| [V. 2.] | Scene 2. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| 1120 Quis sonitu ac tumultu tanto nominat me atque pultat aedes? |
(within) Who's raising such a din and uproar, calling
me and beating on the house? enter the two Bacchises into doorway. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ego atque hic. | This gentleman and I. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Quid hoc est negoti nam, amabo? quis has huc ovis adegit? | (to sister after surveying them) Mercy me, dear, what does this mean? Who drove these sheep here? |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ovis nos vocant pessumae. | (to Philoxenus) They're calling us sheep, the sluts! |
| Soror | Soror |
| Pastor harum dormit, quom haec eunt sic a pecu balitantes. | Their shepherd must be taking a nap, to let them straggle off from the flock this way, bleating. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| At pol nitent, haud sordidae videntur ambae. | My goodness, though! They are sleek! they seem to be quite spick and span, both of them. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Attonsae hae quidem ambae usque sunt. | Yes, you see they've both been ever so well shorn. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Ut videntur deridere nos. | (to Nicobulus) Hm! They seem to be making fun of us. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Sine suo usque arbitratu. | (sourly) Let them go as far as they like. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Rerin ter in anno tu has tonsitari? | Do you suppose they are generally sheared three times a year? |
| Soror | Soror |
| Pol hodie altera iam bis detonsa certo est. | Goodness me! that other one (indicating Nicobulus) has been shorn twice this very day for certain. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Vetulae sunt minae ambae.[31] | They're both rather woolless old—(with a sly glance at her sister) customers. |
| Soror | Soror |
| At bonas fuisse credo. | But they used to be good ones, I do believe. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| 1130 Viden limulis, obsecro, ut intuentur? | For heaven's sake, do you see the little sidelong glances they're casting at us? |
| Soror | Soror |
| Ecastor sine omni arbitror malitia esse. | Oh well, I don't think they mean anything naughty by it. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Merito hoc nobis fit, qui quidem hue venerimus. | (to Nicobulus) This serves us right for coming here! |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Cogantur quidem intro. | They really ought to be pushed inside. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Haud scio quid eo opus sit, quae nec lac nec lanam ullam habent. sic sine astent. exsolvere quanti fuere, omnis fructus iam illis decidit. non vides, ut palantes solae liberae grassentur? quin aetate credo esse mutas: ne balant quidem, quom a pecu cetero absunt. stultae atque haud malae videntur. revortamur intro, soror. | I don't see any use in that, they haven't any milk, or wool either. Let them stand still as they are. They've been worked to their full value; all the fruit has dropped off of them already. Don't you see how they straggle along aimlessly, alone, untended? Why, I do believe they're dumb with age; they don't even bleat at being away from the rest of the flock. They seem perfectly harmless—just silly. Let's go back inside, sister. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| 1140 Ilico ambae manete: haec oves volunt vos. | Stay where you are, both of you: these sheep want you. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Prodigium hoc quidemst: humana nos voce appellant oves. | Dear, dear, miraculous! The sheep are addressing us, quite as if they were human! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Haec oves vobis malam rem magnam, quam debent, dabunt | These sheep are going to give you all the trouble they owe you. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Si quam debes, te condono: tibi habe, numquam abs te petam. sed quid est quapropter nobis vos malum minitamini? | If you owe anything, I'll forgive it you: keep it yourself— I'll never come to you for it. But what's the reason for your threatening us with trouble? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Quia nostros agnos conclusos istic esse aiunt duos. | Because they say our lambs are shut up in there, (pointing to house) two of them. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Et praeter eos agnos meus est istic clam mordax canis: qui nisi nobis producuntur iam atque emittuntur foras, arietes truces nos erimus, iam in vos incursabimus. | And besides those lambs, there's a dog of mine, a biter, skulking in there: unless these beasts are produced for us immediately and let out of doors, we'll turn into ferocious rams, and immediately butt you. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Soror, est quod te volo secreto. | Sister, I want a word with you in private, (takes her aside) |
| Soror | Soror |
| Eho, amabo. | (inquiringly) Well, well, there's a dear! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quo illaec abeunt? | Where are they off to? |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| 1150 Senem illum tibi dedo ultenorem, lepide ut lenitum reddas; ego ad hunc iratum adgrediar, si possumus nos hos intro inlicere huc. | I give that further old fellow (pointing to Philoxenus) over to you to get nicely pacified; I'll make up to this bear, (indicating Nicobulus) and we'll see if we can't lure them inside here. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Meum pensum ego lepide accurabo, quamquam odiost mortem amplexari. | (without enthusiasm) I'll take care of my stint nicely enough, even though it is sickening to hug a death's-head. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Facito ut facias. | See you do it. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Taceas. tu tuom facito: ego quod dixi haud mutabo. | Hush! You do your share, and I won't fail to keep my word. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quid illaec illic in consilio duae secreto consultant? | What are they scheming, those two, in that secret session? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Quid ais tu, homo? | (awkwardly) I say, old fellow. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quid me vis? | What do you want? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Pudet dicere me tibi quiddam. | There's something I'm ashamed to tell you. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quid est quod pudeat? | What is it you are ashamed of? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Sed amico homini tibi quod volo credere certumst. nihili sum. | But to a good friend like you—yes, I'm going to own up to what I want. (pauses) I'm an ass. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Istuc iam pridem scio. sed qui nihili es? id memora. | I have known that for some time. But why are you an ass? Explain that. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Tactus sum vehementer visco; cor stimulo foditur. | (with a wry smile) I'm most confoundedly caught in bird-lime; my heart's pierced by a goad. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Pol tibi multo aequius est coxendicem. 1160 sed quid istuc est? etsi iam ego ipsus quid sit probe scire puto me; verum audire etiam ex te studeo. | Jove! much more to the point, if it were your nether portions! But what do you mean? And yet I think I have a pretty fair notion myself what it is already; however, I'm anxious to have it from your own lips. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Viden hanc? | Do you see this girl? (pointing to the Sister) |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Video. | I do. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Haud mala est mulier. | (approvingly) Not a bad one! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Pol vero ista mala et tu nihili. | (indignantly) Good Lord! She certainly is a bad one, and you are an ass. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Quid multa? ego amo. | (not listening) In short, I'm in love with her. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| An amas? | You in love? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| ναὶ γάρ. | Bien sûr! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Tun, homo putide, amator istac fieri aetate audes? | You, you disgusting creature? You venture to turn lover at your age? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Qui non? | Why not? |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quia flagitium est. | Because it's infamous. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Quid opust verbis? meo filio non sum iratus, neque te tuost aequom esse iratum: si amant, sapienter faciunt. | (gathering courage rapidly) Tut, tut! I'm not angry at my son, and you oughtn't to be angry at yours: if they're in love, they're acting wisely. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Sequere hac. | (to sister) Come along. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Eunt eccas tandem probri perlecebrae et persuastrices, quid nunc? etiam redditis nobis filios et servom? an ego experior tecum vim maiorem? | Ah, there they come at last, the seductive, persuasive pests! (to sisters) Well now? See here, are you going to give us back our sons and servant? Or shall I try more vigorous measures with you? (to Nicobulus, protestingly) Get out, will you? There's no red blood in you, addressing a sweet little girl (leering at Bacchus) in that sour fashion. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Abin hinc? non homo tu quidem es, qui istoc pacto tam lepidam inlepide appelles. | (to Nicobulus, protestingly) Get out, will you? There's no red blood in you, addressing a sweet little girl (leering at Bacchus) in that sour fashion. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| 1170 Senex optime quantumst in terra, sine me hoc exorare abs te, ut istuc delictum desistas tanto opere ire oppugnatum. | (to Nicobulus, as she tries to fondle him) You nicest old man in all the world, do let me persuade you not to be so awfully opposed to your son's naughtiness. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ni abeas, quamquam tu bella es, malum tibi magnum dabo iam. | (struggling to be very stern) Unless you get away from me—no matter if you are pretty—I'll give you a good sound slap this minute. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Patiar, non metuo, ne quid mihi doleat quod ferias. | (softly, still fondling him) I'll take it. I'm not afraid of your striking me so as to hurt at all. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ut blandiloquast! ei mihi, metuo. | (aside) What a coaxer she is! Oh, dear me! I'm afraid! |
| Soror | Soror |
| Hic magis tranquillust. | (caressing Philoxenus to his high satisfaction) This one is more peaceful. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| I hac mecum intro atque ibi, si quid vis, filium concastigato. | Do come inside here with me: yes, and punish your son ever so, in there, if you like. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Abin a me, scelus? | Get away from me, you hussy! |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Sine, mea pietas, te exorem. | Let me persuade you, that's a love! (tries to draw him toward house) |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Exores tu me? | You persuade me? |
| Soror | Soror |
| Ego quidem ab hoc certe exorabo. | I'll certainly persuade my man, at any rate. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Immo ego te oro, ut me intro abducas. | (returning her embrace with vigour) No you won't: I myself beg you to take me inside. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Lepidum te. | Oh, you delightful man! |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| At scin quo pacto me ad te intro abducas? | But do you know on what condition you can take me inside. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Mecum ut sis. | Yes, your being with me. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Omnia quae cupio commemoras. | The sum total of my desires! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Vidi ego nequam homines, verum te neminem deteriorem. | (pulling himself together) I have seen worthless men, but never a worse one than you. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| 1180 Ita sum. | (cheerfully) So I am. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| I hac mecum intro, ubi tibi sit lepide victibus, vino atque unguentis. | (to Nicobulus) Do come along inside with me: you'll have a lovely time—things to eat, and wine and perfumes. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Satis, satis iam vostrist convivi: me nil paenitet ut sim acceptus: quadringentis Philippis filius me et Chrysalus circumduxerunt. quem quidem ego ut non excruciem, alterum tantum auri non meream. | Enough, enough of your banqueting already—it makes no difference to me how I'm entertained! Four hundred pounds I've been tricked out of by my son and Chrysalus. And I wouldn't forgo making that slave bleed for it, not for another four hundred. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Quid tandem, si dimidium auri redditur, in hac mecum intro? atque ut eis delicta ignoscas. | Well, but supposing half of it is given back, won't you come in with me, then? Yes, and pardon their offences? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Faciet. | He'll do it. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Minime, nolo. nil moror, sine sic. malo illos ulcisci ambo. | (with all his remaining resolution) Not a bit of it. I don't want to. None of this for me: leave me alone. I prefer to take vengeance on that pair. |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Etiam tu homo nihili? quod di dant boni cave culpa tua amissis dimidium auri datur. accipias, potesque et scortum aecumbas. | (aside to Nicobulus) See here, you—ass! Look out you don't lose the blessings the gods give you, and have yourself to blame for it. Here's half the money given you: take it, and drink and have a good time with the wench. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Egon ubi filius corrumpatur meus, ibi potem? | (very feebly) I drink in the house where my son is being debauched? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| 1190 Potandumst. | (clapping him on the shoulder) Drink you must. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Age iam, id ut ut est, etsi est dedecori patiar, facere inducam animum egon, cum haec cum illo accubet, inspectem? | (giving way temporarily) Come on then, no matter what it is, disgraceful though it be, I'll stand it, I'll bring myself to it. (after a pause, doubtfully) Am I to look on while she's on the couch beside him? |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Immo equidem pol tecum accumbam, te amabo et te amplexabor. | Goodness me, no indeed! I'll be on the couch beside you, loving you and hugging you. (snuggles up to him) |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Caput prurit, perii, vix negito. | (aside) My head does itch! Dear, dear, dear! It is hard to keep on saying no! |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Non tibi venit in mentem, amabo, si dum vivas tibi bene facias tam pol id quidem esse haud perlonginquom, neque, si hoc hodie amissis, post in morte eventurum esse umquam? | My dear man, doesn't it occur to you that, supposing you do enjoy yourself all your life, this life is very, very short, after all,—good gracious, yes!—and that if you let this chance slip, it won't come again when you're dead, ever? |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quid ago? | (nearly helpless) What am I to do? |
| Phil. | Phil. |
| Quid agas? rogitas etiam? | To do? The idea of asking that! |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Libet et metuo. | I long to, and—I'm afraid. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Quid metuis? | Afraid of what? |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ne obnoxius filio sim et servo. | Of humbling myself before my son and servant. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Mel meum, amabo, etsi haec fiunt, tuost: unde illum sumere censes, nisi quod tute illi dederis? hanc veniam illis sine te exorem. | Oh, honey, there's a dear, now! Even if it's all so, he's your own boy: where do you think he's to get money, except from your own generous self? Do let me persuade you to forgive them. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ut terebrat! satin offirmatum 1200 quod mihi erat, id me exorat? tua sum opera et propter te improbior. | (half aside) How she does drill through a man! Is she actually persuading me against my fixed intention? (giving up the struggle and yielding to Bacchis's caresses) I'm a reprobate now, and all because of you and your efforts. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Ne tis[32] quam mea mavellem. satin ego istuc habeo firmatum? | (softly and tenderly) Oh, I do wish it had been your efforts rather than (giving her sister a dreary smile) mine. So I'm actually to take that as your fixed intention? |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quod semel dixi haud mutabo | What I have once said I won't change. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| It dies, ite intro accubitum, filii vos exspectant intus. | The day is going: go inside and take your places on the couches. Your sons are within waiting for you. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Quam quidem actutum emoriamur. | (dryly) Yes, waiting for us to breathe our last with celerity. |
| Soror | Soror |
| Vesper hic est, sequimini. | It's evening: come along. |
| Nic. | Nic. |
| Ducite nos quo lubet tamquam quidem addictos. | Take us where you please, just as if we were your veritable bond servants. |
| Bacch. | Bacch. |
| Lepide ipsi hi sunt capti, suis qui filiis fecere insidias. |
(aside to spectators) Here they are, prettily caught
themselves—after laying traps for their sons. [exeunt omnes into house of Bacchis. |
| [EPILOGUE] | |
| GREX | SPOKEN BY THE COMPANY. |
| Hi senes nisi fuissent nihili iam inde ab adulescentia, non hodie hoc tantum flagitium facerent canis capitibus; neque adeo haec faceremus, ni antehac vidissemus fieri, 1210 ut apud lenones rivales filiis fierent patres. spectatores, vos valere volumus et clare adplaudere. | Unless these old men had been worthless from their very youth, they would not be guilty of such an enormity as this to-day when their heads are hoary; nor, indeed, would we have presented such a comedy, unless we had seen before now how fathers become their sons' rivals at places of unsavoury repute. Spectators, we wish you health and—your loud applause. |
| [1.] Leo notes lacuna here: aedis Ritschl. | [A.] The Spartan reformer |
| [2.] Leo notes lacuna here: fide Leo. | [B.] Linus was killed by his pupil, Hercules. |
| [3.] Corrupt (Leo): perii MSS: prope Ritschl. | [C.] Phoenix, Achilles' preceptor, informed Peleus, Achilles' father, of his son's death. |
|
[4.]
Leo brackets following v., 67: ubi pro disco damnum capiam, pro cursura dedecus? | [D.] A fragile and (The Captives 291) cheap kind of pottery. |
|
[5.]
Leo brackets following v., 69: ubique imponat in manum alius mihi pro cestu cantharum. | [E.] One of Plautus's plays. |
|
[6.]
Leo brackets following v., 107: simul huic nescio cui, turbare qui huc it, decedamus. | [F.] Venus and Juno not being sisters. |
|
[7.]
Leo brackets following v., 150: video nimio iam multo plus quam volueram. | [G.] The owner of the ram with the golden fleece. |
|
[8.]
Leo brackets following v., 153, 154: nil moror discipulos mihi iam plenos sanguinis. valens afflictat me vacivom virium. |
[8.] I have no liking for these full-blooded pupils: the sturdy youngster is bullying me, destitute of strength as I am. |
|
[9.]
Leo brackets following v., 166, 167: edepol fecisti furtum in aetatum malum cum istaec flagitia me celavisti et patrem. |
[9.] Good heavens! Such villainy in a lad of your age, concealing such atrocities from me and from your father! |
| [10.] Tardare Hauptius: turbare MSS. | [H.] A noted thief, the grandfather of Ulysses. |
|
[11.]
Leo brackets following v., 377-378: quibus patrem et me teque amicosque omnes affectas tuos ad probrum, damnum, flagitium appellere una et perdere. |
[11.] You are doing your best by such conduct to bring ignominy, loss, disgrace, upon every one of us, your father and me and yourself and all your friends, and ruin us. |
|
[12.]
Leo brackets following v., 382: nunc prius quam malum istoc addis, certumst iam dicam patri | [I.] Rascally slaves in Greek comedies. |
| [13.] sed eccum video incedere follows in MSS: Leo brackets. | [J.] Who carried a letter which was to be his own death warrant. |
|
[14.]
Leo brackets following v., 446: it magister quasi lucerna uncto expretus linteo. | [K.] The goddess of war. |
| [15.] Pistocleri follows in MSS: Leo brackets. | [L.] Characters in some familiar play. |
|
[16.]
Leo brackets following v., 465, 466: nam illum meum malum promptare malim quam peculium. Phil. Quidem? Lydus Quia, malum si promptet, in dies faciat minus. |
[16.] Yes, yes, I should rather have him administer my punishment than my money. Phil. Why so? Lydus Because if he administered my punishment, there would soon be none left. |
|
[17.]
Leo brackets following v., 486-488: quid opust verbis? si opperiri vellem paulisper modo, ut opinor, illius inspectandi mi esset maior copia, plus viderem quam deceret, quam me atque illo aequom foret. |
[17.] Why say more? If I had wished to remain but a little longer, I should have had further opportunity to observe his conduct, I suppose, and I should have seen more than was proper, more than became me and him. |
|
[18.]
Leo brackets the following v., 519a-519c: sed autem quam illa umquam meis opulentiis ramenta fiat gravior aut propensior, mori me malim excruciatum inopia. |
[18.] However, rather than have my money make her a fraction the weightier or heavier, I'd prefer to perish in the pangs of want. |
| [19.] Corrupt (Leo): tute (etiam) Seyffert: tute (eam) Lindsay. | [M.] Paris |
| [20.] Leo notes lacuna here: Quae te (male) mala Lindsay. | [N.] The Palladium, a statue of Pallas. |
| [21.] Corrupt (Leo). At quidem hercle est ad perdundum magis quam ad scribundum cita Camerarius: various readings MSS. | [O.] A son of Priam, slain by Achilles. |
| [22.] Leo notes lacuna here: tu (scelus) Ritschl. | |
| [23.] Corrupt (Leo): Latona Spes MSS: Luna Spes Bergk: Lato Spes Ussing. | |
|
[24.]
Leo brackets the following v., 931: cepi expugnavi amanti erili filio aurum ab suo patre. | |
|
[25.]
Leo brackets the following v., 937-940: Epiust Pistoclerus: ab eo haec sumptae; Mnesilochus Sino est relictus, ellum non in busto Achilli, sed in lecto accubat; Bacchidem habet secum: ille olim habuit ignem qui signum daret, hunc ipsum exurit; ego sum Vlixes, cuius consilio haec gerunt. |
[25.] Our Epius is Pistoclerus: from his hands were they taken. Mnesilochus is Sinon the abandoned. Behold him! not lying at Achilles' tomb, but on a couch, he has a Bacchis with him, that one of old had a fire, to give the signal,—but this Sinon is burning himself. I am Ulysses whose counsel directs it all. |
|
[26.]
Leo brackets the following v., 962-965: ibi vix me exsolvi: id periclum adsimilo, Vlixem ut praedicant cognitum ab Helena esse proditum Hecubae, sed ut olim ille se blanditiis exemit et persuasit se ut amitteret, item ego dolis me illo extuli e periclo et decepi senem |
[26.] Then it was I just managed to get free: this danger I liken to that they tell of when Ulysses was recognized by Helen and betrayed to Hecuba. But as he, in former days, got away by means of his honeyed words and persuaded her to let him go, so also I, by means of my wiles, got out of danger and deceived the old man. |
|
[27.]
Leo brackets the following v., 973-977: sed Priamus hic multo illi praestat: non quinquaginta modo, quadringentos filios habet atque equidem omnis lectos sine probro: eos ego hodie omnis contruncabo duobus solis ictibus. nunc Priamo nostro si est quis emptor, comptionalem senem vendam ego, venalem quem habeo, extemplo ubi oppidum ex pugnavero. |
[27.] But this Priam is far superior to that one, not a mere fifty sons has he; he has four hundred, yes, and every one is unquestionably a choice and flawless specimen. This day I will annihilate 'em all with just two blows. Now, if there is anyone who cares to buy our Priam, I will sell off the old gentleman I have on sale, as a job lot, the moment I have taken the town by storm. |
| [28.] ut quod iubeo facias follows in MSS: Leo brackets. | |
|
[29.]
Leo brackets the following v., 1081: duxi, habui scortum. potavi, dedi, donavi, sed enim id raro. | |
|
[30.]
Leo brackets the following v., 1100: immo edepol sic ludos factum | |
| [31.] Minae ambae Colerus: thimiame MSS. | |
| [32.] tis Schroeder: is MSS. |