Amphitryo Asinaria Aulularia Bacchides Captivi Amphitryon The C
Chapter 79
_Bacch._
Quis sonitu ac tumultu tanto nominat me atque pultat aedes? 1120
(_within_) Who’s raising such a din and uproar, calling me and beating on the house?
ENTER THE TWO _Bacchises_ INTO DOORWAY.
_Nic._
Ego atque hic.
This gentleman and I.
_Bacch._
Quid hoc est negoti nam, amabo? quis has hue ovis adegit?
(_to sister after surveying them_) Mercy me, dear, what does this mean? Who drove these sheep here?
_Nic._
Ovis nos vocant pessumae.
(_to Philoxenus_) They’re calling us sheep, the sluts!
_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._
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_
Attonsae hae quidem ambae usque sunt.
Yes, you see they’ve both been ever so well shorn.
_Phil._
Ut videntur deridere nos.
(_to Nicobulus_) Hm! They seem to be making fun of us.
_Nic._
Sine suo usque arbitratu.
(_sourly_) Let them go as far as they like.
_Bacch._
Rerin ter in anno tu has tonsitari?
Do you suppose they are generally sheared three times a year?
_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._
Vetulae sunt minae ambae.[31]
They’re both rather woolless old--(_with a sly glance at her sister_) customers.
_Soror_
At bonas fuisse credo.
But they used to be good ones, I do believe.
_Bacch._
Viden limulis, obsecro, ut intuentur? 1130
For heaven’s sake, do you see the little sidelong glances they’re casting at us?
_Soror_
Ecastor sine omni arbitror malitia esse.
Oh well, I don’t think they mean anything naughty by it.
_Phil._
Merito hoc nobis fit, qui quidem hue venerimus.
(_to Nicobulus_) This serves us right for coming here!
_Bacch._
Cogantur quidem intro.
They really ought to be pushed inside.
_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._
Ilico ambae 1140 manete: haec oves volunt vos.
Stay where you are, both of you: these sheep want you.
_Soror_
Prodigium hoc quidemst: humana nos voce appellant oves.
Dear, dear, miraculous! The sheep are addressing us, quite as if they were human!
_Nic._
Haec oves vobis malam rem magnam, quam debent, dabunt
These sheep are going to give you all the trouble they owe you.
_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._
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._
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._
Soror, est quod te volo secreto.
Sister, I want a word with you in private, (_takes her aside_)
_Soror._
Eho, amabo.
(_inquiringly_) Well, well, there’s a dear!
_Nic._
Quo illaec abeunt?
Where are they off to?
_Bacch._
Senem illum tibi dedo ultenorem, lepide ut lenitum reddas; 1150 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_
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._
Facito ut facias.
See you do it.
_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._
Quid illaec illic in consilio duae secreto consultant?
What are they scheming, those two, in that secret session?
_Phil._
Quid ais tu, homo?
(_awkwardly_) I say, old fellow.
_Nic._
Quid me vis?
What do you want?
_Phil._
Pudet dicere me tibi quiddam.
There’s something I’m ashamed to tell you.
_Nic._
Quid est quod pudeat?
What is it you are ashamed of?
_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._
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._
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._
Pol tibi multo aequius est coxendicem. sed quid istuc est? etsi iam ego ipsus quid sit probe scire puto me; 1160 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._
Viden hanc?
Do you see this girl? (_pointing to the Sister_)
_Nic._
Video.
I do.
_Phil._
Haud mala est mulier.
(_approvingly_) Not a bad one!
_Nic._
Pol vero ista mala et tu nihili.
(_indignantly_) Good Lord! She certainly is a bad one, and you are an ass.
_Phil._
Quid multa? ego amo.
(_not listening_) In short, I’m in love with her.
_Nic._
An amas?
You in love?
_Phil._
ναὶ γάρ.
_Bien sur!_
_Nic._
Tun, homo putide, amator istac fieri aetate audes?
You, you disgusting creature? You venture to turn lover at your age?
_Phil._
Qui non?
Why not?
_Nic._
Quia flagitium est.
Because it’s infamous.
_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._
Sequere hac.
(_to sister_) Come along.
_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?
_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 Bacchis_) in that sour fashion.
_Bacch._
Senex optime quantumst in terra, sine me hoc exorare abs te, 1170 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._
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._
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._
Ut blandiloquast! ei mihi, metuo.
(_aside_) What a coaxer she is! Oh, dear me! I’m afraid!
_Soror_
Hic magis tranquillust.
(_caressing Philoxenus to his high satisfaction_) This one is more peaceful.
_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._
Abin a me, scelus?
Get away from me, you hussy!
_Bacch._
Sine, mea pietas, te exorem.
Let me persuade you, that’s a love! (_tries to draw him toward house_)
_Nic._
Exores tu me?
You persuade me?
_Soror_
Ego quidem ab hoc certe exorabo.
I’ll certainly persuade my man, at any rate.
_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_
Lepidum te.
Oh, you delightful man!
_Phil._
At scin quo pacto me ad te intro abducas?
But do you know on what condition you can take me inside.
_Soror_
Mecum ut sis.
Yes, your being with me.
_Phil._
Omnia quae cupio commemoras.
The sum total of my desires!
_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._
Ita sum. 1180
(_cheerfully_) So I am.
_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._
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._
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._
Faciet.
He’ll do it.
_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._
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._
Egon ubi filius corrumpatur meus, ibi potem?
(_very feebly_) I drink in the house where my son is being debauched?
_Phil._
Potandumst. 1190
(_clapping him on the shoulder_) Drink you must.
_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._
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._
Caput prurit, perii, vix negito.
(_aside_) My head does itch! Dear, dear, dear! It is hard to keep on saying no!
_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._
Quid ago?
(_nearly helpless_) What am I to do?
_Phil._
Quid agas? rogitas etiam?
To do? The idea of asking that!
_Nic._
Libet et metuo.
I long to, and--I’m afraid.
_Bacch._
Quid metuis?
Afraid of what?
_Nic._
Ne obnoxius filio sim et servo.
Of humbling myself before my son and servant.
_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._
Ut terebrat! satin offirmatum quod mihi erat, id me exorat? 1200 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._
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._
Quod semel dixi haud mutabo
What I have once said I won’t change.
_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._
Quam quidem actutum emoriamur.
(_dryly_) Yes, waiting for us to breathe our last with celerity.
_Soror_
Vesper hic est, sequimini.
It’s evening: come along.
_Nic._
Ducite nos quo lubet tamquam quidem addictos.
Take us where you please, just as if we were your veritable bond servants.
_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_.
GREX
EPILOGUE
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, ut apud lenones rivales filiis fierent patres. 1210 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.
* * * * *
[Footnote 1: Leo notes lacuna here: _aedis_ Ritschl.]
[Footnote 2: Leo notes lacuna here: _fide_ Leo.]
[Footnote 3: Corrupt (Leo): _perii_ MSS: _prope_ Ritschl.]
[Footnote 4: Leo brackets following v., 67: _ubi pro disco damnum capiam, pro cursura dedecus?_]
[Footnote 5: Leo brackets following v., 69: _ubique imponat in manum alius mihi pro cestu cantharum._]
[Footnote 6: Leo brackets following v., 107: _simul huic nescio cui, turbare qui huc it, decedamus._]
[Footnote 7: Leo brackets following v., 150: _video nimio iam multo plus quam volueram._ ]
[Footnote 8: Leo brackets following v., 153, 154: _nil moror discipulos mihi iam plenos sanguinis._ _valens afflictat me vacivom virium._]
[I have no liking for these full-blooded pupils: the sturdy youngster is bullying me, destitute of strength as I am.]
[Footnote 9: Leo brackets following v., 166, 167: _edepol fecisti furtum in aetatum malum_ _cum istaec flagitia me celavisti et patrem._]
[Good heavens! Such villainy in a lad of your age, concealing such atrocities from me and from your father!]
[Footnote 10: _Tardare_ Hauptius: _turbare_ MSS.]
[Footnote 11: Leo brackets following v., 377-378: _quibus patrem et me teque amicosque omnes affectas tuos_ _ad probrum, damnum, flagitium appellere una et perdere._]
[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.]
[Footnote 12: Leo brackets following v., 382: _nunc prius quam malum istoc addis, certumst iam dicam patri_]
[Footnote 13: _sed eccum video incedere_ follows in MSS: Leo brackets.]
[Footnote 14: Leo brackets following v., 446: _it magister quasi lucerna uncto expretus linteo._]
[Footnote 15: _Pistocleri_ follows in MSS: Leo brackets.]
[Footnote 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._ ]
[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.]
[Footnote 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._]
[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.]
[Footnote 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._]
[However, rather than have my money make her a fraction the weightier or heavier, I’d prefer to perish in the pangs of want.]
[Footnote 19: Corrupt (Leo): _tute (etiam)_ Seyffert: _tute (eam)_ Lindsay.]
[Footnote 20: Leo notes lacuna here: _Quae te (male) mala_ Lindsay.]
[Footnote 21: Corrupt (Leo). _At quidem hercle est ad perdundum magis quam ad scribundum cita_ Camerarius: various readings MSS.]
[Footnote 22: Leo notes lacuna here: _tu (scelus)_ Ritschl.]
[Footnote 23: Corrupt (Leo): _Latona Spes_ MSS: _Luna Spes_ Bergk: _Lato Spes_ Ussing.]
[Footnote 24: Leo brackets the following v., 931: _cepi expugnavi amanti erili filio aurum ab suo patre._]
[Footnote 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._]
[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.]
[Footnote 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_]
[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.]
[Footnote 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._]
[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.]
[Footnote 28: _ut quod iubeo facias_ follows in MSS: Leo brackets.]
[Footnote 29: Leo brackets the following v., 1081: _duxi, habui scortum. potavi, dedi, donavi, sed enim id raro._]
[Footnote 30: Leo brackets the following v., 1100: _immo edepol sic ludos factum_]
[Footnote 31: _Minae ambae_ Colerus: _thimiame_ MSS.]
[Footnote 32: _tis_ Schroeder: _is_ MSS.]
* * * * *
[Transcriber’s Corrections: _Bacchides_ (_The Two Bacchises_)
I. 2. EXEUNT INTO THE HOUSE OF _Bacchis_ text reads THE HOUSE OF _Bacchus_
III. 5. l. 553 _Mnes._ Benevolens vivit tibi. speaker not named in Latin text
IV. 4. l. 640 _Chrys._ Hunc hominem... text reads _Cyhrs._
IV. 9. l. 1065 _Nic._ Ohe, odiose facis. speaker not named in Latin text
V. 1. l. 1112 _Nic._ At mihi Chrysalus optumus homo... text reads _At mhi..._
V. 2. waiting for us to breathe our last with celerity text reads _with clerity_ ]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CAPTIVI
THE CAPTIVES
* * * * *
ARGVMENTVM
ARGUMENT OF THE PLAY
*C*aptust in pugna Hegionis filius; *A*lium quadrimum fugiens servus vendidit. *P*ater captivos commercatur Aleos, *T*antum studens ut natum captum recuperet; *E*t inibi emit olim amissum filium. *I*s suo cum domino veste versa ac nomine *V*t amittatur fecit: ipsus plectitur; *E*t is reduxit captum, et fugitivum simul, *I*ndicio cuius alium agnoscit filium.
One of Hegio’s sons has been taken prisoner in a battle with the Eleans; the other was stolen by a runaway slave and sold when he was four years old. The father, in his great anxiety to recover the captured boy, bought up Elean prisoners of war; and among those that he purchased was the son he had lost many years before. This son, having exchanged clothes and names with his Elean master, secured the latter’s release, taking the consequences himself. This master of his returned, bringing Hegio’s captive son, and along with him that runaway slave, whose disclosures led to the recognition of the other son.
PERSONAE
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
ERGASILVS PARASITUS HEGIO SENEX LORARIVS PHILOCRATES ADULESCENS TYNDARVS SERVUS ARISTOPHONTES ADULESCENS PVER PHILOPOLEMVS ADULESCENS STALAGMVS SERVUS
ERGASILUS, _a parasite._ HEGIO, _an old gentleman._ SLAVE OVERSEER, _belonging to Hegio._ PHILOCRATES, _a young Elean captive._ TYNDARUS, _his slave, captured with him._ ARISTOPHONTES, _a young Elean captive._ A PAGE, _in the service of Hegio._ PHILOPOLEMUS, _Hegio’s son._ STALAGMUS, _Hegio’s slave._
_Scene:--A city in Aetolia. A street on which stands Hegio’s house._
PROLOGVS
PROLOGUE
_Tyndarus_ AND _Philocrates_ ARE CHAINED, IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION, TO A PILLAR IN FRONT OF _Hegio’s_ HOUSE
Hos quos videtis stare his captives duos, illi qui astant,[1] hi stant ambo, non sedent; hoc vos mihi testes estis me verum loqui. senex qui his habitat Hegio est huius pater.
These two prisoners you see standing here, well, both of those bystanders are men who are--standing, not sitting down. (_Prologue laughs uproariously at his pleasantry_) I leave it to you if so much is not true. The old man that lives yonder--(_pointing to Hegio’s house_) Hegio, by name-- is this man’s (_pointing to Tyndarus_) father.
sed is quo pacto serviat suo sibi patri, id ego hic apud vos proloquar, si operam datis. seni huic fuerunt filii nati duo; alterum quadrimum puerum servos surpuit eumque hinc profugiens vendidit in Alide patri huius. iam hoc tenetis?[2] optume est. 10
But how it happens that he is the slave of his own father I shall (_jauntily_) here in your midst proclaim, with your kind attention. This old gentleman had two sons. One of them, when he was four years old, was stolen by a slave who took to his heels and sold the boy in Elis to the father of this worthy (_pointing to Philocrates_) here. Now you take me? Very good!
negat hercle ille ultimus. accedito. si non ubi sedeas locus est, est ubi ambules, quando histrionem cogis mendicarier. ego me tua causa, ne erres, non rupturus sum. vos qui potestis ope vestra censerier, accipite relicuom: alieno uti nil moror.
Bless my soul! That gentleman at the back says he does not. Let him step this way--. (_no move in audience_) In case there is no opportunity to take a seat, sir, you can take a (_pointing to an exit_) stroll, seeing you insist on making an actor turn beggar. I have no intention of bursting myself, merely to keep you from misunderstanding the plot. (_to rest of audience_) As for you gentlemen who do own enough property to pay taxes on, let me discharge my debt-- none of the credit system for me.
fugitivos ille, ut dixeram ante, huius patri domo quem profugiens dominum abstulerat vendidit. is postquam hunc emit, dedit eum huic gnato suo peculiarem, quia quasi una aetas erat. 20 hic nunc domi servit suo patri, nec scit pater; enim vero di nos quasi pilas homines habent.
That runaway slave, as I said before, stole his young master when he decamped and sold him to this (_indicating Philocrates_) man’s father. This gentleman, on buying the boy, gave him to this son of his for his very own, the two being of about the same age. Now here he is, back home, his own father’s slave without his father knowing it. Ah yes, the gods use us mortals as footballs!
rationem habetis, quo modo unum amiserit. postquam belligerant Aetoli cum Aleis, ut fit in bello, capitur alter filius: medicus Menarchus emit ibidem in Alide. coepit captivos commercari hic Aleos, si quem reperire possit qui mutet suom, illum captivom: hunc suom esse nescit, qui domist.
Well, you comprehend the way in which he lost one son. Later, when war broke out between the Aetolians and Eleans, the other son was taken prisoner--a common occurrence in times of war--and a doctor, Menarchus, in that same Elis, bought the young man. Hegio then began to buy up Elean captives, hoping to get hold of one that he could exchange for his son--the captive son, that is: for he has no idea that this man at his home is his own child.
et quoniam heri indaudivit, de summo loco 30 summoque genere captum esse equitem Aleum, nil pretio parsit, filio dum parceret: reconciliare ut facilius posset domum, emit hosce e praeda ambos de quaestoribus.
And inasmuch as he heard it rumoured yesterday that an Elean knight of the very highest rank and family connections had been captured, he had no thought of saving money if only he could save his son. So in the hope of getting that son back home more readily he bought both of these prisoners from the commissioners who were disposing of the spoils.
hisce autem inter sese hunc confinxerunt dolum. quo pacto hic servos suom erum hinc amittat domum. itaque inter se commutant vestem et nomina; illic vocatur Philocrates, hic Tyndarus: huius illic, hic illius hodie fert imaginem.
These same prisoners, however, have got together and laid a scheme, as you can see, to the end that the slave here (_indicating Tyndarus_) may send his master off home. Accordingly, they have exchanged clothes and names with each other. That one (_indicating Tyndarus_) is calling himself Philocrates, and this one (_indicating Philocrates_) Tyndarus: each is posing as the other for the time being.
et hic hodie expediet hanc docte fallaciam, 40 et suom erum faciet libertatis compotem, eodemque pacto fratrem servabit suom reducemque faciet liberum in patriam ad patrem, imprudens: itidem ut saepe iam in multis locis plus insciens quis fecit quam prudens boni.
And Tyndarus here is going to work out this trick to-day like an artist, and set his master at liberty. By so doing he will rescue his own brother, too, and enable him to return home to his father a free man, all quite unwittingly,--as in so many cases before now a man has often done more good unconsciously than wittingly.
sed inscientes sua sibi fallacia ita compararunt et confinxerunt dolum itaque hi commenti, de sua sententia ut in servitute hic ad suom maneat patrem: ita nunc ignorans suo sibi servit patri; 50 homunculi quanti sunt, quom recogito! haec res agetur nobis, vobis fabula.
But all unconsciously, in their trickery, they have so planned and contrived and schemed, acting upon their own ideas, that Tyndarus will stay here as his own father’s slave. So now it is his father he is serving unawares. What helpless creatures we mortals be, when I stop to reflect! All this will be fact on the boards, fiction for the benches.
sed etiam est, paucis vos quod monitos voluerim. profecto expediet fabulae huic operam dare. non pertractate facta est neque item ut ceterae: neque spurcidici insunt versus, immemorabiles; hic neque periurus leno est nec meretrix mala neque miles gloriosus; ne vereamini, quia bellum Aetolis esse dixi cum Aleis: foris illic extra scaenam fient proelia. 60
About one thing more, though, I should like to offer a word or two of suggestion. It will undeniably be to your profit to pay attention to this play. It is not composed in the hackneyed style, is quite unlike other plays; nor does it contain filthy lines that one must not repeat. In this comedy you will meet no perjured pimp, or unprincipled courtesan, or braggart captain. Let not my statement that the Aetolians and Eleans are at war alarm you: engagements will take place off the stage yonder.
nam hoc paene iniquomst, comico choragio conari desubito agere nos tragoediam. proin si quis pugnam expectat, litis contrahat: valentiorem nactus adversarium si erit, ego faciam ut pugnam inspectet non bonam, adeo ut spectare postea omnis oderit.
It would almost amount to imposition, you know, for us, in our comedy get-up, to try to present a tragedy all of a sudden. So if anyone is looking for a battle scene, let him pick a quarrel: if he gets a good strong opponent, I promise him a glimpse of a battle scene so unpleasant that hereafter he will hate the very sight of one.
abeo. valete, iudices iustissimi domi duellique duellatores optumi.
(_turning to go_) And so good-bye to you, most just of judges here at home and doughtiest of fighters in the field. [EXEUNT _Prologue_ AND _Captives_.
ACTVS I