---
title: "Curculio"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 2 of 2
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-curculio/2/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, Curculio, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-curculio/2/"
---

# Curculio

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A parasite named Weevil tricks a soldier and a pimp.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi008, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi008.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.

## 2. Lines 370–729

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

[¶0] I’ll dictate after what fashion you’re to write. Follow me this way, in-doors.
PHAEDROMUS:
I follow.
(They go into the house of PHAEDROMUS.) (Enter LYCO.)

> Latin: dicam quem ad modum conscribas. sequere me hac intro.
Phaedromvs:
Sequor.—

[¶1] LYCO:
I seem to be in opulence; I’ve struck my balance, how much money I have, and how much I owe. I’m rich, if I don’t pay those to whom I’m in debt. If I do pay those to whom I’m in debt, my debts are the greatest.

> Latin: Lyco:
Beatus videor: subduxi ratiunculam,
quantum aeris mihi sit quantumque alieni siet:
dives sum, si non reddo eis quibus debeo.
[si reddo illis quibus debeo, plus alieni est.]

[¶2] But really, upon my faith, when I carefully consider, if they press me hard, I’ll resort to the Praetor. Most bankers have this habit, for one to borrow of the other, and to pay nobody, and to discharge the debt with their fists, if any one duns in a loudish tone.

> Latin: verum hercle vero cum belle recogito,
si magis me instabunt, ad praetorem sufferam.
[habent hunc morem plerique argentarii,]
[ut alius alium poscant, reddant nemini,]
[pugnis rem solvant, si quis poscat clarius.]

[¶3] The person that has in a short time acquired wealth, unless in good time he saves it, in good time comes to starvation. I’d like to buy a servant for myself, who now, however, must be sought by me on hire: there’s occasion for my ready money.
(within.)

> Latin: qui homo mature quaesivit pecuniam,
nisi eam mature parsit, mature esurit.
cupio aliquem emere puerum, qui usurarius
nunc mihi quaeratur. usus est pecunia.

[¶4] CURCULIO:
Don’t you be reminding me now I’m full; I recollect and understand.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Nil tu me saturum monueris. memini et scio.

[¶5] I’ll render up to you all this cleverly carried out; do hold your peace. I’ faith, I’ve surely filled myself in-doors right well, and still in my stomach I’ve left room for one corner, in which to stow away the remnants of these remnants.
(Seeing LYCO.)

> Latin: ego hoc effectum lepide tibi tradam. tace.
edepol ne ego hic med intus explevi probe,
et quidem reliqui in ventre cellae uni locum,
ubi reliquiarum reliquias reconderem.

[¶6] Who’s this that with covered head is saluting Aesculapius? Heyday, the very man I wanted. (To an ATTENDANT.) Follow me.

> Latin: quis hic est qui operto capite Aesculapium
salutat? attat, quem quaerebam. sequere me.

[¶7] I’ll make pretence as though I didn’t know him. (Aloud.) Hark you; I want you.
LYCO: (turning round.)

> Latin: simulabo quasi non noverim. heus tu, te volo.

[¶8] One-eyed man, save you.
CURCULIO:
Prithee, do you jeer me?

> Latin: Lyco:
Vnocule, salve.
Cvrcvlio:
Quaeso, deridesne me?

[¶9] LYCO:
I suppose that you are of the family of the Coclites; for they are one-eyed.

> Latin: Lyco:
De Coclitum prosapia te esse arbitror,
nam ei sunt unoculi.

[¶10] CURCULIO:
This was knocked out for me by a catapulta,
at Sicyon.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Catapulta hoc ictum est mihi
apud Sicyonem.

[¶11] LYCO:
What matters it to me, pray, if it had been knocked out by a broken pot with cinders in it?
CURCULIO: (aside.)

> Latin: Lyco:
Nam quid id refert mea,
an aula quassa cum cinere effossus siet?

[¶12] This fellow’s a wizard, surely; he tells the truth, for such catapultas are often directed at me.
(Aloud.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Superstitiosus hic quidem est, véra praedicat;
nam illaec catapultae ád me crebro commeant.

[¶13] Young man, as I bear this mark on my face in the service of the public, prithee don’t be uncivil to me.

> Latin: adulescens, ob rem publicam hoc intus mihi
quod insigne habeo, quaeso ne me incomities.

[¶14] LYCO:
May I then inforize you, if I may not incomitiatize?

> Latin: Lyco:
Licetne ínforare, si incomitiare non licet?

[¶15] CURCULIO:
You shan’t be inforizing me, indeed; and really I don’t care at all about your Forum or your Comitia. But if you can point me out this person that I’m seeking,
you will be doing me a real and a great service. I’m looking for Lyco the banker.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Non inforabis me quidem, nec mihi placet
tuom profecto nec forum nec comitium.
sed hunc, quem quaero, commonstrare si potes,
inibis a me solidam et grandem gratiam.
Lyconem quaero tarpezitam.

[¶16] LYCO:
Tell me why you are now seeking for him, or, of what country are you?

> Latin: Lyco:
Dic mihi,
quid eum nunc quaeris? aut cuiati's cuiatis es?

[¶17] CURCULIO:
I’ll tell you: I’m come from Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Eloquar.
ab Therapontigono Platagidoro milite.

[¶18] LYCO:
I’ faith, I know the name: (aside) for with that same name,
when I wrote, I filled four whole sides. (To CURCULIO.) But why are you seeking for Lyco?

> Latin: Lyco:
Novi edepol nomen, nam mihi istoc nomine,
dum scribo, explevi totas ceras quattuor.
sed quid Lyconem quaeris?

[¶19] CURCULIO: (showing the letter.)
I’ve been ordered to deliver this letter to him.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Mandatumst mihi,
ut has tabellas ad eum ferrem.

[¶20] LYCO:
What person are you?

> Latin: Lyco:
Quis tu homo es?

[¶21] CURCULIO:
His freed-man, whom all call Summanus.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Libertus illius, quem omnes Summanum vocant.

[¶22] LYCO:
Summanus, my greetings. But why Summanus? Let me know.

> Latin: Lyco:
Summane, salve. qui Summanu's Summanus es? fac sciam.

[¶23] CURCULIO:
Because, when in my drunken fit I’ve gone to sleep, I “summane ” the garments; for that reason do all people call me Summanus.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quia vestimenta, ubi obdormivi ebrius,
summano, ob eam rem me omnes Summanum vocant.

[¶24] LYCO:’Twere better for you to look out for entertainment for you somewhere else; really in my own house I have no room for a Summanus. But I am the person that you are looking for.
CURCULIO:
Prithee, are you he,
Lyco the banker?

> Latin: Lyco:
Alibi te meliust quaerere hospitium tibi:
apud mé profecto nihil est Summano loci.
sed istúm quem quaeris ego sum.
Cvrcvlio:
Quaeso, tune is es,
Lyco trapezita?

[¶25] LYCO:
I am.

> Latin: Lyco:
Ego sum.

[¶26] CURCULIO:
Therapontigonus requested me to give you a hearty greeting, and to deliver this letter.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Multam me tibi
salutem iussit Therapontigonus dicere,
et has tabellas dare me iussit.

[¶27] LYCO:
What, to me?

> Latin: Lyco:
Mihin?

[¶28] CURCULIO:
Just so. Take it, recognize the seal. Do you know it? (LYCO takes the letter.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Ita.
cape, signum nosce. nostin?

[¶29] LYCO:
Why should I not know it? On which, a man, holding a shield, is cleaving an elephant asunder with a sword.

> Latin: Lyco:
Quidni noverim?
clupeatus elephantum ubi machaera dissicit.

[¶30] CURCULIO:
What’s written there he bade me request you to do immediately, if you wished for his esteem.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quod istic scriptum est, id te orare iusserat
profecto ut faceres, suam si velles gratiam.

[¶31] LYCO:
Step aside; I’ll look what’s written in it.

> Latin: Lyco:
Concede, inspiciam quid sit scriptum.

[¶32] CURCULIO: (stepping aside.)
By all means, at your pleasure, so long as I receive of you that which I’m come for.
LYCO: (reads.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Maxime,
tuo arbitratu, dum auferam abs te id quod peto.

[¶33] “Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain, his guest, sends to his host Lyco, at Epidaurus,”
“right hearty greeting.”
CURCULIO: (aside.)
This fellow’s my own; he’s swallowing the hook.
LYCO: (going on.)

> Latin: Lyco:
“Miles Lyconi ín Epidauro hospiti
suo Thérapontigonus Platagidorus plurimam
salutem dicit.”
Cvrcvlio:
Meus hic est, hamum vorat.

[¶34] “I beg and request of you that, the person who delivers this letter to you, to him be given up the girl whom I purchased there (which I did there in your presence, and you being the negotiator),”
“and the golden trinkets and clothes as well. You know already how it was agreed upon. You give the money to the Procurer, and give the young woman to this person.” (To CURCULIO.) Where is he himself? Why doesn’t he come?
CURCULIO:
I’ll tell you; because it is but four days since we arrived in Caria, from India; there he now intends to order a solid golden statue
to be made of Philippean gold, which is to be seven feet high—a memorial of his exploits.

> Latin: Lyco:
“Tecum oro et quaeso, qui has tabellas adferet
tibi, ut ei detur quam istic emi virginem,
quod te praesente isti egi teque interprete,
et aurum et vestem. iam scis ut convenerit:
argentum des lenoni, is huic det virginem.”
ubi ipsus? cur non venit?
Cvrcvlio:
Ego dicam tibi:
quia nudiusquartus venimus in Cariam
ex India; ibi nunc statuam volt dare auream
solidam faciundam ex auro Philippo, quae siet
septempedalis, factis monumentum suis.

[¶35] LYCO:
For what reason this?

> Latin: Lyco:
Quam ob rem istuc?

[¶36] CURCULIO:
I’ll tell you; why, because within twenty days he singly has subdued the Persians, Paphlagonians, Sinopians, Arabians, Cretans, Syrians, Rhodia and Lycia, Peredia and Bibesia,
Centauromachia and Classia Unomammia, and all Libya, and all Conterebromia; one half even of all nations has he conquered unaided in twenty days.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Dicam. quia enim Persas, Paphlagones,
Sinopes, Arabes, Cares, Cretanos, Syros,
Rhodiam atque Lyciam, Perediam et Perbibesiam,
Centauromachiam et Classiam Vnomammiam,
† Libyamque oram omnem Conterebromniam,
dimidiam partem nationum usque omnium
subegit solus intra viginti dies.

[¶37] LYCO:
Dear me!

> Latin: Lyco:
Vah.

[¶38] CURCULIO:
Why are you surprised?

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quid mirare?

[¶39] LYCO:
Why, because if all these people were penned up in a cage
as close as chickens, even so they couldn’t be encompassed in a year. Upon my faith, I do believe that you are come from him; for you do jabber such nonsense.

> Latin: Lyco:
Quia enim in cavea si forent
conclusi, ítidem ut pulli gallinacei,
ita non potuere uno anno circumirier.
credo hercle te esse ab illo, ita nugas blatis.

[¶40] CURCULIO:
Aye, and I can tell you still more, if you like.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Immo etiam porro, si vis, dicam.

[¶41] LYCO:
No; I don’t want it. Follow me this way. I’ll pay you that, on account of which you came;

> Latin: Lyco:
Nil moror.
sequere hac, te absolvam qua advenisti gratia.

[¶42] and lo, I see … (from his house.) Save you, Procurer.
CAPPADOX:
May the Gods prosper you.

> Latin: atque eccum video. leno, salve.
Cappadox:
Di te ament.

[¶43] LYCO:
Do you know what this is about which I’m come to you?

> Latin: Lyco:
Quid hoc quod ad te venio?

[¶44] CAPPADOX:
Say on what you please.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Dicas quid velis.

[¶45] LYCO:
You are to receive the money, and to send away the young woman with him. (Pointing to CURCULIO.)

> Latin: Lyco:
Argentum accipias, cum illo mittas virginem.

[¶46] CAPPADOX:
But what if I’m bound on oath to another?

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quid quod iuratus sum?

[¶47] LYCO:
What matters that to you, so long as you get the money?

> Latin: Lyco:
Quid id refert tua,
dum argentum accipias?

[¶48] CAPPADOX:
He who advises is as good as an accomplice. Do you follow.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Qui monet quasi adiuvat.
sequimini.

[¶49] CURCULIO:
Procurer, take care that you don’t cause me any delay.
(They go into the house of CAPPADOX.) (Enter the CHOREGUS, as CHORUS.)
THE CHOREGUS:
By my faith, Phaedromus has cleverly met with this clever rogue; but whether a salt-water rogue or a dry-land one I’m the rather to say he is, I really don’t know. The costume that I’ve lent I fear I shan’t get back.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Leno, cave in té sit mora mihi.—
Choragvs:
Edepol nugatorem lepidum lepide hunc nactust Phaedromus.
halapantam an sycophantam mágis esse dicam nescio.
ornamenta quae locavi metuo ut possim recipere;

[¶50] Although I have nothing whatever to do with him (I trusted Phaedromus himself), still I’ll keep an eye upon him. But until he comes out of doors, I’ll point out in what place you may easily meet with each person, that he mayn’t lose his labour through too much trouble, if any one wishes to meet either a rascal or one without rascality, or an honest man or a dishonest one.

> Latin: quamquam cum istoc mihi negoti nihil est: ipsi Phaedromo
credidi; tamen asservabo. sed dum hic egreditur foras,
commonstrabo, quo in quemque hominem facile inveniatis loco,
ne nimio opere sumat operam si quem conventum velit,
vel vitiosum vel sine vitio, vel probum vel improbum.

[¶51] He who desires to meet with a perjured fellow, let him go into the courts of law; he who wants a liar and a braggart, near the rites of Cloacina. The rich and erring husbands seek you at the magisterial halls of the Basilica. There, too, will be the worn-out harlots, and those who are wont to haggle for them. Contributors to pic-nic dinners you’ll find in the fishmarket.

> Latin: qui periurum convenire volt hominem ito in comitium;
qui mendacem et gloriosum, ápud Cloacinae sacrum,
ditis damnosos maritos sub basilica quaerito.
ibidem erunt scorta exoleta quique stipulari solent,
symbolarum collatores apud forum piscarium.

[¶52] In the lower part of the Forum good men and opulent do walk; in the middle, near the canal, there are the mere puffers-off. Beyond the lake of Curtius are impudent, talkative, and malevolent fellows, who boldly, without reason, utter calumnies about another, and who, themselves, have sufficient that might with truth be said against them.

> Latin: in foro infimo boni homines atque dites ambulant,
in medio propter canalem, ibi ostentatores meri;
confidentes garrulique et malevoli supera lacum,
qui alteri de nihilo audacter dicunt contumeliam
et qui ipsi sat habent quod in se possit vere dicier.

[¶53] There, at the old shops, are these who lend and those who borrow at interest. Behind the Temple of Castor there are those to whom unguardedly you may be lending to your cost. There, in the Etrurian street, are those men who hold themselves on sale. In the Velabrum you’ll find either baker, or butcher, or soothsayer; either those who sell retail themselves, or supply to others things to be sold by retail.

> Latin: sub veteribus, ibi sunt qui dant quique accipiunt faenore.
pone aedem Castoris, ibi sunt subito quibus credas male.
in Tusco vico, ibi sunt homines qui ipsi sese venditant,
[in Velabro vel pistorem vel lanium vel haruspicem]
vel qui ipsi vorsant vel qui aliis ubi vorsentur praebeant.

[¶54] Rich sinning husbands you’ll find at the house of Oppian Leucadia. But, meantime, the door makes a noise; I must curb my tongue.
(Exit.) (Enter, from the house of CAPPADOX, CURCULIO, leading PLANESIUM, followed by LYCO and CAPPADOX.)
CURCULIO:
Maiden, do you go before; what is behind me I cannot keep my eye upon. Both the trinkets of gold, and all the clothing that she had, were his own, he said.

> Latin: [ditis damnosos maritos apud Leucadiam Oppiam.]
sed interim fores crepuere: linguae moderandum est mihi.—
Cvrcvlio:
I tú prae, virgo: nón queo quod póne me est serváre.
et aurum et vestem omnem suam esse aiebat quam haec haberet.

[¶55] CAPPADOX:
No one is going to deny it.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Nemo it infitias.

[¶56] CURCULIO:
Still, however, it’s somewhat better for me to remind you.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
At tamen meliusculum est monere.

[¶57] LYCO:
Remember that you’ve undertaken, that, if any one should assert in course of law that she’s properly free, all the money is to be returned to me-thirty minae.

> Latin: Lyco:
Memento promisisse te, si quisquam hanc liberali
causa manu assereret, mihi omne argentum redditum iri,
minas triginta.

[¶58] CAPPADOX:
I shall remember; be easy about that; and now I say the same.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Meminero, de istoc quietus esto.
et nunc idem dico.

[¶59] CURCULIO:
But I wish you to remember this well.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Et quidem meminisse ego haec volam te.

[¶60] CAPPADOX:
I remember, and I shall deliver her to you on warranty.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Memini, et mancupio tibi dabo.

[¶61] CURCULIO:
And am I to take anything on warranty from a Procurer, people who have nothing of their own except a tongue only;
who, if anything’s entrusted them, deny it upon oath? You Procurers dispose of what belongs to others, you give liberty to what belongs to others, and what belongs to others your give your commands to; no guarantee of ownership is there in the transfer to yourselves, nor are you yourselves guarantees to another person. The race of Procurers, among mortals, in my way of thinking at least,
are just like flies, gnats, bugs, lice, and fleas—a plague, a mischief, and a nuisance; you are of no serviceable use, and no respectable person dares to stand with you in the Forum; he that does associate with you, they censure him, he’s spat upon and abused; they say that he has lost his property and his honor, although he has done nothing at all.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Egon ab lenone quicquam
mancupio accipiam, quibus sui nihil est nisi una lingua,
qui abiurant si quid creditum est? alienos mancupatis,
alienos manu emittitis alienisque imperatis,
nec vobis auctor ullus est nec vosmet estis ulli.
item genus est lenonium inter homines meo quidem animo
ut muscae, culices, cimices pedesque pulicesque:
odio et malo et molestiae, bono usui estis nulli,
nec vobiscum quisquam in foro frugi consistere audet;
qui constitit, culpant eum, conspicitur vituperatur,
eum rem fidemque perdere, tam etsi nil fecit, aiunt.

[¶62] LYCO:
Upon my faith, my clever one-eyed friend, in my way of thinking, you are well acquainted with the Procurers.

> Latin: Lyco:
Edepol lenones meo animo novisti, lusce, lepide.

[¶63] CURCULIO:
You bankers, i’ faith, I put and place in the same rank; you are the very counterparts of them. They, at least, are on sale in dark corners, you in the very Forum. You tear men to pieces with usury, they by persuading them amiss and by means of their dens. Full many a proposed statute has the public confirmed on your account,
which when confirmed you break; some loophole you find out; just as boiling water becomes cold, so do you deem the laws.
LYCO: (aside.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Eodem hércle vos pono et paro: parissimi estis hibus:
hi saltem in occultis locis prostant, vos in foro ipso;
vos faenore homines, hi male suadendo et lustris lacerant.
rogitationis plurimas propter vos populus scivit,
quas vos rogatas rumpitis: aliquam reperitis rimam;
quasi aquam ferventem frigidam esse, ita vos putatis leges.

[¶64] I’d rather I’d held my tongue.
CAPPADOX:
Not wrongfully, and with good reason, are you abusive against them.

> Latin: Lyco:
Tacuisse mavellem.
Cappadox:
Hau male meditate maledicax es.

[¶65] CURCULIO:
If abuse is uttered against those who deserve it not, that I do hold to be abuse; but if it is uttered against those who are deserving, it is fair censure, in my way of thinking, at least.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Indignis si male dicitur, male dictum id esse dico,
verum si dignis dicitur, bene dictumst meo quidem animo.

[¶66] I care nothing about your warranty, nor about any other Procurer whatever. Lyco, do you want anything with me?
LYCO:
Heartily fare you well.

> Latin: ego mancupem te nil moror nec lenonem alium quemquam.
Lyco, numquid vis?
Lyco:
Bene vale.

[¶67] CURCULIO:
Farewell. (Going.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Vale.

[¶68] CAPPADOX:
Hark you! I say to you—

> Latin: Cappadox:
Heus tu, tibi ego dico.

[¶69] CURCULIO:
Say on; what do you want?

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Eloquere, quid vis?

[¶70] CAPPADOX:
Prithee do you take care that all’s well with her (pointing to PLANESIUM); I’ve brought her up in my house carefully and in chastity.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quaeso, ut hanc cures, ⟨ut⟩ bene sit isti.
bene ego istam eduxi meae domi et pudice.

[¶71] CURCULIO:
If you have such compassion for her, pray, what would you give for it to be all well with her?

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Si huius miseret,
ecquid das qui bene sit?

[¶72] CAPPADOX:
A plaguy mishap for yourself.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Malúm.

[¶73] CURCULIO:
You need take due care on that score about yourself.
CAPPADOX: (to PLANESIUM, who is weeping.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Opust hóc qui te procures.

[¶74] Why, simpleton, do you cry? Don’t be afraid; upon my faith, I’ve sold you favourably. Take care, will you, and be a good girl; now prettily accompany him, pretty one.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quid stulta ploras? ne time, bene hercle vendidi égo te;
fac sis bonae frugi sies, sequere istum bella belle.

[¶75] LYCO:
Summanus, do you want anything with me at present?

> Latin: Lyco:
Summane, numquid nunciam me vis?

[¶76] CURCULIO:
Fare you well, and health attend you. (Aside.) For you’ve kindly given me your services and your money.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Vale atque salve,
nam et operam et pecuniam benigne praebuisti.

[¶77] LYCO:
Give abundant greetings to my patron.

> Latin: Lyco:
Salutem multam dicito patrono.

[¶78] CURCULIO:
I’ll give them.
(Exit with PLANESIUM.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Nuntiabo.—

[¶79] LYCO:
Procurer, do you wish for anything?

> Latin: Lyco:
Numquid vis, leno?

[¶80] CAPPADOX:
Give me those ten minae for me to manage for myself with, until things are better with me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Istas minas decem, qui me procurem,
dum melius sit mihi, des.

[¶81] LYCO:
They shall be paid; order them to be fetched to-morrow.
(Exit.)

> Latin: Lyco:
Dabuntur, cras peti iubeto.—

[¶82] CAPPADOX:
Since I’ve successfully finished the matter, I wish to return thanks here in the Temple. For long since, when a little girl, I bought her for ten minae; but him who sold her to me, never since then have I set eyes upon.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quando bene gessi rem, volo hic in fano supplicare.
nam illam minis olim decem puellam parvolam emi,
sed eum qui mi illam vendidit numquam postilla vidi;

[¶83] I think he’s dead. What matters that to me? I’ve got the money. The man to whom the Gods are propitious, for him, no doubt, they throw gain in his way. Now will I give my attention to my devotions; it’s clear that he has a kind regard for me.
(Goes into the Temple.) (Enter THERAPONTIGONUS. and LYCO.)
THERAPONTIGONUS:
I’m come now, inflamed with wrath in no moderate degree, but with that same with which I’ve learned to deal destruction upon cities.

> Latin: periisse credo. quíd id mea refert? ego argentum habeo.
quoi hómini di sunt propitii, lucrum ei profecto obiciunt.
nunc rei divinae operam dabo. certumst bene me curare.—
Therapontigonvs:
Nón ego nunc medíocri incedo irátus iracúndia,
sed eapse illa qua excidionem facere condidici oppidis.

[¶84] At once now, unless this moment you make haste instantly to pay me the thirty minae which I left with you, make haste to lay down your life.

> Latin: nunc nisi tu mihi propere properas dare iam triginta minas,
quas ego apud te deposivi, vitam propera ponere.

[¶85] LYCO:
By my troth, to no little mischief do I now devote you, but to that same to which I am wont to devote that man to whom I owe nothing at all.

> Latin: Lyco:
Non edepol nunc ego te mediocri macto infortunio,
sed eopse illo quo mactare soleo quoi nil debeo.

[¶86] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Don’t you be making yourself bold with me, or suppose that I shall be entreating you.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Ne te mi facias ferocem aut supplicare censeas.

[¶87] LYCO:
And you, indeed, shall never force me to pay you what has been paid, nor shall I give it you.

> Latin: Lyco:
Nec tu me quidem umquam subiges, redditum ut reddam tibi,
nec daturus súm.

[¶88] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I thought this, when I entrusted you with it, that you would repay nothing at all.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Idem ego istuc quom credebam credidi,
te nihil esse redditurum.

[¶89] LYCO:
Why then are you now asking it back of me?

> Latin: Lyco:
Quor nunc a me igitur petis?

[¶90] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I wish to know to whom you have paid it.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Scire volo quoi reddidisti.

[¶91] LYCO:
To your one-eyed freed-man; he said that he was called Summanus; I paid it to him, who brought me this sealed letter.
(Gives him the letter.)

> Latin: Lyco:
Lusco liberto tuo,
is Summanum se vocari dixit, éi reddidi.
[qui has tabellas obsignatas attulit.]

[¶92] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What letter of mine, what one-eyed freed-man, what people called Summanus are you dreaming about? I really have no freed-man at all.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
[Quas tu mihi tabellas?]
quos tu mihi luscos libertos, quos Summanos somnias?
nec mihi quidém libertus ullust.

[¶93] LYCO:
You act more wisely than a portion of the military men who have freed-men, and then forsake them.

> Latin: Lyco:
Fácis sapientius
quam pars † lenonum, libertos quí habent et eos deserunt.

[¶94] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What have you done?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid feci †

[¶95] LYCO:
What you requested me, I’ve done for your sake,
that I mightn’t slight the messenger who had brought your seal’s impression.

> Latin: Lyco:
Quod mandasti feci, túi honoris gratia,
tuom qui signum ad me attulisset, nuntium ne spernerem.

[¶96] THERAPONTIGONUS:
More fool than fool were you to give credit to this letter.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Stultior stulto fuisti, qui tabellis crederes.

[¶97] LYCO:
To that by which matters both public and private are carried on ought I not to have given credit? I’ll be off; the money has been properly paid you. Warrior, farewell.

> Latin: Lyco:
Quis res publica et privata geritur, nonne eis crederem?
ego abeo, tibi res solutast recte. bellator, vale.

[¶98] THERAPONTIGONUS:
How—farewell?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid valeam?

[¶99] LYCO:
Fare you ill then, if you choose,—aye, all your life, so far as I’m concerned. (Exit.)

> Latin: Lyco:
Aut tu aegrota aetatem, si lubet, per me quidem.—

[¶100] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What shall I do now? Of what use is it that I have caused kings to obey me, if this obscure fellow is this day to laugh at me?
(Enter CAPPADOX, from the Temple.)
CAPPADOX: (to himself.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid ego nunc faciam? quid refert me fecisse regibus
ut mi oboedirent, si hic me hodie umbraticus deriserit?

[¶101] The man to whom the Gods are propitious, they cannot, I think, be angered with him. After I ad finished my devotions, it then came into my mind, lest the banker should abscond, to go fetch the money,
that I may make good cheer rather than he.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
I had left my compliments for you at your house.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quoi homini di sunt propitii, ei non esse iratos puto.
postquam rem divinam feci, venit in mentem mihi,
ne trapezita exulatum abierit, argentum ut petam,
ut ego potius comedim quam ille.
Therapontigonvs:
Iusseram salvere te.

[¶102] CAPPADOX:
Therapontigonus Platagidorus, save you; since you are come safe to Epidaurus this day, at my house—you won’t lick up one grain of salt.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Therapontigone Platagidore, salve; salvos quom advenis
in Epidaurum, hic hodie apud me—numquam delinges salem.

[¶103] THERAPONTIGONUS:
You give me a kind invitation; things, however, are in a train for it to go badly with yourself. But how fares my purchase at your house?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Bene vocas, verum locata res est—ut male sit tibi.
sed quid agit meum mercimonium ápud te?

[¶104] CAPPADOX:
Why, not at my house at all.
Don’t be bringing your witnesses—assuredly, I don’t owe you anything.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Nil apud mé quidem,
ne facias testis, neque equidem debeo quicquam.

[¶105] THERAPONTIGONUS:
How’s that?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid est?

[¶106] CAPPADOX:
What I was bound on oath to do, I’ve done.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quod fui iuratus feci.

[¶107] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Will you give me up the girl or not, before I spit you with this sabre of mine, you whip-scoundrel?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Reddin an non virginem,
prius quam te huic meae machaerae óbicio, mastigia?

[¶108] CAPPADOX:
I bid you go to perdition with all my heart; don’t you be terrifying me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Vapulare ego te vehementer iubeo: ne me territes.

[¶109] She has been carried off; you shall be carried off hence away from me, beyond a doubt, if you persist in abusing me, to whom I owe nothing but a punishing.

> Latin: illa abductast, tu auferere hinc a me, si perges mihi
male loqui, profecto, cuí ego nisi malum nil debeo.

[¶110] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What, threaten me with a punishing?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Mihin malum minitare?

[¶111] CAPPADOX:
Aye, and by my troth, I’ll not be threatening, but I’ll give it, if you persist in being impertinent to me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Atque edepol non minitabor, sed dabo,
mihi si perges mólestus esse.

[¶112] THERAPONTIGONUS:
A Procurer, forsooth, threatening me; and are my combats in battle, so many in number, lying trodden under foot? But so may my sabre and my shield …
trustily aid me when fighting in the field; unless the girl is restored to me, I’ll at once cause the ants to carry you away piecemeal from this spot.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Leno minitatur mihi,
meaeque pugnae proeliares plurimae optritae iacent?
at ita me machaera et clupeus …
bene iuvent pugnantem in acie: nisi mi virgo redditur,
iam ego te faciam ut hic formicae frustillatim differant.

[¶113] CAPPADOX:
And so may my tweezers, my comb, my looking-glass, my crisping-iron, and my hair-scissors and scrubbing-towel love me well,
I don’t value your high-sounding words, nor these big threats of yours, a bit the more than my servant-girl that washes out my sink. I’ve given her up to him who brought the money from you.

> Latin: Cappadox:
At ita me volsellae, pecten, speculum, calamistrum meum
bene me amassint meaque axitia linteumque extersui,
ut ego tua magnifica verba néque istas tuas magnas minas
non pluris facio quam ancillam meam quae latrinam lavat.
ego illam reddidi qui argentum a te attulit.

[¶114] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What person was that?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quis is est homo?

[¶115] CAPPADOX:
He said that he was Summanus, your freed-man.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Tuom libertum ésse aiebat sese Summanum.

[¶116] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Mine? You don’t say so; i’ faith, it’s that Curculio that has put a trick upon me, when I think upon it; he stole my ring from me.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Meum?
attat, Curculio hercle verba mihi dedit, cum cogito.
is mihi anulum subripuit.

[¶117] CAPPADOX: (aside.)
The Captain has been finely appointed to a cashiered company.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Perdidistin tu anulum?
miles pulchre centuriatus est expuncto in manipulo.

[¶118] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Where now shall I find Curculio?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Vbi nunc Curculionem inveniam?

[¶119] CAPPADOX:
In some wheat with the greatest ease I’ll make you find even five hundred Curculios instead of one. Therefore I’m off; fare you well, and my service to you.
(Exit.)

> Latin: Cappadox:
In tritico facillume,
vel quingentos curculiones pro uno faxo reperias.
ego abeo, vale atque salve.—

[¶120] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Fare you ill, a plague attend you. What shall I do? Shall I stop or go away? That I should have been imposed upon in this way!

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Male vale, male sit tibi.
quid ego faciam? maneam an abeam? sicin mi esse os oblitum?

[¶121] I’d like to give a reward to him who would point out that fellow to me.
(Exit.) (Enter CURCULIO, with a ring, from the house of PHAEDROMUS.)

> Latin: cupio dare mercedem qui illunc ubi sit commonstret mihi.

[¶122] CURCULIO:
I’ve heard that an ancient Poet wrote in a Tragedy, that two women are worse than one; such is the fact. But a more crafty woman than is this mistress of Phaedromus, I never saw or heard of, nor, i’ faith, can one be spoken of or imagined;
she, as soon as ever she saw that I had got this ring, asked me whence I got it. “Why do you ask that?” said I. “Because I’ve need to know,” said she. I said I wouldn’t tell her. To get it away, she seized hold of my hand with her teeth. With much ado I betook me out of doors, and made my escape. Away with this slut.
(Enter PLANESIUM, followed by PHAEDROMUS, from his house.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Antiquom poëtam audivi scripsisse in tragoedia,
mulieres duas peiores esse quam unam. res itast.
verum mulierem peiorem quam haec amica est Phaedromi
non vidi aut audivi, neque pol dici nec fingi potest
peior quam haec est: quae ubi me habere hunc conspicatast anulum,
rogat unde habeam. “quid id tu quaeris?” “quia mi quaesitost opus.”
nego me dicere. ut eum eriperet, manum arripuit mordicus.
vix foras me abripui atque effugi. apage istanc canículam.

[¶123] PLANESIUM:
My Phaedromus, make haste.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Phaedrome, propera.

[¶124] PHAEDROMUS:
Make haste for what?

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Quid properem?

[¶125] PLANESIUM:
That you mayn’t let the Parasite escape;

> Latin: Planesivm:
Parasitum ne amiseris.

[¶126] the affair’s of consequence.
PHAEDROMUS:
Nothing have I of consequence; for what I did have I quickly made away with?
(Seizes CURCULIO.)

> Latin: magna res est.
Phaedromvs:
Nulla est mihi, nam quam habui absumpsi celeriter.

[¶127] I’ve got him;
what’s the matter?
PLANESIUM:
Ask him whence he got that ring: my father used to wear it.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Teneo.
Phaedromvs:
Quid negotist?
Planesivm:
Rogita unde istunc habeat anulum.
pater istum meus gestitavit …

[¶128] CURCULIO:
Why, troth, and so did my aunt.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
At mea matertera.

[¶129] PLANESIUM:
My mother gave it him to wear.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Mater ei utendum dederat.

[¶130] CURCULIO:
And your father, in his turn, to me.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Pater † uois rusum tibi.

[¶131] PLANESIUM:
You are talking nonsense.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Nugas garris.

[¶132] CURCULIO:
I’m in the habit; for by reason of it I make a livelihood the more easily. What is the matter now?

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Soleo, nam propter eas vivo facilius.

[¶133] PLANESIUM:
I entreat you, don’t be keeping me from finding my parents.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Quid nunc? obsecro, parentes ne meos mihi prohibeas.

[¶134] CURCULIO:
How can I? Have I got your father and mother hidden beneath the stone? (Holding up the ring.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quid ego? sub gemmane abstrusos habeo tuam matrem et patrem?

[¶135] PLANESIUM:
I was born a free woman.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Libera ego sum nata.

[¶136] CURCULIO:
And so were many others, who are now in servitude.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Et alii multi qui nunc serviunt.

[¶137] PLANESIUM:
Really now, I’m vexed.
CURCULIO:
For my part, I’ve told you how this came into my possession. How often must you be told? I cheated the Captain at dice, I tell you.
(THERAPONTIGONUS.)
THERAPONTIGONUS: (eyeing CURCULIO.)

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Enim vero irascor.
Cvrcvlio:
Dixi equidem tibi, unde ad me hic pervenerit.
quotiens dicendum est? elusi militem, inquam, in alea.

[¶138] I’m all right; see, here he is whom I was looking for. How do you do, good sir?
CURCULIO:
I hear you; three casts of the dice, if you like, even for that scarf of yours.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Salvos sum, eccum quem quaerebam. quid agis, bone vir?
Cvrcvlio:
Audio.
si vis tribus bolis, vel in chlamydem.

[¶139] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Why don’t you go to very perdition, with your casts and catch-pennies? Either give me back the money or the young woman?
CURCULIO: (with an air of surprise.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quin tu is in malam crucem
cum bolis, cum bulbis? redde mihi iam argentum aut virginem.

[¶140] What money? what rubbish are you talking about to me? What young woman are you demanding back of me?
THERAPONTIGONUS:
The one that you took away this day from the Procurer, you scoundrelly fellow.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quod argentum, quas tu mihi tricas narras? quam tu virginem
me reposcis?
Therapontigonvs:
Quam ab lenone ábduxti hodie, scelus viri.

[¶141] CURCULIO:
I took none away.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Nullam abduxi.

[¶142] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Why, surely, I see her. There she is. (Pointing to PLANESIUM.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Certe eccistam video.

[¶143] PHAEDROMUS:
This young woman is free.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Virgo haec libera est.

[¶144] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What, my female slave free, to whom I have never given her liberty?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Mean ancilla libera ut sit, quam ego numquam emisi manu?

[¶145] PHAEDROMUS:
Who gave you possession of her, or of whom did you buy her? Let me know that?

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Quis tibi hanc dedit mancipio? aut unde emisti? fac sciam.

[¶146] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Why, I paid the money for her through my banker—a sum which I’ll have refunded to me fourfold by you and the Procurer.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Ego quidem pro istac rem solvi áb trapezita meo.
quam ego pecuniam quadruplicem ábs te et lenone auferam.

[¶147] PHAEDROMUS:
You, who understand how to traffic in young women, kidnapped and of free birth, come you before the judge.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Qui scis mercari furtivas atque ingenuas virgines,
ambula in ius.

[¶148] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I shan’t come.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Non eo.

[¶149] PHAEDROMUS:
I may call my witness to the summons.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Licet [te] antestari?

[¶150] THERAPONTIGONUS:
No, you mayn’t.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Non licet.

[¶151] PHAEDROMUS:
May Jupiter then utterly confound you: live without witnesses then.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Iuppiter te, miles, perdat, intestatus vivito;

[¶152] CURCULIO:
But I’m a person that he may summon.
PHAEDROMUS: (to CURCULIO.)
Do you step this way.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
What? A slave summoned as a witness?
Take you care.

> Latin: at ego, quem licet, te. accede huc.
Therapontigonvs:
Servom antestari?

[¶153] CURCULIO:
Well, that you may know it, I’m free.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Vide.
em ut scias me liberum esse. ergo ambula in ius.

[¶154] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Then come before the judge.
There’s for you: take that.
(Gives him a blow.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Em tibi.

[¶155] CURCULIO:
O townsmen, townsmen, help.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
O cives, cives.

[¶156] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Why do you bawl so?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid clamas?

[¶157] PHAEDROMUS:
What right have you to strike him?

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Quid tibi istum tactio est?

[¶158] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Because I choose.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quia mihi lubitum est.

[¶159] PHAEDROMUS: (to CURCULIO.)
Step this way you (pushes him towards the CAPTAIN); there, I’ll give him up to you. Hold your noise.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Accede huc tu, ego illum tibi dedam, tace.

[¶160] CURCULIO:
Phaedromus, prithee do save me.
PHAEDROMUS:
As I would myself and my own good Genius. Captain, prithee, do tell me whence you got that ring,
which this Parasite purloined from you.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Phaedrome, obsecro serva me.
Phaedromvs:
Tamquam me et genium meum.
miles, quaeso ⟨te⟩ ut mihi dicas unde illum habeas anulum,
quem parasitus hic te elusit.

[¶161] PLANESIUM: (kneeling before the CAPTAIN.)
By your knees, I do entreat you to give us that information.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Per tua genua te obsecro,
ut nos facias certiores.

[¶162] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What matters that to you? You might as well ask after this sabre and this scarf, how each came into my possession.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid istuc ad vos attinet?
quaeratis chlamydem et machaeram hanc unde ad me pervenerit.

[¶163] CURCULIO:
What airs the swaggerer does give himself!

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Vt fastidit gloriosus.

[¶164] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Send that fellow away (pointing to CURCULIO); then I’ll tell you all.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Mitte istum, ego dicam omnia.

[¶165] CURCULIO:
It’s nonsense what he says.
PHAEDROMUS:
Prithee, do let me know.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Nihil est quod ille dicit.
Planesivm:
Fac me certiorem, óbsecro.

[¶166] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I’ll tell you: (to PLANESIUM) get up. Listen to this matter, and give attention. My father Periphanes used to wear it.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Ego dícam, surge. hanc rem ágite atque animum advórtite.
pater meus habuit Periplanes †Planesium
is prius quam moritur mihi dedit tamquam suo,
ut aequom fuerat, filio.

[¶167] PLANESIUM:
Ha! Periphanes?
THERAPONTIGONUS:
He, before he died, gave it to me as being his son, as it was right he should.
PLANESIUM:
O Jupiter!

> Latin: Planesivm:
Pro Iuppiter.

[¶168] THERAPONTIGONUS:
And on that occasion he made me his heir.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Et istó me heredem fecit.

[¶169] PLANESIUM:
O filial affection, do thou preserve me, since I have carefully preserved thee. Welcome, my brother.

> Latin: Planesivm:
⟨O⟩ Pietas mea,
serva me, quando ego te servavi sedulo.
frater mi, salve.

[¶170] THERAPONTIGONUS:
How am I to believe that? Tell me, if you are speaking the truth, who was your mother?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Qui credam ego istuc? cedo,
si vera memoras, quae fuit mater tua?

[¶171] PLANESIUM:
Cleobula.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Cleobula.

[¶172] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Who was your nurse?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Nutrix quae fuit?

[¶173] PLANESIUM:
Archestrata.
Amid the sacred rites of Bacchus she had carried me to see the sights … after we had come thither, when now she had found me a place, a whirlwind arose; the scaffolding of the stage there tumbled down; I was greatly alarmed, and then some one, I know not who, seized hold of me trembling and frightened, neither alive nor dead;

> Latin: Planesivm:
Archestrata.
ea me spectatum tulerat per Dionysia.
postquam illo ventum est, iam, ut me collocaverat,
exoritur ventus turbo, spectacla ibi ruont,
ego pertimesco: [tum] ibi mé nescio quis arripit
timidam atque pavidam, nec vivam nec mortuam.

[¶174] and in what manner he carried me off I cannot say.

> Latin: nec quo me pacto abstulerit possum dicere.

[¶175] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I recollect that disturbance happening; but, do you tell me, where is this person, who carried you away?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Memini istanc turbam fieri. sed tu dic mihi,
ubi is est homó qui te surripuit?

[¶176] PLANESIUM:
I know not; but (showing a ring) this ring I have all along preserved by me, with it long since was I lost.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Nescio.
verum hunc servavi semper mecum una anulum;
cum hoc olim perii.

[¶177] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Give it me to look at.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Cedo, ut inspiciam.

[¶178] CURCULIO: (to PLANESIUM.)
Are you in your senses to be trusting it to that fellow?
(Holds her arm.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Sanan es,
quae isti committas?

[¶179] PLANESIUM:
Do you only leave me alone.
(She gives it to the CAPTAIN.)

> Latin: Planesivm:
Sine modo.

[¶180] THERAPONTIGONUS: (examining it.)
O Jupiter! This is the same that I presented you upon your birthday; I recognize it as easily as my own self. Welcome to you, my sister.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Pro Iuppiter,
hic est quem egó tibi misi natali die.
tam facile novi quam me. salve, mea soror.

[¶181] PLANESIUM:
My brother, welcome to you.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Frater mi, salve.

[¶182] PHAEDROMUS:
I trust the Gods will prosper this matter for you.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Deos volo bene vortere
istam rem vobis.

[¶183] CURCULIO:
And I, for all of us.
(To the CAPTAIN.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Et ego nobis omnibus:

[¶184] Do you, as having this day arrived, give a dinner in honor of your sister he (pointing to PHAEDROMUS), to-morrow, will give one in honor of his marriage; we promise that.
PHAEDROMUS: (to CURCULIO.)

> Latin: tu ut hodie adveniens cenam des sororiam,
hic nuptialem cras dabit. promittimus.

[¶185] Do you hold your tongue.
CURCULIO:
I shan’t hold my tongue, as things are turning out so well. Captain, do you promise her to him; I’ll give the marriage-portion.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Tace tú.
Cvrcvlio:
Non taceo, quando res vortit bene.
tu istanc desponde huic, miles. ego dotem dabo.

[¶186] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What is the marriage-portion?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid dotis?

[¶187] CURCULIO:
What, that I give? Why, that always as long as he lives he’s to feed me.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Egone? ut semper, dum vivat, me alat.

[¶188] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I’ troth, he says what’s fair;
with my consent you shall do so.

> Latin: verum hercle dico.
Therapontigonvs:
Me lubente feceris.

[¶189] But this Procurer owes me the thirty minae.

> Latin: sed leno hic debet nobis triginta minas.

[¶190] PHAEDROMUS:
For what reason so?

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Quam ob rem istuc?

[¶191] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Because he agreed with me on these terms to give it back: that if any one should assert her to be free born in due course of law, he would, without dispute, pay back all the money.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quia ille íta repromisit mihi:
si quisquam hanc liberali asseruisset manu,
sine controversia omne argentum reddere.

[¶192] CURCULIO:
Then let’s go to the Procurer.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
I agree.

> Latin: nunc eamus ad lenonem.
Cvrcvlio:
Laudo.

[¶193] PHAEDROMUS:
This first I wish; to despatch my matter.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Hoc prius volo,
meam rem ágere.

[¶194] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What’s that?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid id est?

[¶195] PHAEDROMUS:
That you will betroth her to me.
(The CAPTAIN considers.)

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Vt mihi hanc despondeas.

[¶196] CURCULIO:
Why do you hesitate, Captain, to give her as a wife to him?

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Quid cessas, miles, hanc huic uxorem dare?

[¶197] THERAPONTIGONUS:
If she is agreable.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Si haec volt.

[¶198] PLANESIUM:
My brother, it is my wish.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Mi frater, cupio.

[¶199] THERAPONTIGONUS:
So be it then.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Fiat.

[¶200] CURCULIO:
You do rightly.

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Bene facis.

[¶201] PHAEDROMUS:
Captain, do you betroth me to her for my wife?

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Spondesne, miles, mi hanc uxorem?

[¶202] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I do betroth her.
PHAEDROMUS: (pointing to CURCULIO.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Spondeo.

[¶203] And to him do I promise support at my expense.
CURCULIO:
You do kindly. But …
THER,:
… But see, here’s the Procurer coming; my treasurer, I mean.
(Enter CAPPADOX, in haste.)
CAPPADOX: (to himself.)

> Latin: Cvrcvlio:
Et ego hoc idem una spondeo.
Therapontigonvs:
Lepide facis.
sed eccúm lenonem, incedit, thensaurum meum.

[¶204] Those who say it’s bad for bankers to be trusted, utter nonsense;

> Latin: Cappadox:
Argentariis male credi qui aiunt, nugas praedicant:

[¶205] I say it’s neither good nor bad for them to be trusted, and that, I’ve fully experienced this day. They are not badly trusted, who never repay, but with whom it is lost outright. As for example, before this Lyco paid me the ten minae, he had to go to every banker’s counter. After there were no proceeds, I summoned the fellow with much noise; he appealed against me to the court. I was most confoundedly afraid that this day he’d be settling accounts with me before the Praetor;

> Latin: nam et bene et male credi dico; id adeo ego hodie expertus sum.
non male creditur qui numquam reddunt, sed prorsum perit.
vel ille, décem minas dum solvit, omnis mensas transiit.
postquam nil fit, clamore hominem posco: ille in ius me vocat;
pessume metui, ne mihi hodie ápud praetorem solveret.

[¶206] but my friends forced him, so he paid the money at home. Now I’m resolved to make haste to my house.
(Runs towards his door.)
THERAPONTIGONUS:
Hallo! you Procurer; I want you.

> Latin: verum amici compulerunt: reddit argentum domo.
nunc domum properare certumst.
Therapontigonvs:
Heus tu, leno, te volo.

[¶207] PHAEDROMUS:
And I want you.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Et ego te volo.

[¶208] CAPPADOX:
But I don’t want either of you.

> Latin: Cappadox:
At ego vos nolo ambos.

[¶209] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Stay this instant, will you.
PHAEDROMUS:
And make you haste to disgorge the money with all despatch.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Sta sis ilico,
atque argentum propere propera vomere.

[¶210] CAPPADOX: (to PHAEDROMUS.)
What have you to do with me? (To the CAPTAIN.) Or what have you?

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quid mecum est tibi?
aut tibi?

[¶211] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Because this day I shall be making a javelin of you, discharged from a catapulta,
and twist you with the string, just as the catapultas are in the habit of doing.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quía ego ex te hódie faciam pilum catapultarium
atque ita te nervo torquebo, ítidem ut catapultae solent.

[¶212] PHAEDROMUS:
I’ll this day make a coxcomb of you, to be sleeping with a puppy in your bed—an iron one, I mean.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Delicatum te hodie faciam, cum catello ut accubes,
ferreo ego dico.

[¶213] CAPPADOX:
But I’ll make you both to be rotting in a strong-barred prison.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
Seize him by the throat, and away with him to extreme torture.

> Latin: Cappadox:
At ego vos ambo in robusto carcere
ut pereatis.
Phaedromvs:
Collum obstringe, abduce istum in malam crucem.

[¶214] PHAEDROMUS:
However that is, he’ll be going there of his own accord.
(The CAPTAIN seizes him.)
CAPPADOX:
O Gods and men, your aid!
that I, uncondemned, and without evidence against me, should thus be dragged along! Prithee, Planesium, and you, Phaedromus, do give me assistance.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quidquid est, ipse ibit potius.
Cappadox:
Pro deum atque hominum fidem,
hocine pacto indemnatum atque intestatum me abripi?
obsecro, Planesium, et te, Phaedrome, auxilium ut feras.

[¶215] PLANESIUM:
Brother, I do beseech you, don’t ruin him uncondemned; he treated me kindly and modestly at his house.

> Latin: Planesivm:
Frater, obsecro te, noli hunc condemnatum perdere.
bene et pudice me domi habuit.

[¶216] THERAPONTIGONUS:
That was through no inclination of his own; give you thanks to this Aesculapius (pointing to the Temple) that you’ve preserved your chastity;

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Haud voluntate id sua:
Aesculapio huic habeto, quom pudica es, gratiam;

[¶217] for if he had been well, he’d long ago have packed you off wherever he could.

> Latin: nam si valuisset, iam pridem quoquo posset mitteret.

[¶218] PHAEDROMUS:
Now attend to me, both of you, if I can arrange between you. (To the CAPTAIN.) You let him go. Procurer, come you this way. I’ll pronounce my opinion, if indeed you are ready to abide by what I shall decide you should do.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Animum advortite, ⟨ego⟩ si possum hoc inter vos componere.
mitte istunc. accede huc, leno. dicam meam sententiam,
siquidem voltis quod decrero facere.

[¶219] THERAPONTIGONUS:
We leave it to you.
(He lets go of the PROCURER.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Tibi permittimus:

[¶220] CAPPADOX:
So long, i’ faith, as you give a decision to the effect that no one is to take the money away from me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Dum quidem hercle ita iudices, ne quisquam a me argentum auferat.

[¶221] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What, not that which you promised?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quódne promisti?

[¶222] CAPPADOX:
I, promised? How?
THERAPONTIGONUS:
With your tongue.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Qui promisi?
Phaedromvs:
Lingua.

[¶223] CAPPADOX:
With that same tongue I now gainsay it; that was given me by Nature for the purpose of speaking, not of losing my property.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Eadem nunc nego.
dicendi, non rem perdendi gratia haec nata est mihi.

[¶224] THERAPONTIGONUS:
He’s trifling; seize the fellow by the throat.
(Seizes him.)
CAPPADOX:
I’ll at once then do as you bid me.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Nihil agit, collum obstringe homini.
Cappadox:
Iam iam faciam ut iusseris.

[¶225] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Since you are an honest man, answer me this that I ask you.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quando vir bonus es, responde quod rogo.

[¶226] CAPPADOX:
Ask me what you please.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Roga quód lubet.

[¶227] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Did you not promise, that if any one should show that she (pointing to PLANESIUM) was freeborn,
you would pay back all the money?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Promistin, si liberali quisquam hanc assereret manu,
te omne argentum redditurum?

[¶228] CAPPADOX:
I don’t remember saying so.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Non commemini dicere.

[¶229] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What, do you deny it?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid? negas?

[¶230] CAPPADOX:
I’ faith, I really do deny it. In whose presence? In what place was it?

> Latin: Cappadox:
Nego hercle vero. quo praesente? quo in loco?

[¶231] THERAPONTIGONUS:
In my own presence, and that of Lyco the banker.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Me ipso praesente et Lycone tarpezita.

[¶232] CAPPADOX:
Why don’t you hold your tongue?

> Latin: Cappadox:
Non taces?

[¶233] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I shan’t hold my tongue.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Non taceo.

[¶234] CAPPADOX:
I don’t care a rush for you; don’t be bullying me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Non ego te flocci facio; ne me territes.

[¶235] THERAPONTIGONUS:
In my own presence and that of Lyco it took place.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Me ipso praesente et Lycone factum est.

[¶236] PHAEDROMUS: (to the CAPTAIN.)
I quite believe you.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Satis credo tibi.

[¶237] Now, therefore, Procurer, that you may know my judgment, (pointing to PLANESIUM) she is a free woman; he (pointing to the CAPTAIN) is her brother, and she is his sister; she is engaged to me; do you restore him the money; that’s my decision.

> Latin: nunc adeo, ut tu scire possis, leno, meam sententiam:
libera haec est, hic huius frater est, haec autem illius soror, †
haec mihi nubet: tu huic argentum redde. hoc iudicium meum est.
Therapontigonvs:
Tu autem in nervo iam iacebis, nisi mi argentum redditur.

[¶238] CAPPADOX:
Upon my faith, Phaedromus, you have given this decision corruptly.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Hercle istam rem iudicasti perfidiose, Phaedrome.

[¶239] It shall both be bad for you, and you, Captain,—may the Gods and Goddesses confound you.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
And as for you, you shall be clapt in prison at once, unless the money’s returned me.

> Latin: et tibi oberit et te, miles, di deaeque perduint.
tu me sequere.
Therapontigonvs:
Quo sequar te?

[¶240] CAPPADOX:
Then follow me.
THERAPONTIGONUS:
Follow you where?
CAPPADOX:
To my banker—to the Praetor; for it’s there that I pay my money to all persons to whom I’m indebted.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Ad trapezitam meum
ad praetorem. nam inde rem solvo omnibus quibus debeo.

[¶241] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I’ll be carrying you hence to prison, and not to the Praetor, if you don’t pay back the money.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Ego te in nervom, haud ad praetorem hinc rapiam, ni argentum refers.

[¶242] CAPPADOX:
I do most earnestly wish you may come to a bad end, so don’t misunderstand me.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Ego te vehementer perire cupio, ne tu [me] nescias.

[¶243] THERAPONTIGONUS:
Do you really so?

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Itane vero?

[¶244] CAPPADOX:
I’ faith, I really do so.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Ita hercle vero.

[¶245] THERAPONTIGONUS:
I don’t misunderstand these fists of mine.
(Holding them up.)

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Novi ego hos pugnos meos.

[¶246] CAPPADOX:
What then?

> Latin: Cappadox:
Quid tum?

[¶247] THERAPONTIGONUS:
What then, do you ask? With these same fists, if you provoke me, I’ll be making you quiet immediately.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quid tum, rogitas? hisce ego, si tu me irritaveris,
placidum te hodie reddam.

[¶248] CAPPADOX: (taking the money from his girdle.)
Well then, take this back at once.

> Latin: Cappadox:
Age ergo, recipe áctutum.

[¶249] THERAPONTIGONUS: (taking the money.)
By all means.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Licet.

[¶250] PHAEDROMUS:
Captain, you’ll dine with me; the nuptials shall take place to-day.

> Latin: Phaedromvs:
Tu, miles, apud me cenabis. hodie fient nuptiae.

[¶251] THERAPONTIGONUS:
May this matter turn out well for me and for yourselves.
An ACTOR.:
Spectators, give us your applause.

> Latin: Therapontigonvs:
Quae res bene vortat mi et vobis. spectatores, plaudite.