Chapter 73

ENTER _Nicobulus_ FROM HOUSE.

_Nic._

Nimium illaec res est magnae dividiae mihi, 770 supterfugisse sic mihi hodie Chrysalum.

Ugh! how it does rankle to have let Chrysalus get out of my reach as he has to-day.

_Chrys._

Salvos sum, iratus est senex. nunc est mihi adeundi ad hominem tempus.

(_in low tone_) Saved! The old fellow’s angry. Now is the time to approach him.

_Nic._

Quis loquitur prope? atque his quidem, opinor, Chrysalust.

(_aside_) Who’s that speaking near here? (_seeing Chrysalus_) Yes, it’s actually Chrysalus, I do believe.

_Chrys._

Accessero.

(_aside_) At him now! (_approaches_)

_Nic._

Bone serve, salve. quid fit? quam mox navigo in Ephesum, ut aurum repetam ab Theotimo domum? taces? per omnis deos adiuro, ut ni meum gnatum tam amem atque ei facta cupiam quae is velit, ut tua iam virgis latera lacerentur probe 779-780 ferratusque in pistrino aetatem conteras. omnia rescivi scelera ex Mnesilocho tua.

Ah! my good servant, how goes it? How soon shall I sail to Ephesus to bring home the gold from Theotimus? Silent, eh? (_more savagely_) I swear to heaven if I didn’t love my son so, if I wasn’t anxious to gratify his wishes, those flanks of yours would be torn to ribbons with rods this instant and you should wear out your days in fetters in the mill. I have heard about your rascality from Mnesilochus--everything.

_Chrys._

Men criminatust? optimest: ego sum malus, ego sum sacer, scelestus. specta rem modo; ego verbum faciam nullum.

(_affecting indignation_) He’s accused me, me? Very fine indeed! I’m the one that’s bad, I’m the cursed criminal! (_significantly_) You just keep your eyes open; that’s all I have to say.

_Nic._

Etiam, carnufex, minitare?

What? Threatening, you hangdog?

_Chrys._

Nosces tu illum actutum qualis sit. nunc has tabellas ferre me iussit tibi. orabat, quod istic esset scriptum ut fieret.

You’ll shortly know what sort he is. He ordered me to bring this letter to you now. Begged you to do what’s written there.

_Nic._

Cedo.

Give it here.

_Chrys._

Nosce signum.

(_obeying_) Take notice of the seal.

_Nic._

Novi. ubi ipse est?

(_seeing it is intact_) Yes, yes. Where is my son himself?

_Chrys._

Nescio. nil iam me oportet scire. oblitus sum omnia. 790 scio me esse servom. nescio etiam id quod scio. nunc ab trasenna his turdus lumbricum petit; pendebit hodie pulcre, ita intendi tenus.

(_surlily_) Don’t know. The proper thing for me now is to know nothing. I’ve forgotten everything. I know I’m a slave. I don’t even know what I do know. (_aside_) Now our thrush here is after the worm in my trap; he’ll soon be hung up handsomely, the way I’ve set the noose.

_Nic._

Mane dum parumper; iam exeo ad te, Chrysale.

(_having read letter_) Just wait a moment; (_goes toward house_) I’ll soon be back with you, Chrysalus. [EXIT INTO HOUSE.

_Chrys._

Ut verba mihi dat, ut nescio quam rem gerat. servos arcessit intus qui me vinciant. bene navis agitatur, pulcre haec confertur ratis. sed conticiscam, nam audio aperiri fores.

(_elated_) Oh, isn’t he bluffing me! Oh, isn’t it mysterious what he’s at! He’s fetching servants from inside to tie me up. A lovely shake-up the galleon there is getting: the little bark here is putting up a fine fight! (_listening_) But not a word! I hear the door opening.

IV. 7.