaser comes along: uncomplimentary remarks about us from you are good coin of the realm. Your heart is fastened to us here with one of Cupid's spikes through it. Out with oar and up with sail, speed your fastest and scud away: the more you put out to sea, the more the tide brings you back to harbour. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Ego pol istum portitorem privabo portorio; 160 ego te dehinc ut merita es de me et mea re tractare exsequar, quom tu med ut meritus sum non tractas atque eicis domo. | (grimly) By the Lord, I'll hold back that harbour master's harbour dues; from this time forth you'll get the treatment you merit of me and my exchequer, for this unmerited treatment of me, this turning me out of the house. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Magis istuc percipimus lingua dici, quam factis fore. | (lightly) Such things are easier said than done, I observe. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Solus solitudine ego ted atque ab egestate abstuli; solus si ductem, referre gratiam numquam potes. | I, and I alone, am the man that rescued you from loneliness and destitution; even if I should take the girl for myself alone, you'd still be in my debt. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Solus ductato, si semper solus quae poscam dabis; semper tibi promissum habeto hac lege, dum superes datis. | Take her for yourself alone, if you alone will always give me what I demand. You can always be sure of her—on condition your presents are the biggest. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Qui modus dandi? nam numquam tu quidem expleri potes; modo quom accepisti, haud multo post aliquid quod poscas paras. | And what end to the presents? Why, you can never be sated. Now you get something, and a minute later you're devising some new demand. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Quid modist ductando, amando? numquamne expleri potes? 170 modo remisisti, continuo iam ut remittam ad te rogas. | And what end to the taking her, to the lovey-doveying? Can you never be sated? Now you have sent her back to me, and the next instant you're crying for me to send her back to you. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Dedi equidem quod mecum egisti. | Well, I paid you what we agreed on. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Et tibi ego misi mulierem: par pari datum hostimentumst, opera pro pecunia. | And I let you have the girl: my policy has been fair give and take—services rendered for cash. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Male agis mecum. | You're using me shamefully. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Quid me accusas, si facio officium meum? nam neque fictum usquamst neque pictum neque scriptum in poematis ubi lena bene agat cum quiquam amante, quae frugi esse volt. | Why find fault with me for doing my plain duty? Why, nowhere in stone, paint, or poem is a lady in my line portrayed as using any lover well—if she wants to get on. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Mihi quidem te parcere aequomst tandem, ut tibi durem diu. | (appealingly) You really ought to use me sparingly, though, so that I may last you a long time. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Non tu scis? quae amanti parcet, eadem sibi parcet parum. quasi piscis, itidemst amator lenae: nequam est, nisi recens; is habet sucum, is suavitatem, eum quo vis pacto condias 180 vel patinarium vel assum, verses quo pacto lubet: is dare volt, is se aliquid posci, nam ibi de pleno promitur; | (coolly) You miss the point? The lady that spares her lover spares herself too little. Lovers are the same as fish to us—no good unless they're fresh. Your fresh ones are juicy and sweet; you can season them to taste in a stew, bake them, and turn them every way. Your fresh one wants to give you things, wants to be asked for something: in his case it all comes from a full cupboard, you see; |
| neque ille scit quid det, quid damni faciat: illi rei studet, volt placere sese amicae, volt mihi, volt pedisequae, volt famulis, volt etiam ancillis; et quoque catulo meo subblanditur novos amator, se ut quom videat gaudeat. vera dico: ad suom quemque hominem quaestum esse aequomst callidum. | and he has no idea what he's giving, what it costs him. This is his only thought: he wants to please, please his girl, please me, please the waiting-woman, please the men servants, please the maid servants, too: yes, the new lover makes up to my little dog, even, so that he may be glad to see him. This is the plain truth: every one ought to keep a sharp eye for the main chance. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Perdidici istaec esse vera damno cum magno meo. | I have thoroughly learned the truth of that, and a pretty penny it's cost me. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Si ecastor nunc habeas quod des, alia verba praehibeas; nunc quia nihil habes, maledictis te eam ductare postulas. | Tut, tut! If you had anything left to give us, your language would be different; now that you have nothing, you expect to get her by abuse. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Non meum est. | That's not my way. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| 190 Nec meum quidem edepol, ad te ut mittam gratiis. verum aetatis atque honoris gratia hoc fiet tui, quia nobis lucro fuisti potius quam decori tibi: si mihi dantur duo talenta argenti numerata in manum, hanc tibi noctem honoris causa gratiis dono dabo. | Nor mine, sir, to let you have her gratis—mercy, no! But, considering your youth and our high regard for you, this shall be done, seeing you have been more of an income to us than a credit to yourself: just hand me over (casually) four hundred pounds in cash and you shall have this evening with her, in token of said high regard, as a free gift from me. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Quid si non est? | What if I haven't it? |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Tibi non esse credam, illa alio ibit tamen. | (smiling, but firm) I'll give you credit—that you haven't it: the girl shall go to some one else, however. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Ubi illaec quae dedi ante? | Where is what I gave you before? |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Abusa. nam si ea durarent mihi, mulier mitteretur ad te, numquam quicquam poscerem. diem aquam solem lunam noctem, haec argento non emo: ceterum quae volumus uti Graeca mercamur fide. | Spent. Why, if it had lasted, you should have your lady, and not a thing would I be asking for. Daylight, water, sunlight, moonlight, darkness—for these things I have to pay no money: everything else we wish to use we purchase on Greek credit. |
| 200 quom a pistore panem petimus, vinum ex oenopolio. si aes habent, dant mercem: eadem nos discipulina utimur. semper oculatae manus sunt nostrae, credunt quod vident. vetus est: "nihili coactiost"—scis cuius. non dico amplius. | When we go to the baker for bread, to the vintner for wine, their rule is commodities for cash: we use the same system ourselves. Our hands have eyes always: seeing is believing with them. As the old proverb has it: "There's no getting"—you know what. I say no more. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Aliam nunc mi orationem despoliato praedicas, longe aliam, inquam, praebes nunc atque olim, quom dabam, aliam atque olim, quom inliciebas me ad te blande ac benedice. tum mi aedes quoque arridebant, cum ad te veniebam, tuae; me unice unum ex omnibus te atque illam amare aibas mihi; | It's a different sort of eloquence you use on me now I've been fleeced, very different, I say, from that former sort when I was giving you things, different from that former sort when you were luring me on with your smooth, suave talk. Then your very house used to be wreathed in smiles, when I turned up. You used to say I was the one and only love in all the world for you and her. |
| ubi quid dederam, quasi columbae pulli in ore ambae meo 210 usque eratis, meo de studio studia erant vostra omnia, usque adhaerebatis: quod ego iusseram, quod volueram faciebatis, quod nolebam ac votueram, de industria fugiebatis, neque conari id facere audebatis prius. nunc neque quid velim neque nolim facitis magni, pessumae. | After I'd given you anything the both of you used to keep hanging on my lips like a pair of young doves. Whatever I fancied, you fancied, and nothing else. You used to keep clinging to me. I ordered a thing, wished a thing,—you used to do it: I disliked a thing, forbade a thing,—you used to take pains to avoid doing it: you didn't dare attempt to do it then. Now you don't care tuppence what I like, or don't like, you vile wretches! |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Non tu scis? hic noster quaestus aucupi simillimust. auceps quando concinnavit aream, offundit cibum; aves adsuescunt: necesse est facere sumptum qui quaerit lucrum; saepe edunt: semel si sunt captae, rem solvent aucupi. 219, 220 itidem his apud nos: aedes nobis area est, auceps sum ego, esca est meretrix, lectus inlex est, amatores aves; | (still cheerfully superior) You miss the point? This profession of ours is a great deal like bird-catching. The fowler, when he has his fowling-floor prepared, spreads food around; the birds become familiarized: you must spend money, if you wish to make money. They often get a meal: but once they get caught they recoup the fowler. It is quite the same with us here: our house is the floor, I am the fowler, the girl the bait, the couch the decoy, the lovers the birds. |
| bene salutando consuescunt, compellando blanditer, osculando, oratione vinnula, venustula. si papillam pertractavit, haud est ab re aucupis; savium si sumpsit, sumere eum licet sine retibus. haecine te esse oblitum, in ludo qui fuisti tam diu? | They become familiar through pleasant greetings, pretty speeches, kisses, cooey, captivating little whispers. If he cuddles her close in his arms, well, no harm to the fowler. If he takes a naughty kind of kiss, he can be taken himself, and no net needed. You to forget all this, and so long in the school, too? |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Tua ista culpa est, quae discipulum semidoctum abs te amoves. | It's your fault, if I have: you expelled your pupil when he was half taught. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Remeato audacter, mercedem si eris nactus; nunc abi. | Trot along back to us boldly, if you find the tuition fee: for the present run away. (turns to go in) |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Mane, mane, audi. dic, quid me aequom censes pro illa tibi dare, annum hunc ne cum quiquam alio sit? | Wait, wait, listen! Tell me, what do you think I ought to give you to have her all to myself this next year? |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| 230 Tene? viginti minas; atque ea lege: si alius ad me prius attulerit, tu vale. | (laughingly) What? You? (after a pause) Eighty pounds: yes, and on this condition—if some one else brings me the money before you do, good-bye to you. (again turning to go) |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| At ego est etiam prius quam abis quod volo loqui. | But there's something more I want to say before you go. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Dic quod lubet. | Say on, anything. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Non omnino iam perii, est relicuom quo peream magis. habeo unde istuc tibi quod poscis dem; sed in leges meas dabo, uti scire possis, perpetuom annum hunc mihi uti serviat nec quemquam interea alium admittat prorsus quam me ad se virum. | I'm not entirely ruined yet: there is a balance left for further ruin. I can give you what you ask. But I'll give it to you on my own terms, and here they are—she's to be at my disposal this whole next year through, and all that time not a single man but me is to come near her. |
| Cle. | Cle. |
| Quin, si tu voles, domi servi qui sunt castrabo viros. postremo ut voles nos esse, syngraphum facito adferas; ut voles, ut tibi lubebit, nobis legem imponito: 240 modo tecum una argentum adferto, facile patiar cetera. portitorum simillumae sunt ianuae lenoniae: si adfers, tum patent, si non est quod des, aedes non patent. | (cheerfully ironical) Why, if you choose, I'll change all the men servants in the house to maids. In short, bring along a contract stating how you wish us to behave. All you desire, all you like,—impose your own terms on us: only bring along the money, too; the rest is easy for me. Our doors are much like those of a custom house: pay your fee, and they are open: if you can't, they are—(going into house and closing the door in his face with a provoking laugh) not open. |
| Argyr. | Argyr. |
| Interii, si non invenio ego illas viginti minas, et profecto, nisi illud perdo argentum, pereundum est mihi. nunc pergam ad forum atque experiar opibus, omni copia, supplicabo, exobsecrabo ut quemque amicum videro, dignos indignos adire atque experiri certumst mihi,[7] nam si mutuas non potero, certumst sumam faenore. |
(drearily) It's all over with me, if I don't get
hold of that eighty pounds: yes, one thing is sure, that
money goes to pot, or else my life must. (a pause, then
with animation) I'll off to the forum this moment and
try to raise it by every means in my power: I'll entreat,
ex-supplicate every friend I see. Good and bad—I'll up and
try them all, I'm resolved on that: and if I can't get it as
a friendly loan, I'm resolved to borrow it at usury. [exit Argyrippus. |
| [ACTVS II] | ACT II |
|
(A couple of hours have elapsed.) enter Libanus with worried air. | |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Hercle vero, Libane, nunc te meliust expergiscier 250 atque argento comparando fingere fallaciam. iam diu est factum quom discesti ab ero atque abiisti ad forum,[8] (251) (253) ibi tu ad hoc diei tempus dormitasti in otio. | By gad, Libanus, you'd certainly better rouse yourself now and contrive some trick for collecting that cash. It's a long time since you left your master and hied yourself to the forum, to loaf and snooze away there till this time of day. |
| quin tu abs te socordiam omnem reice et segnitiem amove atque ad ingenium vetus versutum te recipis tuom serva erum, cave tu idem faxis alii quod servi solent, qui ad eri fraudationem callidum ingenium gerunt. | Come on, shake off all this dull sloth, away with sluggishness, yes, and get back that old gift of guile of yours! Save your master: mind you don't do the same as other servants that use their wily wits to gull him. |
| unde sumam? quem intervortam? quo hanc celocem conferam? impetritum, inauguratumst quovis admittunt aves, 260 picus et cornix ab laeva, corvos parra ab dextera consuadent; certum herclest vostram consequi sententiam | (pause) Where shall I get it? Who shall I swindle? Where shall I steer this cutter? (looking upwards, then jubilantly) I've got my auspices, my auguries: the birds let me steer it where I please! Woodpecker and crow on the left, raven and barn owl on the right. "Go ahead," they say! By Jove, I'll follow your advice, I certainly will. |
| sed quid hoc, quod picus ulmum tundit? non temerariumst. certe hercle ego quantum ex augurio eius pici intellego, aut mihi in mundo sunt virgae aut atriensi Saureae sed quid illuc quod exanimatus currit huc Leonida? metuo quom illic obscaevavit meae falsae fallaciae. | (looking upward again) What's this, though,—the woodpecker tapping an elm?[C] That's not for nothing! Lord! So far as I understand the omen of this woodpecker, that certainly means there are rods in pickle for me, or for steward Saurea. (looking down street) But what's wrong—Leonida running up here all out of breath? I'm afraid now that the bird there has predicted trouble for my artful arts. |
| [II. 2.] | Scene 2. |
| enter Leonida in great excitement, without seeing Libanus. | |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ubi ego nunc Libanum requiram aut familiarem filium, ut ego illos lubentiores faciam quam Lubentiast? maximam praedam et triumphum eis adfero adventu meo 270 quando mecum pariter potant, pariter scortari solent, hanc quidem, quam nactus, praedam pariter cum illis partiam. | Where shall I look for Libanus now, or young master, so that I can make them more delighted than Delight herself? Oh, the mighty prize and triumph my coming confers on 'em! Seeing they guzzle along with me, and chase the girls along with me, I'll certainly go shares in this prize I've got along with them. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Illic homo aedis compilavit, more si fecit suo. vae illi, qui tam indiligenter observavit ianuam. | (aside) The fellow's been robbing a house if he's acted naturally. Lord help the poor devil that minded the door so carelessly! |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Aetatem velim servire, Libanum ut conveniam modo. | I'd be willing to slave it all my life, only let me meet Libanus. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Mea quidem hercle opera liber numquam fies ocius. | (aside) By Jove, you'll never be free a minute sooner for any help you get from me. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Etiam de tergo ducentas plagas praegnatis dabo. | I'll even give two hundred swollen welts from off my back to see him. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Largitur peculium, omnem in tergo thensaurum gerit. | (aside) He's generous with what he has: carries all his coffers on his back. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Nam si huic sese occasioni tempus supterduxerit, numquam edepol quadrigis albis indipiscet postea; 280 erum in obsidione linquet, inimicum animos auxerit. sed si mecum occasionem opprimere hanc, quae obvenit, studet, maximas opimitates, gaudio exfertissimas suis eris ille una mecum pariet, gnatoque et patri, adeo ut aetatem ambo ambobus nobis sint obnoxii, nostro devincti beneficio. | For if this chance is let slide, he'll never catch it again, by Jove, not with a chariot and four, white[D] horses. He'll be leaving his master under siege and increasing the courage of his enemies. But if he's ready to take part with me and pounce on this opportunity that's turned up, he'll be my partner in hatching the biggest, joy-stuffedest jubilee that ever was for his masters, son and father both, yes, and put the pair of 'em under obligations to the pair of us for life, too, chained tight by our services. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Vinctos nescio quos ait; non placet: metuo, in commune ne quam fraudem frausus sit. | (aside) Chained, he says: some one or other chained! I don't like it. I'm afraid he's been trumping up some trumpery that'll involve the both of us. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Perii ego oppido, nisi Libanum invenio iam, ubiubi est gentium. | (quivering with excitement) I'm absolutely done for, if I don't find Libanus at once, wherever he is. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Illic homo socium ad malam rem quaerit quem adiungat sibi. non placet: pro monstro extemplo est, quando qui sudat tremit. | That chap's after a mate to yoke with in a race for a thrashing. I don't like it! it means something bad soon, when a man in a sweat shivers. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| 290 Sed quid ego his properans concesso pedibus. lingua largior? quin ego hanc iubeo tacere, quae loquens lacerat diem? | But why am I holding in my feet and letting out my tongue, and I in such a hurry? Why don't I tell it to shut up, with its wagging the day to shreds? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Edepol hominem infelicem, qui patronam conprimat. nam si quid sceleste fecit, lingua pro illo perierat. | (aside) Good Lord! Poor devil—choking off his patroness! Why, once he's been up to some rascality, it's that same tongue perjures herself for him. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Adproperabo, ne post tempus praedae praesidium parem. | I'll cut along, so as not to procure protection for the prize when it's too late. (moves away) |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quae illaec praeda est? ibo advorsum atque electabo, quidquid est. iubeo te salvere voce summa, quo ad vires valent. | What's that prize? I'll up and worm it out of him, whatever it is. (aloud) Good day to you—(raising his voice, Leonida having paid no attention) as loud a one as my lungs allow! |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Gymnasium flagri, salveto. | Ah there, (turning and stopping) you whip developer! |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quid agis, custos carceris? | How goes it, gaol guard? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| O catenarum colone. | Oh you fetter farmer. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| O virgarum lascivia. | Oh you rod tickler! |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Quot pondo ted esse censes nudum? | How much do you think you weigh, stripped? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Non edepol scio. | Lord! I don't know. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| 300 Scibam ego te nescire, at pol ego, qui ted expendi, scio: nudus vinctus centum pondo es, quando pendes per pedes. | I knew you didn't know: but by the Lord, I know for I've weighed you. Stripped and tied you weigh a hundred pounds—when you're hanging by your heels. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quo argumento istuc? | What's your proof of that? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ego dicam, quo argumento et quo modo. ad pedes quando adligatumst aequom centumpondium, ubi manus manicae complexae sunt atque adductae ad trabem, nec dependes nec propendes—quin malus nequamque sis. | I'll tell you my proof and my method. When a fair hundred- weight is fastened to your feet, with the handcuffs hugging your hands lashed to a beam, you're not a bit under or over the weight of—a good-for-nothing rascal. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Vae tibi. | You be damned! |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Hoc testamento Servitus legat tibi. | Precisely what you are down for yourself in Slavery's will. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Verbivelitationem fieri compendi volo. quid istud est negoti? | Let's cut short this war of words. What's that business of yours? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Certum est credere, | I've determined to trust you. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Audacter licet. | You can—boldly. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Sis amanti subvenire familiari filio, 310 tantum adest boni inproviso, verum commixtum malo: omnes de nobis carnificum concelebrabuntur dies. Libane, nunc audacia usust nobis inventa et dolis. tantum facinus modo inveni ego, ut nos dicamur duo omnium dignissumi esse, quo cruciatus confluant, | If you've got a mind to help the young master in his love affair, there's such an unexpected supply of good luck come to hand—mixed with bad, though—that the public torturers will have a regular festival at our expense every day. Libanus, now we need grit and guile. I've just now come upon such a deed for us to do, that we two will be called the worthiest men alive—to be where the torture's thickest. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ergo mirabar quod dudum scapulae gestibant mihi, hariolari quae occeperunt, sibi esse in mundo malum. quidquid est, eloquere. | (dryly) Aha! I was wondering what made my shoulders tingle a while ago: they began prognosticating trouble was in pickle for 'em. Whatever it is, out with it! |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Magna est praeda cum magno malo. | It's a big prize and a big risk. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Si quidem omnes coniurati cruciamenta conferant, habeo opinor familiare tergum, ne quaeram foris. | No matter if they all combine to pile the torments on, I fancy I've got a back of my own, without having to look for one outside. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| 320 Si istam firmitudinem animi optines, salvi sumus. | That's the spirit, hold to it and we're safe. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quin si tergo res solvenda est, rapere cupio publicum: pernegabo atque obdurabo, periurabo denique. | Pooh! if it's my back that is to pay the score, I'm ripe for sacking the Treasury: then I'll say up and down I didn't, stick to it I didn't, yes, yes, take my solemn oath I didn't. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Em ista virtus est, quando usust qui malum fert fortiter; fortiter malum qui patitur, idem post potitur bonum. | There! That's courage—to take hard knocks like a man when occasion calls. The chap that endures hard knocks like a man enjoys a soft time later on. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quin rem actutum edisseris? cupio malum nanciscier. | Why don't you hurry up and unfold your tale? I long for some hard knocks. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Placide ergo unum quidquid rogita, ut adquiescam. non vides me ex cursura anhelitum etiam ducere? | Easy then with each question, so that I can get a rest. Don't you see I'm still puffing after that run of mine? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Age, age, mansero tuo arbitratu, vel adeo usque dum peris. | All right, all right, I'll wait till you're ready, yes, ready to expire, for that matter. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ubinam est erus? | (after a pause) Where the deuce is master? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Maior apud forumst, minor hic est intus. | Old one's at the forum, young one's inside here. (pointing to Clearetas house) |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Iam satis est mihi. | That'll do! I'm satisfied. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Tum igitur tu dives es factus? | Satisfied? So you're a millionaire already, are you? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| 330 Mitte ridicularia. | Don't try to be funny. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Mitto.[9] istuc quod adfers aures exspectant meae. | I won't. (grandly) My ears await your tidings. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Animum adverte, ut aeque mecum haec scias. | Listen here, and you'll know about things as well as I do. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Taceo. | I'm dumb. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Beas. meministin asinos Arcadicos mercatori Pellaeo nostrum vendere atriensem? | (ironically) Oh, bliss! Do you remember those Arcadian asses our steward sold to the merchant from Pella? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Memini. quid tum postea? | I do. Well, what next? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Em ergo is argentum huc remisit, quod daretur Saureae pro asinis. adulescens venit modo, qui id argentum attulit. | Now then! He's sent the money for 'em, to be paid to Saurea. A young chap's just arrived with it. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ubi is homost? | (with a start) Where is he? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Iam devorandum censes, si conspexeris? | Think he ought to be swallowed down the minute you spy him, eh? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ita enim vero. sed tamen, tu nempe eos asinos praedicas 340 vetulos, claudos, quibus subtritae ad femina iam erant ungulae? | Aye, that I do! But let me see, of course you mean those poor old lame asses with their hoofs worn away up to their hocks? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ipsos, qui tibi subvectabant rure hue virgas ulmeas. | Precisely! the ones that used to come down from the farm with loads of elm rods for you. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Teneo, atque idem te hinc vexerunt vinctum rus. | I have you: yes, the same ones that carried you off to the farm in fetters. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Memor es probe, verum in tonstrina ut sedebam, me infit percontarier, ecquem filium Stratonis noverim Demaenetum. dico me novisse extemplo et me eius servom praedico esse, et aedis demonstravi nostras. | Remarkable memory, yours! However, when I was in the barber's chair he speaks up and asks me if I know a Demaenetus, the son of Strato. I say yes at once, and declare that I'm his servant, and I told him where our house was. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quid tum postea? | Well, what next? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ait se ob asinos ferre argentum atriensi Saureae, viginti minas, sed eum sese non nosse hominem qui siet, ipsum vero se novisse callide Demaenetum. quoniam ille elocutus haec sic— | He says he's bringing money for the asses to steward Saurea, eighty pounds; but that he doesn't know the man at all: says he knows Demaenetus himself well, though. After he had given me an account of things this way— |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quid tum? | What next? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| 350 Ausculta ergo, scies. extemplo facio facetum me atque magnificum virum, dico med esse atriensem. sic hoc respondit mihi: "ego pol Sauream non novi neque qua facie sit scio. te non aequomst suscensere. si erum vis Demaenetum, quem ego novi, adduce: argentum non morabor quin feras." | Well, listen and you'll find out. Instantly I pose as a fine, superior sort of creature and tell him I am the steward. Here's the way he answered me: "Well, well," says he, "I am not acquainted with Saurea personally and I don't know what he looks like. You have no reason to take offence. Bring along your master Demaenetus whom I do know, if you please: I'll let you have the money without delay." |
| ego me dixi erum adducturum et me domi praesto fore; ille in balineas iturust, inde huc veniet postea. quid nunc consili captandum censes? dic. | I told him I would bring my master and be at home waiting for him. He's going to the baths: then he'll be here later. What do you propose now for a plan of campaign? Tell me. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Em istuc ago, quo modo argento intervortam et adventorem et Sauream. iam hoc opus est exasciato[10]; nam si ille argentum prius 360 hospes huc affert, continuo nos ambo exclusi sumus. nam me hodie senex seduxit solum sorsum ab aedibus, mihi tibique interminatust nos futuros ulmeos, ni hodie Argyrippo essent viginti argenti minae; | (thinking) That's the point! Just what I'm casting about for—some way to relieve newcomer and Saurea of the cash. We must have our scheme roughed out at once; for let that stranger fetch his money before we're ready and the next minute we're both shut out of it. You see, the old man took me aside out of the house to-day all by myself: swore he'd made the pair of us perfectly elmy, if eighty pounds was not forthcoming for Argyrippus this very day. |
| iussit vel nos atriensem vel nos uxorem suam defraudare, dixit sese operam promiscam dare. nunc tu abi ad forum ad erum et narra haec ut nos acturi sumus: te ex Leonida futurum esse atriensem Sauream, dum argentum afferat mercator pro asinis. | He gave us orders to do the steward out of it, or else his wife: said he'd stand by us whichever it was. Now you be off to the forum to master and tell him what our game will be: that you are going to change from Leonida to steward Saurea when the trader brings the money for the asses. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Faciam ut iubes. | I'll do as you say. (moves off) |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 370 Ego illum interea hic oblectabo, prius si forte advenerit. | I'll entertain him here myself meanwhile, if he happens to come before you do. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Quid ais? | (halting) I say. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quid vis? | What do you want? |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Pugno malam si tibi percussero, mox cum Sauream imitabor, caveto ne suscenseas. | (gravely) In case I punch your jaw for you later on when I'm imitating Saurea, take care you don't get angry. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Hercle vero tu cavebis ne me attingas, si sapis, ne hodie malo cum auspicio nomen commutaveris. | By gad, you'd just better take care yourself not to touch me, if you know what's what, or you'll find you've picked an unlucky day for changing your name. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Quaeso, aequo animo patitor. | Come, come, put up with it patiently. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Patitor tu item, cum ego te referiam. | Yes, and you put up with it when I hit you back. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Dico ut usust fieri. | I'm telling how it's got to be done. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Dico hercle ego quoque ut facturus sum. | And by the Lord, I'm telling how I'm going to do it. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ne nega. | Don't refuse. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quin promitto, inquam, hostire contra ut merueris. | Oh, I agree, I agree—to pay you back all you earn. |
| Leon. | Leon. |
| Ego abeo, tu iam, scio, patiere. sed quis hic est? is est, ille est ipsus. iam ego recurro huc. tu hunc interea his tene. volo seni narrare. | (turning to go) I'm off: you'll put up with it now, I know you will. (looking down street) Hullo! Who's this! It's he, the very man! I'll hurry back here soon! You keep him here while I'm gone. I must tell the old man. (stops to look again) |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 380 Quin tuom officium facis ergo ac fugis? |
(sneeringly) Why don't you play your part then,
and—run away? [exit Leonida. |
| [II. 3.] | Scene 3. |
| enter Trader, with servant. | |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Ut demonstratae sunt mihi, hasce aedis esse oportet, Demaenetus ubi dicitur habitare. i, puere, pulta atque atriensem Sauream, si est intus, evocato huc. | (looking at house of Demaenetus) According to directions, this must be the house where they say Demaenetus lives. (to servant) Go knock, my lad, and if steward Saurea is in there, call him out. (servant goes toward house) |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Quis nostras sic frangit fores? ohe, inquam, si quid audis. | (stepping forward) Who's that battering our door so? Whoa there, I say—if you're not deaf! |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Nemo etiam tetigit. sanun es? | No one has touched it yet. Are you in your senses? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| At censebam attigisse propterea, huc quia habebas iter. nolo ego fores conservas meas a te verberarier. sane ego sum amicus nostris. | Well, I was thinking you had touched it, seeing you were making this way. I don't want you to beat that door—it's a fellow servant of mine. I tell you what, I love my fellow servants. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Pol haud periclum est, cardines ne foribus effringantur, si istoc exemplo omnibus qui quaerunt respondebis. | Gad! No danger of the door being battered off its hinges, if you answer all callers in that style. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| 390 Ita haec morata est ianua: extemplo ianitorem clamat, procul si quem videt ire ad se calcitronem. sed quid venis? quid quaeritas? | Here's the way this door has been trained: once it sights some bully in the distance coming towards it, it bawls for the porter directly. But what's your business? What are you after? |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Demaenetum volebam. | I wished to see Demaenetus. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Si sit domi, dicam tibi. | If he was at home, I'd tell you. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Quid eius atriensis? | What about his steward? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Nihilo mage intus est. | No, he's not in, either. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Ubi est? | Where is he? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Ad tonsorem ire dixit. | Said he was going to the barber's. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Conveni. sed post non redit? | I met him. But he has not been back since? |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Non edepol. quid volebas? | Lord, no! What did you want? |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Argenti viginti minas, si adesset, accepisset. | He would have got eighty pounds, if he was here. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Qui pro istuc? | What for? |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Asinos vendidit Pellaeo mercatori mercatu. | He sold some asses at the market to a trader from Pella. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Scio. tu id nunc refers? iam hic credo eum adfuturum. | I know. Bringing the cash now, are you? He'll be here soon, I, fancy. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Qua facie voster Saurea est? si is est, iam scire potero. | What does your Saurea look like? (aside) Now I can find out if that fellow is my man. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Macilentis malis, rufulus aliquantum, ventriosus, 400 truculentis oculis, commoda statura, tristi fronte. | (reflectively) Lantern-jawed— reddish hair— pot-bellied— savage eyes— average height— and a scowl. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Non potuit pictor rectius describere eius formam. | (aside) No painter could give me a more living likeness of that fellow. |
| Lib. | Lib. |
| Atque hercle ipsum adeo contuor, quassanti capite incedit. quisque obviam huic occesserit irato, vapulabit. | (looking down street) Yes, and what's more, he's in sight himself, by gad,—swaggering along and shaking his head! Anyone that crosses his path when he's angry gets thrashed. |
| Merc. | Trader |
| Siquidem hercle Aeacidinis minis animisque expletus incedit, si med iratus tetigerit, iratus vapulabit. | Good Lord! No matter if he swaggers along as full of fire and fury as Achilles—if your angry man lays a hand on me, it's your angry man gets thrashed. |