---
title: "The Comedy of Asses · Asinaria"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Comedy of Asses · Asinaria. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/"
---

# The Comedy of Asses · Asinaria

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

Two slaves and some money meant for donkeys.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi002, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi002.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Lines 1–337](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/1.md)
2. [Lines 338–644](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/2.md)
3. [Lines 645–947](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/3.md)

## 1. Lines 1–337

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/1/#p-N

[¶0] THE ASS-DEALER DIABOLUS, an Athenian Captain, the rival of Argyripps. A PARASITE, a dependant of Diabolus. A BOY. ARTEMONA, wife of Demaeenetus. CLEAERETA, a procuress. PHILENIUM, daughter of Cleaereta.
PROLOGUS:
Attend now, Spectators, if you please, forthwith to this, and may this matter turn out fortunately for me and for yourselves, and for this company, and for our employers, and for our managers. Now, crier, do you at once make all the people give attentive ear.

> Latin: PROLOGVS:
Hoc agite sultis, spectatores, nunciam,
quae quidem mihi atque vobis res vertat bene
gregique huíc et dominis atque conductoribus.
face nunciam tu, praeco, omnem auritum poplum.

[¶1] Come, be seated now, only be careful that ’tis not for nought. Now I will tell you why I have come forward here, and what my intention is, that you may know the name of this play. For, so far as relates to the plot, it really is a short one. Now I will tell you what I said I was wishful to inform you upon.
The name of this play in Greek is Onagos — Demophilus composed it—Marcus Plautus turned it into Latin. He wishes it to be called Asinaria if by your leaves it may be so. In this play there is both pleasantry and fun.’Tis a droll story; kindly lend me your attention;
may Mars, too, as, full oft at other times he has done, so give you now his aid.
(Enter DEMAENETUS and LIBANUS, from the house of the former.)

> Latin: age nunc reside, cave modo ne gratiis.
nunc quid processerim huc et quid mihi voluerim
dicam: ut sciretis nomen huius fabulae;
nam quod ad argumentum attinet, sane brevest.
nunc quod me dixi velle vobis dicere,
dicam: húic nomen graece Onagost fabulae;
Demophilus scripsit, Maccus vortit barbare;
Asinariam volt esse, si per vos licet.
inest lepos ludusque in hac comoedia,
ridicula res est. date benigne operam mihi,
ut vos, ut alias, pariter nunc Mars adiuvet.

[¶2] LIBANUS:
As you desire your own only son to survive your own existence, prosperous, and living on; so by your lengthened years, and by that wife of yours of whom you stand in awe,
do I conjure you, that if this day you have said anything that’s false against myself, your wife may then survive your own existence, and that, she living, you, still alive, may come to utter destruction.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Sicut tuom vis unicum gnatum tuae
superesse vitae sospitem et superstitem,
ita ted obtestor per senectutem tuam
perque illam, quam tu metuis, uxorem tuam,
si quid med erga hodie falsum dixeris,
ut tibi superstes uxor aetatem siet
atque illa viva vivos ut pestem oppetas.

[¶3] DEMAENETUS:
By the Gods above as to what you seek to know, I see that I must, perforce, speak out, whatever you question me upon, being thus conjured;

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Per Dium Fidium quaeris: iurato mihi
video necesse esse eloqui quidquid roges.

[¶4] so determinedly have you accosted me, that I really do not dare otherwise than to disclose everything to you making all these enquiries. Say then at once what it is that you desire so much to know; as I myself shall know, so will I let you know.

> Latin: [ita me obstinate adgressu'sadgressus es, ut non audeam]
[profecto, percontanti quin promam omnia.]
proinde actutum istuc quid sit quod scire expetis
eloquere: ut ipse scibo, te faciam ut scias.

[¶5] LIBANUS:
Troth now, prithee answer me seriously what I ask you;
take care that you tell me no falsehood.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Dic obsecro hercle serio quod te rogem,
cave míhi mendaci quicquam.

[¶6] DEMAENETUS:
Why, then, don’t you ask?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Quin tu ergo rogas?

[¶7] LIBANUS:
Will you, then, be sending me there, where stone grinds stone?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Num me illuc ducis, ubi lapis lapidem terit?

[¶8] DEMAENETUS:
What place is that? Or where in the world is that place?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Quid istúc est? aut ubi istúc est terrarum loci?

[¶9] LIBANUS:
Where worthless men are weeping, who breakfast upon pearled barley.
DEMAENETUS:
What that place is, or where it is, I cannot understand, where worthless men are weeping, who breakfast upon pearled barley.
LIBANUS:
Why, in the islands of club-land and rattle- chains,
where dead oxen attack living men.

> Latin: Libanvs:
[Vbi flent nequam homines, qui polentam pinsitant.]
apud fústitudinas, ferricrepinas insulas,
ubi vivos homines mortui incursant boves.

[¶10] DEMAENETUS:
I’ faith, I now understand, Libanus, what place it is; that perhaps you mean, where the pearled barley is prepared.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Modo pol percepi, Libane, quid istuc sit loci:
ubi fit polenta, te fortasse dicere.

[¶11] LIBANUS:
O dear: I’m not speaking of that, i’ faith, nor do I wish to speak of it. Troth now, prithee, do spit out the words that you have spoken.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ah,
neque hercle ego istuc dico nec dictum volo,
teque obsecro hercle ut quae locutu'slocutus es despuas.

[¶12] DEMAENETUS:
Be it so; you shall be indulged.
(He coughs and spits.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Fiat, geratur mos tibi.

[¶13] LIBANUS:
Come, come—hawk away.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Age, age usque excrea.

[¶14] DEMAENETUS:
What, still more?
(Spits on.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Etiamne?

[¶15] LIBANUS:
Troth now; prithee, do go on—still more.
DEMAENETUS:
What—from the very bottom of my throat?
(Spits.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Age quaeso hercle usque ex penitis faucibus.

[¶16] LIBANUS:
Even more still.
DEMAENETUS:
Why, how long?
(Spits.)

> Latin: etiam amplius.
Demaenetvs:
Nam quo usque?

[¶17] LIBANUS:
I want you, even to the death—

> Latin: Libanvs:
Vsque ad mortem volo.

[¶18] DEMAENETUS:
Take you care of a woful mishap, if you please.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Cave sís malam rem.

[¶19] LIBANUS:
Of your wife, I mean, not of yourself.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Vxoris dico, non tuam.

[¶20] DEMAENETUS:
For that speech, I give you leave to be free from apprehension.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Dono te ob istuc dictum, ut expers sis metu.

[¶21] LIBANUS:
May the Gods grant you whatever you desire.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Di tibi dent quaecumque optes.

[¶22] DEMAENETUS:
In return, give me your attention. Why should I ask this of you? Or why should I threaten you, because you have not made me acquainted with it? Or why, in fine, should I censure my son
as other fathers do?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Redde operam mihi.
cur hoc ego ex te quaeram? aut cur miniter tibi
propterea quod me non scientem feceris?
aut cur postremo filio suscenseam,
patres ut faciunt ceteri?

[¶23] LIBANUS:
What new affair is this? (Aside.) I wonder much what it is, and I’m in dread what the upshot of it may be.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quid istúc novi est?
demiror quid sit et quo evadat sum in metu.

[¶24] DEMAENETUS:
In fact, I’m now aware that my son’s in love with that Courtesan Philenium, that lives close by. Is not this as I say, Libanus?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Equidem scio iam, filius quod amet meus
istanc meretricem e proxumo Philaenium.
estne hoc ut dico, Libane?

[¶25] LIBANUS:
You are upon the right track; such is the fact. But a dreadful malady has overtaken him.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Rectam instas viam.
ea res est. sed eum morbus invasit gravis.

[¶26] DEMAENETUS:
What is the malady?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Quid morbi est?

[¶27] LIBANUS:
Why, that his presents don’t equal his promises.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quia non suppetunt dictis data.

[¶28] DEMAENETUS:
Are you, then, one who assists my son in his amours?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Tune es adiutor nunc amanti filio?

[¶29] LIBANUS:
I really am, and our Leonida is another.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Sum vero, et alter noster est Leonida.

[¶30] DEMAENETUS:
I’ faith, you do kindly, and you gain thanks from me. But this wife of mine, Libanus, don’t you know what sort of a person she is?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Bene hercle facitis ét a me initis gratiam.
verum meam uxorem, Libane, nescis qualis sit?

[¶31] LIBANUS:
You are the first to experience it, but we give a guess beforehand.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Tu primus sentis, nos tamen in pretio sumus.

[¶32] DEMAENETUS:
I confess that she is troublesome and not to be pleased.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Fateór eam esse importunam atque incommodam.

[¶33] LIBANUS:
You say that later than I believed you in it.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Posterius istuc dicis quam credo tibi.

[¶34] DEMAENETUS:
All parents, Libanus, who listen to me, will show indulgence to their children,
inasmuch as they will find their sons more kindly disposed and more affectionate; and that do I desire to do myself. I wish to be loved by mine; I wish myself to be like my father, who, for my sake, himself in the disguise of a ship-master, carried off from a procurer a female with whom I was in love;

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Omnes parentes, Libane, liberis suis,
qui mi auscultabunt, facient obsequellam†
quippe quí mage amico utantur gnato et benevolo.
atque ego me id facere studeo, volo amari a meis;
volo mé patris mei similem, qui causa mea
nauclerico ipse ornatu per fallaciam
quam amabam abduxit ab lenone mulierem;

[¶35] nor was he ashamed, at that time of life, to devise stratagems, and to purchase with good turns me, his son, for himself. These ways of my father have I resolved to imitate. For to-day my son Argyrippus has entreated me
to give him a supply of money for his amours; and I very much wish in that to oblige my son. I wish to forward his amours; I wish him to be fond of myself, his father. Although his mother keeps him strictly, and with a tight rein, as fathers have been in the habit of doing, all that I dismiss.

> Latin: neque puduit eum id aetatis sycophantias
struere et beneficiis me emere gnatum suom sibi.
eos mé decretumst persequi mores patris.
nam me hodie oravit Argyrippus filius,
uti sibi amanti facerem argenti copiam;
et íd ego percupio obsequi gnato meo.
[volo amori obsecutum illius, volo amet me patrem.]
quamquam illum mater arte contenteque habet,
patres ut consueverunt: ego mitto omnia haec.

[¶36] Especially as he has deemed me deserving, for him to entrust it to ire, I ought to pay all due regard to his feelings. Inasmuch as he has applied to me, as it is right that a respectful son should do, I wish him to have some money for him to give to his mistress …
LIBANUS:
You are desiring that which I find you are do siring to no purpose.

> Latin: praesertim quom is me dignum quoi concrederet
habuit, me habere honorem eius ingenio decet;
quom me adiit, ut pudentem gnatum aequomst patrem,
cupio esse amicae quod det argentum suae.
Libanvs:
Cupis id quod cupere te nequiquam intellego.

[¶37] Your wife brought her servant Saurea with her on her marriage, who has more in his control than you have.

> Latin: dotalem servom Sauream uxor tua
adduxit, cui plus in manu sit quam tibi.

[¶38] DEMAENETUS:
I received money with her, and for the portion I sold my authority. Now I’ll compress into a few words what I want of you; my son is now in need of twenty silver minae:

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Argentum accepi, dote imperium vendidi.
nunc verba in pauca conferam quid te velim.
viginti iam usust filio argenti minis:

[¶39] do you manage that it may be forthwith found for him.
LIBANUS:
From what place in the world?

> Latin: face id ut paratum iam sit.
Libanvs:
Vnde gentium?

[¶40] DEMAENETUS:
Cheat me of them.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Me defraudato.

[¶41] LIBANUS:
You are talking downright nonsense. You are bidding me take the clothes from off a naked man. I, cheat you?—come now, fly you without wings, please. What, am I to cheat you who have nothing in your power for your own self?
Unless you have first cheated your wife out of something.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Maxumas nugas agis:
nudo detrahere vestimenta me iubes.
defraudem te ego? age sís, tu sine pennis vola.
tene ego defraudem, cui ipsi nihil est in manu,
nisi quid tu porro uxorem defraudaveris?

[¶42] DEMAENETUS:
Impose upon or rob myself in any way you can, my wife in any way, my servant Saurea in any way. I promise you that it shall not prove to your detriment, if you effect it to-day.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Qua me, qua uxorem, qua tu servom Sauream
potes, circumduce, aufer; promitto tibi
non offuturum, si id hodie effeceris.

[¶43] LIBANUS:
On the same principle you might bid me to fish in the air,
and to hunt with a javelin in the midst of the sea.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Iubeas una opera me piscari in aere,
venari autem rete iaculo in medio mari.†

[¶44] DEMAENETUS:
Take Leonida as your coadjutor; devise some plan or other, think of some expedient: bring it about that my son this day gets some money to give his mistress.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Tibi optionem sumito Leonidam,
fabricare quidvis, quidvis comminiscere:
perficito, argentum hodie ut habeat filius,
amicae quod det.

[¶45] LIBANUS:
What say you, Demaenetus …
if the foe should intercept me, will you ransom me?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quid ais tu, Demaenete?
Demaenetvs:
Quid ⟨vis?⟩
Libanvs:
Si forte in insidias devenero,
tun redimes me, si me hostes interceperint?

[¶46] DEMAENETUS:
I will ransom you.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Redimam.

[¶47] LIBANUS:
Then do you attend to something else, whatever you please.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Tum tu igitur aliud cura quid lubet.

[¶48] DEMAENETUS:
I’m off to the Forum, unless you wish for anything.
LIBANUS:
Be off—why are you not walking?

> Latin: ego eo ad forum, nisi quid vis.
Demaenetvs:
Ei, bene ambula.

[¶49] DEMAENETUS:
And do you hear, too—?
LIBANUS:
Well now.

> Latin: atque audin etiam?
Libanvs:
Ecce.

[¶50] DEMAENETUS:
If I want you for anything, where will you be?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Si quid te volam,
ubi eris?

[¶51] LIBANUS:
Wherever it shall be agreable to my feelings. Really, there’s not a person that I shall stand in dread of from this time forward, for fear he might be able to do me an injury, since in your discourse you have disclosed to me all your sentiments. Why, your own self even I don’t stand much in awe of, if I carry this out. I’ll go where I intended, and there I’ll commune upon my plans.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Vbicumque libitum erit animo meo.
profecto nemo est quem iam dehinc metuam mihi
ne quid nocere possit, cum tu mihi tua
oratione omnem animum ostendisti tuom.
quin te quoque ipsum facio haud magni, si hoc patro.
pergam quo occepi atque ibi consilia exordiar.

[¶52] DEMAENETUS:
Do you hear me? I shall be with Archibulus, the banker.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Audin tu? apud Archibulum ego ero argentarium.

[¶53] LIBANUS:
In the Forum, you mean?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Nempe in foro?

[¶54] DEMAENETUS:
There, if there shall be any occasion for me.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Ibi, si quid opus fuerit.

[¶55] LIBANUS:
I’ll remember it.
(Exit.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Meminero.—

[¶56] DEMAENETUS: (to himself)
Not any servant can there be more artful than this fellow, nor yet more crafty, nor one that it is more difficult for you to be on your guard against.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Non esse servos peior hoc quisquam potest
nec magis versutus nec quo ab caveas aegrius.

[¶57] If you want anything well managed, entrust it to this same fellow; he’d rather he should die in wretchedness, than not have that quite completed which he has promised. For I know that this money is as surely forthcoming for my son, as that I look upon this same walking-stick.

> Latin: eidem homini, si quid recte curatum velis,
mandes: moriri sese misere mavolet,
quam non perfectum reddat quod promiserit.
nam ego illud argentum tam paratum filio
scio esse quam me hunc scipionem contui.

[¶58] But why am I delaying to go to the Forum where I had intended …
(Exit.) (Enter ARGYRIPPUS, from the house of CLEAERETA, addressing her within.)
ARGYRIPPUS:
Is’t thus it is,—me to be shut out of doors? Is this the reward that’s given to me who deserve so highly of you? To him who deserves well you are unkind, to him who deserves ill you are indulgent.

> Latin: sed quid ego cesso ire ad forum, quo inceperam?
… atque ibi manebo apud argentarium.—
Argyrippvs:
Sícine hoc fít? foras aédibus me éici?
promerenti optume hocin preti redditur?
bene merenti mala es, male merenti bona es;

[¶59] But to your own misfortune, for now from this spot will I go to the Triumvirs, and there I’ll take care your names shall be. I’ll punish capitally yourself and your daughter, you enticers, pests, and destruction of young men! For, compared with you, the sea is not the sea; you are a most dangerous sea.

> Latin: at malo cum tuo, nam iam ex hoc loco
íbo ego ad trés viros vóstraque ibi nómina
faxo erunt, capitis te perdam ego et filiam,
pérlecebrae, pérmities, ádulescentum exitium.
nám mare haud ést mare, vós mare acérrumum;

[¶60] For on the sea did I find it, here have I been cleaned out of my wealth. What I have given, and what kindnesses I have done, I find them all valueless for good, and thrown away. But from hence-forth, whatever harm I shall be able to do you, I will do it, and do it at your deserts. I’ faith, I’ll reduce you to the verge of poverty, that state from which you have risen.
By my troth, I’ll make you to know what you now are, and what you once were; what you were before I visited that daughter of yours, and, in my passion, bestowed upon her my affection; on coarse bread you were enjoying your life, in rags, and in want. And if these you had, especial thanks did you return to all the Divinities. Now, bad woman, you the same person, when ’tis better with you, don’t know me through whose means it is so.

> Latin: nam in mari repperi, hic elavi bonis.
ingrata atque inrita esse omnia intellego
quae dedi et quod bene feci, at posthac tibi
mále quod potero fácere faciam, méritoque id faciám tuo.
ego pol te redigam eodem unde orta es, ad egestatis terminos,
ego edepol te faciam ut quae sis nunc et quae fueris scias.
quae prius quam ístam adii atque amans ego animum méum isti dedi,
sordido vitam oblectabas pane in pannis inopia,
atque ea si érant, magnás habebas omnibus dis gratias;
eadem nunc, cum est melius, me, cuius opera est, ignoras mala.

[¶61] From a wild beast, I’ll make you tame through hunger, only trust me for that. But I have no reason to blame your daughter herself; she does not deserve it in the least. She acts by your command; she obeys your bidding; you are her mother, you too her mistress. I’ll revenge myself on you; I’ll ruin you; as you are deserving, and as you merit at my hands. But look now, the hag, how she really doesn’t think me worthy
for her to come to and address and deprecate my resentment. But, see, the enticer’s coming out at last, I think. Here. before the door, I’ll address her in my own fashion, as I please, since I’m not allowed to do so within.
(Enter CLEAERETA, from her house.)

> Latin: reddam ego te ex fera fame mansuetem, me specta modo.
nam isti quid suscenseam ipsi? nihil est, nihil quicquam meret;
tuo facit iussu, tuo imperio paret: mater tu, eadem era es.
té ego ulciscar, té ego ut digna es perdam atque ut de me meres.
at scelesta viden ut ne id quidem, me dignum esse existumat
quém adeat, quem conloquatur quoique irato supplicet?
atque eccam inlecebra exit tandem; opinor hic ante ostium
meo modo loquar quaé volam, quoniam intus non licitum est mihi.

[¶62] CLEAERETA:
If any purchaser should come, he could not carry him away from me each single word of those for gold Philippean pieces.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Vnum quodque istorum verbum nummis Philippis aureis
non potest auferre hinc a me si quis emptor venerit;

[¶63] What you say wrongfully against us is good gold and silver. Your heart is locked up here with us, at the helm of Cupid. With oars and with sails make haste and fly as fast as you can; the further you betake yourself to sea, the more the tide will bring you back to harbour.

> Latin: nec recte quae tu in nos dicis, aurum atque argentum merumst:
fixus hic apud nós est animus tuos clavo Cupidinis.
remigio veloque quantum poteris festina et fuge:
quam magis té in altum capessis, tam aestus te in portum refert.

[¶64] ARGYRIPPUS:
I faith, I’ll be depriving this custom-house officer of his dues.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ego pol istum portitorem privabo portorio;

[¶65] From henceforth I’ll persist in treating you as you have deserved of me and mine, since you have treated me not as I deserve, in excluding me from your house.

> Latin: ego te dehinc ut merita es de me et mea re tractare exsequar,
quom tu med ut meritus sum non tractas atque eicis domo.

[¶66] CLEAERETA:
I know that that is rather said with the tongue, than that it will happen in deed.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Magis istuc percipimus lingua dici, quam factis fore.

[¶67] ARGYRIPPUS:
I alone have brought you from obscurity and from want; if I alone patronize you, you can never return sufficient thanks.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Solus solitudine ego ted atque ab egestate abstuli;
solus si ductem, referre gratiam numquam potes.

[¶68] CLEAERETA:
Do you still be the only one to patronize me, if you alone will always give me what I ask. Do you always keep what has been promised you, on this condition, that you surpass others in your presents.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Solus ductato, si semper solus quae poscam dabis;
semper tibi promissum habeto hac lege, dum superes datis.

[¶69] ARGYRIPPUS:
What limit is there to be to giving? For really you can never be satisfied; the moment that you’ve received something, not very long after, you are devising something for you to be asking for.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Qui modus dandi? nam numquam tu quidem expleri potes;
modo quom accepisti, haud multo post aliquid quod poscas paras.

[¶70] CLEAERETA:
What limit is there to be to your enjoying yourself, and to your indulging your amour? Can you never be satisfied?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Quid modist ductando, amando? numquamne expleri potes?

[¶71] The moment that you have sent her home, that instant, you are directly asking me to send her back to you.

> Latin: modo remisisti, continuo iam ut remittam ad te rogas.

[¶72] ARGYRIPPUS:
In fact, I have given whatever you have demanded of me.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Dedi equidem quod mecum egisti.

[¶73] CLEAERETA:
And I have sent the damsel to you. A requital has been given, like for like; a return for the money.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Et tibi ego misi mulierem:
par pari datum hostimentumst, opera pro pecunia.

[¶74] ARGYRIPPUS:
You treat me badly.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Male agis mecum.

[¶75] CLEAERETA:
Why do you blame me if I do my duty? For nowhere is it either feigned in story or represented in pictures or written in poems,
where a procuress, who wishes to thrive, treats any lover well.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Quid me accusas, si facio officium meum?
nam neque fictum usquamst neque pictum neque scriptum in poematis
ubi lena bene agat cum quiquam amante, quae frugi esse volt.

[¶76] ARGYRIPPUS:
Still,’twere right for you to show favour to me at least, that I might last the longer for you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Mihi quidem te parcere aequomst tandem, ut tibi durem diu.

[¶77] CLEAERETA:
Don’t you know, the woman that shows favour to a lover, that same woman shows little favour to herself? Just like a fish, so is a lover to a procuress; he’s good for nothing if he isn’t fresh. Then it has juice, then it has sweetness; in any fashion you like you may season it,
either stewed or roasted; ill any way you will, you may turn it. So the lover; he’s ready to give, he longs for something to be asked of him, for there it’s taken from a full stock, nor does he know what he’s giving, or what mischief he’s doing. Of this matter does the new lover think; he wishes himself to please his mistress, he wishes to please me, he wishes to please her lady’s maid, he wishes to please the men-servants, he wishes to please the maid-servants as well, and even my dog
does he caress, that when it sees him, it may be delighted. I tell the truth; it shows cleverness for every person to be fair-dealing for his own advantage.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Non tu scis? quae amanti parcet, eadem sibi parcet parum.
quasi piscis, itidemst amator lenae: nequam est, nisi recens;
is habet sucum, is suavitatem, eum quo vis pacto condias,
vel patinarium vel assum, verses quo pacto lubet:
is dare volt, is se aliquid posci, nam ibi de pleno promitur;
neque ille scit quid det, quid damni faciat: illi rei studet.
volt placere sese amicae, volt mihi, volt pedisequae,
volt famulis, volt etiam ancillis; et quoque catulo meo
subblanditur novos amator, se ut quom videat gaudeat.
vera dico: ad suom quemque hominem quaestum esse aequomst callidum.

[¶78] ARGYRIPPUS:
I’ve thoroughly learned that this is true, to my own great misfortune.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Perdidici istaec esse vera damno cum magno meo.

[¶79] CLEAERETA:
I’ faith, if you now had anything to give, you’d be uttering different remarks; now, since you’ve got nothing, you expect to be having her by means of harsh language.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Si ecastor nunc habeas quod des, alia verba praehibeas;
nunc quia nihil habes, maledictis te eam ductare postulas.

[¶80] ARGYRIPPUS:’Tis not my way.
CLEAERETA:
Nor yet mine, indeed, i’ faith, to be sending her to you for nothing; but this shall be done out of regard for your youthful age and your own sake, since you have rather been the cause of profit to us than of reputation to yourself. If two talents of silver are paid me down, reckoned in my hand, this night will I grant you for nothing, as a present, by reason of my respect for you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Non meum est.
Cleareta:
Nec meum quidem edepol, ad te ut mittam gratiis.
verum aetatis atque honoris gratia hoc fiet tui,
quia nobis lucro fuisti potius quam decori tibi:
si mihi dantur duo talenta argenti numerata in manum,
hanc tibi noctem honoris causa gratiis dono dabo.

[¶81] ARGYRIPPUS:
What if I haven’t it?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid si non est?

[¶82] CLEAERETA:
I’ll believe that you haven’t it—still, she shall go to another.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Tibi non esse credam, illa alio ibit tamen.

[¶83] ARGYRIPPUS:
Where is that which I have given you already?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vbi illaec quae dedi ante?

[¶84] CLEAERETA:
Spent; for if it was remaining to me, the damsel should be sent to you, and I should never ask for anything. Daylight, water, the sun, the moon, the night, these things I purchase not with money; the rest, whatever we wish to enjoy, we purchase on Grecian trust.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Abusa. nam si ea durarent mihi,
mulier mitteretur ad te, numquam quicquam poscerem.
diem aquam solem lunam noctem, haec argento non emo:
ceterum quae volumus uti Graeca mercamur fide.

[¶85] When we ask bread of the baker, wine from the wineshop—if they receive the money, they give their wares; the same principle do I go upon. My hands always have eyes in them; they believe what they see. There’s an old saying, “trusting is good for nought;” you know whose it is—I say no more.

> Latin: quom a pistore panem petimus, vinum ex oenopolio,
si aes habent, dant mercem: eadem nos discipulina utimur.
semper oculatae manus sunt nostrae, credunt quod vident.
vetus est: “nihili coactiost” — scis cuius. non dico amplius.

[¶86] ARGYRIPPUS:
Now I’m clean stripped, you tell me another tale;
a very different one, I say, you give me now from formerly, when I was making presents; a different one from formerly, when with kindness and good words you used to entice me to your house. Then did your house even smile upon me, when I used to come to you. You used to say that I alone of all loved you and her. When I had given anything, just like the young ones of a pigeon were you both upon my lips;
and all your likings were according to my own liking. You always kept close to me; whatever I requested, whatever I wished, you used to do; what I didn’t wish and forbade, that, with carefulness, you used to avoid, nor did you first venture to attempt to do it. Now, you jades, you don’t much care either what I do wish or what I don’t wish.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Aliam nunc mi orationem despoliato praedicas,
longe aliam, inquam, praebes nunc atque olim, quom dabam,
aliam atque olim, quom inliciebas me ad te blande ac benedice.
tum mi aedes quoque arridebant, cum ad te veniebam, tuae;
me unice unum ex omnibus te atque illam amare aibas mihi;
ubi quid dederam, quasi columbae pulli in ore ambae meo
usque eratis, meo de studio studia erant vostra omnia,
usque adhaerebatis: quod ego iusseram, quod volueram
faciebatis, quod nolebam ac votueram, de industria
fugiebatis, neque conari id facere audebatis prius.
nunc neque quid velim neque nolim facitis magni, pessumae.

[¶87] CLEAERETA:
Don’t you know? This calling of ours is very like that of the fowler. The fowler, when he has prepared the spot, sprinkles the food about. The birds are accustomed to the spot.’Tis necessary for him to make an outlay, who seeks for gain. They eat often; if they are caught once, they reimburse the fowler.
So in like manner here with us. Our house is the spot, I am the fowler, the courtesan is the food, the couch is the decoy, the lovers the birds. By kindly welcoming them, by addressing them courteously, by dallying, and by chattering over the wine, and amusing conversation, they are won. If one of them has touched her bosom, that is not without advantage to the fowler. If he has taken a kiss, him you may take without a net. That you should be forgetful of these things, you who have been schooled so long!

> Latin: Cleareta:
Non tu scis? hic noster quaestus aucupi simillimust.
auceps quando concinnavit aream, offundit cibum;
aves adsuescunt: nécesse est facere sumptum qui quaerit lucrum;
saepe edunt: semel si sunt captae, rem solvont aucupi.
itidem hic apud nos: aedes nobis area est, auceps sum ego,
esca est meretrix, lectus inlex est, amatores aves;
bene salutando consuescunt, compellando blanditer,
osculando, oratione vinnula, venustula.
si papillam pertractavit, haud est ab re aúcupis;
savium si sumpsit, sumere eum licet sine retibus.
haecine te esse oblitum, in ludo qui fuisti tam diu?

[¶88] ARGYRIPPUS:
That’s your own fault, in turning away from you a scholar half instructed.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Tua ista culpa est, quae discipulum semidoctum abs te amoves.

[¶89] CLEAERETA:
Come back again without hesitation, if you’ve got the pay; for the present, be off.
(Pretends to go.)

> Latin: Cleareta:
Remeato audacter, mercedem sí eris nactus: nunc abi.

[¶90] ARGYRIPPUS:
Stay, stay; don’t you hear me? Say what you think it fair that I should give you for her, that for this year she may be with no one else.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Mane, mane, audi. dic, quid me aequom censes pro illa tibi dare,
annum hunc ne cum quiquam alio sit?

[¶91] CLEAERETA:
What, you? Twenty minae. And on this condition: if any other person shall bring them first to me, to you—good-bye.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Tene? viginti minas;
atque ea lege: si alius ad me prius attulerit, tu vale.

[¶92] ARGYRIPPUS:
But I— There’s still something that I wish to say to you before you go.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
At ego est etiam prius quam abis quod volo loqui.

[¶93] CLEAERETA:
Say what you please.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Dic quod lubet.

[¶94] ARGYRIPPUS:
I’m not entirely ruined yet; there’s still something more left for me to come to ruin. I have wherewithal to give you what you ask; but I’ll give it you on my own terms,
that you may be enabled to understand that throughout all this year she is to be at my service, and that, in the meantime, she is to admit no other man whatever to her, besides myself.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Non omnino iam perii, est relicuom quo peream magis.
habeo unde istuc tibi quod poscis dem; sed in leges meas
dabo, uti scire possis, perpetuom annum hunc mihi uti serviat
nec quemquam interea alium admittat prorsus quam me ad se virum.

[¶95] CLEAERETA:
Why, if you choose, the male-servants that are at home, I’ll make eunuchs of. In fine, take you care and bring articles of agreement that we will be as you wish. Impose conditions upon us as you wish, and as you shall choose.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Quin, si tu voles, domi sérvi qui sunt castrabo viros.
postremo ut voles nos esse, syngraphum facito adferas;
ut voles, ut tibi lubebit, nobis legem imponito:

[¶96] Do you only bring the money with you, I’ll readily put up with the rest. The doors of procurers are very like those of a custom-house officer; if you bring anything, then they are opened; if there is nothing for you to give, then the doors are not opened.
(Goes into her house.)
ARGYRIPPUS: (to himself.)
I’m undone, if I don’t procure these twenty minae. And really, unless I make away with this much money, I must come to destruction.

> Latin: modo tecum una argentum adferto, facile patiar cetera.
portitorum símillumae sunt ianuae lenoniae:
si adfers, tum patent, si non est quod des, aedes non patent.—
Argyrippvs:
Interii, si non invenio ego illas viginti minas,
et profecto, nisi illud perdo argentum, pereundum est mihi.

[¶97] Now I’ll go to the Forum, and make trial with my resources, with all my endeavours. I’ll beg, I’ll earnestly entreat each friend as I see him; both good and bad am I determined to apply to, and make trial of. But if I can’t borrow it, I’ll take it up at interest, I’m resolved.
(Goes into the house of DEMAENETUS.) (Enter LIBANUS, from the house of DEMAENETUS.)
LIBANUS:
Upon my faith, Libanus, it really were better for you now to be waking,
and to be devising some plan for procuring the money. A long time has now elapsed, since you parted with your master and went to the Forum. For that end that you might devise some plan for procuring the money, there till this time of day have you been sleeping at your ease. Why don’t you away with all slothfulness from yourself, and remove all sluggishness,
and betake yourself again to your former dexterous ingenuity. Preserve your master; take you care, too, how you do the same that other servants are wont, who employ a clever ingenuity in cheating their master? Whence shall I get it? Whom shall I diddle out of it? Whither shall I steer this fly-boat?’Tis settled,’tis confirmed by auspices; on each side do the birds give good omens.
The woodpecker and the crow are on my right, the raven, as well, upon my left. They are persuading me to it: i’ faith, I’m resolved to follow your advice. (Starts and listens.) But what means this, that the woodpecker is tapping the elm-tree? That’s not for nothing. Troth, for certain, so far as I can gather omens from augury, the rods are in readiness for my own back, or for Saurea the chamberlain.

> Latin: nunc pergam ad forum atque experiar opibus, omni copia,
supplicabo, exobsecrabo ut quemque amicum videro,
dignos indignos adire atque experiri certumst mihi,†
nam si mutuas non potero, certumst sumam faenore.—
Libanvs:
Hercle vero, Libane, nunc te meliust expergiscier
atque argento comparando fingere fallaciam.
iam diu est factúm quom discesti ab ero atque abiisti ad forum,
[igitur inveniundo argento ut fingeres fallaciam.]
ibi tu ad hoc diei tempus dormitasti in otio.
quin tu abs te socordiam omnem reice et segnitiem amove
atque ad ingenium vetus versutum te recipis tuom.
serva erum, cave tú idem faxis alii quod servi solent,
quí ad eri fraudationem callidum ingenium gerunt.
unde sumam? quem intervortam? quo hanc celocem conferam?
impetritum, inauguratumst: quovis admittunt aves,
picus et cornix ab laeva, corvos parra ab dextera
consuadent; certum herclest vostram consequi sententiam.
sed quid hoc, quod picus ulmum tundit? non temerariumst.
certe hercle ego quantum ex augurio éius pici intellego,
aut mihi in mundo sunt virgae aut atriensi Saureae.

[¶98] But what means this that Leonida is running this way out of breath? I fear that this bodes ill for my trumped-up schemes
(Stands apart.) (Enter LEONIDA, running.)
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: sed quid illúc, quod exanimatus currit huc Leonida?
metuo quom illic obscaevavit meae falsae fallaciae.

[¶99] Where now shall I find Libanus, or my master’s son, that I may make them more mirthful than is Mirth herself? Great booty and a triumph do I bring them on my arrival.

> Latin: Leonida:
Vbi ego nunc Libanum requiram aut familiarem filium,
ut ego illos lubentiores faciam quam Lubentiast?
maximam praedam et triumphum eis adfero adventu meo.

[¶100] Inasmuch as together with me they drink, together with me they are wont to wench, why, this booty that I’ve got, together with them will I share it.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: quando mecum pariter potant, pariter scortari solent,
hanc quidem, quam nactus, praedam pariter cum illis partiam.

[¶101] This fellow has been robbing a house, if he has been acting after his usual manner. Woe to the person that has so carelessly kept the door!
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Illic homo aedis compilavit, more si fecit suo.
vae illi, qui tam indiligenter observavit ianuam.

[¶102] I could be ready to be a slave for an age, if I could only meet with Libanus.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Aetatem velim servire, Libanum ut conveniam modo.

[¶103] I’ faith, with my assistance, indeed, you shall never be free a bit the sooner.
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Mea quidem hercle ópera liber numquam fies ocius.

[¶104] I’d give two hundred teeming lashes on my back as well.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Etiam de tergo ducentas plagas praegnatis dabo.

[¶105] He’s giving away all his substance, for he carries his treasures on his back.
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Largitur peculium, omnem in tergo thensaurum gerit.

[¶106] But if time should intervene upon this opportunity, never, upon my faith, will he hereafter obtain it again, even with white horses.

> Latin: Leonida:
Nam si huic sése occasioni tempus supterduxerit,
numquam edepol quadrigis albis indipiscet postea;

[¶107] He’ll be deserting his master in the siege; he’ll be increasing the courage of the foe. But if with me he is desirous to seize hold upon this opportunity which has presented itself, very great bounties brimful of joyousness, will he, together with myself, be producing for his masters, both for the son and the father. So that, for life, they will be indebted to us both,
bound by our services.
LIBANUS: (apart.)
He’s talking of persons being bound, I don’t know who. I don’t like it; I fear for us in common, lest he may have been cheating in some cheatery.
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: erum in óbsidione linquet, inimicum animos auxerit.
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.
Libanvs:
Vinctos nescio quos ait;
non placet: metuo, in commune ne quam fraudem frausus sit.

[¶108] I’m utterly undone, unless I find Libanus at once, wherever in the world he is.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Perii ego oppido, nisi Libanum invenio iam, ubiubi est gentium.

[¶109] This fellow’s looking out for an accomplice, to unite with himself in a bad design. I don’t like it:’tis a portentous sign that instant, when a person trembles that sweats.
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Illic homó socium ad malam rem quaerit quem adiungat sibi.
non placet: pro monstro extemplo est, quando qui sudat tremit.

[¶110] But why, as I hasten, do I loiter here with my feet, and make myself so bounteous with my tongue? Why don’t I bid it be quiet, that in its talkativeness is wearing out the day?
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Sed quid ego hic properans concesso pedibus, lingua largior?
quin ego hanc iubeo tacere, quae loquens lacerat diem?

[¶111] Upon my faith, an unfortunate man, to check his patroness; for if he has done anything roguishly, his tongue perjures itself in his behalf.
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Edepol hominem ínfelicem, qui patronam comprimat.
nam si quid sceleste fecit, lingua pro illo perierat.

[¶112] I’ll make haste, lest I should be providing a safe keeping for my spoil too late.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Adproperabo, ne post tempus praedae praesidium parem.

[¶113] What spoil is this? I’ll go meet him, and enquire what it is. (He accosts him.) I wish you health in as loud a voice as my strength admits of.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quae illaec praeda est? ibo advorsum atque electabo, quidquid est.
iubeo te salvere voce summa, quo ad vires valent.

[¶114] LEONIDA:
Exerciser of the whip, health to you.

> Latin: Leonida:
Gymnasium flagri, salveto.

[¶115] LIBANUS:
Keeper of the gaol, how do you do?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quid agis, custos carceris?

[¶116] LEONIDA:
Ha! colonizer of the chains.

> Latin: Leonida:
O catenarum colone.

[¶117] LIBANUS:
Ha! delight of the scourges.

> Latin: Libanvs:
O virgarum lascivia.

[¶118] LEONIDA:
When naked, how many pounds do you say you are in weight?

> Latin: Leonida:
Quot pondo ted esse censes nudum?

[¶119] LIBANUS:
Upon my faith, I don’t know.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Non edepol scio.

[¶120] LEONIDA:
I know that you don’t know; but, i’ faith, I who have weighed you do know. Tied up naked, you were a hundred pounds in weight, when you were hanging with your feet downwards.

> Latin: Leonida:
Scibam ego te nescire, at pol ego, qui ted expendi, scio:
nudus vinctus centum pondo es, quando pendes per pedes.

[¶121] LIBANUS:
On what evidence is that?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quo argumento istuc?

[¶122] LEONIDA:
I’ll tell you on what evidence, and in what way. When you are tied up with a full hundred pounds to your feet, when the manacles are fastened to your hands, and tied to the beam,
you are weighing neither more nor less, than as being a worthless and good-for-nothing fellow.

> Latin: Leonida:
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.

[¶123] LIBANUS:
Woe be to you!

> Latin: Libanvs:
Vae tibi.

[¶124] LEONIDA:
That, Servitude bequeaths to you by her will.

> Latin: Leonida:
Hoc testamento Servitus legat tibi.

[¶125] LIBANUS:
I wish this skirmishing of words to be cut short. What matter is this?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Verbivelitationem fieri compendi volo.
Quid istud est negoti?

[¶126] LEONIDA:
Am I sure in trusting you?

> Latin: Leonida:
Certum est credere.

[¶127] LIBANUS:
You may, without hesitation.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Audacter licet.

[¶128] LEONIDA:
If you wish to assist our master’s son in his amour,
there is so much of a good opportunity on a sudden, but still mingled with evil—all the hangman’s days will be rendered famous by ourselves. Libanus, now have we occasion to find some boldness and inventiveness. An exploit so great have I thought of just now, that we two may be pronounced the most deserving of all for torture to befall us.

> Latin: Leonida:
Sis amanti subvenire familiari filio,
tantum adest boni improviso, verum commixtum malo:
omnes de nobis carnificum concelebrabuntur dies.
Libane, nunc audacia usust nobis inventa et dolis.
tantum facinus modo invéni ego, ut nos dicamur duo
omnium dignissumi esse, quo cruciatus confluant.

[¶129] LIBANUS:’Twas on that account I was wondering why my shoulder-blades were aching just now, which were beginning to prognosticate that there was some danger for them at home. Whatever it is, speak out.
LEONIDA:’Tis great booty with great risk.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ergo mirabar quod dudum scapulae gestibant mihi,
hariolari quae occeperunt, sibi esse in mundo malum.
quidquid est, eloquere.
Leonida:
Magna est praeda cum magno malo.

[¶130] LIBANUS:
If indeed all persons by compact were to collect all the tortures, I have, I fancy, a back at home, so that I need not seek it out of doors.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Si quidem omnes coniurati cruciamenta conferant,
habeo opinor familiare tergum, ne quaeram foris.

[¶131] LEONIDA:
If you maintain such firmness of resolve, then we are all right.

> Latin: Leonida:
Si istam firmitudinem animi óptines, salvi sumus.

[¶132] LIBANUS:
Why, if the matter were to be atoned for by my back, I could wish to seize the public money: I’ll persist in my denial, and I’ll endure all; in fine, I’ll forswear myself.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quin si tergo res solvenda est, rapere cupio publicum:
pernegabo atque obdurabo, periurabo denique.

[¶133] LEONIDA:
Ah! that’s true valour, when occasion is, for one to endure misfortune with boldness. He that endures misfortune with boldness, that man afterwards enjoys good fortune.

> Latin: Leonida:
Em ista virtus est, quando usust qui malum fert fortiter;
fortiter malum qui patitur, idem post potitur bonum.

[¶134] LIBANUS:
Why don’t you tell the matter at once? I’m longing to tempt the scourge.
LEONIDA: (breathing hard.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quin rem actutum edisseris? cupio malum nanciscier.

[¶135] Ask deliberately each particular then, that I may rest me. Don’t you see that I’m still out of breath with running?
LIBANUS:
Well, well, I’ll wait your pleasure, even, in fact, till you die.

> Latin: Leonida:
Placide ergo unum quidquid rogita, ut adquiescam. non vides
me ex cursura anhelitum etiam ducere?
Libanvs:
Age, age, mansero
tuo arbitratu, vel adeo usque dum peris.

[¶136] LEONIDA:
Where’s our master, pray?

> Latin: Leonida:
Vbinam est erus?

[¶137] LIBANUS:
The old one is at the Forum, the young one is here in-doors.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Maior apud forumst, minor hic est intus.

[¶138] LEONIDA:
That’s enough for me then.

> Latin: Leonida:
Iam satis est mihi.

[¶139] LIBANUS:
Is it then that you’ve become a rich man?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Túm igitur tu dives es factus?

[¶140] LEONIDA:
Leave off your raillery.

> Latin: Leonida:
Mitte ridicularia.

[¶141] LIBANUS:
I’ll have done; for my ears are in expectation of what you are bringing me.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Mitto. … istuc quod adfers aures exspectant meae.

[¶142] LEONIDA:
Give your attention, that equally with myself you may learn this.

> Latin: Leonida:
Animum adverte, ut aeque mecum haéc scias.

[¶143] LIBANUS:
I’m silent, then.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Taceo.

[¶144] LEONIDA:
You oblige me. Don’t you remember that our chamberlain sold some Arcadian asses to a dealer of Pella?

> Latin: Leonida:
Beas.
meministin asinos Arcadicos mercatori Pellaeo
nostrum vendere atriensem?

[¶145] LIBANUS:
I remember it; after that, what then?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Memini. quid tum postea?

[¶146] LEONIDA:
Well, he has sent some money here then to be paid to Saurea, for the asses; a young man has just now come who has brought this money.

> Latin: Leonida:
Em ergo is argentum huc remisit, quod daretur Saureae
pró asinis. adulescens venit modo, qui id argentum attulit.

## 2. Lines 338–644

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/2/#p-N

[¶0] LIBANUS:
Where is this person?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Vbi is homost?

[¶1] LEONIDA:
You think he ought to be devoured this instant, if you could see him.

> Latin: Leonida:
Iam devorandum censes, si conspexeris?

[¶2] LIBANUS:
Aye, to be sure. But, however, you are speaking, I suppose, of those asses,
aged and lame, whose hoofs were quite worn away to their very thighs?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ita enim vero. sed tamen, tu nempe eos asinos praedicas
vetulos, claudos, quibus subtritae ad femina iám erant ungulae?

[¶3] LEONIDA:
Those same ones, that carried the elm twigs hither from the country, for your use.

> Latin: Leonida:
Ipsos, qui tibi subvectabant rure huc virgas ulmeas.

[¶4] LIBANUS:
I understand you; and the same ones carried you from here, bound, into the country.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Teneo, atque idem te hinc vexerunt vinctum rus.

[¶5] LEONIDA:
You say what’s quite correct. But as I was sitting in the barber’s shop, he began to make enquiries of me, whether I knew a certain Demaenetus, the son of Strato.

> Latin: Leonida:
Memor es probe.
verum in tonstrina ut sedebam, me infit percontarier,
ecquem filium Stratonis noverim Demaenetum.

[¶6] At once I said that I knew him, and that I was his servant; and I pointed out our house.
LIBANUS:
After that, what then?

> Latin: dico me novisse extemplo et me eius servom praedico
esse, et aedis demonstravi nostras.
Libanvs:
Quid tum postea?

[¶7] LEONIDA:
He said that he was bringing the money for the asses to the chamberlain Saurea, twenty minae in amount; but that he himself didn’t know the individual, who he was, but that he knew Demaenetus quite well.

> Latin: Leonida:
Ait se ob asinos ferre argentum átriensi Saureae,
viginti minas, séd eum sese non nosse hominem qui siet,
ipsum vero se novisse callide Demaenetum.

[¶8] Since he spoke thus to this effect—
LIBANUS:
What then?

> Latin: quoniam ille elocutus haec sic—
Libanvs:
Quid tum?

[¶9] LEONIDA:
Listen then, and you’ll know. At once I made myself courteous, and a person of consequence. I said that I was the chamberlain. Thus, in these terms did he answer me: “Upon my faith, I don’t know Saurea, nor yet of what appearance he is. It isn’t fair for you to blame me; but if you like, bring here Demaenetus, your master, whom I do know; I’ll not prevent you taking the money then.”

> Latin: Leonida:
Ausculta ergo, scies.
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. sí erum vis Demaenetum,
quém ego novi, adduce: argentum non morabor quin feras.”

[¶10] I said that I would bring him, and that I should be at home immediately. He’s about to go to the baths, from there he’ll afterwards come here. What plan do you think, now, I ought to adopt? Tell me.
LIBANUS:
Why, I’m thinking of this, how to get between the money, and the stranger, and Saurea.

> Latin: ego me dixi erum adducturum et me domi praesto fore;
ille in balineas iturust, inde huc veniet postea.
quid nunc consili captandum censes? dic.
Libanvs:
Em istuc ago,
quo modo argento intervortam et adventorem et Sauream.

[¶11] At present this matter is rough-hewn; but if this stranger brings here the money first, then are we both at once shut out from it. But the old man to-day took me apart at a distance from the house, and threatened me and yourself that we should be tasters of the elm twigs, if Argyrippus didn’t this very day get twenty mine of silver.

> Latin: iam hoc opus est † exasceatum; nam si ille argentum prius
hospes huc affert, continuo nos ambo exclusi sumus.
nam me hodie senex seduxit solum sorsum ab aedibus,
mihi tibique interminatust nos futuros ulmeos,
ní hodie Argyrippo éssent viginti argenti minae;

[¶12] He commanded that we should cheat either the chamberlain or his own wife, and said that he would give the aid he promised. Now, do you go to the Forum to our master, and tell him this, how we are going to manage; that you, from Leonida, are going to be the chamberlain Saurea, until the dealer has brought the money for the asses.
LEONIDA:
I’ll do as you request me.

> Latin: iussit vel nos atriensem vel nos uxorem suam
defraudare, dixit sese óperam 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 pró asinis.
Leonida:
Faciam ut iubes.

[¶13] LIBANUS:
In the meantime, I’ll amuse him here, if by chance he should come first.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ego illum interea hic oblectabo, prius si forte advenerit.

[¶14] LEONIDA:
But what say you—?

> Latin: Leonida:
Quid ais?

[¶15] LIBANUS:
What do you want?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quid vis?

[¶16] LEONIDA:
If I give you a blow on the cheek with my fist, by-and-by, while I’m personating Saurea, don’t you be offended.

> Latin: Leonida:
Pugno malam si tibi percussero,
mox cum Sauream imitabor, caveto ne suscenseas.

[¶17] LIBANUS:
I’ faith, but you’ll have a care not to be touching me, if you are wise; you’ll surely have changed your name to day with a bad omen.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Hercle vero tu cavebis ne me attingas, si sapis,
né hodie malo cum auspicio nomen commutaveris.

[¶18] LEONIDA:
Prithee, do endure it with resolution.

> Latin: Leonida:
Quaeso, aequo animo patitor.

[¶19] LIBANUS:
Do you endure the cuff that I, too, shall be giving you in return.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Patitor tú item, cum ego te referiam.

[¶20] LEONIDA:
I speak as it’s in the habit of being done.

> Latin: Leonida:
Dico ut usust fieri.

[¶21] LIBANUS:
I’ faith, and I speak, too, of how I’m likely to act.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Dico hercle ego quoque ut facturus sum.

[¶22] LEONIDA:
Don’t refuse me.

> Latin: Leonida:
Ne nega.

[¶23] LIBANUS:
Why I promise, I tell you, to give you a like return, just as you deserve.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quin promitto, inquam, hostire contra ut merueris.

[¶24] LEONIDA:
I’m off; I know that you’ll put up with it by-and-by. But who’s this?’Tis he—’tis the very man himself. I’ll return here just now; in the meantime do you detain him here;

> Latin: Leonida:
Ego abeo, tu iam, scio, patiere. sed quis hic est? is est,
ille est ipsus. iam ego recurro húc. tu hunc interea hic tene.

[¶25] I want to inform the old gentleman.
(Exit.)
LIBANUS:
Well, do your duty, then, and fly.
(Enter the ASS-DEALER, with a BOY.)
THE ASS-DEALER: (to himself.)

> Latin: volo seni narrare.
Libanvs:
Quin tuom officium facis ergo ac fugis?

[¶26] According as it was pointed out to me, this must be the house where Demaenetus is said to live. (To the BOY.) Go, boy, and knock, and call Saurea the chamberlain out here, if he’s in-doors.
(The BOY goes to knock.)

> Latin: Mercator:
Vt démonstratae súnt mihi, hasce aédis esse opórtet,
Demaenetus ubi dicitur habitare. i, puere, pulta
atque atriensem Sauream, si est intus, evocato huc.

[¶27] LIBANUS:
Who’s breaking in our door in this fashion? Enough there, I say, if you hear me at all.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quis nostras sic frangit fores? ohe, inquam, si quid audis.

[¶28] THE ASS-DEALER:
No one has touched it as yet: are you out of your senses?

> Latin: Mercator:
Nemo etiam tetigit. sanun es?

[¶29] LIBANUS:
Why I thought that you had touched it, because you were steering your course in that direction. I don’t want the door, my fellow-slave, to be thumped by you; I really am attached to our house.

> Latin: Libanvs:
At censebam attigisse
propterea, huc quia habebas iter. nolo ego fores conservas
meas á te verberarier. sane ego sum amicus nostris.

[¶30] THE ASS-DEALER:
I’ faith, there’s no fear of the hinges being broken off the doors, if you answer all who make enquiries in this fashion.

> Latin: Mercator:
Pol haud periclum est, cardines ne foribus effringantur,
si istoc exemplo omnibus qui quaerunt respondebis.

[¶31] LIBANUS:
This door is of this habit; it cries out at once for tho porter, if it sees any door-kicker at a distance coming towards it. But what are you come for? What are you enquiring about?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ita haec morata est ianua: extemplo ianitorem
clamat, procul si quem videt ire ad se calcitronem.
sed quid venis? quid quaeritas?

[¶32] THE ASS-DEALER:
I wanted Demaenetus.

> Latin: Mercator:
Demaenetum volebam.

[¶33] LIBANUS:
If he were at home, I would tell you so.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Si sit domi, dicam tibi.

[¶34] THE ASS-DEALER:
Well, his chamberlain then?

> Latin: Mercator:
Quid eius atriensis?

[¶35] LIBANUS:
No more is ne at home.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Nihilo mage intus est.

[¶36] THE ASS-DEALER:
Where is he?

> Latin: Mercator:
Vbi est?

[¶37] LIBANUS:
He said he was going to the barber’s.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ad tonsorem ire dixit.

[¶38] THE ASS-DEALER:
Hasn’t he returned, since he went there?

> Latin: Mercator:
Conveni. sed post non redit?

[¶39] LIBANUS:
I’ faith, he hasn’t. What did you want?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Non edepol. quid volebas?

[¶40] THE ASS-DEALER:
He was to have received twenty mine of silver, if he had been in.

> Latin: Mercator:
Argenti viginti minas, si adesset, accepisset.

[¶41] LIBANUS:
What was it for?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Qui pro istuc?

[¶42] THE ASS-DEALER:
He sold some asses at market to a dealer from Pella.

> Latin: Mercator:
Asinos vendidit Pellaeo mercatori
mercatu.

[¶43] LIBANUS:
I understand; you are bringing it now. I think that he’ll be here just now.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Scio. tu id nunc refers? iam hic credo eum adfuturum.

[¶44] THE ASS-DEALER:
Of what appearance is your chamberlain Saurea? If it’s he, I shall be able to know at once.

> Latin: Mercator:
Qua facie voster Saurea est? si is est, iam scire potero.

[¶45] LIBANUS:
Lantern-jawed, with reddish hair, a little pot-bellied, with glaring eyes, middling stature, sour aspect.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Macilentis malis, rufulus aliquantum, ventriosus,
truculentis oculis, commoda statura, tristi fronte.

[¶46] THE ASS-DEALER:
A painter couldn’t have more correctly described his appearance— And, i’ faith, I see the very man; he’s coming this way, wagging his head.

> Latin: Mercator:
Non potuit pictor rectius describere eius formam.

[¶47] LIBANUS:
Whoever gets in his way when he’s in a passion, he’ll be for striking him.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Atque hercle ipsum adeo contuor, quassanti capite incedit.
quisque obviam huic occesserit irato, vapulabit.

[¶48] THE ASS-DEALER:
By my faith, if, indeed, he were coming filled with the threats and the courage of the grandson ofAeacus, if he were to touch me in his wrath, in his wrath he would be getting a thrashing.
(Enter LEONIDA, counterfeiting SAUREA.)
LEONIDA: (to himself.)

> Latin: Mercator:
Siquidem hércle Aeacidinis minis animisque expletus incedit,
si med iratus tetigerit, iratus vapulabit.

[¶49] What’s this to do here? Not a person bares a bit about my orders! How did I order Libanus to come to the barber’s shop, and he didn’t come at all. I’ faith, for sure he hasn’t consulted well for his back and his legs.
THE ASS-DEALER: (to himself.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Quid hoc sít negoti, neminem meum dictum magni facere?
Libanum in tonstrinam ut iusseram venire, is nullus venit.
ne ille edepol tergo et cruribus consuluit haud decore.

[¶50] This is a very overbearing fellow.
LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Woe to me this day!

> Latin: Mercator:
Nimis imperiosust.
Libanvs:
Vae mihi.

[¶51] LEONIDA:
I bid welcome to Libanus, the freed-man! Are you set at liberty now?

> Latin: Leonida:
Hodie salvere iussi
Libanum libertum? iam manu emíssu'semissus es?

[¶52] LIBANUS:
I do implore you.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Obsecro te.

[¶53] LEONIDA:
In good sooth, to your great misfortune surely have you fallen in my way. Why didn’t you come to the barber’s shop, as I ordered you?

> Latin: Leonida:
Ne tu hercle cum magno malo mihi obviam occessisti.
cur non venisti, ut iusseram, in tonstrinam?

[¶54] LIBANUS: (pointing to the ASS-DEALER.)
This person detained me.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Hic me moratust.

[¶55] LEONIDA:
I’ faith, if in fact you were now to say that supreme Jove had detained you,
and he were present to sue for you, you shouldn’t escape the evil consequences. Whip-knave, did you disobey my orders?
(Offers to strike him.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Siquidem hércle nunc summum Iovem te dicas detinuisse
atque is precator adsiet, malam rem effugies numquam.
tu, verbero, imperium meum contempsisti?

[¶56] LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Stranger, I’m done for.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Perii, hospes.

[¶57] THE ASS-DEALER:
Prithee, Saurea, for my sake, don’t beat him.

> Latin: Mercator:
Quaeso hercle noli, Saurea, mea causa hunc verberare.

[¶58] LEONIDA:
I wish, now, I had a whip in my hand—

> Latin: Leonida:
Vtinam nunc stimulus in manu mihi sit.

[¶59] THE ASS-DEALER:
Prithee, do be appeased.

> Latin: Mercator:
Quiesce quaeso.

[¶60] LEONIDA:
—With which to lash your sides, which have grown callous with blows.
(To the ASS-DEALER, who interposes.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Qui latera conteram tua, quae occalluere plagis.

[¶61] Stand off this way; let me be the death of this fellow who is continually inflaming me with anger—a thief to whom I can never once enjoin a single thing, but that I must command the same things a hundred times, and din them in his ears. For that reason, now, by my troth, what with bawling and passion, I cannot endure the labour. Have you, you rascal, (pointing) ordered this dirt to be removed hence from the door?

> Latin: abscede ac sine me hunc perdere, qui semper me ira incendit,
cui numquam unam rem me licet semel praecipere furi,
quin centiens eadem imperem atque ogganniam, itaque iam hercle
clamore ac stomacho non queo labori suppeditare.
iussin, sceleste, ab ianua hoc stercus hinc auferri?

[¶62] Have you ordered the labours of the spiders to be swept down from the pillars? Have you ordered those bosses on our door to be brought to brightness? It’s of no use; I must walk about with a stick, as though I were a lame man. Because only for these single three days I have been giving my constant attendance at the Forum, in order to find some one who requires money upon interest, here,
in the meantime, are you sleeping at home, and my master is living in a pigstye, not in a house.(He strikes LIBANUS.) There now, take you that.
LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Prithee, stranger, do take my part.

> Latin: iussin columnis deici operas araneorum?
iussin in splendorem dari bullas has foribus nostris?
nihil est: tamquam si claudus sim, cum fustist ambulandum.
quia triduom hoc unum modo foro operam adsiduam dedo,
dum reperiam qui quaeritet argentum in faenus, hic vos
dormitis interea domi, atque erus in hara, haud aedibus, habitat.
em ergo hóc tibi.
Libanvs:
Hospes, te obsecro, defende.

[¶63] THE ASS-DEALER:
Saurea, for my sake, I entreat you, do let him go.

> Latin: Mercator:
Saurea, oro,
mea causa ut mittás.

[¶64] LEONIDA:
Hark you! has any one paid for the carriage of that olive oil?

> Latin: Leonida:
Eho, ecquis pro vectura olivi
rem solvit?

[¶65] LIBANUS:
He has paid.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Solvit.

[¶66] LEONIDA:
To whom was it given?

> Latin: Leonida:
Cui datumst?

[¶67] LIBANUS:
To Stichus himself, your deputy.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Sticho vicario ipsi
tuo.

[¶68] LEONIDA:
Tut! you’re trying to mollify me. I know that he is my deputy,
and that there isn’t a servant in the house who is more valuable to his master than he is. But the wines that I sold yesterday to Exaerambus, the wine merchant, has he yet paid Stichus for them?

> Latin: Leonida:
Váh, delenire apparas, scio mihi vicarium esse,
neque eo esse servom in aedibus eri quí sit pluris quam illest.
sed vina quaé heri vendidi vinario Exaerambo,
iam pró eis satis fecit Sticho?

[¶69] LIBANUS:
I think he has, in full; for I saw Exaerambus himself bringing hither his banker.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Fecisse satis opinor,
nam vidi huc ipsum adducere trapezitam Exaerambum.

[¶70] LEONIDA:
On such terms would I always deal; before, what I’ve trusted, I’ve hardly been paid within a year after.

> Latin: Leonida:
Sic dedero. prius quae credidi vix anno post exegi;

[¶71] Now he’s quite in a hurry; even of his own accord he brings him to the house, and writes a transfer of the money. Has Dromo paid down the wages agreed upon?
LIBANUS:
Less than half, I think.

> Latin: nunc satagit: adducit domum etiam ultro et scribit nummos.
Dromo mercedem rettulit?
Libanvs:
Dimidio minus opinor.

[¶72] LEONIDA:
What about the remainder?

> Latin: Leonida:
Quid relicuom?

[¶73] LIBANUS:
He said that he would pay it directly it was paid to him; for it was retained until he had finished the work that was agreed on to be done by him.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Aibat reddere quom extemplo redditum esset;
nam retineri, ut quod sit sibi operis locatum efficeret.

[¶74] LEONIDA:
The cups that I lent to Philodamus, has he brought them back?

> Latin: Leonida:
Scyphos quos utendos dedi Philodamo, rettulitne?

[¶75] LIBANUS:
Not yet.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Non etiam.

[¶76] LEONIDA:
What, not yet? If you wish to make a present, lend to a person that is a friend—
THE ASS-DEALER: (aside.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Hem non? si velis da …, commoda homini amico.

[¶77] I’ faith, I’m quite undone; he’ll be just now driving me away with his ill-temper.
LIBANUS: (in a low voice to LEONIDA.)
Hallo! you, enough now. Do you hear what he’s saying?

> Latin: Mercator:
Perii hercle, iam hic me abegerit suo odio.
Libanvs:
Heús iam satis tu.
audin quae loquitur?

[¶78] LEONIDA: (in the same way to LIBANUS.)
I hear, and I’ll have done.

> Latin: Leonida:
Audio et quiesco.

[¶79] THE ASS-DEALER: (aside.)
At last, I think, he has done: now it’s best to accost him before he commences again to prate. (To LEONIDA.) How soon, sir, will you give me your attention?

> Latin: Mercator:
Tandem, opinor,
conticuit. nunc adeam optimum est, prius quam incipit tinnire.
quam mox mi operam das?

[¶80] LEONIDA:
Oh, by all means—have you been here any time?

> Latin: Leonida:
Ehem, óptume. quam dudum tu advenisti?

[¶81] Troth, I didn’t observe you; pray, don’t lay it to my charge: anger has so blinded my eyesight.
THE ASS-DEALER:’Tisn’t to be wondered at. But if he’s at home, I was wanting Demaenetus.
LEONIDA:
Libanus says that he isn’t within. But still, if you like to pay that money over to me, I’ll give you an acquittance that the account is discharged as to that item.

> Latin: non hercle te provideram (quaeso, ne vitio vortas),
ita iracundia obstitit oculis.
Mercator:
Non mirum factum est.
sed si domi est, Demaenetum volebam.
Leonida:
Negat esse intus.
verum istuc argentum tamen mihi si vis denumerare,
repromittam istoc nomine solutam rem futuram.

[¶82] THE ASS-DEALER:
This way rather, for me to pay you in the presence of your master, Demaenetus.

> Latin: Mercator:
Sic potius, ut Demaeneto tibi ero praesente reddam.

[¶83] LIBANUS:
My master knows him, and he my master.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Erus istunc novit atque erum hic.

[¶84] THE ASS-DEALER:
In his master’s presence, I’ll pay him.

> Latin: Mercator:
Ero huic praesente reddam.

[¶85] LIBANUS:
At my peril, so you only pay him, I’ll engage the matter’s safe. For if our old gentleman were to know that confidence wasn’t placed in him, to whom he himself always entrusts the management of all matters, he would be angry.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Da modo meo periculo, rem salvam ego exhibebo;
nam si sciat noster senex fidem non esse huic habitam,
suscenseat, quoi ómnium rerum ipsus semper credit.

[¶86] LEONIDA:
I don’t much care; don’t let him not pay it, if he don’t like; so let him stand here.

> Latin: Leonida:
Non magni pendo. ne duit, si non volt. sic sine astet.

[¶87] LIBANUS:
Give it him, I say. Oh dear, I’m sadly afraid that he’ll be thinking that I’ve persuaded you not to trust him; prithee, do give it and don’t be afraid. Upon my word, it will be safe.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Da, inquam. vah, formido miser, ne hic me tibi arbitretur
suasisse, sibi ne crederes. da, quaeso, ac ne formida:
salvom hercle erit.

[¶88] THE ASS-DEALER:
I think it will be—so long, indeed, as I myself keep it in my hand. I’m a stranger; I don’t know Saurea.

> Latin: Mercator:
Credam fore, dum quidem ipse in mánu habebo.
peregrinus ego sum, Sauream non novi.

[¶89] LIBANUS:
Well, know him now then.

> Latin: Libanvs:
At nosce sane.

[¶90] THE ASS-DEALER:
It may be he, it may not be he; i’ faith, I know not; if it’s he, why then it must be he. I know for sure that I shall give this up to no person that I don’t know.
LEONIDA: (aside.)

> Latin: Mercator:
Sit, non sit, non edepol scio. si is est, eum esse oportet.
ego certe me incerto scio hoc daturum nemini homini.

[¶91] Troth now, may all the Gods confound the fellow. (Aloud to LIBANUS.) Take care you don’t entreat him with a word. He’s arrogant, because he’s fingering my twenty minae. No one will take it. (To the ASS-DEALER.) Take yourself off home, be off from here, and don’t be troublesome.

> Latin: Leonida:
Hercle istum di omnes perduint. verbo cave supplicassis.
ferox est viginti minas meas tractare sese.
nemo accipit, aufer te domum, abscede hinc, molestus ne sis.

[¶92] THE ASS-DEALER:
You are in too angry mood: it isn’t right for a person who is a slave to give himself airs.

> Latin: Mercator:
Nimis iracunde. non decet superbum esse hominem servom.

[¶93] LIBANUS:
By my faith, to your own great misfortune now are you talking uncivilly to him.

> Latin: Leonida:
Malo hercle iam magno tuo, ni isti nec recte dicis.

[¶94] Dirty, worthless fellow, don’t you see he’s angry?
LEONIDA: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Be off then.
LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Impure, nihili. non vides irasci?
Leonida:
Perge porro.

[¶95] Scoundrelly fellow. (Aside to him.) Prithee, do give him the money lest he should abuse you.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Flagitium hominis. da, óbsecro, argentum huic, ne male loquatur.

[¶96] THE ASS-DEALER:
On my word, you are seeking evil for yourselves.

> Latin: Mercator:
Malum hercle vobis quaeritis.

[¶97] LEONIDA: (to LIBANUS.)
By the powers, your legs shall be broken,
if you don’t proclaim this shameless fellow.

> Latin: Leonida:
Crura hercle diffringentur,
ni istum impudicum percies.

[¶98] LIBANUS:
Troth, I’m undone. Be off, you shameless fellow.
LEONIDA:
You rascal.
LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Won’t you venture to assist me, you rascal?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Perii hercle. age impudice,
sceleste, non audes mihi scelesto subvenire?

[¶99] LEONIDA:
Do you persist in soliciting the scamp?

> Latin: Leonida:
Pergin precari pessimo?

[¶100] THE ASS-DEALER:
How’s this? (To LEONIDA.) Do you, rascal, who are a slave, speak abusively to a free man?

> Latin: Mercator:
Quae res? tun libero homini
male servos loquere?

[¶101] LEONIDA:
Give him a beating.

> Latin: Leonida:
Vapula.

[¶102] THE ASS-DEALER:
By my faith, that surely shall befall yourself to get a beating as soon as ever I shall see Demaenetus this day.

> Latin: Mercator:
Id quidém tibi hercle fiet,
ut vapules, Demaenetum simul ac conspexero hodie.

[¶103] I summon you to judgments.
LEONIDA:
I shan’t go.

> Latin: [in ius voco te.]
Leonida:
[Non eo.]

[¶104] THE ASS-DEALER:
You won’t go? Remember—

> Latin: Mercator:
[Non is? memento.]

[¶105] LEONIDA:
I do remember.

> Latin: Leonida:
[Memini.]

[¶106] THE ASS-DEALER:
I’ faith, I’ll have satisfaction out of your back.

> Latin: Mercator:
[Dabitur pol supplicium mihi de tergo vostro.]

[¶107] LEONIDA:
Woe unto you? What, villain—satisfaction to be given by us to you indeed?

> Latin: Leonida:
[Vae te.]
[tibi quidem supplicium, carnufex, de nobis detur?†]

[¶108] THE ASS-DEALER:
Aye, and even this very day satisfaction shall be given me for your abusive language.

> Latin: Mercator:
[Atque etiam]
[pro dictis vostris maledicis poenae pendentur mi hodie.]

[¶109] LEONIDA:
How now, whip-knave? How say you, hang-dog? Do you suppose that we shall run away from our master? Go this instant then to our master, where you were citing us just now, and where you were wishing to go.

> Latin: Leonida:
Quid, verbero? ain tu, furcifer? erum nos fugitare censes?
ei nunciam ad erum, quo vocas, iam dudum quo volebas.

[¶110] THE ASS-DEALER:
What, now at last? Still, you shall never get a coin of money away from me, unless Demaenetus shall order me to give it.

> Latin: Mercator:
Nunc demum? tamen numquam hinc feres argenti nummum, nisi me
dare iusserit Demaenetus.

[¶111] LEONIDA:
Do so. Come, move on then. Are you to offer insults to another person, and are they not to be repeated to yourself?

> Latin: Leonida:
Ita facito, age ambula ergo.
tu contumeliam alteri facias, tibi non dicatur?

[¶112] I’m a man as much as you are.
THE ASS-DEALER:
No doubt such is the fact.

> Latin: tam ego homo sum quam tu.
Mercator:
Scilicet. ita res est.

[¶113] LEONIDA:
Follow me this way, then. With your good leave I would now say this: not a person has ever accused me by reason of my deserving it, nor is there in Athens one other individual, this day, whom they would think they could as safely trust.

> Latin: Leonida:
Sequere hac ergo.
praefiscini hoc nunc dixerim: nemo etiam me accusavit
merito meo, neque me alter est Athenis hodie quisquam,
cui credi recte aeque putent.

[¶114] THE ASS-DEALER:
Perhaps so: but still, you shall never this day persuade me to entrust to you, whom I don’t know, this money.

> Latin: Mercator:
Fortassis. sed tamen me
numquam hodie induces, ut tibi credam hoc argentum ignoto.

[¶115] A man to a man is a wolf, not a man, when the other doesn’t know of what character he is.

> Latin: lupus est homo homini, non homo, quom qualis sit non novit.

[¶116] LEONIDA:
Now at last you are appeasing me: I was sure that this day you would give satisfaction to this poor head of mine; although I’m in mean garb, still, I’m well to do, nor can an estimate of my means be formed from it.

> Latin: Leonida:
Iam nunc secunda mihi facis. scibam huic te capitulo hodie
facturum satis pro iniuria; quamquam ego sum sordidatus,
frugi tamen sum, nec potest peculium enumerari.

[¶117] THE ASS-DEALER:
Perhaps so.

> Latin: Mercator:
Fortasse.

[¶118] LEONIDA:
Still more then I tell you: Periphanes, a merchant of Rhodes, a rich man,
in the absence of my master, himself alone paid over to me, in private, a talent of silver, and trusted me, nor was he deceived in it.

> Latin: Leonida:
Etiam † nunc dico Periphanes Rhodo mercator dives
absente ero solus mihi talentum argenti soli
adnumeravit et mihi crédidit, nequest deceptus in eo.

[¶119] THE ASS-DEALER:
Perhaps so.

> Latin: Mercator:
Fortasse.

[¶120] LEONIDA:
And you, too, yourself, as well, if you had enquired about me of other people, would, i’ faith, I’m quite sure, have entrusted to me what you now have with you.

> Latin: Leonida:
Atque etiam tu quoque ipse, si esses percontatus
me ex aliis, scio pol crederes nunc quod fers.

[¶121] THE ASS-DEALER:
I don’t deny it.
(Exeunt.) (Enter CLEAERETA and PHEILENIUM, from the house of the former.)

> Latin: Mercator:
Haud negassim.—

[¶122] CLEAERETA:
And am I unable to render you obedient to my injunctions?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Néqueon ego ted interdictis facere mansuetem meis?

[¶123] Or are you so disposed as to be free from the control of your mother?

> Latin: an ita tu es animata, ut qui matris éxpers imperio sies?

[¶124] PHILENIUM:
How could I propitiate Piety, if I could desire to please you, being endowed with these manners, after the fashion, mother, that you enjoin upon me?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Vbi piem Pietatem, si istoc more moratam tibi
postulem placere, mater, mihi quo pacto praecipis?

[¶125] CLEAERETA:
Is it consistent with propriety for you to oppose my precepts?

> Latin: Cleareta:
[An decorum est adversari meis te praeceptis?]

[¶126] PHILENIUM:
How so?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
[Quid est?]

[¶127] CLEAERETA:
Is this worshipping Piety, to lessen the authority of a mother?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Hocine est pietatem colere, matris impérium minuere?

[¶128] PHILENIUM:
Those who act right I blame not, nor do I love those who do wrong.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Neque quae recte faciunt culpo neque quae delinquont amo.

[¶129] CLEAERETA:
You are a very prating, lovesick girl.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Satis dicacula es amatrix.

[¶130] PHILENIUM:
Mother, that is my living. His tongue woos me, his person seeks me, his passion pleads, opportunity prompts.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Mater, is quaestus mihi est:
lingua poscit, corpus quaerit; animus orat, res monet.

[¶131] CLEAERETA:
I was purposing to convince you. Are you come as my accuser?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Ego te volui castigare, tu mi accusatrix ades.

[¶132] PHILENIUM:
By my troth, I neither do accuse you, nor do I think it right I should do so;

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Neque edepol te accuso neque id me facere fas existimo.

[¶133] but I do complain of my lot, when I am separated from him whom I love.

> Latin: verum ego meas queror fortunas, cum illo quém amo prohibeor.

[¶134] CLEAERETA:
Will then one bit of the whole day’s talk be left for myself?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Ecqua pars orationis de die dabitur mihi?

[¶135] PHILENIUM:
Both my share of the speaking and your own do I give up to you. Do you yourself keep the signal both for speaking and for being silent.
But, i’ faith, if I only put up my oars in the boat-house while I’m resting, all the welfare of the household is at a standstill for you.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Et meam partem loquendi ét tuam trado tibi;
ad loquendum atque ad tacendum tute habeas portisculum.
quin pol si reposivi remum, sola ego in casteria
ubi quiesco, omnis familiae causa consistit tibi.

[¶136] CLEAERETA:
How say you, the out and out most insolent woman that ever I saw? How often have I forbidden you to speak to Argyrippus, the son of Demaenetus, or to touch him, or to hold discourse with him, or to look at him? What has he ever given? What has he ordered to be brought to our house? Or do you fancy to yourself
that smooth words are gold?—that clever speeches are as good as presents? Of your own accord you fell in love with him; of your own accord you go after him; of your own accord you request him to be sent for to you. Those who are givers, those same you laugh at; those who are cheating us, you are dying for. If any one promises you that he’ll make you rich when his mother dies, ought you to be waiting for that?

> Latin: Cleareta:
Quid ais tu, quam ego unam vidi mulierem audacissimam?
quotiens te votui Argyrippum filium Demaeneti
compellare aut contrectare, conloquive aut contui?
quid dedit? quid ad nos iussit deportari? an tu tibi
verba blanda esse aurum rere, dicta docta pro datis?
ultro amas, ultro expetessis, ultro ad te accersi iubes.
illos qui dant, eos derides; qui deludunt, deperis.
an te id exspectare oportet, si quis promittat tibi
te facturum divitem, si moriatur mater sua?

[¶137] I’ faith, a great risk impends over ourselves and the household, that we may die of hunger while we are awaiting her death. Now therefore, unless he brings me here twenty minae of silver, upon my word, though profuse of his tears, he shall certainly be turned from here out of doors. This day’s the end of excuses for poverty at my house.

> Latin: †ecastor nobis periclum magnum et familiae portenditur,
dum eius exspectamus mortem, ne nos moriamur fame.
nunc adeo nisi mi huc argenti ádfert viginti minas,
ne ille ecastor hinc trudetur largus lacrumarum foras.
hic dies summust … apud me inópiae excusatio.

[¶138] PHILENIUM:
If, my mother, you were to order me to go without victuals, I would submit.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Patiar, si cibo carere me iubes, mater mea.

[¶139] CLEAERETA:
I don’t forbid you to love those who give that for the sake of which they ought to be loved.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Non voto téd amare qui dant quoia amentur gratia.

[¶140] PHILENIUM:
What, mother, if this inclination of mine is fixed? What am I to do? Tell me.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Quid si hic animus occupatust, mater, quid faciam? mone.

[¶141] CLEAERETA:
Oh dear—look at my head, if, indeed, you consider your own interest.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Em,
meum caput contemples, si quidem ex re consultas tua.

[¶142] PHILENIUM:
Even the shepherd, mother, that feeds the sheep of another, has a certain one of his own to be the consoler of his hopes. For the sake of my affection, do allow me to love Argyrippus only, who is my choice.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Etiam ópilio qui pascit, mater, alienas ovis,
aliquam habet peculiarem, qui spem soletur suam.
sine me amare unum Argyrippum ánimi causa, quem volo.

[¶143] CLEAERETA:
Go in-doors, for, upon my word, there is really nothing more impudent than yourself.

> Latin: Cleareta:
Intro abi, nam te quidem edepol nihil est impudentius.

[¶144] PHILENIUM:
Mother, you have given birth to a daughter obedient to your commands.
(They go into the house.) (Enter LEONIDA and LIBANUS.)

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Audientem dicto, mater, produxisti filiam.

[¶145] LEONIDA:
Great praise and thanks we give deservedly to perfidy, when relying upon our tricks, our stratagems, and our devices, upon our confidence in our shoulder-blades and the hardihood resulting from the elm-twigs so oft applied, against the whips, the searing-irons, the crosses, and the fetters,
the cords, the chains, the prisons, the stocks, the shackles, the collars, and taskmasters most cruel and well acquainted with our backs, who many a time before have imprinted scars upon our shoulder-blades; by conquering, now, these legions, troops and armies of thieves,
by our prowess, through our perjuries, O brave, have we gained the victory. This, through the valour of this comrade of mine, and through my own courtesy, has been brought about.
LIBANUS:
What man is there more firm than myself at enduring stripes?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Perfídiae laudes grátiasque habémus merito mágnas,
quom nostris sycophantiis, dolis astutiisque,
[scapularum confidentia, virtute ulmorum freti]
qui advorsum stimulos, lamminas, crucesque compedesque,
nervos, catenas, carceres, numellas, pedicas, boias
†indoctoresque acerrumos gnarosque nostri tergi,
[qui saepe ante in nostras scapulas cicatrices indiderunt]
…
eae núnc legiones, copiae exercitusque eorum
vi pugnando periuriis nostris fugae potiti.
id virtute huius † collegae meaque comitate
factumst. qui me vir fortior ad sufferundas plagas?

[¶146] LEONIDA:
By the powers, you who can extol your exploits now, as I can do exploits, which in peace and in warfare you have so — villanously performed;

> Latin: Leonida:
Edepol virtutes qui tuas non possis conlaudare
sic ut ego possim, quae domi duellique male fecisti.

[¶147] verily, in troth, many in number may they be now recounted according to your deserts; where you have defrauded him that trusted you, where you have proved faithless to your master, where knowingly and wilfully you have on solemn oath been perjured, where you have bored through party walls, where you have been detected in theft, where you have full oft pleaded your cause, as you hung up, against eight
clever, hardened fellows, sturdy stripers.

> Latin: ne illa edepol pro merito tuo memorari multa possunt:
ubi fidentem fraudaveris, ubi ero infidelis fueris,
ubi verbis conceptis sciens libenter periuraris,
ubi parietes perfoderis, in furto ubi sis prehensus,
ubi saepe causam dixeris pendens adversus octo
artutos, audacis viros, valentis virgatores.

[¶148] LIBANUS:
Certainly I do admit, Leonida, that it is true as you say. But verily, in troth, your many misdeeds, too, may be recounted as well and truly; where wilfully you have proved faithless to the trusting, where you have been detected in theft and scourged in public,
where you have proved forsworn, where you have laid hands on sacred things, where to your masters you have full oft proved a loss, a trouble, and a disgrace, where you have stoutly denied that that was given to you which had been entrusted to you, where you have proved more faithful to your wench than to your friend, where through your hardihood you have frequently reduced to weariness eight
sturdy lictors, armed with pliant twigs of elm. (To the AUDIENCE.) Is the compliment ill repaid in the way that I’ve praised my comrade?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Fateor profecto ut praedicas, Leonida, esse vera;
verum edepol ne etiam túa quoque malefacta iterari multa
et vero possunt: ubi sciens fideli infidus fueris,
ubi prensus in furto sies manifesto et verberatus,
[ubi periuraris, ubi sacro manus sis admolitus,]
ubi eris damno, molestiae et dedecori saepe fueris,
ubi creditum quod sit tibi datum esse pernegaris,
[ubi amicae quám amico tuo fueris magis fidelis,]
ubi saepe ad languorem tua duritia dederis octo
validos lictores, ulmeis adfectos lentis virgis.
num male relata est gratia, ut collegam collaudavi?

[¶149] LEONIDA:
Just as befits both me and yourself, and our dispositions.

> Latin: Leonida:
Vt meque teque maxime atque ingenio nostro decuit.

[¶150] LIBANUS:
Now drop this, and answer me this that I ask.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Iam omitte ista atque hoc quod rogo responde.

[¶151] LEONIDA:
Enquire of me what you please.

> Latin: Leonida:
Rogita quod vis.

[¶152] LIBANUS:
Have you got the twenty silver minae?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Argenti vinginti minas habesne?

[¶153] LEONIDA:
Guess —
Upon my word, the old gentleman Demaenetus, has been very obliging to us. How cleverly he pretended that I was Saurea. With the greatest difficulty did I withhold my laughter, when he rebuked the stranger, because in his absence he had been unwilling to put confidence in me; and with what readiness did he call me Saurea the chamberlain.

> Latin: Leonida:
Hariolare.
edepol senem Demaenetum lepidum fuisse nobis:
ut adsimulabat Sauream med esse quam facete!
nimis aegre risum contini, ubi hospitem inclamavit,
quod se absente mihi fidem habere noluisset.
ut memoriter me Sauream vocabat atriensem!

[¶154] LIBANUS:
Stop a moment.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Mane dúm.

[¶155] LEONIDA:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: Leonida:
Quid est?

[¶156] LIBANUS:
Isn’t this Philenium that’s coming from in-doors, and Argyrippus with her.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Philaenium estne haéc quae intus exit
atque Argyrippus una?

[¶157] LEONIDA:
Keep silence,’tis he; let’s listen quietly to them.

> Latin: Leonida:
Opprime os, is est. subauscultemus.

[¶158] In tears, she holds him, weeping, by the lappet of his garment; what, I wonder, am I to say is the matter?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Lacrumantem lacinia tenet lacrumans. quidnam esse dicam?

[¶159] LIBANUS:
Let’s listen in silence.
LEONIDA:
Dear me, a thought, I’ faith, has just come into my mind; I very much wish I had a long stick here.

> Latin: taciti auscultemus.
Leonida:
Attatae, modo hercle in mentem venit,
nimis véllem habere perticam.

[¶160] LIBANUS:
For what reason?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quoi rei?

[¶161] LEONIDA:
With which to beat these asses, if perchance they should begin to bray out here, from within the bag.
(They stand apart.) (Enter ARGYRIPPUS from the house of CLEAERETA, followed by PHILENIUM.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Qui verberarem
asinos, si forte occeperint clamare hinc ex crumina.

[¶162] ARGYRIPPUS:
Why are you holding me back?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Cur me retentas?

[¶163] PHILENIUM:
Because, as I love you, I cannot bear your departing.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Quia tui amans abeuntis egeo.

[¶164] ARGYRIPPUS:
Farewell.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vale.

[¶165] PHILENIUM:
I should fare somewhat better, if you were to remain here.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Aliquanto ámplius valerem, si hic maneres.

[¶166] ARGYRIPPUS:
Blessings on you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Salve.

[¶167] PHILENIUM:
Do you wish for blessings on me, to whom you are bringing disease by your departure?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Salvere me iubes, quoi tu abiens offers morbum.

[¶168] ARGYRIPPUS:
Your mother has bid me the last farewell; she has requested me to go home.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Mater supremam mihi tua dixit, domum ire iussit.

[¶169] PHILENIUM:
A bitter death will she cause her daughter, if I must part from you.
LIBANUS: (apart, to LEONIDA.)

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Acerbum funus filiae faciet, si te carendum est.

[¶170] Troth now, the man has been turned out of doors there.
LEONIDA: (apart.)
Such is the fact.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Homo hercle hinc exclusust foras.
Leonida:
Ita res est.

[¶171] ARGYRIPPUS:
Prithee, do let me go.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Mitte quaeso.

[¶172] PHILENIUM:
Whither are you going now? Why don’t you stay here?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Quo nunc abis? quin tu hic manes?

[¶173] ARGYRIPPUS:
This night, if you choose, I’ll stay.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Nox, si voles, manebo.

[¶174] Don’t you hear him? How profuse he is of his attentions by night. But now, in the daytime, he’s engaged; surely he’s a Solon
to write laws whereby the public may regulate itself. Psha! those who would be in readiness for themselves to pay obedience to his laws, would decidedly never do any good; they would be drinking night and day.
LEONIDA: (apart.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Audin hunc opera ut largus est nocturna? nunc enim esse
negotiosum interdius videlicet Solonem,
leges ut conscribat, quibus se populus teneat. gerrae!
qui sese parere apparent huius légibus, profecto
numquam bonae frugi sient, dies noctesque potent.

[¶175] Troth now, for sure, he wouldn’t budge a foot from her if she would let him, who is now in such haste, and is threatening that he’s going away from her.
LIBANUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Ne iste hercle ab ista non pedem discedat, si licessit,
qui nunc festinat atque ab hac minatur sese abire.

[¶176] Now make an end of your talk, that I may catch his discourse.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Sermoni iam finem face tuo, huius sermonem accipiam.

[¶177] ARGYRIPPUS:
Farewell!

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vale.

[¶178] PHILENIUM:
Whither are you hastening?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Quo properas?

[¶179] ARGYRIPPUS:
Kindly fare you well! I shall see you in the other world. For indeed now, so soon as I can, I shall sever myself from life.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Bene vale, apud Orcum te videbo.
nam equidem me iam quantum potest a vita abiudicabo.

[¶180] PHILENIUM:
Prithee, why, while I do not deserve it, do you wish to consign me to death?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Cur tu, obsecro, immerito meo me morti dedere optas?

[¶181] ARGYRIPPUS:
I—you? whom, if I were to hear that you were in want of life, at once would I
present you my own life, and from my own would add to yours.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ego te? quam si intellegam deficere vita, iam ipse
vitam meam tibi largiar et de mea ad tuam addam.

[¶182] PHILENIUM:
Why, then, do you threaten that you will quit life? For what do you suppose that I shall do, if you do that which you are talking of? I’m determined to do everything exactly the same to myself that you do to yourself.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Cur ergo minitaris mihi, te vitam esse amissurum?
nam quid me facturam putas, si istuc quod dicis faxis?
mihi certum est facere in me omnia eadem quae tu in te faxis.

[¶183] ARGYRIPPUS:
O! sweeter than honey are you to me.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Oh melle dulci dulcior tu es.

[¶184] PHILENIUM:
And surely you are my life. Embrace me.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Certe enim tú vita es mi.

[¶185] ARGYRIPPUS:
I do so with pleasure.
(They embrace.)

> Latin: complectere.
Argyrippvs:
Facio lubens.

[¶186] PHILENIUM:
Would that thus we might be carried to the tomb.
LEONIDA: (apart.)

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Vtinam sic efferamur.

[¶187] O Libanus, how wretched is the man that loves.
LIBANUS: (apart.)
Aye, but surely, faith, the man that’s hanging up is much more wretched.

> Latin: Leonida:
O Libane, uti miser est homo qui amat.
Libanvs:
Immo hercle vero,
qui pendet multo est miserior.

[¶188] LEONIDA: (apart.)
I know that, who have had experience of it. Let’s go round them: let’s accost them, one on the one side, one on the other.
(One walks towards them from each side.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Scio qui periclum feci.
circum sistamus, alter hinc, hinc alter appellemus.

[¶189] LIBANUS:
Health to you, master. But is this female, smoke, that you are embracing?

> Latin: ere, salve. sed num fumus est haec mulier quam amplexare?

[¶190] ARGYRIPPUS:
Why so?
LIBANUS:
Because your eyes are filled with tears;’twas for that reason I asked.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quidum?
Leonida:
Quia oculi sunt tibi lacrumantes, eo rogavi.

[¶191] ARGYRIPPUS:
One who would have been a protector to you, you have lost.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Patronus qui vobis fuit futurus, perdidistis.

[¶192] LIBANUS:
I’ faith, I surely haven’t lost one; for this reason, be cause I never had one.

> Latin: Leonida:
Equidem hercle nullum perdidi, ideo quia numquam ullum habui.

[¶193] LEONIDA:
Health to you, Philenium.
PHILENIUM:
What you desire, the Gods will give you.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Philaenium, salve.
Philaenivm:
Dabunt di quae velitis vobis.

[¶194] LIBANUS:
I could desire your favours, and a cask of wine, if wishes were to come to pass.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Noctem tuam et vini cadum velim, si optata fiant.

[¶195] ARGYRIPPUS:
Whip-knave, beware how you speak a word.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Verbum cave fáxis, verbero.

[¶196] LIBANUS:
Why,’tis for you, not for myself, I wish it.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Tibi equidem, non mihi opto.

[¶197] ARGYRIPPUS:
For that reason, then, say on what you please.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Tum tu igitur loquere quod lubet.

[¶198] LIBANUS: (pointing to LEONIDA.)
Troth, I’d like to give him a beating.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Hunc hercle verberare.

[¶199] LEONIDA:
Who, pray, would allow you to do so, you frizzle- pated mountebank? Could you thrash me, you, who reckon as your daily food your own thrashings?

> Latin: Leonida:
Quisnam istuc adcredat tibi, cinaede calamistrate?
tun verberes, qui pro cibo habeas te verberari?

[¶200] ARGYRIPPUS:
How far superior, Libanus, are your lots to my own,
who never will live this day until the evening.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vt vostrae fortunae meis praecedunt, Libane, longe,
qui hódie numquam ad vesperum vivam.

[¶201] LIBANUS:
For what reason, prithee?
ARGYRIPPUS: (pointing to PHILENIUM.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quapropter, quaeso?

[¶202] Because I’m in love with her, and she’s in love with me, and nowhere have I anything to bestow upon her; for that reason has her mother expelled me with all my affection from her house. The twenty minae of silver have brought me to my end, which the young man, Diabolus, declared that he would give her this day,
in order that she mightn’t send her anywhere, for this whole year, except to himself. Don’t you see of what force are twenty minae of silver, or what they can effect? The man who parts with them is happy; I, who part not with them, am undone.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quia ego hanc amó et haec me amat, huic quod dem nusquam quicquam est,
hinc med amantem ex aedibus eiecit huius mater.
argenti viginti minae me ad mórtem appulerunt,
quas hodie aduléscens Diabolus ipsi daturus dixit,
ut hanc ne quoquam mitteret nisi ad se hunc annum totum.
videtin viginti minae quid pollent quidve possunt?
ille qui íllas perdit salvos est, ego qui non perdo pereo.

[¶203] LIBANUS:
Has he already paid the money?

> Latin: Libanvs:
Iam dedit argentum?

[¶204] ARGYRIPPUS:
He hasn’t paid it.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Non dedit.

[¶205] LIBANUS:
Be of good courage; don’t be afraid.
LEONIDA: (to LIBANUS.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Bono animo es, ne formida.

[¶206] Step this way, Libanus, I want you.
LIBANUS:
Certainly, if you want anything.
(Steps aside, putting his hand on the shoulder of LEONIDA.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Secede huc, Libane, te volo.
Libanvs:
Si quid vis.

[¶207] ARGYRIPPUS:
I entreat of you,
is it more pleasant in this same matter for you to discourse hugging one another?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Obsecro vos,
eadem istac opera suaviust complexos fabulari.

[¶208] LIBANUS:
Understand, master, that all things are not equally sweet to all persons.’Tis pleasant for you lovers to converse, hugging one another; I care nothing for his hugging (pointing to LEONIDA), and (pointing to PHILENIUM) she despises mine. Do you then yourself do that which you would be suggesting to us to do.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Non omnia eadem aeque omnibus, ere, suavia esse scito:
vobis est suave amantibus complexos fabulari,
ego complexum huius nil moror, meum autem hic aspernatur.
proinde istud facias ipse quod faciamus nobis suades.

## 3. Lines 645–947

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-asinaria/3/#p-N

[¶0] ARGYRIPPUS:
Indeed I will, and really with pleasure, i’ faith. (Placing his arm round PHILENIUM’S neck.) In the meantime, if it seems good to you, do you step aside there.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ego vero, et quidem edepol lubens. interea, si videtur,
concedite istuc.

[¶1] LEONIDA: (to LIBANUS.)
Should you like our master to be bantered a bit?

> Latin: Leonida:
Vin erum deludi?

[¶2] LIBANUS:
He really is deserving of it.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Dignust sane.

[¶3] LEONIDA:
Should you like me, in his presence, to make Philenium embrace me?

> Latin: Leonida:
Vin faciam ut te Philaenium praesente hoc amplexetur?

[¶4] LIBANUS:
I’ faith, I should like it.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Cupio hercle.

[¶5] LEONIDA:
Follow me this way.
(They join ARGYRIPPUS.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Sequere hac.

[¶6] ARGYRIPPUS:
Is there any escape at all? Have you conversed enough?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ecquid est salutis? satis locuti.

[¶7] LEONIDA:
Listen, and give attention, and devour my words.

> Latin: Leonida:
Auscultate atque operam date et mea dicta devorate.

[¶8] First of all, that we are your slaves, we don’t deny; but if twenty silver minae are forthcoming for you, by what name will you call us?
ARGYRIPPUS:
Freed-men.

> Latin: primum omnium servos tuos nos esse non negamus;
sed tibi si viginti minae argenti proferentur,
quo nos vocabis nomine?
Argyrippvs:
Libertos.

[¶9] LEONIDA:
And not patrons?

> Latin: Leonida:
Non patronos?

[¶10] ARGYRIPPUS:
That in preference.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Id potius.

[¶11] LEONIDA: (produces the bag.)
Here are twenty minae in this bag. These, if you like, I’ll give you.

> Latin: Leonida:
Viginti minae hic insunt in crumina,
has ego, si vis, tibi dabo.

[¶12] ARGYRIPPUS:
May the Deities ever preserve you,
protector of your master, honor to the people, treasury of resources, preserver of my inner man, and commander of love; place it here, put down that bag, here on the spot, at once.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Di te servassint semper,
custos erilis, decus popli, thensaurus copiarum,
salus interioris † corporis amorisque imperator.
hic pone, hic istam colloca cruminam in collo plane.

[¶13] LEONIDA:
I don’t like you, who are my master, to carry this load.

> Latin: Leonida:
Nolo ego te, quí erus sis, mihi onus istuc sustinere.

[¶14] ARGYRIPPUS:
Still, do you rid yourself of the trouble, and fasten that bag to myself.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quin tu labore liberas te atque istam imponis in me?

[¶15] LEONIDA:
I’ll carry it, porter-like; you, as befits my master, go, without any burden, before me.

> Latin: Leonida:
Ego baiulabo, tu, ut decet dominum, ante me ito inanis.

[¶16] ARGYRIPPUS:
How now?
Why’s this?
Why don’t you give up the bag here, for your master to feel its weight?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid nunc?
Leonida:
Quid est?
Argyrippvs:
Quin tradis huc cruminam pressatum umerum?

[¶17] LEONIDA:
Bid her to whom I’m about to give it, to beg and entreat it of me. For that’s a dangerous spot where you bid me put it down at once.
PHILENIUM: (to LEONIDA.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Hanc, cui daturu's hancdaturus es, iube petere atque orare mecum.
nam istuc proclive est, quo iubes me plane collocare.

[¶18] Apple of my eye, my rose, my life, my delight,
Leonida, do give me the money, and don’t sever us lovers asunder.
LEONIDA: (to PHILENIUM.)

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Da, meus ocellus, mea rosa, mi ánime, mea voluptas,
Leonida, argentum mihi, ne nos diiunge amantis.

[¶19] Call me, then, your little sparrow, your chicken, your quail, your pet lamb: say that I’m your pet kid or your pet calf; take me by the ears, press your lips to my lips.

> Latin: Leonida:
Dic me igitur tuom passerculum, gallinam, coturnicem,
agnellum, haedillum me tuom dic esse vel vitellum,
prehende auriculis, compara labella cum labellis.

[¶20] ARGYRIPPUS:
She, kiss you, you whip-scoundrel?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ten osculetur, verbero?

[¶21] LEONIDA:
Really, how unbecoming it does seem!

> Latin: Leonida:
Quam vero indignum visum est?

[¶22] But, by the powers, you shan’t get it this day, if my knees are not embraced.
ARGYRIPPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: at qui pol hodie non feres, ni genua confricantur.

[¶23] Necessity compels to anything. (To LEONIDA.) Let them be embraced (kneels down and embraces his knees): now give what I’m asking for.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quidvis egestas imperat: fricentur. dan quod oro?

[¶24] PHILENIUM:
Come, my Leonida, prithee do bring safety to your master thus in love. Redeem yourself from him by this service, and purchase him for yourself with this money.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Age, mi Leonida, obsecro, fer amanti ero salutem,
redime istoc benefició te ab hoc, et tibi eme hunc isto argento.

[¶25] LEONIDA:
You are very pretty and amiable; and if this were mine, you should never this day
ask me for it, but I would give it you:’tis better for you to ask it of him (pointing to LIBANUS), for ’twas he gave it me to keep for him. Approach him then prettily, my pretty one. (Delivers the bag to LIBANUS.) Take this, please, Libanus.

> Latin: Leonida:
Nimis bélla es atque amabilis, et si hoc meum esset, hodie
numquam me orares quin darem: illum te orare meliust,
illic hánc mihi servandam dedit. ei sane bella belle.
cape hoc sis, Libane.

[¶26] ARGYRIPPUS:
Scoundrel, are you still trifling with me?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Furcifer, etiam me delusisti?

[¶27] LEONIDA:
I’ faith, I should never have done so, if you hadn’t embraced my knees so roughly. (Aside to LIBANUS.) Come, please, in your turn, do you at once have some sport with him, and give her an embrace.
LIBANUS: (aside to LEONIDA.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Numquam hercle facerem, genua ni tam nequiter fricares.
age sis tu in partem nunciam hunc delude atque amplexare hanc.

[¶28] Hold your tongue; trust me for that.
ARGYRIPPUS:
Why don’t we accost him, Philenium? (pointing to LIBANUS)—really, a very worthy fellow, upon my faith, and not like this thief (pointing to LEONIDA).
LIBANUS: (aside to LEONIDA.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Taceas, me spectes.
Argyrippvs:
Quin ad hunc, Philaenium, adgredimur,
virum quidem pol optimum et non similem furis huius?

[¶29] We must walk up and down; now, in my turn, they’ll be entreating me.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Inambulandum est: nunc mihi vicissim supplicabunt.

[¶30] ARGYRIPPUS:
By heaven, Libanus, I do entreat you, be pleased by your deeds to come to your master’s rescue; do give me those twenty minae: you see that thus in love I stand in need of them.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quaeso hercle, Libane, sis erum tuis factis sospitari,
da mi istas viginti minas. vides me amantem egere.

[¶31] LIBANUS:
It shall be seen to; I wish it done; return here at nightfall. Now bid her, ever so little, to beg and entreat them of me.
PHILENIUM: (to LIBANUS.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Videbitur. factum volo. redito huc conticinno.
nunc istanc tantisper iube petere atque orare mecum.

[¶32] Do you wish me to begin with caressing, or with kissing you?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Amandone exorarier vis ted an osculando?

[¶33] LIBANUS:
Why, really, with them both.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Enim véro utrumque.

[¶34] PHILENIUM:
And do you then, I do entreat you, prove the saving of us both.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Ergo, obsecro, ét tu utrumque nostrum serva.

[¶35] ARGYRIPPUS:
O Libanus, my patron, do give me that;’tis more becoming
for the freed-man, than for the patron, to be carrying a burden in the street.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
O Libane, mi patrone, mi trade istuc. magis decorumst
libertum potius quam patronum onus in via portare.

[¶36] PHILENIUM:
My Libanus, golden apple of my eye, the gift and the very grace of love; there’s a dear, whatever you wish, I’ll do; prithee, do give us that money.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Mi Libane, ocellus aureus, donum decusque amoris,
amabo, faciam quod voles, da istuc argentum nobis.

[¶37] LIBANUS:
Call me, then, your little duck, dove, or your puppet; your swallow, jackdaw, little sparrow, your mannikin:
make of me the reptile that crawls, so that I may have a double tongue; enfold me in your arms, and embrace my neck.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Dic igitur med aniticulam, columbam vel catellum,
hirundinem, monerulam, passerculum putillum,
fac proserpentem bestiam me, duplicem ut habeam linguam,
circumda torquem brachiis, meum collum circumplecte.

[¶38] ARGYRIPPUS:
She, embrace you, villain?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ten complectatur, carnufex?

[¶39] LIBANUS:
Really, how undeserving I do seem. You shan’t for no purpose have uttered a speech so unseemly against me. By my troth, if indeed you expect to get this money, this day you shall carry myself on your shoulders.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Quam vero indignus videor?
ne istuc nequiquam dixeris tam indignum dictum in me,
vehes pól hodie me, si quidem hoc argentum ferre speres.

[¶40] ARGYRIPPUS:
What? I, carry you?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ten ego veham?

[¶41] LIBANUS:
Otherwise, you shan’t get this money from me.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Tun hoc feras argentum áliter a me?

[¶42] ARGYRIPPUS:
Heavens, I’m undone! Still, if indeed it is decorous for the master to carry the servant, mount.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Perii hercle. si verum quidem et decorum erum vehere servom,
inscende.

[¶43] LIBANUS:
In this way are proud people wont to be tamed. Stand still then, just as you were wont to do when formerly a boy. Do you understand what I say? (He prepares to get upon the shoulders of ARGYRIPPUS.) Aye—so—move on: I praise you much; not any horse is there more clever than yourself as a horse.
ARGYRIPPUS: (while stooping.)

> Latin: Libanvs:
Sic isti solent superbi subdomari.
asta igitur, ut consuetus es puer olim. scin ut dicam?
em sic. abi, laúdo, nec te equo magis est equos ullus sapiens.

[¶44] Get on, directly.
LIBANUS:
I’ll do so. (He gets on.) Hallo!—what’s the matter? How are you going? By my troth, I’ll deprive you of your barley then, if you don’t amble, lifting up your feet.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Inscende actutum.
Libanvs:
Ego fecero. hem quid istúc est? ut tu incedis?
demam hercle iam de hórdeo, tolutim ni badizas.

[¶45] ARGYRIPPUS:
Prithee, Libanus, there’s enough now.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Amabo, Libane, iam sat est.

[¶46] LIBANUS:
Never this day, by my troth, shall you get anything by entreaty. For now up hill with the spur will I push on my steed. After that, I’ll deliver you to the millers, that there you may be tortured as you run.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Numquam hercle hodie exorabis.
nam iam calcari quadrupedo agitabo advorsum clivom,
postidea ad pistores dabo, ut ibí cruciere currens.

[¶47] Stand still, that I may now at once get down for the hill, although you are but a bad one.
(Gets off his shoulders.)

> Latin: asta ut descendam nunciam in proclivi, quamquam nequam es.

[¶48] ARGYRIPPUS:
Well now—since you’ve both made fun of me just as you liked, are you going to give the money?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid nunc, amabo? quoniam, ut est libitum, nos delusistis,
datisne argentum?

[¶49] LIBANUS:
Why, yes, if, indeed, you erect to me a statue and an altar, and then sacrifice an ox to me here as though to a God; for I am the Divinity Salvation to you.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Si quidem mihi statuam et aram statuis
atque ut deo mi hic immolas bovem: nam ego tibi Salus sum.

[¶50] LEONIDA:
Nay, but, master, do you betake yourself away from him, and do you come to me.
And, what he has demanded for himself, will you erect a statue for me, and offer prayers to me?

> Latin: Leonida:
Etiam tu, ere, istunc amoves abs te atque † ipse me adgredere
atque illa, sibi quae hic iusserat, mihi statuis supplicasque?

[¶51] ARGYRIPPUS:
But what Divinity am I to call you?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quem te autem divom nominem?

[¶52] LEONIDA:
Fortune, and that the Propitious one.

> Latin: Leonida:
Fortunam, atque Obsequentem.

[¶53] ARGYRIPPUS:
You are better than he then.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Iam istoc es melior.

[¶54] LIBANUS:
Why, is there ever anything better for a man than Salvation?

> Latin: Libanvs:
An quid est homini Salute melius?

[¶55] ARGYRIPPUS:
Though I praise Fortune, still, not to speak in dispraise of the Divinity Salvation—

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Licet laúdem Fortunam, tamen ut ne Salutem culpem.

[¶56] PHILENIUM:
By the powers, but they are good, both of them.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Ecastor ambae sunt bonae.

[¶57] ARGYRIPPUS:
I shall know it, when they have conferred anything that’s good.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Sciam ubi boni quid dederint.

[¶58] LEONIDA:
Wish for that which you desire to befall you.

> Latin: Leonida:
Opta id quod ut cóntingat tibi vis.

[¶59] ARGYRIPPUS:
What if I do wish it?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid si optaro?

[¶60] LEONIDA:
It shall come to pass.

> Latin: Leonida:
Eveniet.

[¶61] ARGYRIPPUS:
I wish for her to be devoted to me alone this whole year round.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Opto annum hunc perpetuom mihi huius operas.

[¶62] LEONIDA:
You have obtained it.

> Latin: Leonida:
Impetrasti.

[¶63] ARGYRIPPUS:
Do you really say so?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ain vero?

[¶64] LEONIDA:
I do say so for certain.

> Latin: Leonida:
Certe inquam.

[¶65] LIBANUS:
Come to me, in my turn, and make trial: wish ardently for that which you especially desire to happen to you; it shall be done.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ad me adi vicissim atque experire.
exopta id quod vis maxime tibi evenire: fiet.

[¶66] ARGYRIPPUS:
What other thing could I ardently wish for rather than that of which I am in want?
Oblige me with twenty silver minae to give to her mother.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid ego aliud exoptem amplius nisi illud cuius inópiast,
viginti argenti commodas minas, huius quas dem matri.

[¶67] LIBANUS:
They shall be given: take care and be of good courage, your wishes shall be fulfilled.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Dabuntur, animo sis bono face, exoptata optingent.

[¶68] ARGYRIPPUS:
Just as they are wont, Salvation and Fortune are deceiving mortals.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vt consuevere, homines Salus frustratur et Fortuna.

[¶69] LEONIDA:
I this day have been the head in finding this money for you.

> Latin: Leonida:
Ego caput huic argento fui hodie reperiundo.

[¶70] LIBANUS:
I have been the foot.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ego pes fui.

[¶71] ARGYRIPPUS:
Why, neither head nor foot of your talking is visible;

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quin nec caput nec pes sermoni apparet.

[¶72] I can understand neither what you mean, nor why you are trifling with me.

> Latin: nec quid dicatis scire nec me cur ludatis possum.

[¶73] LIBANUS:
I think that now you’ve been teased enough; now let’s disclose the matter as it really stands. Give your attention, Argyrippus, if you please. Your father has ordered us to bring this money to you.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Satis iám delusum censeo. nunc rém ut est eloquamur.
animum, Argyrippe, advorte sis. pater nos ferre hoc iussit
argentum ad ted.

[¶74] ARGYRIPPUS:
How very à propos and opportunely you have brought it.
LIBANUS: (giving him the bag.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Vt temperi opportuneque attulistis.

[¶75] Here, in this, there will be twenty good minae, obtained by bad means:

> Latin: Libanvs:
Hic inerunt viginti minae bonae, mala opera partae;

[¶76] these, on certain conditions, he bade us give you.
ARGYRIPPUS:
Prithee, what are they?

> Latin: has tibi nos pactis legibus dare iussit.
Argyrippvs:
Quid id est, quaeso?

[¶77] LIBANUS:
That you would grant him her favours and an entertainment.

> Latin: Libanvs:
Noctem huius et cénam sibi ut dares.

[¶78] ARGYRIPPUS:
Bid him come, I beg. For him who deserves it right well, we’ll do what he wishes, him who has brought these scattered loves of ours to a happy result.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Iube advenire quaeso:
meritissimo eius quae volet faciemus, qui hosce amores
nostros dispulsos compulit.

[¶79] LEONIDA:
You’ll permit your father then, Argyrippus, to caress her?

> Latin: Leonida:
⟨Patierin, Argyrippe,⟩
patrem hanc amplexari tuom?

[¶80] ARGYRIPPUS:
She, by being restored to me, will easily cause me to permit it.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Haec faciet facile ut patiar.

[¶81] Prithee, Leonida, run, and beg my father to come here.

> Latin: Leonida, curre obsecro, patrem huc orato ut veniat.

[¶82] LIBANUS:
He has been in the house some time.
ARGYRIPPUS:
He hasn’t come this way, at all events.

> Latin: Leonida:
Iam dudum est intus.
Argyrippvs:
Hac quidem non venit.
Leonida:
Angiporto
illac per hortum circum iit clam, ne quis se videret
huc ire familiarium: ne uxor resciscat metuit.
de argento si mater tua sciát ut sit factum—
Argyrippvs:
Heia,
bene dicite.

[¶83] LIBANUS: (pointing to the back way.)
He came round that way by the lane, through the garden, lest any one of his friends should see him coming here; he’s afraid that his wife may come to know of it. If your mother knew about the money, how it was obtained—

> Latin: Libanvs:
Ite intro cito.

[¶84] ARGYRIPPUS:
Well, well—
do use words of good omens;
go in-doors quickly,
farewell.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Valete.—

[¶85] LEONIDA:
And you two, love on.
(He and LIBANUS go into the house of DEMAENETUS; ARGYRIPPUS and PHILENIUM into that of CLEAERETA.) (Enter DIABOLUS and a PARASITE, with a scroll in his hand.)

> Latin: Leonida:
Et vos amate.—

[¶86] DIABOLUS:
Come now, show me this agreement that you’ve written out between myself and the procuress. Read over the conditions; for you are a quite unique composer in such matters.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Agedum istum ostende quem conscripsti syngraphum
inter me et amicam et lenam. leges pellege.
nam tu poeta es prorsus ad eam rem unicus.

[¶87] A PARASITE:
I’ll make the procuress be terrified when she hears the conditions.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Horrescet faxo lena, leges cum audiet.

[¶88] DIABOLUS:
Troth now, prithee, proceed and read them over to me.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Age quaeso mi hercle translege.

[¶89] A PARASITE:
Are you attending?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Audin?

[¶90] DIABOLUS:
I’m all attention.
A PARASITE: (reads the agreement.)

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Audio.

[¶91] “Diabolus, the son of Glaucus, has made a present to Cleaereta, the procuress, of twenty silver minae, that Philenium may be with him night and day for this whole year.”
DIABOLUS:
Yes, and not with any other person.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
“Diabolus Glauci filius Clearetae
lenae dedit dóno argenti viginti minas,
Philaenium ut secum esset noctes et dies
hunc annum totum.”
Diabolvs:
Neque cum quiquam alio qui Demaenetvs

[¶92] A PARASITE:
Am I to add that?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Addone?

[¶93] DIABOLUS:
Add it, and take care and write it plainly and distinctly.
A PARASITE: (writes it down, and then reads.)

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Ádde, et scribas víde plane et probe.

[¶94] “And not admit any other man whatever, because either her friend or her patron, she may choose to call him—”
DIABOLUS:
Not any one!
A PARASITE:
“Or because she may say that he is the lover of a female friend of hers. The door must be closed to all men except to yourself.”

> Latin: Parasitvs:
“Alienum hóminem intro mittat neminem.
quod illa aút amicum aút patronum nominet,
aut quód illa amicae … amatorem praedicet,
fores occlusae ómnibus sint nisi tibi.

[¶95] “On the door she must write that she is engaged. Or, because she may affirm that the letter has been brought from abroad, there is not to be even any letter in the house, nor so much as a waxed tablet; and if there is any useless picture, let her sell it; if she does not part with it, within four days”
“from the time when she has received the money of you, let it be considered as your own; you to burn it if you like; so that she may have no wax, with which she may be able to make a letter. She is to invite no guest; you are to invite them. On no one of them is she to cast her eyes:”

> Latin: in foribus scribat occupatam ésse se.
aut quod illa dicat peregre allatam epistulam,
ne epistula quidem ulla sit in aedibus
nec cerata adeo tabula; et si qua inutilis
pictura sit, eam vendat: ni in quadriduo
abalienarit, quo abs te argentum acceperit,
tuos arbitratus sit, comburas, si velis,
ne illi sit cera, ubi facere possit litteras.
vocet convivam neminem illa, tu voces;
ad eorum ne quem óculos adiciat suos.

[¶96] “if she looks upon any other person, she must be blind forthwith. Then she is to drink cup by cup equally with yourself. She is to receive it from you; she is to hand it to you for you to drink. She is not to have a relish for less or for more than yourself.”
DIABOLUS:
That’s quite to my taste.
A PARASITE: (reading.)

> Latin: si quem alium aspexit, caeca continuo siet.
tecum una potet, aeque pocla potitet:
abs ted accipiat, tibi propinet, tu bibas,
ne illa minus aut plus quam tu sapiat.”
Diabolvs:
Satis placet.

[¶97] “She is to remove all causes of suspicion from her,”
“nor is she to tread on any man’s foot with her foot; when she rises she is neither to step upon the next couch, nor when she gets down from the couch is she thence to extend her hand to any one; she is not to give to nor ask of any one a ring for her to look at; she is not to present dice to any man whatever except to yourself”;

> Latin: Parasitvs:
“Suspiciones omnes ab se segreget.
neque illaec ulli pede pedém homini premat,
cum surgat, neque ⟨cum⟩ in lectum inscendat proximum,
neque cum descendat inde, det cuiquam manum:
spectandum ne cui ánulum det neque roget.
talos ne cuiquam hómini admoveat nisi tibi.

[¶98] “when she throws them, she is not to say,’You I call upon,’ she is to mention your name. She may call on any Goddess that she pleases as propitious to her, but on no God: if she should chance to be very full of devotion, she is to tell you, and you are to pray to him that he may be propitious. She is neither to nod at any man, wink, or make a sign.”

> Latin: cum iaciat, “te” ne dicat: nomen nominet.
deam invocet sibi quam libebit propitiam,
deum nullum; si magis religiosa fuerit,
tibi dicat: tu pro illa ores ut sit propitius.
neque illa ulli homini nutet, nictet, annuat.

[¶99] “In fine, if the lamp goes out, she is not to move a single joint of herself in the dark.”
DIABOLUS:
That’s very good; so, in fact, she must do: but expunge that about the chamber; for my part, I prefer that she should move. I don’t wish her to have an excuse, and to say that it is forbidden her by her vow.

> Latin: post, si lucerna exstincta sit, ne quid sui
membri commoveat quicquam in tenebris.”
Diabolvs:
Optumest.
ita scilicet facturam. verum in cubiculo—
deme istuc—equidem illam moveri gestio.
nolo illam habere causam et votitam dicere.

[¶100] A PARASITE:
I understand, you fear some quibble.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Scio, cáptiones metuis.

[¶101] DIABOLUS:
Just so.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Verum.

[¶102] A PARASITE:
Then as you bid me, I’ll strike it out.
(Erases it.)

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ergo ut iubes
tollam.

[¶103] DIABOLUS:
And why not?

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Quid ni?

[¶104] A PARASITE:
Hear the rest.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Audi relicua.

[¶105] DIABOLUS:
Say on, I’m listening.
A PARASITE: (goes on reading.)

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Loquere, audio.

[¶106] “And she is not to use any shuffling words, nor is she to know how to speak in any tongue but the Attic. If perchance she should begin to cough,”
“she is not to cough so as to expose her tongue to any one in coughing. But if she should pretend as though she had a running at the nose, even then she is not to do so; you yourself must wipe her lips rather than that she should open her mouth before another person. And her mother, the procuress, is not to come in in the middle of the wine,”
“nor is she to utter a word of abuse to any one; if she does so speak, let this be her fine, to go for twenty days without wine.”
DIABOLUS:
You have written it nicely; a clever agreement.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
“Neque ullum verbum faciat perplexabile,
neque ulla lingua sciat loqui nisi Attica.
forte sí tussire occepsit, ne sic tussiat,
ut cuiquam linguam in tussiendo proserat.
quod illa aútem simulet, quasi gravedo profluat,
hoc ne sic faciat: tu labellum abstergeas
potius quam cuiquam savium faciat palam.
nec mater lena ad vinum accedat interim,
nec ulli verbo male dicat. si dixerit,
haec multa ei esto, vino viginti dies
ut careat.”
Diabolvs:
Pulchre scripsti. scitum syngraphum.

[¶107] A PARASITE:
“Then, if she bids her maid-servant carry chaplets, garlands, or unguents, to Venus or to Cupid,”
“your servant is to watch whether she gives them to Venus or to a man. If perchance she should say she wishes to keep herself in purity, let her account for as many nights as she has kept herself in purity. These are no trifles; for they are no funeral dirge.”

> Latin: Parasitvs:
“Tum si coronas, serta, unguenta iusserit
ancillam ferre Veneri aút Cupidini,
tuos servos servet, Venerine eas det an viro.
si forte pure velle habere dixerit,
tot noctes reddat spurcas quot pure habuerit.”
haec sunt non nugae, non enim mortualia.

[¶108] DIABOLUS:
The conditions please me entirely; follow me indoors.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Placent profecto leges. sequere intro.—

[¶109] A PARASITE:
I follow.
(They go into the house of CLEAERETA.) … (Enter DIABOLUS and the PARASITE.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Sequor.—

[¶110] DIABOLUS:
Follow this way. Am I to put up with this, or shall I hold my tongue? I would rather die than not discover this to his wife. And say you so, old man? With a mistress would you be acting the part of a youngster? Would you be excusing yourself to your wife, and calling yourself an aged man? Would you be taking the mistress from her lover? And would you be presenting the money
to the procuress, and be secretly pilfering it from your wife at home? You should hang me, rather than you should carry off these matters undiscovered. On my honor, I’ll really go this instant hence to her whom I’m sure that you’ll very soon be destroying, in order that you may be able to supply your extravagance, unless, indeed, she shall first prevent you.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
Sequere hac. egone haec patiar aut taceam? emori
me malim, quam haec non eius uxori indicem.
ain tu? ápud amicam munus adulescentuli
fungare, uxori excuses te et dicas senem?
praeripias scortum amanti atque argentum obicias
lenae? suppiles clam domi uxorem tuam?
suspendam potius me, quam tu haec tacita auferas.
iam quidem hercle ad illam hinc ibo, quam tu propediem,
nisi quídem illa ante occupassit te, effliges scio,
luxuriae sumptus suppeditare ut possies.

[¶111] A PARASITE:
I’m of opinion that thus you must act.’Tis more becoming that I should disclose this matter, rather than yourself, lest she may think that you, excited by reason of love, rather than for her own sake, have acted thus.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ego sic faciundum censeo: me honestiust,
quam te palam hanc rem facere, ne illa existimet
amoris causa percitum id fecisse te
magis quám sua caúsa.

[¶112] DIABOLUS:
Why, faith, you say what’s right. Do you then contrive to raise a storm and strife against him,
that he, together with his own son, is carousing with one mistress the livelong day, and that he’s secretly pilfering from her.

> Latin: Diabolvs:
At pol qui dixti rectius.
tu ergo fac ut illi turbas lites concias;
cum suo sibí gnato unam ad amicam de die
potare, illam expilare ⟨narra⟩.

[¶113] A PARASITE:
Don’t suggest to me. I’ll take care of that.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ne mone,
ego istud curabo.—

[¶114] DIABOLUS:
But I’ll wait for you at home.
(Exit DIABOLUS; the PARASITE goes into the house of DEMAENETUS.) (A Table, and everything requisite for an Entertainment, being placed before the house of CLEAERETA, enter ARGYRIPPUS, DEMAENETUS, and PHILENIUM, from the house of CLEAERETA.)

> Latin: Diabolvs:
At ego te opperiar domi.—

[¶115] ARGYRIPPUS:
Come then, father, let’s take our places, please.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
[Age decumbamus sis, pater.]

[¶116] DEMAENETUS:
As you bid me, my son, so it shall be.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
[Vt iusseris,]
[mi gnate, ita fiet.]

[¶117] ARGYRIPPUS: (to the ATTENDANTS.)
Lads, spread the table.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
[Pueri, mensam adponite.]

[¶118] DEMAENETUS:
Is it at all displeasing to you, son, if she takes her place by me?
(They take their places.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Numquídnam tibi moléstumst, gnate mí, si haec nunc mecum áccubat?

[¶119] ARGYRIPPUS:
Duty, father, keeps sorrow from my eyes; although I love her, still I can control my feelings, not to take it to heart because she takes her place by you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Pietas, pater, oculis dolorem prohibet. quamquam ego istánc amo,
possum equidem inducere animum, ne aegre patiar quia tecum accubat.

[¶120] DEMAENETUS:
It becomes a young man to be respectful, Argyrippus.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Decet verecundum esse adulescentem, Argyrippe.

[¶121] ARGYRIPPUS:
Troth, father, through proper regard for you, I can be so.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Edepol, pater,
merito tuo facere possum.

[¶122] DEMAENETUS:
Come, then, let’s enjoy this banquet
with wine and pleasant discourse. I don’t wish to be feared, I prefer myself to be loved by you, my son.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Age ergo, hoc agitemus convivium
vino ut sermone suavi. nolo ego metui, amari mavolo,
mi gnate, me abs te.

[¶123] ARGYRIPPUS:
In truth, I do them both, as is proper for a son.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Pol ego utrumque facio, ut aequom est filium.

[¶124] DEMAENETUS:
I’d believe it, if I saw you were cheerful.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Credam istuc, si esse te hilarum videro.

[¶125] ARGYRIPPUS:
Why, do you think that I’m sorrowful?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
An tu me tristem putas?

[¶126] DEMAENETUS:
Do I think so? You, whom I see as melancholy as if the day of trial had been named for you.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Putem ego, quem videam aeque esse maestum ut quasi dies si dicta sit?

[¶127] ARGYRIPPUS:
Don’t you say that.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ne dixis istuc.

[¶128] DEMAENETUS:
Don’t you be so, then I’ll not say so.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Ne sic fueris: ilico ego non dixero.

[¶129] ARGYRIPPUS:
Well then, look at me; I’m laughing.
(He affects to laugh.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Em aspecta: rideo.

[¶130] DEMAENETUS:
I’d like that those who wish me ill would laugh thus.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Vtinam male qui mihi volunt sic rideant.

[¶131] ARGYRIPPUS:
I know, indeed, father, why you now suppose to yourself that I’m sad; it is because she is by you. And really, father, by my faith, to tell you the truth, that matter does hurt me; and not for this reason, that I don’t desire for you that which you wish,
but because I love her; another woman, indeed, I could easily endure to be by you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Scio equidem quam ob rem me, pater, tu tristem credas nunc tibi:
quia istaéc est tecum. atque ego quidem hercle ut verum tibi dicam, pater,
ea res me male habet; at non eo, quia tibi non cupiam quae velis;
verum istam amo. aliam tecum esse equidem facile possum perpeti.

[¶132] DEMAENETUS:
But I have a fancy for this one.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
At ego hanc volo.

[¶133] ARGYRIPPUS:
Then you have what you desire; for myself, I wish for what I could desire.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ergo sunt quae exoptas: mihi quae ego exoptem volo.

[¶134] DEMAENETUS:
Submit to it this one day, since I’ve given you the power to be with her for a year, and have procured for you the command of money in your amour.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Vnum hunc diem perpetere, quoniam tibi potestatem dedi,
cum hac annum ut esses, atque amanti argenti feci copiam.

[¶135] ARGYRIPPUS:
Well, by doing that, you have laid me under an obligation to you.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Em istoc me facto tibi devinxti.

[¶136] DEMAENETUS:
Why then don’t you show yourself cheerful to me?
(They commence the banquet, PHILENIUM reclining below DEMAENETUS.) (Enter ARTEMONA and the PARASITE, from the house of DEMAENETUS, at the further side of the stage.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Quin te ergo hilarum das mihi?

[¶137] ARTEMONA:
Prithee, do you say that my husband is carousing here, together with my son?—and that he has carried to his mistress twenty minae of silver?—and that, with the knowledge of my son, his father is perpetrating this wickedness?

> Latin: Artemona:
Áin tu meum virum híc potare, óbsecro, cum fílio
et ad amicam detulisse argenti viginti minas
meoque filio sciente id facere flagitium patrem?

[¶138] A PARASITE:
Trust me in nothing henceforth, either divine or human,
Artemona, if you find me untruthful in this matter.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Neque divini neque mi humani posthac quicquam accreduas,
Artemona, si huius rei mé mendacem inveneris.

[¶139] ARTEMONA:
Wretched then am I, who have supposed that, beyond others, my husband was sober, decent, chaste, and especially fond of his wife.

> Latin: Artemona:
At scelesta ego praeter alios meum virum † frugi rata,
siccum, frugi, continentem, amantem uxoris maxume.

[¶140] A PARASITE:
But now, henceforth, understand that he, before all men, is a person of the smallest worth—a drunkard, a good-for-nothing fellow, unchaste, and a contemner of his own wife.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
At nunc dehinc scito illum ante omnes minimi mortalem preti,
madidum, nihili, incontinentem atque osorem uxoris suae.

[¶141] ARTEMONA:
I’ faith, if this wasn’t true, he would never be doing the things that he is now doing.

> Latin: Artemona:
Pol ni istaec vera essent, numquam faceret ea quae nunc facit.

[¶142] A PARASITE:
Upon my word, I too always hitherto took him to be a decent person; but by this action he declares himself,—to be carousing, indeed, together with his son, and, a decrepit old man, toying with a mistress in his company.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ego quoque hercle illum antehac hominem semper sum frugi ratus,
verum hoc facto sese ostendit, qui quidem cum filio
potet una atque una amicam ductet, decrepitus senex.

[¶143] ARTEMONA:
For this it is, i’ faith, that he’s going out to dinner every day.

> Latin: Artemona:
Hoc ecastor est quod ille it ad cenam cottidie.

[¶144] He says that he’s going to Archidemus, Chereas, Chaerestratus, Clinius, Chremes, Cratinus, Dinias, Demosthenes: while he’s thinking of debauchery, and public dens of infamy with his harlot.

> Latin: ait sese ire ad Archidemum, Chaeream, Chaerestratum,
Cliniam, Chremem, Cratinum, Diniam, Demosthenem:
is apud scortum corruptelae est liberis, lustris studet.

[¶145] A PARASITE:
Why don’t you bid your maid-servants carry him off home upon their shoulders?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Quin tu illum iubes ancillas rapere sublimen domum?

[¶146] ARTEMONA:
Do you only be quiet. By my troth, I’ll surely give him some trouble.

> Latin: Artemona:
Tace modo. ne ⟨ego⟩ illum ecastor miserum habebo.

[¶147] A PARASITE:
I’m sure of it, that so it will befall him, so long, indeed, as you shall continue married to him.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ego istúc scio,
ita fore illi dum quidem cum íllo nupta eris.

[¶148] ARTEMONA:
I was fancying that this fellow was still giving attendance either in the senate or to his dependants: that for that reason it was, that, worn out with fatigue, he snored the whole night through. Wearied with his labours out of doors he comes home at night. Another’s farm he ploughs, his own he leaves untilled.

> Latin: Artemona:
Ego censeo.
†eum etiam hominem in senatu dare operam aut clientibus,
ibi labore delassatum noctem totam stertere:
ille operé foris faciendo lassus noctu ⟨ad me⟩ advenit;
fundum alienum arat, incultum familiarem deserit.

[¶149] Both he himself is corrupted, and he corrupts his son as well.

> Latin: is etiam corruptus porro suom corrumpit filium.

[¶150] A PARASITE:
Do you only follow me this way, I’ll make you just now to fall upon the man himself in the very fact.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Sequere hac me modó, iam faxo ipsum hominem manifesto opprimas.

[¶151] ARTEMONA:
By heaven, there’s nothing that I could more wish for.

> Latin: Artemona:
Nihil ecastor est quod facere mavelim.

[¶152] A PARASITE:
Just stop there.
(He moves stealthily forward, and examines the other side of the stage.)

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Mane dum.

[¶153] ARTEMONA:
What’s the matter?
A PARASITE: (returning to her.)

> Latin: Artemona:
Quid est?

[¶154] If perchance you were to see your husband reclining, if you beheld him with a garland on, caressing a mistress, could you recognize him?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Possis, si forte accubantem tuom virum conspexeris
cum corona amplexum amicam, si videas, cognoscere?

[¶155] ARTEMONA:
I’ troth, I could.

> Latin: Artemona:
Possum ecastor.

[¶156] A PARASITE: (points to the other end of the stage.)
Then there’s your man.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Em tibi hominem.

[¶157] ARTEMONA: (moving stealthily forward with the PARASITE.)
I’m undone.

> Latin: Artemona:
Perii.

[¶158] A PARASITE:
Stay a little. Let’s observe in private, from ambush, what business they are about.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Paulisper mane.
aucupemus ex insidiis clanculum quam rem gerant.

[¶159] ARGYRIPPUS:
What end will you put to your caresses, father?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid modi, pater, amplexando facies?

[¶160] DEMAENETUS:
I confess, my son—

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Fateor, gnate mi—

[¶161] ARGYRIPPUS:
What do you confess?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid fatere?

[¶162] DEMAENETUS:
That I’m utterly undone with love for her.
A PARASITE: (to ARTEMONA.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Me ex amore húius corruptum oppido.

[¶163] Do you hear what he says?
ARTEMONA:
I hear.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Audin quid ait?
Artemona:
Audio.

[¶164] DEMAENETUS: (to PHILENIUM.)
Ought I not to filch the mantle from my wife at home,
which she is so fond of, and bring it to you? Though my wife’s life should last a whole year in consequence, by my troth I could not be dissuaded from doing so.
A PARASITE: (to ARTEMONA.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Egon ut non domo uxori meae
subripiam in deliciis pallam quam hábet, atque ad te deferam,
non edepol conduci possum vita uxoris annua.

[¶165] Do you suppose that he has been accustomed to frequent a brothel to-day for the first time?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Censen tu illum hodié primum ire ádsuetum esse in ganeum?

[¶166] ARTEMONA:
Upon my faith, it was he that was pilfering me; whereas I was suspecting my maid-servants, and was tormenting the wretched creatures who were innocent all the while.

> Latin: Artemona:
Ille ecastor suppilabat me, quod ancillas meas
suspicabar atque insontis miseras cruciabam.

[¶167] ARGYRIPPUS:
Father,
bid him pour out some wine;’tis a long time since I drank first.
DEMAENETUS: (to the SERVANT.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Pater,
iube dari vinum; iam dudum factum est cum primum bibi.

[¶168] Begin, boy, from the top. (To PHILENIUM.) Come, do you meanwhile from below give me a kiss.
(Kisses her.)
ARTEMONA: (to the PARASITE.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Da, puere, ab summo. áge tu interibi ab infimo da savium.

[¶169] Wretch that I am, I’m undone! How the villain, the garnishing of a bier, is kissing away.

> Latin: Artemona:
Perii misera, ut osculatur carnufex, capuli decus.

[¶170] DEMAENETUS:
A breath, by my faith, somewhat sweeter than that of my wife.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Edepol animam suaviorem aliquanto quam uxoris meae.

[¶171] PHILENIUM:
Tell me, there’s a dear, does the breath of your wife smell bad?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Dic amabo, an fetet anima úxoris tuae?

[¶172] DEMAENETUS:
I’d prefer to drink bilge-water, if it were necessary, rather than kiss her.
ARTEMONA: (apart.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Nauteam
bibere malim, si necessum sit, quam illam oscularier.

[¶173] Aye, pray, how say you? By my troth, to your own great detriment, you’ve surely said that against me. Never mind; only de you come home, I’ll let you know what danger there is in speaking abusively against a wife with a dowry.

> Latin: Artemona:
Ain tandem? edepol ne tu istuc cum malo magno tuo
Dixisti in me. sine, revenias modo domum, faxo ut scias
quid pericli sit dotatae uxori vitium dicere.

[¶174] PHILENIUM:
By heavens, you are a wretch.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Miser ecastor es.

[¶175] ARTEMONA: (apart.)
I’ faith, he’s deserving so to be.

> Latin: Artemona:
Ecastor dignus est.

[¶176] ARGYRIPPUS:
How say you, father?
(Takes a draught in the meanwhile.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid ais, pater?

[¶177] Don’t you love my mother?
DEMAENETUS:
Who—I? I love her just now, because she isn’t present.

> Latin: ecquid matrem amas?
Demaenetvs:
Egone illam? nunc amo, quia non adest.

[¶178] ARGYRIPPUS:
How, when she is present?

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Quid cum adest?

[¶179] DEMAENETUS:
Then, I wish she was dead.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Periisse cupio.

[¶180] A PARASITE: (apart to ARTEMONA.)
This fellow is fond of you, according to what he says.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Amat homo hic te, ut praedicat.

[¶181] ARTEMONA:
On my word, he’s surely laying out all this at interest; for if, this day, he returns home, I’ll especially have my revenge in kissing him.
ARGYRIPPUS: (handing the dice-box.)

> Latin: Artemona:
Ne illa ecastor faenerato funditat: nam si domum
redierit hodie, osculando ego ulciscar potissimum.

[¶182] Father, throw the dice; that afterwards I may have a throw.
DEMAENETUS:
By all means.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Iace, pater, talos, ut porro nos iaciamus.
Demaenetvs:
Maxime.

[¶183] You, Philenium, for myself, and death for my wife. (He throws.) ’Tis Venus’s cast. Lads, clap your hands, and give me some honeyed wine in my cup, in honor of my throw.
ARTEMONA: (apart.)

> Latin: te, Philaenium, mihi atque uxoris mortem. hoc Venerium est.
pueri, plaudite et mi ob iactum cantharo mulsum date.

[¶184] I can hold out no longer.
A PARASITE: (apart.)
If you haven’t learned the fulling trade, it’s not to be wondered at; now it’s quite fitting for you to beset his eyes. (They make their appearance before the revellers.)

> Latin: Artemona:
Non queo durare.
Parasitvs:
Si non didicisti fulloniam,
non mirandum est. … in oculos invadi optumum est.

[¶185] ARTEMONA:
By heavens, I will live, and you this day have made that invocation to your own great misfortune.

> Latin: Artemona:
Ego pol vivam et tu istaec hodie cum tuo magno malo
invocavisti.

[¶186] A PARASITE:
Will some one run to fetch the undertakers?

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Ecquis currit pollictorem accersere?

[¶187] ARGYRIPPUS:
Health to you, mother.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Mater, salve.

[¶188] ARTEMONA:
Health indeed after this fashion!

> Latin: Artemona:
Sat salutis.

[¶189] A PARASITE: (aside.)
Demaenetus is dead.’Tis time to betake myself hence: this battle bravely waxes hot. I’ll be off to Diabolus. I’ll tell him his orders are performed as he desired them; and in the meantime I’ll persuade him that we should take a meal, while these people are squabbling.

> Latin: Parasitvs:
Mortuost Demaenetus.
tempus est subducere hinc me; pulchre hoc gliscit proelium.
ibo ad Diabolum, mandata dicam facta ut voluerit,
atque interea ut decumbamus suadebo, hi dum litigant.

[¶190] Afterwards, in fine, I’ll bring him here to-morrow, to the procuress, that he may give her the twenty mince, that, in his turn, he in his passion may be enabled to obtain this damsel. I hope that Argyrippus will be able to be prevailed upon to allow him to pass each alternate night with him in her company; for, unless I obtain that, I’ve lost my patron; so great is the passion of the man by reason of his love.
(He quietly withdraws.)
ARTEMONA: (addressing PHILENIUM.)
What business have you to give a retreat here in your house to my husband?

> Latin: poste demum huc cras adducam ad lenam, ut viginti minas
ei det, in partem hac amanti ut liceat ei potirier.
Argyrippus exorari spero poterit, ut sinat
sese alternas cum illo noctes hac frui. nam ni impetro,
regem perdidi: ex amore tantum est homini incendium.—
Artemona:
Quid tibi hunc receptio ad te est meum virum?

[¶191] PHILENIUM:
Troth, he really will this day be the death of wretched me, through sheer disgust.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Pol me quidem
miseram odio énicavit.

[¶192] ARTEMONA: (to DEMAENETUS.)
Rise, wencher, be off home.

> Latin: Artemona:
Surge, amator, i domum.

[¶193] DEMAENETUS:
I’m undone.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Nullus sum.

[¶194] ARTEMONA:
Yes, you are; don’t, i’ faith, gainsay it, you most vile of all men. Why, the cuckoo’s still on his nest. Rise, wencher, be off home.

> Latin: Artemona:
Immo es, ne nega, omnium ⟨unus⟩ pol nequissimus.
at etiam cubat cuculus. surge, amator, i domum.

[¶195] DEMAENETUS:
Woe to me!

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Vae mihi.

[¶196] ARTEMONA:
You prophesy correctly. Rise, wencher, be off home.

> Latin: Artemona:
Vera hariolare. surge, amator, i domum.

[¶197] DEMAENETUS:
Step a little this way then.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Abscede ergo paululum istuc.

[¶198] ARTEMONA:
Rise, wencher, be off home.

> Latin: Artemona:
Surge, amator, i domum.

[¶199] DEMAENETUS:
Now, prithee, wife—

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Iam obsecro, uxor.

[¶200] ARTEMONA:
Do you remember now that I’m your wife? It was but just now, when you were heaping abuse upon me, that I wasn’t your wife.

> Latin: Artemona:
Nunc uxorem me esse meministi tuam?
modo, cum dicta in me ingerebas, odium, non uxor eram.

[¶201] DEMAENETUS:
I’m utterly ruined.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Totus perii.

[¶202] ARTEMONA:
Why, pray? Does the breath of your wife smell strong?

> Latin: Artemona:
Quid tandem? anima fetetne uxoris tuae?

[¶203] DEMAENETUS:
It smells of myrrh.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Murram olet.

[¶204] ARTEMONA:
Have you filched my mantle then to be giving to your harlot?

> Latin: Artemona:
Iam subrupuisti pallam, quam scorto dares?

[¶205] ARGYRIPPUS:
By the powers—what, did he promise that he would filch your mantle?

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Ecastor qui subrupturum pallam promisit tibi.

[¶206] ARTEMONA:
Won’t you hold your tongue?
ARGYRIPPUS:
I was going to dissuade him, mother.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Non taces?
Argyrippvs:
Ego dissuadebam, mater.

[¶207] ARTEMONA: (to ARGYRIPPUS.)
A pretty son! (To DEMAENETUS.) Is it proper for a father to teach these morals to his children? Are you ashamed of nothing?

> Latin: Artemona:
Bellum filium.
istoscine patrem aequom est mores liberis largirier?
nilne te pudet?

[¶208] DEMAENETUS:
I’ faith, if there’s nothing else, I’m ashamed of you, wife.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Pol, si aliud nil sit, tui me, uxor, pudet.

[¶209] ARTEMONA:
With your hoary head, your wife is dragging you, you cuckoo, from dens of infamy.

> Latin: Artemona:
Cano capite te cuculum uxor ex lustris rapit.

[¶210] DEMAENETUS:
The dinner’s cooking; mayn’t I stop, only to take my dinner?

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Non licet manere (cena coquitur) dum cenem modo?

[¶211] ARTEMONA:
Faith, you’ll dine to-day on a heavy mishap, as you deserve.
DEMAENETUS: (rising.)

> Latin: Artemona:
Ecastor cenabis hodie, ut dignus es, magnum malum.

[¶212] I shall repose but uncomfortably; my wife is taking me home condemned.

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
Male cubandum est: iudicatum me uxor abducit domum.

[¶213] ARGYRIPPUS:
I told you, father, not to devise ill against my mother.
PHILENIUM: (to DEMAENETUS.)

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Dicebam, pater, tibi, ne matri consuleres male.

[¶214] Do remember about the mantle, there’s a dear.
DEMAENETUS: (calls out to CLEAERETA.)
Won’t you order her to go away from here?
ARTEMONA: (to DEMAENETUS.)

> Latin: Philaenivm:
De palla memento, amabo.
Demaenetvs:
Iuben hanc hinc abscedere?

[¶215] Be off home.
PHILENIUM: (to DEMAENETUS.)
Do give me a kiss, at least, before you go.

> Latin: Artemona:
I domum.
Philaenivm:
Da savium etiam prius quam abis.

[¶216] DEMAENETUS: (to PHILENIUM.)
Go hang yourself.
(Exeunt.)

> Latin: Demaenetvs:
I in crucem.

[¶217] PHILENIUM:
No, I’ll go in, in preference. (To ARGYRIPPUS.) Follow me this way, my life.

> Latin: Philaenivm:
Immo intro potius. sequere hac me, mí anime.

[¶218] ARGYRIPPUS:
Yes, I follow.

> Latin: Argyrippvs:
Ego vero sequor.

[¶219] The COMEDIANS:
If this old fellow, unknown to his wife, has been in any way indulging his own inclinations, he has been doing nothing new or wonderful, or otherwise than others are in the habit of doing. No one is there of a disposition so severe, or of a temper so firm,
but that he will enjoy himself when he has any opportunity. Now if you wish to interpose in behalf of this old man, so that he be not punished, we think that it can be brought about if you give us loud applause.

> Latin: Grex:
Hic senex si quid clam uxorem suo animo fecit volup,
neque novom neque mirum fecit nec secus quam alii solent;
nec quisquam est tam ingenio duro nec tam firmo pectore,
quin ubi quicque occasionis sit sibi faciat bene.
nunc si voltis deprecari huic seni ne vapulet,
remur impetrari posse, plausum si clarum datis.