The Captivi and the Mostellaria

TYND. (_apart_). Now, for a very certainty, I'm done for; the enemies are coming to you, Tyndarus! What shall I say?--what shall I talk of? What shall I deny, or what confess? A...

SIM. (_to himself_). I've not enjoyed myself better at home this year _than I have to-day_, nor has at any time any meal pleased me better. My wife provided a very nice breakfas...

HEG. (_to himself_). The more that I revolve this matter in my breast, the more is my uneasiness of mind increased. That I should have been duped in this fashion to-day! and tha...

PHILE. On my word, for this long time I've not bathed in cold water with more delight _than just now_; nor do I think that I ever was, my _dear_ Scapha, more thoroughly cleansed...

BAN. (_to himself_). I never knew any year worse for money upon interest, than this year has turned out to me. From morning even until night, I spend my time in the Forum; I can...

HEG. I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want _to know_. (_To the_ SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brou...

HEG. May this affair turn out happily for myself and for my son, and for yourselves. (_To_ PHILOCRATES.) Your new master wishes you to pay faithful obedience to your former owne...

HEG. _Now_, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon them chains of light weight [1]; take of...

TRA. (_to himself_). Supreme Jove, with all his might and resources, is seeking for me and Philolaches, my master's son, to be undone. Our hopes are destroyed; nowhere is there...

TRA. (_to himself_). The man that shall prove timid in critical matters, will not be worth a nutshell. And, really, to say what that expression, "worth a nutshell," means, I don...

THEU. (_to himself_). Neptune, I do return extreme thanks to thee that thou hast just dismissed me from thee, _though_ scarce alive. But if, from this time forward, thou shalt o...

TYND. (_to himself_). I have seen many of the torments which take place at Acheron [1] often represented in paintings [2]; but most certainly there is no Acheron equal to where...

HEG. Because me and my fortunes, so far as in you singly lay, by your rascally _and_ knavish stratagems you have rent in pieces, and have districted my affairs and spoiled all m...

ERG. Wretched is that man who is in search of something to eat, and finds that with difficulty; but more wretched is he who both seeks with difficulty, and finds nothing at all;...

GRU. Get out of the kitchen, will you; out of it, _you_ whip-scoundrel, who are giving me your cavilling talk amid the platters; march out of the house, you ruin of your master....

PHA. Really! why, yesterday and the day before, four, five, six days ago, all along, _in fact_, since his father went abroad from here, eating and drinking have never ceased for...

CALL. (_to himself_). When I had buried all drowsiness [1], and slept off the debauch, Philolaches told me that _his_ father had arrived here from abroad; in what a way too _his...

PHIL. (_to himself_). I've often thought and long reflected on it, and in my breast have held many a debate, and in my heart (if any heart I have) have revolved this matter, and...

ERG. The young men have given me the name of "the mistress," for this reason, because invocated [1] I am wont to attend at the banquet. I know that buffoons [2] say that this is...

SLAVE. If the immortal Gods have so willed it that you should undergo this affliction, it becomes you to endure it with equanimity; if you do so, your trouble will be lighter [1...

PHA. (_to himself_). Servants who, though they are free from fault, still stand in awe of punishment, those same are wont to be serviceable to their masters. But those who fear...

SIM. Troth now, prithee, look this way at me, and answer me. He said that you were wishful to give a wife to your son; for that reason, he said that you intended building on you...

HEG. To Jove and to the Deities I return with reason hearty thanks, inasmuch as they have restored you to your father, and inasmuch as they have delivered me from very many affl...

CALL. (_to his_ SERVANT). I want you to come for me [1] in good time to the house of Philolaches; listen you; well then! those are your orders. (_Exit_ SERVANT.) For from the pl...

TRA. Boldly confess that by my advice and prompting it was done, who urged him to take up the money of the Banker upon interest, which we paid this person by way of deposit.

ERG. Supreme Jove! thou dost preserve me, and dost augment my means. Plenty, extreme and sumptuous, dost thou present to me; celebrity, profit, enjoyment, mirth, festivity, holi...

STAL. What is fitting for me to do, when you, such a man as you are, are speaking false? I was never a handsome _or_ a fine, _or_ a good person, _or_ an honest one, nor shall I...

LAD. May Jupiter and the Deities confound you, Ergasilus, and your stomach, and all Parasites, and _every one_ who henceforth shall give a dinner to Parasites. Destruction and d...

TYND. Now stands the matter so, that I would much rather that I had once existed, than that I _still_ exist; now do my hopes, my resources, and my succour, desert me and spurn t...

HEG. (_to himself_). What is there more delightful than to manage one's own interests well for the public good [1], just as I did yesterday, when I purchased these men. Every pe...

PHIL. Why, this very Tyndarus is your son, according, indeed, to the proofs that he mentions. For, a boy _himself_ together with me from boyhood was he brought up, virtuously an...

ERG. He has gone away from here, _and_ has entrusted to me the most important concern of catering. Immortal Gods! how I shall now be slicing necks off of sides; how vast a downf...

HEG. He has been led off straight to prison [1], as he deserves. Let no one presume to attempt such an enterprise. Had it not been for you who discovered this to me, still would...