LIBANUS:Where is this person?
Libanvs:Vbi is homost?
LEONIDA:You think he ought to be devoured this instant, if you could see him.
Leonida:Iam devorandum censes, si conspexeris?
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?
Libanvs:Ita enim vero. sed tamen, tu nempe eos asinos praedicasvetulos, claudos, quibus subtritae ad femina iám erant ungulae?
LEONIDA:Those same ones, that carried the elm twigs hither from the country, for your use.
Leonida:Ipsos, qui tibi subvectabant rure huc virgas ulmeas.
LIBANUS:I understand you; and the same ones carried you from here, bound, into the country.
Libanvs:Teneo, atque idem te hinc vexerunt vinctum rus.
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.
Leonida:Memor es probe.verum in tonstrina ut sedebam, me infit percontarier,ecquem filium Stratonis noverim Demaenetum.
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?
dico me novisse extemplo et me eius servom praedicoesse, et aedis demonstravi nostras.Libanvs:Quid tum postea?
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.
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.
Since he spoke thus to this effect—LIBANUS:What then?
quoniam ille elocutus haec sic—Libanvs:Quid tum?
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
iam hoc opus est † exasceatum; nam si ille argentum priushospes 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;
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.
iussit vel nos atriensem vel nos uxorem suamdefraudare, 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.
LIBANUS:In the meantime, I’ll amuse him here, if by chance he should come first.
Libanvs:Ego illum interea hic oblectabo, prius si forte advenerit.
LEONIDA:But what say you—?
Leonida:Quid ais?
LIBANUS:What do you want?
Libanvs:Quid vis?
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.
Leonida:Pugno malam si tibi percussero,mox cum Sauream imitabor, caveto ne suscenseas.
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.
Libanvs:Hercle vero tu cavebis ne me attingas, si sapis,né hodie malo cum auspicio nomen commutaveris.
LEONIDA:Prithee, do endure it with resolution.
Leonida:Quaeso, aequo animo patitor.
LIBANUS:Do you endure the cuff that I, too, shall be giving you in return.
Libanvs:Patitor tú item, cum ego te referiam.
LEONIDA:I speak as it’s in the habit of being done.
Leonida:Dico ut usust fieri.
LIBANUS:I’ faith, and I speak, too, of how I’m likely to act.
Libanvs:Dico hercle ego quoque ut facturus sum.
LEONIDA:Don’t refuse me.
Leonida:Ne nega.
LIBANUS:Why I promise, I tell you, to give you a like return, just as you deserve.
Libanvs:Quin promitto, inquam, hostire contra ut merueris.
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;
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.
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.)
volo seni narrare.Libanvs:Quin tuom officium facis ergo ac fugis?
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.)
Mercator:Vt démonstratae súnt mihi, hasce aédis esse opórtet,Demaenetus ubi dicitur habitare. i, puere, pultaatque atriensem Sauream, si est intus, evocato huc.
LIBANUS:Who’s breaking in our door in this fashion? Enough there, I say, if you hear me at all.
Libanvs:Quis nostras sic frangit fores? ohe, inquam, si quid audis.
THE ASS-DEALER:No one has touched it as yet: are you out of your senses?
Mercator:Nemo etiam tetigit. sanun es?
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.
Libanvs:At censebam attigissepropterea, huc quia habebas iter. nolo ego fores conservasmeas á te verberarier. sane ego sum amicus nostris.
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.
Mercator:Pol haud periclum est, cardines ne foribus effringantur,si istoc exemplo omnibus qui quaerunt respondebis.
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?
Libanvs:Ita haec morata est ianua: extemplo ianitoremclamat, procul si quem videt ire ad se calcitronem.sed quid venis? quid quaeritas?
THE ASS-DEALER:I wanted Demaenetus.
Mercator:Demaenetum volebam.
LIBANUS:If he were at home, I would tell you so.
Libanvs:Si sit domi, dicam tibi.
THE ASS-DEALER:Well, his chamberlain then?
Mercator:Quid eius atriensis?
LIBANUS:No more is ne at home.
Libanvs:Nihilo mage intus est.
THE ASS-DEALER:Where is he?
Mercator:Vbi est?
LIBANUS:He said he was going to the barber’s.
Libanvs:Ad tonsorem ire dixit.
THE ASS-DEALER:Hasn’t he returned, since he went there?
Mercator:Conveni. sed post non redit?
LIBANUS:I’ faith, he hasn’t. What did you want?
Libanvs:Non edepol. quid volebas?
THE ASS-DEALER:He was to have received twenty mine of silver, if he had been in.
Mercator:Argenti viginti minas, si adesset, accepisset.
LIBANUS:What was it for?
Libanvs:Qui pro istuc?
THE ASS-DEALER:He sold some asses at market to a dealer from Pella.
Mercator:Asinos vendidit Pellaeo mercatorimercatu.
LIBANUS:I understand; you are bringing it now. I think that he’ll be here just now.
Libanvs:Scio. tu id nunc refers? iam hic credo eum adfuturum.
THE ASS-DEALER:Of what appearance is your chamberlain Saurea? If it’s he, I shall be able to know at once.
Mercator:Qua facie voster Saurea est? si is est, iam scire potero.
LIBANUS:Lantern-jawed, with reddish hair, a little pot-bellied, with glaring eyes, middling stature, sour aspect.
Libanvs:Macilentis malis, rufulus aliquantum, ventriosus,truculentis oculis, commoda statura, tristi fronte.
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.
Mercator:Non potuit pictor rectius describere eius formam.
LIBANUS:Whoever gets in his way when he’s in a passion, he’ll be for striking him.
Libanvs:Atque hercle ipsum adeo contuor, quassanti capite incedit.quisque obviam huic occesserit irato, vapulabit.
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.)
Mercator:Siquidem hércle Aeacidinis minis animisque expletus incedit,si med iratus tetigerit, iratus vapulabit.
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.)
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.
This is a very overbearing fellow.LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)Woe to me this day!
Mercator:Nimis imperiosust.Libanvs:Vae mihi.
LEONIDA:I bid welcome to Libanus, the freed-man! Are you set at liberty now?
Leonida:Hodie salvere iussiLibanum libertum? iam manu emíssu'semissus es?
LIBANUS:I do implore you.
Libanvs:Obsecro te.
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?
Leonida:Ne tu hercle cum magno malo mihi obviam occessisti.cur non venisti, ut iusseram, in tonstrinam?
LIBANUS: (pointing to the ASS-DEALER.)This person detained me.
Libanvs:Hic me moratust.
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.)
Leonida:Siquidem hércle nunc summum Iovem te dicas detinuisseatque is precator adsiet, malam rem effugies numquam.tu, verbero, imperium meum contempsisti?
LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)Stranger, I’m done for.
Libanvs:Perii, hospes.
THE ASS-DEALER:Prithee, Saurea, for my sake, don’t beat him.
Mercator:Quaeso hercle noli, Saurea, mea causa hunc verberare.
LEONIDA:I wish, now, I had a whip in my hand—
Leonida:Vtinam nunc stimulus in manu mihi sit.
THE ASS-DEALER:Prithee, do be appeased.
Mercator:Quiesce quaeso.
LEONIDA:—With which to lash your sides, which have grown callous with blows.(To the ASS-DEALER, who interposes.)
Leonida:Qui latera conteram tua, quae occalluere plagis.
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?
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 hercleclamore ac stomacho non queo labori suppeditare.iussin, sceleste, ab ianua hoc stercus hinc auferri?
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.
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 vosdormitis interea domi, atque erus in hara, haud aedibus, habitat.em ergo hóc tibi.Libanvs:Hospes, te obsecro, defende.
THE ASS-DEALER:Saurea, for my sake, I entreat you, do let him go.
Mercator:Saurea, oro,mea causa ut mittás.
LEONIDA:Hark you! has any one paid for the carriage of that olive oil?
Leonida:Eho, ecquis pro vectura olivirem solvit?
LIBANUS:He has paid.
Libanvs:Solvit.
LEONIDA:To whom was it given?
Leonida:Cui datumst?
LIBANUS:To Stichus himself, your deputy.
Libanvs:Sticho vicario ipsituo.
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?
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?
LIBANUS:I think he has, in full; for I saw Exaerambus himself bringing hither his banker.
Libanvs:Fecisse satis opinor,nam vidi huc ipsum adducere trapezitam Exaerambum.
LEONIDA:On such terms would I always deal; before, what I’ve trusted, I’ve hardly been paid within a year after.
Leonida:Sic dedero. prius quae credidi vix anno post exegi;
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.
nunc satagit: adducit domum etiam ultro et scribit nummos.Dromo mercedem rettulit?Libanvs:Dimidio minus opinor.
LEONIDA:What about the remainder?
Leonida:Quid relicuom?
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.
Libanvs:Aibat reddere quom extemplo redditum esset;nam retineri, ut quod sit sibi operis locatum efficeret.
LEONIDA:The cups that I lent to Philodamus, has he brought them back?
Leonida:Scyphos quos utendos dedi Philodamo, rettulitne?
LIBANUS:Not yet.
Libanvs:Non etiam.
LEONIDA:What, not yet? If you wish to make a present, lend to a person that is a friend—THE ASS-DEALER: (aside.)
Leonida:Hem non? si velis da …, commoda homini amico.
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?
Mercator:Perii hercle, iam hic me abegerit suo odio.Libanvs:Heús iam satis tu.audin quae loquitur?
LEONIDA: (in the same way to LIBANUS.)I hear, and I’ll have done.
Leonida:Audio et quiesco.
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?
Mercator:Tandem, opinor,conticuit. nunc adeam optimum est, prius quam incipit tinnire.quam mox mi operam das?
LEONIDA:Oh, by all means—have you been here any time?
Leonida:Ehem, óptume. quam dudum tu advenisti?
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.
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.
THE ASS-DEALER:This way rather, for me to pay you in the presence of your master, Demaenetus.
Mercator:Sic potius, ut Demaeneto tibi ero praesente reddam.
LIBANUS:My master knows him, and he my master.
Libanvs:Erus istunc novit atque erum hic.
THE ASS-DEALER:In his master’s presence, I’ll pay him.
Mercator:Ero huic praesente reddam.
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.
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.
LEONIDA:I don’t much care; don’t let him not pay it, if he don’t like; so let him stand here.
Leonida:Non magni pendo. ne duit, si non volt. sic sine astet.
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.
Libanvs:Da, inquam. vah, formido miser, ne hic me tibi arbitretursuasisse, sibi ne crederes. da, quaeso, ac ne formida:salvom hercle erit.
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.
Mercator:Credam fore, dum quidem ipse in mánu habebo.peregrinus ego sum, Sauream non novi.
LIBANUS:Well, know him now then.
Libanvs:At nosce sane.
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.)
Mercator:Sit, non sit, non edepol scio. si is est, eum esse oportet.ego certe me incerto scio hoc daturum nemini homini.
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.
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.
THE ASS-DEALER:You are in too angry mood: it isn’t right for a person who is a slave to give himself airs.
Mercator:Nimis iracunde. non decet superbum esse hominem servom.
LIBANUS:By my faith, to your own great misfortune now are you talking uncivilly to him.
Leonida:Malo hercle iam magno tuo, ni isti nec recte dicis.
Dirty, worthless fellow, don’t you see he’s angry?LEONIDA: (to the ASS-DEALER.)Be off then.LIBANUS: (to the ASS-DEALER.)
Libanvs:Impure, nihili. non vides irasci?Leonida:Perge porro.
Scoundrelly fellow. (Aside to him.) Prithee, do give him the money lest he should abuse you.
Libanvs:Flagitium hominis. da, óbsecro, argentum huic, ne male loquatur.
THE ASS-DEALER:On my word, you are seeking evil for yourselves.
Mercator:Malum hercle vobis quaeritis.
LEONIDA: (to LIBANUS.)By the powers, your legs shall be broken,if you don’t proclaim this shameless fellow.
Leonida:Crura hercle diffringentur,ni istum impudicum percies.
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?
Libanvs:Perii hercle. age impudice,sceleste, non audes mihi scelesto subvenire?
LEONIDA:Do you persist in soliciting the scamp?
Leonida:Pergin precari pessimo?
THE ASS-DEALER:How’s this? (To LEONIDA.) Do you, rascal, who are a slave, speak abusively to a free man?
Mercator:Quae res? tun libero hominimale servos loquere?
LEONIDA:Give him a beating.
Leonida:Vapula.
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.
Mercator:Id quidém tibi hercle fiet,ut vapules, Demaenetum simul ac conspexero hodie.
I summon you to judgments.LEONIDA:I shan’t go.
[in ius voco te.]Leonida:[Non eo.]
THE ASS-DEALER:You won’t go? Remember—
Mercator:[Non is? memento.]
LEONIDA:I do remember.
Leonida:[Memini.]
THE ASS-DEALER:I’ faith, I’ll have satisfaction out of your back.
Mercator:[Dabitur pol supplicium mihi de tergo vostro.]
LEONIDA:Woe unto you? What, villain—satisfaction to be given by us to you indeed?
Leonida:[Vae te.][tibi quidem supplicium, carnufex, de nobis detur?†]
THE ASS-DEALER:Aye, and even this very day satisfaction shall be given me for your abusive language.
Mercator:[Atque etiam][pro dictis vostris maledicis poenae pendentur mi hodie.]
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.
Leonida:Quid, verbero? ain tu, furcifer? erum nos fugitare censes?ei nunciam ad erum, quo vocas, iam dudum quo volebas.
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.
Mercator:Nunc demum? tamen numquam hinc feres argenti nummum, nisi medare iusserit Demaenetus.
LEONIDA:Do so. Come, move on then. Are you to offer insults to another person, and are they not to be repeated to yourself?
Leonida:Ita facito, age ambula ergo.tu contumeliam alteri facias, tibi non dicatur?
I’m a man as much as you are.THE ASS-DEALER:No doubt such is the fact.
tam ego homo sum quam tu.Mercator:Scilicet. ita res est.
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.
Leonida:Sequere hac ergo.praefiscini hoc nunc dixerim: nemo etiam me accusavitmerito meo, neque me alter est Athenis hodie quisquam,cui credi recte aeque putent.
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.
Mercator:Fortassis. sed tamen menumquam hodie induces, ut tibi credam hoc argentum ignoto.
A man to a man is a wolf, not a man, when the other doesn’t know of what character he is.
lupus est homo homini, non homo, quom qualis sit non novit.
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.
Leonida:Iam nunc secunda mihi facis. scibam huic te capitulo hodiefacturum satis pro iniuria; quamquam ego sum sordidatus,frugi tamen sum, nec potest peculium enumerari.
THE ASS-DEALER:Perhaps so.
Mercator:Fortasse.
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.
Leonida:Etiam † nunc dico Periphanes Rhodo mercator divesabsente ero solus mihi talentum argenti soliadnumeravit et mihi crédidit, nequest deceptus in eo.
THE ASS-DEALER:Perhaps so.
Mercator:Fortasse.
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.
Leonida:Atque etiam tu quoque ipse, si esses percontatusme ex aliis, scio pol crederes nunc quod fers.
THE ASS-DEALER:I don’t deny it.(Exeunt.) (Enter CLEAERETA and PHEILENIUM, from the house of the former.)
Mercator:Haud negassim.—
CLEAERETA:And am I unable to render you obedient to my injunctions?
Cleareta:Néqueon ego ted interdictis facere mansuetem meis?
Or are you so disposed as to be free from the control of your mother?
an ita tu es animata, ut qui matris éxpers imperio sies?
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?
Philaenivm:Vbi piem Pietatem, si istoc more moratam tibipostulem placere, mater, mihi quo pacto praecipis?
CLEAERETA:Is it consistent with propriety for you to oppose my precepts?
Cleareta:[An decorum est adversari meis te praeceptis?]
PHILENIUM:How so?
Philaenivm:[Quid est?]
CLEAERETA:Is this worshipping Piety, to lessen the authority of a mother?
Cleareta:Hocine est pietatem colere, matris impérium minuere?
PHILENIUM:Those who act right I blame not, nor do I love those who do wrong.
Philaenivm:Neque quae recte faciunt culpo neque quae delinquont amo.
CLEAERETA:You are a very prating, lovesick girl.
Cleareta:Satis dicacula es amatrix.
PHILENIUM:Mother, that is my living. His tongue woos me, his person seeks me, his passion pleads, opportunity prompts.
Philaenivm:Mater, is quaestus mihi est:lingua poscit, corpus quaerit; animus orat, res monet.
CLEAERETA:I was purposing to convince you. Are you come as my accuser?
Cleareta:Ego te volui castigare, tu mi accusatrix ades.
PHILENIUM:By my troth, I neither do accuse you, nor do I think it right I should do so;
Philaenivm:Neque edepol te accuso neque id me facere fas existimo.
but I do complain of my lot, when I am separated from him whom I love.
verum ego meas queror fortunas, cum illo quém amo prohibeor.
CLEAERETA:Will then one bit of the whole day’s talk be left for myself?
Cleareta:Ecqua pars orationis de die dabitur mihi?
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.
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 casteriaubi quiesco, omnis familiae causa consistit tibi.
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 yourselfthat 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?
Cleareta:Quid ais tu, quam ego unam vidi mulierem audacissimam?quotiens te votui Argyrippum filium Demaeneticompellare aut contrectare, conloquive aut contui?quid dedit? quid ad nos iussit deportari? an tu tibiverba 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 tibite facturum divitem, si moriatur mater sua?
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.
†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.
PHILENIUM:If, my mother, you were to order me to go without victuals, I would submit.
Philaenivm:Patiar, si cibo carere me iubes, mater mea.
CLEAERETA:I don’t forbid you to love those who give that for the sake of which they ought to be loved.
Cleareta:Non voto téd amare qui dant quoia amentur gratia.
PHILENIUM:What, mother, if this inclination of mine is fixed? What am I to do? Tell me.
Philaenivm:Quid si hic animus occupatust, mater, quid faciam? mone.
CLEAERETA:Oh dear—look at my head, if, indeed, you consider your own interest.
Cleareta:Em,meum caput contemples, si quidem ex re consultas tua.
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.
Philaenivm:Etiam ópilio qui pascit, mater, alienas ovis,aliquam habet peculiarem, qui spem soletur suam.sine me amare unum Argyrippum ánimi causa, quem volo.
CLEAERETA:Go in-doors, for, upon my word, there is really nothing more impudent than yourself.
Cleareta:Intro abi, nam te quidem edepol nihil est impudentius.
PHILENIUM:Mother, you have given birth to a daughter obedient to your commands.(They go into the house.) (Enter LEONIDA and LIBANUS.)
Philaenivm:Audientem dicto, mater, produxisti filiam.
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?
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 eorumvi pugnando periuriis nostris fugae potiti.id virtute huius † collegae meaque comitatefactumst. qui me vir fortior ad sufferundas plagas?
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;
Leonida:Edepol virtutes qui tuas non possis conlaudaresic ut ego possim, quae domi duellique male fecisti.
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 eightclever, hardened fellows, sturdy stripers.
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 octoartutos, audacis viros, valentis virgatores.
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 eightsturdy lictors, armed with pliant twigs of elm. (To the AUDIENCE.) Is the compliment ill repaid in the way that I’ve praised my comrade?
Libanvs:Fateor profecto ut praedicas, Leonida, esse vera;verum edepol ne etiam túa quoque malefacta iterari multaet 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 octovalidos lictores, ulmeis adfectos lentis virgis.num male relata est gratia, ut collegam collaudavi?
LEONIDA:Just as befits both me and yourself, and our dispositions.
Leonida:Vt meque teque maxime atque ingenio nostro decuit.
LIBANUS:Now drop this, and answer me this that I ask.
Libanvs:Iam omitte ista atque hoc quod rogo responde.
LEONIDA:Enquire of me what you please.
Leonida:Rogita quod vis.
LIBANUS:Have you got the twenty silver minae?
Libanvs:Argenti vinginti minas habesne?
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.
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!
LIBANUS:Stop a moment.
Libanvs:Mane dúm.
LEONIDA:What’s the matter?
Leonida:Quid est?
LIBANUS:Isn’t this Philenium that’s coming from in-doors, and Argyrippus with her.
Libanvs:Philaenium estne haéc quae intus exitatque Argyrippus una?
LEONIDA:Keep silence,’tis he; let’s listen quietly to them.
Leonida:Opprime os, is est. subauscultemus.
In tears, she holds him, weeping, by the lappet of his garment; what, I wonder, am I to say is the matter?
Libanvs:Lacrumantem lacinia tenet lacrumans. quidnam esse dicam?
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.
taciti auscultemus.Leonida:Attatae, modo hercle in mentem venit,nimis véllem habere perticam.
LIBANUS:For what reason?
Libanvs:Quoi rei?
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.)
Leonida:Qui verberaremasinos, si forte occeperint clamare hinc ex crumina.
ARGYRIPPUS:Why are you holding me back?
Argyrippvs:Cur me retentas?
PHILENIUM:Because, as I love you, I cannot bear your departing.
Philaenivm:Quia tui amans abeuntis egeo.
ARGYRIPPUS:Farewell.
Argyrippvs:Vale.
PHILENIUM:I should fare somewhat better, if you were to remain here.
Philaenivm:Aliquanto ámplius valerem, si hic maneres.
ARGYRIPPUS:Blessings on you.
Argyrippvs:Salve.
PHILENIUM:Do you wish for blessings on me, to whom you are bringing disease by your departure?
Philaenivm:Salvere me iubes, quoi tu abiens offers morbum.
ARGYRIPPUS:Your mother has bid me the last farewell; she has requested me to go home.
Argyrippvs:Mater supremam mihi tua dixit, domum ire iussit.
PHILENIUM:A bitter death will she cause her daughter, if I must part from you.LIBANUS: (apart, to LEONIDA.)
Philaenivm:Acerbum funus filiae faciet, si te carendum est.
Troth now, the man has been turned out of doors there.LEONIDA: (apart.)Such is the fact.
Libanvs:Homo hercle hinc exclusust foras.Leonida:Ita res est.
ARGYRIPPUS:Prithee, do let me go.
Argyrippvs:Mitte quaeso.
PHILENIUM:Whither are you going now? Why don’t you stay here?
Philaenivm:Quo nunc abis? quin tu hic manes?
ARGYRIPPUS:This night, if you choose, I’ll stay.LIBANUS: (apart.)
Argyrippvs:Nox, si voles, manebo.
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 Solonto 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.)
Libanvs:Audin hunc opera ut largus est nocturna? nunc enim essenegotiosum interdius videlicet Solonem,leges ut conscribat, quibus se populus teneat. gerrae!qui sese parere apparent huius légibus, profectonumquam bonae frugi sient, dies noctesque potent.
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.)
Leonida:Ne iste hercle ab ista non pedem discedat, si licessit,qui nunc festinat atque ab hac minatur sese abire.
Now make an end of your talk, that I may catch his discourse.
Libanvs:Sermoni iam finem face tuo, huius sermonem accipiam.
ARGYRIPPUS:Farewell!
Argyrippvs:Vale.
PHILENIUM:Whither are you hastening?
Philaenivm:Quo properas?
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.
Argyrippvs:Bene vale, apud Orcum te videbo.nam equidem me iam quantum potest a vita abiudicabo.
PHILENIUM:Prithee, why, while I do not deserve it, do you wish to consign me to death?
Philaenivm:Cur tu, obsecro, immerito meo me morti dedere optas?
ARGYRIPPUS:I—you? whom, if I were to hear that you were in want of life, at once would Ipresent you my own life, and from my own would add to yours.
Argyrippvs:Ego te? quam si intellegam deficere vita, iam ipsevitam meam tibi largiar et de mea ad tuam addam.
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.
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.
ARGYRIPPUS:O! sweeter than honey are you to me.
Argyrippvs:Oh melle dulci dulcior tu es.
PHILENIUM:And surely you are my life. Embrace me.
Philaenivm:Certe enim tú vita es mi.
ARGYRIPPUS:I do so with pleasure.(They embrace.)
complectere.Argyrippvs:Facio lubens.
PHILENIUM:Would that thus we might be carried to the tomb.LEONIDA: (apart.)
Philaenivm:Vtinam sic efferamur.
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.
Leonida:O Libane, uti miser est homo qui amat.Libanvs:Immo hercle vero,qui pendet multo est miserior.
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.)
Leonida:Scio qui periclum feci.circum sistamus, alter hinc, hinc alter appellemus.
LIBANUS:Health to you, master. But is this female, smoke, that you are embracing?
ere, salve. sed num fumus est haec mulier quam amplexare?
ARGYRIPPUS:Why so?LIBANUS:Because your eyes are filled with tears;’twas for that reason I asked.
Argyrippvs:Quidum?Leonida:Quia oculi sunt tibi lacrumantes, eo rogavi.
ARGYRIPPUS:One who would have been a protector to you, you have lost.
Argyrippvs:Patronus qui vobis fuit futurus, perdidistis.
LIBANUS:I’ faith, I surely haven’t lost one; for this reason, be cause I never had one.
Leonida:Equidem hercle nullum perdidi, ideo quia numquam ullum habui.
LEONIDA:Health to you, Philenium.PHILENIUM:What you desire, the Gods will give you.
Libanvs:Philaenium, salve.Philaenivm:Dabunt di quae velitis vobis.
LIBANUS:I could desire your favours, and a cask of wine, if wishes were to come to pass.
Libanvs:Noctem tuam et vini cadum velim, si optata fiant.
ARGYRIPPUS:Whip-knave, beware how you speak a word.
Argyrippvs:Verbum cave fáxis, verbero.
LIBANUS:Why,’tis for you, not for myself, I wish it.
Libanvs:Tibi equidem, non mihi opto.
ARGYRIPPUS:For that reason, then, say on what you please.
Argyrippvs:Tum tu igitur loquere quod lubet.
LIBANUS: (pointing to LEONIDA.)Troth, I’d like to give him a beating.
Libanvs:Hunc hercle verberare.
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?
Leonida:Quisnam istuc adcredat tibi, cinaede calamistrate?tun verberes, qui pro cibo habeas te verberari?
ARGYRIPPUS:How far superior, Libanus, are your lots to my own,who never will live this day until the evening.
Argyrippvs:Vt vostrae fortunae meis praecedunt, Libane, longe,qui hódie numquam ad vesperum vivam.
LIBANUS:For what reason, prithee?ARGYRIPPUS: (pointing to PHILENIUM.)
Libanvs:Quapropter, quaeso?
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.
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.
LIBANUS:Has he already paid the money?
Libanvs:Iam dedit argentum?
ARGYRIPPUS:He hasn’t paid it.
Argyrippvs:Non dedit.
LIBANUS:Be of good courage; don’t be afraid.LEONIDA: (to LIBANUS.)
Libanvs:Bono animo es, ne formida.
Step this way, Libanus, I want you.LIBANUS:Certainly, if you want anything.(Steps aside, putting his hand on the shoulder of LEONIDA.)
Leonida:Secede huc, Libane, te volo.Libanvs:Si quid vis.
ARGYRIPPUS:I entreat of you,is it more pleasant in this same matter for you to discourse hugging one another?
Argyrippvs:Obsecro vos,eadem istac opera suaviust complexos fabulari.
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.
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.