Chapter 76

(_Fifteen minutes have elapsed._)

ENTER _Chrysalus_ FROM _Bacchis’s_ HOUSE.

_Chrys._

Atridae duo frates eluent fecisse facinus maxumum, quom Priami patriam Pergamum divina moenitum manu armis, equis, exercitu atque eximiis bellatoribus mille cum numero navium decumo anno post subegerunt. non pedibus termento fuit praeut ego erum expugnabo meum sine classe sineque exercitu et tanto numero militum.[24] 930 nunc prius quam huc senex venit, libet lamentari dum exeat. (932)

(_bumptiously_) The two sons of Atreus have the name of having done a mighty deed when Priam’s paternal city, Pergamum, “fortified by hand divine,” was laid low by ’em after ten years, and they with weapons, horses, and army and warriors of renown and a thousand ships to help ’em. That wasn’t enough to raise a blister on their feet, compared with the way I’ll take my master by storm, without a fleet and without an army and all that host of soldiers. Now before the old chap appears, I feel like raising a dirge for him till he comes out.

o Troia, o patria, o Pergamum, o Priame periisti senex, qui misere male mulcabere quadringentis Philippis aureis. nam ego has tabellas obsignatas consignatas quas fero non sunt tabellae, sed equos quem misere Achivi ligneum.[25] (936)

(wailing) O Troy, O paternal city, O Pergamum! O ancient Priam, thy day is past! Thou shalt be badly, badly beaten-- out of four hundred golden sovereigns. Ah yes, these tablets here, (_showing them_) sealed and signed, which I bear, are no tablets, but a horse sent by the Greeks--a wooden horse.[25]

tum quae his sunt scriptae litterae, hoc in equo insunt milites 941 armati atque animati probe. ita res successit mi usque adhuc. atque hic equos non in arcem, verum in arcam faciet impetum; exitium excidium exlecebra fiet hic equos hodie auro senis.

Moreover, the words herein inscribed are the soldiers within this horse, soldiers armed to the teeth and full of fight. Thus has my scheme progressed up till now. Aye, and this horse will proceed to assail not a stronghold, but a strongbox. The wreck, ruin, and rape of the old man’s gold will this horse prove to-day.

nostro seni huic stolido, ei profecto nomen facio ego Ilio; miles Menelaust, ego Agamemno, idem Vlixes Lartius, Mnesilochust Alexander, qui erit exitio rei patriae suae; is Helenam avexit, cuia causa nunc facio obsidium Ilio.

This silly old man of ours--I dub him Ilium, I certainly do. The Captain is Menelaus, I Agamemnon: I am likewise Laertian Ulysses: Mnesilochus is Alexander,[M] who will be the destruction of his native city; he is the one that carried off Helen, on account of whom I now besiege Ilium.

[Footnote M: Paris]

nam illi itidem Vlixem audivi, ut ego sum, fuisse et audacem et malum: in dolis ego prensus sum, ille mendicans paene inventus interiit, 950 dum ibi exquirit fata Iliorum; adsimiliter mi hodie optigit. vinctus sum. sed dolis me exemi: item se ille servavit dolis.

At that Ilium Ulysses, so they say, was a bold, bad man, just as I am now. I was caught in my wiles; he was found begging and almost perished, while he was seeking to learn there the destinies of the Ilians. What befell me to-day was quite similar. I was bound, but released myself by wiles: by wiles he likewise saved himself.

Ilio tria fuisse audivi fata quae illi forent exitio: signum ex arce si periisset; alterum etiamst Troili mors; tertium, cum portae Phrygiae limen superum scinderetur: paria item tria eis tribus sunt fata nostro huic Ilio.

In the case of that Ilium, so they say, there were three fateful events which would prove her downfall: if the image[N] disappeared from the citadel; still a second, the death of Troilus[O]; the third, when the upper lintel of the Phrygian gate should be torn away. Counterparts of these three are three fateful events, too, in the case of this Ilium of ours.

[Footnote N: The Palladium, a statue of Pallas]

[Footnote O: A son of Priam, slain by Achilles]

nam dudum primo ut dixeram nostro seni mendacium et de hospite et de auro et de lembo, ibi signum ex arce iam abstuli. iam duo restabant fata tunc, nec magis id ceperam oppidum. post ubi tabellas ad senem detuli, ibi occidi Troilum, 960 cum censuit Mnesilochum cum uxore esse dudum militis.[26] (961)

For a little while ago when I first told our old man that lie about his friend and the gold and the galley, I there and then stole the image from the citadel. Even then two fateful events were yet to come, and the town was still untaken. Later, on carrying the letter to the old man, I then slew my Troilus, when he thought Mnesilochus a short time ago was with the Captain’s wife.[26]

post cum magnifico milite, urbes verbis qui mermus capit, (966) conflixi atque hominem reppuli; dein pugnam conserui seni: eum ego adeo uno mendacio devici, uno ictu extempulo cepi spolia. is nunc ducentos nummos Philippos militi, quos dare se promisit, dabit, 970 nunc alteris etiam ducentis usus est, qui dispensentur Ilio capto, ut sit mulsum qui triumphent milites.[27] (972)

Still later I closed with the noble Captain--who captures cities with no weapon save his mighty tongue--and hurled him back. Next I joined battle with the old man: aye, and him I struck down with a single lie; a single blow, and the spoils were mine. He now will give the Captain the two hundred pounds he promised him. And now there is need of another two hundred still, to be disbursed, on Ilium’s capture, that the soldiery may have wine and honey to celebrate their victory.[27]

sed Priamum adstantem eccum ante portam video. adibo atque adloquar. (978)

[ENTER _Nicobulus_ FROM HIS HOUSE.] Aha, though! I see Priam standing before the gate. I’ll up and address him.

_Nic._

Quoianam vox prope me sonat?

(_looking round_) Whose voice is that I hear near me?

_Chrys._

O Nicobule.

(_approaching_) Oh, sir!

_Nic._

Quid fit? quid quod te misi, ecquid egisti?

(_eagerly_) How goes it? What about your mission--have you accomplished anything?

_Chrys._

Rogas? congredere.

Do you ask that? Come here, close.

_Nic._

Gradior. 980

(_doing so_) I am.

_Chrys._

Optumus sum orator. ad lacrumas coegi hominem castigando maleque dictis, quae quidem quivi comminisci.

(_enthusiastic_) I’m the orator for you! I fairly brought our man to tears, by saying all the harsh, bitter things I could think of.

_Nic._

Quid ait?

What did he say?

_Chrys._

Verbum nullum fecit: lacrumans tacitus auscultabat quae ego loquebar; tacitus conscripsit tabellas, obsignatas mi has dedit. tibi me iussit dare, sed metuo, ne idem cantent quod priores. nosce signum. estne eius?

Not a word; just wept in silence and paid attention to what I was telling him. Still silent, he wrote a letter, sealed it, and gave it to me. He ordered me to give it to you. But I’m afraid it sings the same song as the other one (_hands tablets to Nicobulus_) Take notice of the seal. Is it his?

_Nic._

Novi. libet perlegere has.

(_examining seal_) Yes, yes; I’m anxious to read this over.

_Chrys._

Perlege. nunc superum limen scinditur, nunc adest exitium Ilio, turbat equos lepide ligneus.

Do. (_aside_) Now the upper lintel is being torn away; now Ilium’s fall is nigh. The wooden horse is making a beautiful mess of things.

_Nic._

Chrysale, ades, dum ego has perlego.

Chrysalus, stay here while I read this over.

_Chrys._

Quid me tibi adesse opus est?

What’s the use of my staying with you?

_Nic._

Volo,[28] ut scias quae his scripta sient.

I wish it, so that you may know what is written here.

_Chrys._

Nil moror neque scire volo.

Not for me--I don’t wish to know.

_Nic._

Tamen ades.

Never mind, stay here.

_Chrys._

Quid opust?

What’s the use?

_Nic._

Taceas: quod iubeo id facias.

(_angry_) Silence! do what I tell you.

_Chrys._

Adero. 990A

(_apparently reluctant_) Stay I will.

_Nic._

Euge litteras minutas.

(_opening tablets_) Well, well! What tiny letters.

_Chrys._

Qui quidem videat parum; verum, qui satis videat, grandes satis sunt.

(_innocently_) Yes, for a man with poor eyes; they’re big enough, if your sight is good enough, though.

_Nic._

Animum advortito igitur.

Well then, pay attention.

_Chrys._

Nolo inquam.

I don’t want to, I tell you.

_Nic._

At volo inquam.

But I want you to, I tell you.

_Chrys._

Quid opust?

What’s the use?

_Nic._

At enim id quod te iubeo facias.

See here now, you do what I order.

_Chrys._

Iustumst ut tuos tibi servos tuo arbitratu serviat.

(_after reflection, impartially_) It’s right for your own servant to serve you as you see fit, sir.

_Nic._

Hoc age sis nunciam.

Now kindly attend to this at once.

_Chrys._

Ubi lubet, recita: aurium operam tibi dico.

Read when you like, sir: I promise you my ears.

_Nic._

Cerae quidem haud parsit neque stilo; sed quidquid est, pellegere certumst. “Pater, ducentos Philippos quaeso Chrysalo da, si esse salvom vis me aut vitalem tibi.” malum quidem hercle magnum.

(_looking tablets over with a sigh_) He hasn’t been sparing of wax or stylus, it seems. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through, (_reading_) “Father, do for mercy’s sake give Chrysalus two hundred pounds, if you wish to have your son safe, or alive.” Give him a good sound thrashing, by heaven!

_Chrys._

Tibi dico.

I say.

_Nic._

Quid est?

Well?

_Chrys._

Non prius salutem scripsit?

Didn’t he write a word of greeting first?

_Nic._

Nusquam sentio. 1000

(_looking_) Not a sign of it.

_Chrys._

Non dabis, si sapies; verum si das maxume, ne ille alium gerulum quaerat, si sapiet, sibi: nam ego non laturus sum, si iubeas maxume. sat sic suspectus sum, cum careo noxia.

(_indignant_) You won’t do it, if you’re wise; but no matter how much you do do it, let him look up another porter, if he’s wise: for I won’t carry it, no matter how much you order me. I am suspected enough as it is, when I’m perfectly blameless.

_Nic._

Ausculta porro, dum hoc quod scriptumst perlego.

Listen, further, while I read through what is written here.

_Chrys._

Inde a principio iam inpudens epistula est.

That’s an impudent letter, impudent from the very beginning!

_Nic._

“Pudet prodire me ad te in conspectum, pater: tantum flagitium te scire audivi meum, quod cum peregrini cubui uxore militis.” pol haud derides; nam ducentis aureis 1010 Philippis redemi vitam ex flagitio tuam.

(_continuing_) “I’m ashamed to come into your sight, father. I have heard that you know of my wicked intrigue with the foreign Captain’s wife.” Gad! That is no joke! Two hundred golden sovereigns it cost me to save your life after that piece of wickedness!

_Chrys._

Nihil est illorum quin ego illi dixerim.

There’s nothing of that I didnt say to him, sir.

_Nic._

“Stulte fecisse fateor, sed qaeso, pater, ne me, in stultitia si deliqui, deseras. ego animo cupido atque oculis indomitis fui; persuasumst facere quoius me nunc facti pudet.” prius te cavisse ergo quam pudere aequom fuit.

“I admit that I acted foolishly. But for mercy’s sake, father, don’t desert me, if I have done wrong in my folly. Wanton desires possessed me, and I couldn’t control my eyes, I was induced to do what I am now ashamed of doing.” Well, prudence then, rather than shame now, would have been the proper thing for you!

_Chrys._

Eadem istaec verba dudum illi dixi omnia.

Just the very same words I said to him a while ago, sir.

_Nic._

“Quaeso ut sat habeas id, pater, quod Chrysalus me obiurigavit plurumis verbis malis, 1020 et me meliorem fecit praeceptis suis, ut te ei habere gratiam aequom sit bonam.”

“Do, please, consider it enough, father, that Chrysalus has scolded me very very harshly and has made me a better man by his precepts, so that you ought to be deeply grateful to him.”

_Chrys._

Estne istuc istic scriptum?

Is that written there?

_Nic._

Em specta, tum scies.

(_showing him the place_) There! look, then you’ll know.

_Chrys._

Ut qui deliquit supplex est ultro omnibus.

(_piously_) How the wrongdoer does bend the knee to every one, of his own accord!

_Nic._

“Nunc si me fas est obsecrare abs te, pater, da mihi ducentos nummos Philippos, te obsecro.”

“Now if I have a moral right to beseech you, father, I do beseech you to give me two hundred pounds.”

_Chrys._

Ne unum quidem hercle, si sapis.

Not even one, by heaven, if you’re wise!

_Nic._

Sine perlegam. “ego ius iurandum verbis conceptis dedi, daturum id me hodie mulieri ante vesperum, prius quam a me abiret. nunc, pater, ne perierem 1030 cura atque abduce me hinc ab hac quantum potest, quam propter tantum damni feci et flagiti. cave tibi ducenti nummi dividiae fuant; sescenta tanta reddam, si vivo, tibi. vale atque haec cura.” quid nunc censes, Chrysale?

Let me read it through. “I took an oath in express terms to give the woman this sum before evening comes and she leaves me. Now, father, do see to it that I don’t forswear myself, and do rescue me just as soon as you can from this creature on account of whom I have been so wasteful and wicked. See you don’t let a matter of two hundred pounds vex you; I will pay it back to you a thousand times over, if I live. Good-bye and do look out for this.” What do you recommend now, Chrysalus?

_Chrys._

Nihil ego tibi hodie consili quicquam dabo, neque ego haud committam ut, si quid peccatum siet, fecisse dicas de mea sententia. verum, ut ego opinor, si ego in istoc sim loco, dem potius aurum quam illum corrumpi sinam. 1040 duae condiciones sunt: utram tu accipias vide: vel ut aurum perdas vel ut amator perieret. ego neque te iubeo neque veto, neque suadeo.

(_vehemently_) Never a bit of advice will I give you this day! I’ll take no chance of your saying, if anything goes wrong, that you did it at my suggestion. However, in my opinion, if I was in your place, I should rather give up the money than let him be debauched. There are two alternatives: see for yourself which to choose: you must either lose the money, or let our lover be forsworn. I do not order you, or forbid you, or urge you, either, not I.

_Nic._

Miseret me illius.

(_earnestly_) I’m sorry for the lad.

_Chrys._

Tuos est, non mirum facis. si plus perdundum sit, periisse suaviust, quam illud flagitium volgo dispalescere.

Nothing strange in that, your own flesh and blood as he is. (_casually_) If more must be lost, that’s pleasanter than having such a piece of wickedness come to be the common talk.

_Nic._

Ne ille edepol Ephesi multo mavellem foret, dum salvos esset, quam revenisset domum. quid ego istic? quod perdundumst properem perdere. binos ducentos Philippos iam intus ecferam. 1050 et militi quos dudum promisi miser et istos. mane istic, iam exeo ad te, Chrysale.

Good Lord! I should certainly much rather have him at Ephesus, provided he was safe, than back home. (_pauses_) What am I to do in the matter? (_another pause, then irritably_) Let me hurry up and lose what has to be lost. I’ll go in and get four hundred pounds at once--the two hundred I promised the Captain a while ago, poor wretch that I am, and this last. Wait where you are: I’ll be with you again in a moment, Chrysalus. [EXIT INTO HOUSE.

_Chrys._

Fit vasta Troia, scindunt proceres Pergamum. scivi ego iam dudum fore me exitio Pergamo. edepol qui me esse dicat cruciatu malo dignum, ne ego cum illo pignus haud ausim dare; tantas turbellas facio. sed crepuit foris: ecfertur praeda ex Troia. taceam nunciam.

(_hilarious_). Troy is being made a waste; the chieftains are laying Pergamum low! I knew long ago I’d be the downfall of Pergamum! By gad, the man that says I deserve to be punished damnably--I surely wouldn’t dare bet him I don’t. Oh, the lovely rumpus I’m raising! (_listening_) But the door creaked: the booty is being carried out from Troy. Time for me to keep still!

RE-ENTER _Nicobulus_ WITH TWO BAGS OF GOLD.

_Nic._

Cape hoc tibi aurum, Chrysale. i, fer filio. ego ad forum autem hinc ibo, ut solvam militi. 1060

Take this money, Chrysalus: go, carry it to my son. As for me, I am going to the forum to settle with the Captain.

_Chrys._

Non equidem accipiam. proin tu quaeras qui ferat. nolo ego mihi credi.

(_drawing back_) No indeed, I won’t take it. So you can look further for some one to carry it. I don’t want it trusted to me.

_Nic._

Cape vero, odiose facis.

Come, come, now, take it: you annoy me.

_Chrys._

Non equidem capiam.

Indeed I won’t take it.

_Nic._

At quaeso.

But I beg you.

_Chrys._

Dico ut res se habet.

(_firmly_) I tell you just how I stand.

_Nic._

Morare.

(_impatiently_) You’re delaying me.

_Chrys._

Nolo, inquam, aurum concredi mihi, vel da aliquem qui servet me.

I don’t want money put in my charge, I say. (_pause_) At least, appoint some one to watch me.

_Nic._

Ohe, odiose facis.

Pshaw! You annoy me.

_Chrys._

Cedo, si necesse est.

(_reluctant_) Give it here, if I must.

_Nic._

Cura hoc. iam ego huc revenero.

(_handing him bag of gold_) Look out for this. I shall be back here soon. [EXIT TOWARD FORUM.

_Chrys._

Curatum est--esse te senem miserrumum. hoc est incepta efficere pulcre: bellule mi evenit, ut ovans praeda onustus incederem; salute nostra atque urbe capta per dolum 1070 domum reduco integrum omnem exercitum.

(_as Nicobulus disappears_) It has been looked out for-- your being the poorest old wretch alive. Here’s the way to carry out your attempts in style! Ah, this is beautiful luck--to be marching along in jubilation, laden with booty. Safe myself, the city captured by guile. I am leading my whole army back home intact.

sed, spectatores, vos nunc ne miremini quod non triumpho: pervolgatum est, nil moror; verum tamen accipientur inulso milites. nunc hanc praedam omnem iam ad quaestorem deferam.

But, spectators, don’t be surprised now that I don’t have a triumph: they’re too common: none of them for me. But the soldiers shall be entertained with wine and honey just the same. (_turning toward Bacchis’s door_) Now I’ll convey all this booty to the quartermaster-general at once. [EXIT INTO HOUSE.

IV. 10.