Scene 2.
ENTER _Leonida_ IN GREAT EXCITEMENT, WITHOUT SEEING _Libanus._
_Leon._
Ubi ego nunc Libanum requiram aut familiarem filium, ut ego illos lubentiores faciam quam Lubentiast? maximam praedam et triumphum eis adfero adventu meo quando mecum pariter potant, pariter scortari solent, 270 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._
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._
Aetatem velim servire, Libanum ut conveniam modo.
I’d be willing to slave it all my life, only let me meet Libanus.
_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._
Etiam de tergo ducentas plagas praegnatis dabo.
I’ll even give two hundred swollen welts from off my back to see him.
_Lib._
Largitur peculium, omnem in tergo thensaurum gerit.
(_aside_) He’s generous with what he has: carries all his coffers on his back.
_Leon._
Nam si huic sese occasioni tempus supterduxerit, numquam edepol quadrigis albis indipiscet postea; erum in obsidione linquet, inimicum animos auxerit. 280 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.
[Footnote D: White horses were supposed to be the fastest.]
_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._
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._
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._
Sed quid ego his properans concesso pedibus. lingua largior? 290 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._
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._
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._
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._
Gymnasium flagri, salveto.
Ah there, (_turning and stopping_) you whip developer!
_Lib._
Quid agis, custos carceris?
How goes it, gaol guard?
_Leon._
O catenarum colone.
Oh you fetter farmer.
_Lib._
O virgarum lascivia.
Oh you rod tickler!
_Leon._
Quot pondo ted esse censes nudum?
How much do you think you weigh, stripped?
_Lib._
Non edepol scio.
Lord! I don’t know.
_Leon._
Scibam ego te nescire, at pol ego, qui ted expendi, scio: 300 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._
Quo argumento istuc?
What’s your proof of that?
_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._
Vae tibi.
You be damned!
_Leon._
Hoc testamento Servitus legat tibi.
Precisely what you are down for yourself in Slavery’s will.
_Lib._
Verbivelitationem fieri compendi volo. quid istud est negoti?
Let’s cut short this war of words. What’s that business of yours?
_Leon._
Certum est credere,
I’ve determined to trust you.
_Lib._
Audacter licet.
You can--boldly.
_Leon._
Sis amanti subvenire familiari filio, tantum adest boni inproviso, verum commixtum malo: 310 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._
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._
Magna est praeda cum magno malo.
It’s a big prize and a big risk.
_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._
Si istam firmitudinem animi optines, salvi sumus. 320
That’s the spirit, hold to it and we’re safe.
_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._
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._
Quin rem actutum edisseris? cupio malum nanciscier.
Why don’t you hurry up and unfold your tale? I long for some hard knocks.
_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._
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._
Ubinam est erus?
(_after a pause_) Where the deuce is master?
_Lib._
Maior apud forumst, minor hic est intus.
Old one’s at the forum, young one’s inside here. (_pointing to Clearetas house_)
_Leon._
Iam satis est mihi.
That’ll do! I’m satisfied.
_Lib._
Tum igitur tu dives es factus?
Satisfied? So you’re a millionaire already, are you?
_Leon._
Mitte ridicularia. 330
Don’t try to be funny.
_Lib._
Mitto.[9] istuc quod adfers aures exspectant meae.
I won’t. (_grandly_) My ears await your tidings.
_Leon._
Animum adverte, ut aeque mecum haec scias.
Listen here, and you’ll know about things as well as I do.
_Lib._
Taceo.
I’m dumb.
_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._
Memini. quid tum postea?
I do. Well, what next?
_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._
Ubi is homost?
(_with a start_) Where is he?
_Leon._
Iam devorandum censes, si conspexeris?
Think he ought to be swallowed down the minute you spy him, eh?
_Lib._
Ita enim vero. sed tamen, tu nempe eos asinos praedicas vetulos, claudos, quibus subtritae ad femina iam erant ungulae? 340
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._
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._
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._
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._
Quid tum postea?
Well, what next?
_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._
Quid tum?
What next?
_Leon._
Ausculta ergo, scies. 350 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._
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._
Faciam ut iubes.
I’ll do as you say. (_moves off_)
_Lib._
Ego illum interea hic oblectabo, prius si forte advenerit. 370
I’ll entertain him here myself meanwhile, if he happens to come before you do.
_Leon._
Quid ais?
(_halting_) I say.
_Lib._
Quid vis?
What do you want?
_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._
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._
Quaeso, aequo animo patitor.
Come, come, put up with it patiently.
_Lib._
Patitor tu item, cum ego te referiam.
Yes, and you put up with it when I hit you back.
_Leon._
Dico ut usust fieri.
I’m telling how it’s got to be done.
_Lib._
Dico hercle ego quoque ut facturus sum.
And by the Lord, I’m telling how I’m going to do it.
_Leon._
Ne nega.
Don’t refuse.
_Lib._
Quin promitto, inquam, hostire contra ut merueris.
Oh, I agree, I agree--to pay you back all you earn.
_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._
Quin tuom officium facis ergo ac fugis? 380
(_sneeringly_) Why don’t you play your part then, and--run away? [EXIT _Leonida_.
II. 3.