PROLOGUS:THESE two captives (pointing to PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS), whom you see standing here, are standing here because—they are both standing, and are not sitting. That I am saying this truly, you are my witnesses. The old man, who lives here (pointing to HEGIO’S house), is Hegio— his father (pointing to TYNDARUS.)
PROLOGVS:Hos quos videtis stare hic captivos duos,†illi qui astant, hi stant ambo, non sedent;hoc vos mihi testes estis me verum loqui.senex qui hic habitat Hegio est huius pater.
But under what circumstances he is the slave of his own father, that I will here explain to you, if you give attention. This old man had two sons; a slave stole one child when four years old, and flying hence, he sold him in Elis,to the father of this captive (pointing to PHIILOCRATES.) Now, do you understand this? Very good. I’ faith, that man at a distance there (pointing) says, no. Come nearer then. If there isn’t room for you to sit down, there is for you to walk; since you’d be compelling an actor to bawl like a beggar. I’m not going to burst myself for your sake, so don’t you be mistaken.
sed is quo pacto serviat suo sibi patri,id ego hic apud vos proloquar, si operam datis.seni huic fuerunt filii nati duo;alterum quadrimum puerum servos surpuiteumque hínc profugiens vendidit in Alidepatri huius. iam hoc tenetis? … optume est.negát hercle ille ultimus. accedito.si non ubi sedeas locus est, est ubi ambules,quando histrionem cogis mendicarier.ego me tua causa, ne erres, non rupturus sum.
You who are enabled by your means to pay your taxes, listen to the rest; I care not to be in debt to another. This runaway slave, as I said before, sold his young master, whom, whom he fled, he had carried off, to this one’s father. He, after he bought him, gave him as his ownprivate slave to his son of his, because they were of about the same age. He is now the slave at home of his own father, nor does his father know it. Verily, the Gods do treat us men just like footballs. You hear the manner now how he lost one son. Afterwards, the Aetolians are waging war with the people of Elis,and, as happens in warfare, the other son is taken prisoner. The physician Menarchus buys him there in Elis. On this, this Hegio begins to traffic in Elean captives, if, perchance, he may be able to find one to change for that captive son of his. He knows not that this one who is in his house is his own son.
vos qui potestis ope vestra censerier,accipite relicuom: alieno uti nil moror.fugitivos ille, ut dixeram ante, huius patridomo quém profugiens dominum abstulerat vendidit.is postquam hunc emit, dedit eum huic gnato suopeculiarem, quia quasi una aetas erat.hic nunc domi sérvit suo patri, nec scit pater;enim véro di nos quasi pilas homines habent.rationem habetis, quo modo unum amiserit.postquam belligerant Aetoli cum Aleis,ut fit in bello, capitur alter filius:medicus Menarchus emit ibidem in Alide.coepit captivos commercari hic Aleos,si quem reperire possit qui mutet suom,illum captivom: hunc suom esse nescit, qui domist.
And as he heard yesterday that an Elean knight of very high rank and very high family was taken prisoner, he has spared no expense to rescue his son. In order that he may more easily bring him back home, he buys both of these of the Quaestors out of the spoil.
et quoniam heri indaudivit, de summo locosummoque genere captum esse equitem Aleum,nil pretio parsit, filio dum parceret:reconciliare ut facilius posset domum,emít hosce e praeda ambos de quaestoribus.
Now they, between themselves, have contrived this plan, that, by means of it, the servant may send away hence his master home. And therefore among themselves they change their garments and their names. He, there (pointing), is called Philocrates; this one (pointing), Tyndarus; he this day assumes the character of this one, this one of him.
hisce autem inter sese hunc confinxerunt dolum,quo pacto hic servos suom erum hinc amittat domum.itaque inter se commutant vestem et nomina;illic vocatur Philocrates, hic Tyndarus:huius íllic, hic illius hodie fert imaginem.
And this one to-day will cleverly carry out this plot, and cause his master to gain his liberty; and by the same means he will save his own brother, and without knowing it, will cause him to return back a free man to his own country to his father. Just as often now, on many occasions,a person has done more good unknowingly than knowingly. But unconsciously, by their devices, they have so planned and devised their plot, and have so contrived it by their design, that this one is living in servitude with his own father.
et hic hódie expediet hanc docte fallaciam,et suom erum faciet libertatis compotem,eodemque pacto fratrem servabit suomreducemque faciet liberum in patriam ad patrem,imprudens: itidem ut saepe iam in multis locisplus insciens quis fecit quam prudens boni.sed inscientes sua sibi fallaciaita compararunt et confinxerunt dolumitaque hi commenti, de sua sententiaut in sérvitute hic ad suom maneat patrem:
And thus now, in ignorance, he is the slave of his own father. What poor creatures are men, when I reflect upon it! This plot will be performed by us—a play for your entertainment. But there is, besides, a thing which, in a few words, I would wish to inform you of. Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.
ita nunc ignorans suo sibi servit patri;homunculi quanti sunt, quom recogito!haec res agetur nobis, vobis fabula.sed etiam est, paucis vos quod monitos voluerim.profecto expediet fabulae huic operam dare.
’Tis not composed in the hackneyed style, nor yet like other plays, nor are there in it any ribald lines unfit for utterance: here is neither the perjured procurer, nor the artful courtesan, nor yet the braggart captain. Don’t you be afraid because I’ve said that there’s war between the Aetolians and the Eleans.
non pertractate facta est neque item ut ceterae:neque spurcidici insunt versus, immemorabiles;hic neque periurus leno est nec meretrix malaneque miles gloriosus; ne vereamini,quia bellum Aetolis esse dixi cum Aleis:
There (pointing), at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost impossible for a Comic establishmen, that we should at a moment attempt to be acting Tragedy. If, therefore, any one is looking for a battle, let him commence the quarrel;if he shall find an adversary more powerful, I’ll cause him to be the spectator of a battle that isn’t pleasant to him, so that hereafter he shall hate to be a spectator them all. I now retire. Fare ye well, at home, most upright judges, and in warfare most valiant combatants.(Enter ERGASILUS.)
foris íllic extra scaenam fient proelia.nam hoc paene iniquomst, comico choragioconari desubito agere nos tragoediam.proin si quis pugnam expectat, litis contrahat:valentiorem nactus adversariumsi erit, ego faciam ut pugnam inspectet non bonam,adeo ut spectare postea omnis oderit.abeo. valete, iudices iustissimidomi duellique duellatores optumi.
ERGASILUS:The young men have given me the name of “the mistress,”for this reason, because invocated I am wont to attend at the banquet. I know that buffoons say that this is absurdly said, but I affirm that it is rightly said. For at the banquet the lover, when he throws the dice, invokes his mistress. Is she then invocated, or is she not? She is, most clearly.
Ergasilvs:Iuventus nomen indidit Scorto mihi,eo quía invocatus soleo esse in convivio.scio absúrde dictum hoc derisores dicere,at ego aio recte. nam scortum in conviviosibi amator, talos quom iacit, scortum invocat.estne invocatum an non ⟨est? est⟩ planissume;
But, i’ faith, we Parasites with better reason are so called, whom no person ever either invites or invokes, and who, like mice, are always eating the victuals of another person. When business is laid aside, when people repair to the country, at that same moment is business laid aside for our teeth.
verum hercle vero nos parasiti planius,quos numquam quisquam neque vocat neque invocat.quasi mures semper edimus alienum cibum;ubi res prolatae sunt, quom rus homines eunt,simul prolatae res sunt nostris dentibus.
Just as, when it is hot weather, snails lie hidden in secret, and live upon their own juices, if the dew doesn’t fall; so, when business is laid aside, do Parasites lie hidden in retirement, and miserably live upon their own juices, while in the country the persons are rusticating whom they sponge upon.
quasi, cum caletur, cocleae in occulto latent,suo sibi suco vivont, ros si non cadit,item parasiti rebus prolatis latentin occúlto miseri, victitant suco suo,dum ruri rurant homines quos ligurriant.
When business is laid aside, we Parasites are greyhounds; when business recommences, like mastiffs, we are annoying-like and very troublesome-like. And here, indeed, unless, i’ faith, any Parasite is able to endure cuffs with the fist, and pots to be broken about his head,why he may e’en go with his wallet outside the Trigeminian Gate. That this may prove my lot, there is some danger. For since my patron has fallen into the hands of the enemy—(such warfare are the Aetolians now waging with the Eleans; for this is Aetolia; this Philopolemus has been made captive in Elis, the son of this old man Hegiowho lives here (pointing to the house)—a house which to me is a house of woe, and which so oft as I look upon, I weep). Now, for the sake of his son, has he commenced this dishonorable traffic, very much against his own inclination.
prolatis rebus parasiti venaticisumus, quando res redierunt, molossiciodiosicique et multum incommodestici.et hic quidem hercle, nisi qui colaphos perpetipotest parasitus frangique aulas in caput,[vel] ire extra portam Trigeminam ad saccum licet.quod mihi ne eveniat, non nullum periculum est.nam postquam meus rex est potitus hostium—ita nunc belligerant Aetoli cum Aleis;nam Aetolia haec est, illic est captus in Alide,Philopolemus, huius Hegionis filiussenis, qui hic habitat, quae aedes lamentariaemihi sunt, quas quotienscumque conspicio fleo;nunc hic occepit quaestum hunc fili gratiainhonestum et maxime alienum ingenio suo:
He buys up men that have been made captives, if perchance he may be able to find some one for whom to gain his son in exchange. An object which I really do much desire that he may gain. For unless he finds him, there’s nowhere for me to find myself. I have no hopes in the young men; they are all too fond of themselves.
homines captivos commercatur, si queataliquem invenire, suom qui mutet filium.quod quidem ego nimis quam cupio … ut impetret;nam ni illum recipit, nihil est quo me recipiam.⟨nam⟩ nulla est spes iuventútis, sese omnis amant;
He, in fine, is a youth with the old-fashioned nanners, whose countenance I never rendered cheerful without a return. His father is worthily matched, as endowed with like manners. Now I’ll go to him;—but his door is opening, the door from which full oft I’ve sallied forth drunk with excess of cheer.(He stands aside.) (Enter, from his house, HEGIO and a SLAVE.)
ille démum antiquis est adulescens moribus,cuius númquam voltum tranquillavi gratiis.condigne pater est eius moratus moribus.nunc ad eum pergam. sed aperitur ostium,unde sáturitate saepe ego exii ebrius.
HEGIO:Now, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon them chains of light weight; take off those greater ones with which they are bound. Permit them to walk, if they wish, out of doors, or if in-doors,but so that they are watched with the greatest care. A captive at liberty is like a bird that’s wild; if opportunity is once given for escaping, ‘tis enough; after that, you can never catch him.
Hegio:Advorte animum sis tu: istos captivos duos,heri quos emi de praeda a quaestoribus,eis indito catenas singulariasistas, maiores, quibus sunt iuncti, demito;sinito ambulare, si foris si intus volent,sed uti adserventur magna diligentia.liber captivos avis ferae consimilis est:semel fugiendi si data est occasio,satis est, numquam postilla possis prendere.
A SLAVE:Doubtless we all are free men more willingly than we live the life of slaves.
Lorarivs:Omnes profecto liberi lubentiussumus quám servimus.
HEGIO:You, indeed, don’t seem to think so.
Hegio:Non videre ita tu quidem.
A SLAVE:If I have nothing to give, should you like me to give myself to flight?
Lorarivs:Si non est quod dem, mene vis dem ipse—in pedes?
HEGIO:If you do so give yourself, I shall at once have something to be giving to you.
Hegio:Si dederis, erit extemplo mihi quod dem tibi.
A SLAVE:I’ll make myself just like the wild bird you were telling of.
Lorarivs:Avis mé ferae consimilem faciam, ut praedicas.
HEGIO:’Tis just as you say; for if you do so, I’ll be giving you to the cage.
Hegio:Ita ut dícis: nam si faxis, te in caveam dabo.
But enough of prating; take you care of what I’ve ordered, and be off. (The SLAVE goes into the house.) I’ll away to my brother’s, to my other captives; I’ll go see whether they’ve been making any disturbance last night. From there I shall forthwith betake myself home again.ERGASILUS: (apart.)
sed satis verborumst. cura quae iussi atque abi.ego ibo ad fratrem ad alios captivos meos,visam ne nocte hac quippiam turbaverint.inde mé continuo recipiam rursum domum.
It grieves me that this unhappy old man is following the trade of a slave-dealer,by reason of the misfortune of his son. But, if by any means he can be brought back here, I could even endure for him to become an executioner.HEGIO: (overhearing him.)
Ergasilvs:Aegre est mi, hunc facere quaestum carcerariumpropter sui gnati miseriam miserum senem.sed si ullo pacto ille huc conciliari potest,vel carnificinam hunc facere possum perpeti.
Who is it that’s speaking?ERGASILUS:’Tis I, who am, pining at your affliction, growing thin, waxing old, and shockingly wasting away. Wretched man that I am,I’m but skin and bone through leanness; nor does anything ever do me good that I eat at home; even that ever so little which I taste out of doors, the same refreshes me.
Hegio:Quis hic lóquitur?Ergasilvs:Ego, qui tuo maerore maceror,macesco, consenesco et tabesco miser;ossa atque pellis sum miser a macritudine;neque umquam quicquam me iuvat quod edo domi:foris aliquantillum etiam quod gusto, id beat.
HEGIO:Ergasilus, save you!
Hegio:Ergasile, salve.
ERGASILUS: (crying.)May the Gods kindly bless you, Hegio!
Ergasilvs:Di te bene ament, Hegio.
HEGIO:Don’t weep.
Hegio:Ne fle.
ERGASILUS:Must I not weep for him? Must I not weep for such a young man?
Ergasilvs:Egone illum non fleam? égon non defleamTalem adulescentem?
HEGIO:I’ve always known you to be a friend to my son, and I have understood him to be so to you.
Hegio:Semper sensi, filiomeo te ésse amicum, et illum intellexi tibi.
ERGASILUS:Then at last do we men know our blessings, when we have lost those things which we once had in our power. I, since your son fell into the power of the enemy,knowing by experience of what value he was, now feel his loss.
Ergasilvs:Tum denique homines nostra intellegimus bona,quom quae in potestate habuimus, ea amisimus.ego, postquam gnatus tuos potitust hostium,expertus quanti fuerit nunc desidero.
HEGIO:Since you, who are no relation, bear his misfortune so much amiss, what is it likely that I, a father, should do, whose only son he is?
Hegio:Alienus cum eius incommodum tam aegre feras,quid me patrem par facerest, cui ille est unicus?
ERGASILUS:I, no relation to him? He, no relation to me? Oh, Hegio! never do say that, nor come to such a belief.
Ergasilvs:Alienus ego? alienus illi? aha, Hegio,numquam istuc dixis neque animum induxis tuom;
To you he is an only child, but to me he is even more only than an only one.
tibi ille únicust, mi etiam unico magis unicus.
HEGIO:I commend you, in that you consider the affliction of your friend your own affliction. Now be of good heart.
Hegio:Laudo, malum cum amici tuom ducis malum.nunc habe bonum animum.
ERGASILUS: (crying.)O dear!HEGIO: (half-aside.)’Tis this afflicts him, that the army for guttling is now disbanded.
Ergasilvs:Eheu, huic illud dolet,quia nunc remissus est edendi exercitus.
Meanwhile, have you found no one to command for you the army that you mentioned as disbanded?
Hegio:Nullumne interea nactu's nactus es, qui posset tibiremissum quem dixti imperare exercitum?
ERGASILUS:What do you think? All to whom it used to fall are in the habit of declining that province since your son Philopolemus was taken prisoner.
Ergasilvs:Quid credis? fugitant omnes hanc provinciam,quoi optigerat postquam captust Philopolemus tuos.
HEGIO:I’ faith, ‘tisn’t to be wondered at, that they are in the habit of declining that province. You have necessity for numerous troops, and those of numerous kinds.Well, first you have need of the Bakerians. Of these Bakerians there are several kinds, You have need of Roll-makerians, you have need too of Confectionerians, you have need of Poultererians, you have need of Beccaficorians; besides, all the maritime forces are necessary for you.
Hegio:Non pol mirandum est fugitare hanc provinciam.multis et multigeneribus opus est tibimilitibus: primumdum opus est Pistorensibus;eorum sunt aliquot genera Pistorensium:opus Pániceis est, opus Placentinis quoque;opus Turdetanis, opust Ficedulensibus;iam maritumi omnes milites opus sunt tibi.
ERGASILUS:How the greatest geniuses do frequently lie concealed! How great a general now is this private individual!
Ergasilvs:Vt saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent;hic qualis imperator nunc privatus est.
HEGIO:Only have good courage; for I trust that in a few days I shall bring him back home. For see now; there’s a captive here, a young man of Elis,born of a very high family, and of very great wealth; I trust that it will come to pass that I shall get my son in exchange for him.
Hegio:Habe modo bonum animum, nam illum confido domumin his diebus me reconciliassere.nam eccum hic captivom adulescentem ⟨intus⟩ Aleum,prognatum genere summo et summis ditiis:hoc illum me mutare confido pote.
ERGASILUS:May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so!
Ergasilvs:Ita di deaeque faxint. sed num quo forasvocatus ⟨es⟩ ad cenam?
HEGIO:But are you invited out anywhere to dinner?
Hegio:Nusquam, quod sciam.sed quid tu id quaeris?
ERGASILUS:Nowhere that I know of. But, pray, why do you ask me?HEGIO:Because this is my birthday;
Ergasilvs:Quia mi est natalis dies;
for that reason I’d like you to be invited to dinner at my house.
propterea te vocari ad te ad cenam volo.
ERGASILUS:’Tis kindly said.HEGIO:But if you can be content to eat a very little—
Hegio:Facete dictum. sed si pauxillo potescontentus esse.
ERGASILUS:Aye, even ever so little; for on such fare as that do I enjoy myself every day at home.HEGIO:Come, then, please, set yourself up for sale.
Ergasilvs:Ne perpauxillum modo,nam istoc me assiduo victu delecto domi;
ERGASILUS:I’ll put myself up for purchase, just like a landed estate, unless any one shall privately make a better offer that pleases myself and my friends more, and to my own conditions will I bind myself.
age sis, roga emptum: nisi qui meliorem adferetquae mi atque amicis placeat condicio magis,quasi fundum vendam, meis me addicam legibus.
HEGIO:You are surely selling me a bottomless pit, and not a landed estate. But if you are coming, do so in time.
Hegio:Profundum vendis tu quidem, haud fundum, mihi.sed si venturu's venturus es, temperi.
ERGASILUS:Why, for that matter, I’m at leisure even now.
Ergasilvs:Em, vel iam otium est.
HEGIO:Go then, and hunt for a hare; at present, in me you have but a ferret,for my fare is in the way of frequenting a rugged road.
Hegio:I modo, venare leporem: nunc irim tenes;nam meus scruposam victus commetat viam.
ERGASILUS:You’ll never repulse me by that, Hegio, so don’t attempt it. I’ll come, in spite of it, with teeth well shod.
Ergasilvs:Numquam istoc vinces me, Hegio, ne postules:cum calceatis dentibus veniam tamen.
HEGIO:Really, my viands are but of a rough sort.
Hegio:Asper meus victus sane est.
ERGASILUS:Are you in the habit of eating brambles?
Ergasilvs:Sentisne essitas?
HEGIO:Mine is an earthy dinner.
Hegio:Terrestris cena est.
ERGASILUS:A pig is an earthy animal.
Ergasilvs:Sus terrestris bestia est.
HEGIO:Earthy from its plenty of vegetables.
Hegio:Multis holeribus.
ERGASILUS:Treat your sick peoples at home with that fare? Do you wish anything else?
Ergasilvs:Curato aegrotos domi.numquid vis?
HEGIO:Come in good time.
Hegio:Venias temperi.
ERGASILUS:You are putting in mind one who remembers quite well.(Exit.)
Ergasilvs:Memorem mones.—
HEGIO:I’ll go in-doors, and in the house I’ll make the calculation how little money I have at my banker’s; afterwards I’ll go to my brother’s, whither I was saying I would go.(Goes into his house.) (Enter, from the house, PHILOCRATES, TYNDARUS, and SLAVES and CAPTIVES of HEGIO.)A SLAVE:If the immortal Gods have so willed it that you should undergo this affliction, it becomes you to endure it with equanimity; if you do so, your trouble will be lighter. At home you were free men, I suppose; now if slavery has befallen you, ‘tis a becoming way for you to put up with it, and by your dispositions to render it light, under a master’s rule.
Hegio:Ibo intro atque intus subducam ratiunculam,quantillum argenti mi ápud trapezitam siet.ad fratrem, quo ire dixeram, mox ivero.—Lorarii:Si di ímmortales íd voluerunt, vós hanc aerumnam éxsequi,decét id pati animo aéquo: si id faciétis, levior lábos erit.domi fuístis, credo, líberi:nunc servitus si evenit, ei vos morigerari mos bonustet erili imperio eamque ingeniis vostris lenem reddere.
Unworthy actions which a master does must be deemed worthy ones.PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:Alas! alas! alas!
indigna digna habenda sunt, erus quae facit.Captivi:Oh oh oh.
A SLAVE:There’s no need for wailing; you cause much injury to your eyes. In adversity, if you use fortitude of mind, it is of service.
Lorarivs:Éiulatione haud opus est, oculis haud lacrimantibus:in ré mala animo sí bono utare, ádiuvat.
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:But we are ashamed, because we are in bonds.A SLAVE:But in the result it might cause vexation to our master, if he were to release you from chains,or allow you to be loose, whom he has purchased with his money.
Tyndarvs:At nós pudet, quia cúm catenis súmus.Lorarivs:At pigeat pósteanostrum erum, si vos éximat vínculis,aút solutós sinat, quós argento émerit.
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:What does he fear from us? We know our duty, what it is, if he allows us to be loose.
Tyndarvs:Quid a nóbis metuit? scímus nosnóstrum officiúm quod est, sí solutós sinat.
A SLAVE:Why, you are meditating escape. I know what it is you are devising.
Lorarivs:Át fugam fíngitis: séntio quam rem ágitis.
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:We, make our escape? Whither should we escape?
Philocrates:Nós fugiamus? quó fugiamus?
A SLAVE:To your own country.
Lorarivs:In patriam.
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:Out upon you; it would ill befit us to be following the example of runaways.
Philocrates:Apage, haud nós id deceat,fúgitivos imitári.
A SLAVE:Why, faith, should there be an opportunity, I don’t advise you not.
Lorarivs:Immo edepol, si érit occasio, haúd dehortor.
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:Do you allow us to make one request.A SLAVE:What is it, pray?
Tyndarvs:Únum exoráre vos sínite nos.Lorarivs:Quídnam id est?
PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS:That you will give us an opportunity of conversing, without these and yourselves for overlookers.
Tyndarvs:Út sine hisce arbitrisátque vobis nobis détis lócum loquendi.
A SLAVE:Be it so; go you away from here, you people. Let’s step here, on one side.(To the other CAPTIVES and SLAVES.)
Lorarivs:Fíat. abscédite hinc: nós concedámus huc.
But commence upon a short conversation only.PHILOCRATES:O yes, it was my intention so to do. Step aside this way.(to TYNDARUS.)A SLAVE: (to the other CAPTIVES.)
séd brevem orátionem íncipisse.Tyndarvs:Em istúc mihi certum erat. cóncede huc.
Stand apart from them.TYNDARUS: (to the SLAVE.)We are both greatly obliged to you, by reason of your doing so, since you allow us to obtain what we are desirous of.
Lorarivs:Abíte ab ístis.Tyndarvs:Obnóxii ámbovóbis sumus própter hanc rém, quom quae vólumus noscopia est † ea facitis nos compotes.
PHILOCRATES:Step here then, at a distance now, if you think fit,that no listeners may be enabled to overhear our discourse, and that this plan of ours mayn’t be divulged before them for a stratagem is no stratagem, if you don’t plan it with art but it is a very great misfortune if it becomes disclosed. For if you are my master, and I represent myself as your servant,still there’s need of foresight, and need of caution, that this may be carried out discreetly and without overlookers, with carefulness and with cautious prudence and diligence. So great is the mutter that has been commenced upon; this must not be carried out in any drowsy fashion.
Philocrates:Sécede huc núnciam, sí videtúr, procul,ne arbitri dicta nostra arbitrari queantneu permanet palam haec nostra fallacia.nam doli non doli sunt, nisi astu colas,sed malum maxumum, si id palam provenit.nam sí erus mihi es tu átque ego me túom esse servom assímulo,tamen víso opust, cauto est opus, ut hoc sóbrie sineque árbitrisaccúrate agátur, docte ét diligénter;tanta íncepta rés est: haud sómniculóse hocagéndum est.
TYNDARUS:Just as you shall desire me to be, I will be.
Tyndarvs:Ero út me volés esse.
PHILOCRATES:I trust so.
Philocrates:Spéro.
TYNDARUS:For now you see that for your precious life I’m setting at stake my own, as dear to me.
Tyndarvs:Nam tú nunc vidés pro tuó caro cápitecarum ófferre ⟨mé⟩ meum capút vilitáti.
PHILOCRATES:I know it.
Philocrates:Scio.
TYNDARUS:But remember to know it when you shall be enjoying that which you wish for; for mostly, the greatest part of mankind follow this fashion; what they wish for, until they obtain it, they are rightminded; but when they have now got it in their power,from being rightminded they become most deceitful, and most dishonest; now I do consider that you are towards me as I wish. What I advise you, I would advise my own father.
Tyndarvs:At scíre memento, quándo id quód voles habébis;nam fére maxima pars mórem hunc hominés habent: quod síbi volunt,dum id ímpetrant, boní sunt;sed íd ubi iam penes sése habent,éx bonis péssimi et fraúdulentíssimifíunt: nunc út mihi té volo esse aútumo.[quód tibi suádeam, suádeam meó patri.]
PHILOCRATES:I’ faith, if I could venture, I would call you father; for next to my own father, you are my nearest father.
Philocrates:Pól ego si te aúdeam, meúm patrem nóminem:nám secundúm patrem tu és pater próximus.
TYNDARUS:I understand.
Tyndarvs:Aúdio.
PHILOCRATES:And therefore I remind you the more frequently, that you may remember it. I am not your master, but your servant; now this one thing I do beseech you. Inasmuch as the immortal Gods have disclosed to us their wishes, that they desire me to have once been your master, and now to be your fellow-captive; what formerly of my right I used to command you, now with entreaties do I beg of you,by our uncertain fortunes, and by the kindness of my father towards you, and by our common captivity, which has befallen us by the hand of the enemy, don’t you pay me any greater respect than I did you when you were my slave; and don’t you forget to remember who you were, and who you now are.
Philocrates:Et proptérea saepiús te uti memíneris moneo:non ego erus tibi, sed servos sum; nunc obsecro te hoc unum—quoniam nobis di immortales animum ostenderunt suom,ut qui erum me tibi fuisse atque esse conservom velint,quom antehac pro iure imperitabam meo, nunc te oro per precem—per fortunam incertam et per mei te erga bonitatem patris,perque consérvitium commune, quód hostica evenit manu,ne me secus honore honestes quam quom servibas mihi,atque ut qui fueris et qui nunc sis meminisse ut memineris.
TYNDARUS:I know, indeed, that I now am you, and that you are I.
Tyndarvs:Scio quidem me te esse nunc et te esse me.
PHILOCRATES:Well, if you are able carefully to remember that, 1 have some hope in this scheme of ours.(Enter HEGIO, from his house, speaking to those within.)
Philocrates:Em istuc si potesmemoriter meminisse, inest spes nobis ín hac astutia.
HEGIO:I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want to know. (To the SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brought out of doors here, before the house?
Hegio:Iam ego revertar intro, si ex his quae volo exquisivero.ubi sunt isti quos ante aedis iussi huc produci foras?
PHILOCRATES:By my faith, I find that you have taken due precaution that we shouldn’t be missed by you, so walled in are we with chains and keepers.
Philocrates:Edepol tibi ne in quaestione essemus cautum intellego,ita vinclis custodiisque circum moeniti sumus.
HEGIO:He that takes precaution that he mayn’t be deceived, is hardly on his guard, even while he’s taking precaution; even when he has supposed that he has taken every precaution, full often is this wary man outwitted. Was there not good reason, indeed, for me to watch you carefully, whom I purchased with so large a sum of ready money?
Hegio:Qui cavet ne decipiatur, vix cavet, cum etiam cavet;etiam cum cavisse ratus est, saepe is cautor captus est.an vero non iusta causa est, ut vos servem sedulo,quos tam grandi sim mercatus praesenti pecunia?
PHILOCRATES:Troth, it isn’t fair for us to hold you to blame, because you watch us closely;nor yet for you us, if we go away hence, should there be an opportunity.
Philocrates:Neque pol tibi nos, quia nos servas, aequomst vitio vortere,neque te nobis, sí abeamus hinc, si fuat occasio.
HEGIO:As you are here, so is my son a captive there among your people.
Hegio:Vt vos hic, itidem illic apud vos meus servatur filius.
PHILOCRATES:He, a captive?
Philocrates:Captus est?
PHILOCRATES:We, then, have not proved the only cowards.HEGIO: (to PHILOCRATES, supposing him to be the SERVANT of the other.)
Philocrates:Non igitur nos soli ignavi fuimus.
Step you aside this way, for there are some things that I wish to enquire of you in private, on which subjects I would have you not to be untruthful to me.(They step aside.)PHILOCRATES:I will not be,as to that which I shall know; if I shall not know anything, that which I don’t know I’ll tell you of.TYNDARUS: (aside.)
Hegio:Secede huc. nam sunt quae éx te solo scitari volo.quarum rerum te falsilocum mi esse nolo.Philocrates:Non eroquod sciam. si quid nescibo, id nescium tradam tibi.
Now is the old fellow in the barber’s shop; now, at this very instant, is Philocrates wielding the razor. He hasn’t cared, indeed, to put on the barber’s cloth, so as not to soil his dress. But whether to say that he’s going to shave him close, or trim him through the comb, I don’t know; but if he’s wise, he’ll scrape him right well to the very quick.HEGIO: (to PHILOCRATES.)
Tyndarvs:Nunc senex est in tostrina, nunc iam cultros attinet.ne id quidem, involucrum inicere, voluit, vestem ut ne inquinet.sed utrum strictimne adtonsurum dicam esse an per pectinem,nescio; verum, si frugist, usque admutilabit probe.
Which would you? Would you prefer to be a slave, or a free man?—Tell me.
Hegio:Quid tu? servosne esse an liber mavelis, memora mihi.
PHILOCRATES:That which is the nearest to good, and the furthest off from evil, do I prefer; although my servitude hasn’t proved very grievous to me, nor has it been otherwise to me than if I had been a son in the family.TYNDARUS: (aside.)
Philocrates:Proxumum quod sit bono quodque a malo longissume,id volo; quamquam non multum fuit molesta servitus,nec mihi secus erat quam si essem familiaris filius.
Capital! I wouldn’t purchase, at a talent’s price even, Thales the Milesian;for compared with this man’s wisdom, he was a very twaddler. How cleverly has he suited his language to the slave’s condition.
Tyndarvs:Eugepae, Thalem talento non emam Milesium,nam ad sapientiam huius … nimius nugator fuit.ut facete orationem ad servitutem contulit.
HEGIO:Of what family is this Philocrates born?
Hegio:Quo de genere natust illic Philocrates?
PHILOCRATES:The Polyplusian; which one family is flourishing there, and held in highest esteem.
Philocrates:Polyplusio:quod genus illi est unum pollens atque honoratissumum.
HEGIO:What is he himself? In what esteem is he held there?
Hegio:Quid ipsus hic? quo honore est illic?
PHILOCRATES:In the highest, and that by the very highest men.
Philocrates:Summo, atque ab summis viris.
HEGIO:Since, then, he is held in such great respect among the Eleans, as you tell of, what substance has he?—Of large amount?
Hegio:[Tum igitur ei cum in Aleis tanta gratia est, ut praedicas,]quid divitiae, suntne opimae?
PHILOCRATES:Enough for him, even, when an old man, to be melting out the tallow.
Philocrates:Vnde excoquat sebum senex.
HEGIO:What is his father? Is he living?
Hegio:Quid pater, vivitne?
PHILOCRATES:When we departed thence, we left him alive; whether he’s living now or not, Orcus, forsooth, must know that.TYNDARUS: (aside.)
Philocrates:Vivom, cum inde abimus, liquimus;nunc vivat⟨ne⟩ necne, id Orcum scire oportet scilicet.
The matter’s all right; he’s not only lying, but he’s even philosophizing now.
Tyndarvs:Salva res est, philosophatur quoque iam, non mendax modo est.
HEGIO:What’s his name?
Hegio:Quid erat ei nomen?
PHILOCRATES:Thesaurochrysonicocrœsides.
Philocrates:Thensaurochrysonicochrysides.
HEGIO:That name has been given, I suppose, by reason of his wealth, as it were.
Hegio:Videlicet propter divitias inditum id nomen quasi est.
PHILOCRATES:Troth, not so, but rather by reason of his avarice and grasping disposition; for, indeed, he was Theodoromedes originally by name.
Philocrates:Immo edepol propter avaritiam ipsius atque audaciam.[nam ille quidem Theodoromedes fuit germano nomine.]
HEGIO:How say you? Is his father covetous?
Hegio:Quid tu ais? tenaxne pater est eius?
PHILOCRATES:Aye, by my faith, he is covetous.
Philocrates:Immo edepol pertinax;
Why, that you may even understand it the better,—when he’s sacrificing at any time to his own Genius, the vessels that are needed for the sacrifice he uses of Samian ware, lest the Genius himself should steal them; from this, consider how much he would trust other people.HEGIO: (addressing TYNDARUS as though PHILOCRATES.)
quin etiam ut magis nóscas: Genio suo ubi quando sacruficat,ad rem divinam quibus est opus, Samiis vasis utitur,ne ipse Genius surripiat: proinde aliis ut credat vide.
Do you then follow me this way. (Aside.) The things that I desire to know, I’ll enquire of him. (Addressing TYNDARUS.) Philocrates, this person has done as it becomes an honest man to do.
Hegio:Sequere hac me igitur. eadem ego ex hoc quae volo exquaesivero.Philocrates, hic fecit, hominem frugi ut facere oportuit.
For from him I’ve learnt of what family you are sprung; he has confessed it to me. If you are willing to own these same things (which, however, understand that I already know from him), you will be doing it for your own advantage.TYNDARUS:He did his duty when he confessed the truth to you, although, Hegio, I wished carefully to conceal both my rank and my wealth;now, inasmuch as I’ve lost my country and my liberty, I don’t think it right for him to be dreading me rather than you. The might of warfare has made my fortunes on a level with himself. I remember the time when he didn’t dare to do it in word; now, in deed, he is at liberty to offend me. But don’t you see? Human fortune moulds and fashions just as she wills.
nám ego ex hoc quo genere gnatus sis scio, hic fassust mihi;haec tu eadem si confiteri vis, tua ⟨ex⟩ re feceris:quae tamen scio scire me ex hoc.Tyndarvs:Fecit officium hic suom,cum tibi est confessus verum, quam⟨quam⟩ volui sedulomeam nobilitatem occultare et genus et divitias meas,Hegio; nunc quando patriam et libertatem perdidi,non ego istúnc me potius quam te metuere aequom censeo.vis hostilis cum istoc fecit meas opes aequabiles;memini, cum dicto haud audebat: facto nunc laedat licet.sed viden? fortuna humana fingit artatque ut lubet:
Myself, who was a free man she has made a slave, from the very highest the very lowest. I, who was accustomed to command, now obey the mandates of another. And indeed, if I meet with a master just such as I proved the ruler in my own household, I shall not fear that he will rule me harshly or severely. With this, Hegio, I wished you to be acquainted, unless perchance you your self wish it not.
me, qui liber fueram, servom fecit, e summo infimum;qui imperare insueram, nunc alterius imperio obsequor.et quidem si, proinde ut ipse fui imperator familiae,habeam dominum, non verear ne iniuste aut graviter mi imperet.Hegio, hoc te monitum, nisi forte ipse non vis, voluerim.
HEGIO:Speak boldly out.
Hegio:Loquere audacter.
TYNDARUS:As free a man was I till lately as your son. As much did a hostile hand deprive me of my liberty as him of his. As much is he a slave among my people, as I am now a slave here with yourself. There is undoubtedly a God, who both hears and sees the things which we do. Just as you shall treat me here, in the same degree will he have a care for him.
Tyndarvs:Tam ego fui ante liber quam gnatus tuos,tam mihi quam illi libertatem hostilis eripuit manus,tam ille apud nos servit, quam ego nunc hic apud te servio.est profecto deus, qui quae nos gerimus auditque et videt:is, uti tu me hic habueris, proinde illum illic curaverit;
To the well-deserving will he show favour, to the ill-deserving will he give a like return. As much as you lament your son, so much does my father lament me.
bene merenti bene profuerit, male merenti par erit.quam tu filium tuom, tam páter me meus desiderat.
HEGIO:That I am aware of. But do you admit the same that lie has disclosed to me?
Hegio:Memini ego istuc. sed faterin eadem quae hic fassust mihi?
TYNDARUS:I confess that my father has very great wealth at home, and that I am born of a very noble family; but I entreat you, Hegio,let not my riches make your mind too prone to avarice, lest it should seem to my father, although I am his only son, more suitable that I should be a slave in your house, bountifully supplied at your expense and with your clothing, rather than be living the life of a beggar where ‘twould be far from honorable.
Tyndarvs:Ego patri meo esse fateor summas divitias domimeque summo genere gnatum. sed te optestor, Hegio,ne tuom animum avariorem faxint divitiae meae:ne patri, tam étsi sum unicus, decere videatur magis,me saturum servire apud te sumptu et vestitu tuopotius quam illi, ubi minime honestumst, mendicantem vivere.
HEGIO:By the favour of the Gods and of my forefathers, I am rich enough.
Hegio:[Ego virtute deum et maiorum nostrum dives sum satis.]
I don’t quite believe that every kind of gain is serviceable to mankind. I know that gain has already made many a man famous; and yet there are occasions when it is undoubtedly better to incur loss than to make gain. Gold I detest: many a one has it persuaded to many an evil course. Now give your attention to this, that you may know as well what my wishes are.
non ego ómnino lucrum omne esse utile homini existimo:scio ego, multos iam lucrum lutulentos homines reddidit;est etiam ubi profecto damnum praestet facere quam lucrum.odi ego aurum: multa multis saepe suasit perperam.nunc hoc animum advorte, ut ea quae sentio pariter scias.
My son, taken prisoner. is in servitude at Elis there among your people; if you restore him to me, don’t you give me a single coin besides; both you and him, your servant, I’ll send back from here; on no other terms can you depart hence.
filius meus illic apud vos servit captus Alide:eum si reddis mihi, praeterea únum nummum ne duis;et te et hunc amittam hinc. alio pacto abire non potes.
TYNDARUS:You ask what’s very right and very just, and you are the very kindest person of all mankind. But whether is he in servitude to a private person or to the public?
Tyndarvs:Optumum atque aequissumum oras optumusque hominum es homo.sed is privatam servitutem servit illi an publicam?
HEGIO:In private servitude to Menarchus, a physician.PHILOCRATES:By my faith, that person’s surely his father’s dependant. Why really, that’s down as pat for you, as the shower is when it rains.
Hegio:Privatam medici Menarchi.Tyndarvs:Pol is quidem huius est cliens.tam hoc quidem tibi in proclivi quam imber est quando pluit.
HEGIO:Do you then cause this person, my son, to be redeemed.
Hegio:Fac is homo ut redimatur.
TYNDARUS:I’ll do so: but this I beg of you, Hegio—
Tyndarvs:Faciam. sed te id oro, Hegio—
HEGIO:Whatever you wish, so that you request nothing against my interest, I’ll do.
Hegio:Quid vis, dum ab re ne quid ores, faciam.
TYNDARUS:Listen then, and you’ll know. I don’t ask for myself to be released, until he has returned.
Tyndarvs:Ausculta, tum scies.ego me amitti, donicum ille huc redierit, non postulo.
But I beg of you to give me him (pointing to PHILOCRATES) with a price set upon him, that I may send him to my father, that this person, your son, may be redeemed there.HEGIO:Why no; I’d rather send another person hence, when there shall be a truce, to confer with your father there, and to carry your injunctions which you shall entrust him with, just as you wish.
verum quaeso ut aestumatum hunc mihi des, quem mittam ad patrem,ut is homo redimatur illi.Hegio:Immo alium potius miserohinc, ubi erunt indutiae, illuc, tuom qui conveniat patrem,qui tua quae tu iusseris mandata ita út velis perferat.
TYNDARUS:But it’s of no use to send to him one that he doesn’t know; you’d be losing your labour.
Tyndarvs:At nihil est ignotum ad illum mittere: operam luseris.
Send this person; he’ll have it all completed, if he gets there. And you cannot send any person to him more faithful, nor one in whom he places more confidence, nor who is more a servant after his own mind; nor, in fact, one to whom he would more readily entrust your son. Have no fears; at my own peril I’ll make proof of his fidelity,relying upon his disposition; because he is sensible that I’m kindly disposed towards him.
hunc mitte, hic transactum reddet omne, si illuc venerit.nec quemquam fideliorem neque cui plus credat potesmittere ad eum nec qui magis sit servos ex sententia,neque adeo cui suom concredat filium hodie audacius.ne vereare, meo periclo húius ego experiar fidem,fretus ingenio eius, quod me ésse scit erga se benevolum.
HEGIO:Well then, I’ll send him with a price set upon him, on the surety of your promise, if you wish it.
Hegio:Mittam equidem istunc aestumatum tua fide, si vis.
TYNDARUS:I do wish it; so soon as ever it can, I want this matter to be brought to completion.
Tyndarvs:Volo;quam citissime potest, tam hoc cedere ad factum volo.
HEGIO:What reason is there, then, that if he doesn’t return, you should not pay me twenty minae for him?
Hegio:Num quae causa est quin, si ille huc non redeat, viginti minasmihi des pro illo?
TYNDARUS:Yes—very good.
Tyndarvs:Optuma immo.
HEGIO: (to the SLAVES, who obey.)Release him now forthwith;and, indeed, both of them.(On being released, PHILOCRATES goes into the house.)
Hegio:Solvite istum nunciam,atque utrumque.
TYNDARUS:May all the Gods grant you all your desires, since you have deigned me honor so great, and since you release me from my chains. Really, this is not so irksome now, since my neck is free from the collar-chain.
Tyndarvs:Di tibi omnis omnia optata offerant,cum me tanto honore honestas cumque ex vinclis eximis.hoc quidem haud molestumst, iam quod collus collari caret.
HEGIO:The kindnesses that are done to the good, thanks for the same are pregnant with blessings. Now, if you are about to send him thither, direct, instruct him, give him the orderswhich you wish to be carried to your father. Should you like me to call him to you?
Hegio:Quod bonis bene fit beneficium, gratia ea gravida est bonis.nunc tu illum si illo es missurus, dice monstra praecipequae ad patrem vis nuntiari. vin vocem huc ad te?
TYNDARUS:Do call him.(HEGIO goes to the door, and calls PHILOCRATES.) (Enter PHILOCRATES, from the house)
Tyndarvs:Voca.
HEGIO:May this affair turn out happily for myself and for my son, and for yourselves. (To PHILOCRATES.) Your new master wishes you to pay faithful obedience to your former owner in what he wishes. For I have presented you to him, with the price of twenty minae set upon you:and he says that he is desirous to send you away hence to his father, that he may there redeem my son, and that an exchange may be made between me and him for our respective sons.
Hegio:Quae res bene vortat mihi meoque filiovobisque, volt te novos erus operam daretuo veteri domino, quod is velit, fideliter.nam ego te aestumatum huíc dedi viginti minis,hic autem té ait mittere hinc velle ad patrem,meum ut illic redimat filium, mutatiointer me atque illum ut nostris fiat filiis.
PHILOCRATES:My disposition takes its course straight in either direction, both to yourself and to him; as a wheel you may make use of me;
Philocrates:Vtroque vorsum rectumst ingenium meum,ad te atque ad illum; pro rota me uti licet:
either this way or that can I be turned, whichever way you shall command me.
vel ego huc vel illuc vortar, quo imperabitis.
HEGIO:You yourself profit the most from your own disposition, when you endure slavery just as it ought to be endured. Follow me. (To TYNDARUS.) See here’s your man.
Hegio:Tute tibi tuopte ingenio prodes plurumum,cum servitutem íta fers ut ferri decet.sequere. em tibi hominem.
TYNDARUS:I return you thanks, since you give me this opportunity and permissionto send this messenger to my parents, who may relate all the matter in its order to my father, what I’m doing here, and what I wish to be done. (To PHILOCRATES.) Now, Tyndarus, thus is it arranged between myself and him, that I’m to send you, valued at a fixed price, to my father in Elis;so that, if you don’t return hither, I’m to give twenty minae for you.
Tyndarvs:Gratiám habeo tibi,quom copiam istam mi et potestatem facis,ut ego ad parentes hunc remittam nuntium,qui me quid rerum hic agitem et quid fieri velimpatri meo, ordine omnem rem, illuc perferat.nunc ita convenit inter me atque hunc, Tyndare,ut te aestumatum in Alidem mittam ad patrem,si non rebitas huc, ut viginti minasdem pro te.