SLAVES.(The PROLOGUE, spoken by CHARINUS.)CHARINUS:Two things have I now resolved to do at the same time; both the subject and my own amours will I disclose. I am not doing like as I have seen other lovers do in Comedies, who relate their woes either to the night or to the day,or to the Sun or to the Moon; who, faith, I don’t suppose pay much regard to the complaints of mortals, either what they wish or what they don’t wish. To yourselves in preference will I now relate my woes. In the Greek this Play is called the Emporos of Philemon;the same in the Latin is the Mercator of Marcus Accius. My father sent me hence to trade at Rhodes. Two years have now passed since I left home. There I began to love a fair one of remarkable beauty. But how I was captivated by her, I’ll tell you, if you’ll lend ear,and if you’ll have the kindness to give your attention to this. And yet in this, but little have I followed the method of our forefathers in my own person, and on the spot as a tell-tale of my own amours am I represented before you. But all these failings are wont to attend on love—care, trouble, and refinement overmuch.Not only him who loves, but every one to whom this latter fault extends, him with a great and weighty evil does it affect; nor by my troth, in fact, does any one aim at refinement, beyond what his means allow of, without heavy disaster. But to love as well are these evils incident, which I have not as yet recounted—sleeplessness, a troubled mind, confusion, terror, and apprehension, trifling, and folly even, rashness too, thoughtlessness, foolhardy impudence, wantonness, lust, and malevolence; covetousness is inherent as well, idleness, injustice,want, contumely and wastefulness, talkativeness or moody silence. This latter is the fact, because things which relate not to the purpose, nor are of utility, the same does the lover give utterance to full oft at an unseasonable moment; and yet again, this moody silence for this reason do I commend,because no lover is ever so skilled in eloquence, as to be enabled to give utterance to that which is for his own interest. You, then, must not be offended with myself for my babbling; Venus bestowed it upon me on that same day on which this passion. To that point am I resolved to return, that what I commenced upon I may disclose.
Charinvs:Duas res simul nunc agere decretumst mihi:et argumentum et meos amores eloquar.non ego item facio ut alios in comoediis⟨vi⟩ vidi amoris facere, qui aut nocti aut dieaut soli aut lunae miserias narrant suas:quos pol ego credo húmanas querimoniasnon tanti facere, quid velint quid non velint;vobis narrabo potius meas nunc miserias.graece haec vocatur Emporos Philemonis,eadem Latine Mercator Macci Titi.pater ad mercatum hinc me meus misit Rhodum;biennium iam factum est, postquam abii domo.ibi amare occepi forma eximia mulierem.sed ea ut sim implicitus dicam, si operaest auribusatque advortendum ad animum adest benignitas.et hoc parum hercle more amatorum institi:†per mea per conatus sum uos sumque inde exilico.nam amorem haec cuncta vitia sectari solent,cura aegritudo nimiaque elegantia,[haec non modo illum quí amat, sed quemque attigit][magno atque solido multat infortunio,][nec pol profecto quisquam sine grandi malo][praequam res patitur studuit elegantiae.][sed amori accedunt etiam haec, quae dixi minus:][insomnia, aerumna, error, terror et fuga,][ineptia stultitiaque adeo et temeritas,][incogitantia excors, immodestia,][petulantia et cupiditas, malevolentia,][inertia, aviditas, desidia, iniuria,][inopia, contumelia et dispendium,]multiloquium: parumlóquium hoc ideo fit quia,quae nihil attingunt ad rem nec sunt usui,tam amator profert saepe advorso tempore;hoc pauciloquium rursum idcirco praedico,quia nullus umquam amator adeost callidefacundus, quae in rem sint suam ut possit loqui.nunc vos mi irasci ob multiloquium non decet:eodém quo amorem Venus mi hoc legavit die.illuc revorti certumst, conata eloquar.
In the first place, when in life I had passed from my boyish days, and my disposition was weaned from childish pursuits, I began distractedly to love a Courtesan in this place. Forthwith, unknown to my father, my means went to be wasted upon her; an exacting Procurer, the owner of this damsel,by every method that he could, grasped everything into his own possession. Night and day my father censured me for this; represented the perfidy, the wickedness of Procurers; how that his own property was being forcibly rent in pieces, while that of this Procurer was increasing; this too in the loudest tones; sometimes muttering to himself;
principio ⟨ut ex⟩ ephebis aetate exiiatque animus studio amotus puerilist meus,amare valide coepi hinc meretricem: ilicores exulatum ad illam clám abibat patris.leno importunus, dominus eius mulieris,vi summa ut quicque poterat rapiebat domum.obiurigare pater haec noctes et dies,perfidiam, iniustitiam lenonum expromere;lacerari valide suam rem, illius augerier.summo haec clamore; interdum mussans conloqui:
refusing to speak to me; even denying that I was his child; crying aloud through all the city and proclaiming that all should withhold from trusting me when desiring to borrow; that love had allured many a one to ruin; that I, passing all bounds, regardless of decency, and acting wrongfully,laid hands upon and tore whatever I could from him at home; that ’twas a most vile system that those choice possessions which he, by enduring every hardship, had acquired, should all be squandered away and parted with through the violence of my desire. That now for so many years he had supported myself, a reproach to him;
abnuere, negitare adeo me natum suom.conclamitare tota urbe et praedicere,omnes tenerent mutuitanti credere.amorem multos inlexe in dispendium:intemperantem, non modestum, iniuriumtrahere, exhaurire me quod quirem ab se domo;ratione pessuma a me ea quae ipsus optumaomnis labores invenisset perferens,in amoribus diffunditari ac didier.convicium tot me annos iam se pascere;
that were I not ashamed, I ought not to desire to live. That he himself, at the very moment after he had passed his boyish days, did not, like me, devote his attention to love or indolence in slothfulness, nor, indeed, had he the control of himself, so very strictly by his father was he held in check;
quod nisi puderet, ne luberet vivere.sese extemplo ex ephebis postquam excesserit,non, ut ego, amori neque desidiae in otiooperam dedisse, neque potestatem sibifuisse; adeo arte cohibitum esse ⟨se⟩ a patre:
that in the various sordid pursuits of the country he was employed, and that only every fifth year even was he then enabled to visit the city, and that immediately after he had had a sight of the Festival, back again instantly into the country was he wont to be driven by his father. That there by far the most of all the householddid he toil, while thus his father would say to him: “For yourself you are ploughing, for yourself you harrow, for yourself you sow, for your own self too do you reap; for yourself, in fine, will this labour be productive of happiness.” That after life had left his father’s body, he had sold the farm, and with that moneyhad bought for himself a bark of fifteen tons, and with the same had transported merchandize to every quarter, even until he had acquired the property which he then possessed. That I ought to do the same, if I would be as it behoved me to be.I, when I found that I was disliked by my father and was an object of hate to him whom I was bound to please, distracted and in love as I was, resolutely made up my mind. I said that I would go to traffic, if he pleased; that I would renounce my amour, so as to be obedient to him.
multo opere immundo rustico se exercitum,neque nisi quinto anno quoque †positum visereurbem, atque extemplo inde, ut spectavisset peplum,rus rusum confestim exigi solitum a patre.ibi multo primum sese familiariumlaboravisse, quom haec pater sibi diceret:“tibi aras, tibi occas, tibi seris, tibi idem metis,”“tibi denique iste pariet laetitiam labos.”postquam recesset vita patrio corpore,agrum se vendidisse atque ea pecunianavem, metretas quae trecentas tolleret,parasse atque ea se mercis mercatum undique,adeo dum, quae tum haberet, peperisset bona;me idem decere, si ut deceret me forem.ego mé ubi invisum meo patri esse intellegoatque odio me esse quoi placere aequom fuit,amens amansque ut ánimum offirmo meum,dico esse iturum me mercatum, si velit:amorem missum facere me, dum illi obsequar.
He gave me thanks, and praised my good feeling, but failed not to exact my promise; he built a merchant-ship, and purchased merchandize; the ship ready, he placed it on board; besides, to myself with his own hand he paid down a talent of silver;
agit grátias mi atque ingenium adlaudat meum;sed mea promissa non neglexit persequi.aedificat navem cercurum et mercis emit,parata navi imponit, praeterea mihitalentum argenti ipsus sua adnumerat manu;
with me he sent a servant, who formerly had been my tutor from the time when I was a little child, to be as though a guardian to me. These things completed, we set sail; we came to Rhodes, where the merchandize which I had brought I sold to my mind according as I wished;
servom una mittit, qui olim puero parvolomihi paedagogus fuerat, quasi uti mihi foretcustos. his sic confectis navem solvimus.Rhodum venimus, ubi quas merces vexeramomnis ut volui vendidi ex sententia.
I made great profits, beyond the estimate of the merchandize which my father had given me; and so I made a large sum. But while in the harbour I was walking there, a certain stranger recognized me, and invited me to dinner. I went, and took my place at table, being merrily and handsomely entertained.
lucrum ingens facio praeterquam mihi meus paterdedit aestimatas merces: ita peculiumconficio grande. sed dum in portu illi ambulo,hospes me quidam adgnovit, ad cenam vocat.venio, decumbo acceptus hilare atque ampliter.
When at night we went to rest, behold, a female came to me, than whom not another female is there more charming. That night, by order of my entertainer, did she pass with me; consider your own selves, how very much he gratified me. Next day, I went to my host; I begged him to sell her to me;I said that for his kindnesses I should ever be grateful and obliged. What need is there of talking? I bought her, and yesterday I brought her hither. I don’t wish my father to come to know I’ve brought her. For the present, I’ve left her and a servant in the harbour on board the ship. But why do I see my servant running hither from the harbour,whom I forbade to leave the ship? I dread what the reason may be.(Stands aside.) (Enter ACANTHIO, at a distance, in haste.)ACANTHIO: (to himself.)
discubitum noctu ut imus, ecce ad me advenitmulier, qua mulier alia nullast pulchrior;ea nocte mecum illa hospitis iussu fuit.vosmet videte quam mihi valde placuerit:postridie hospitem adeo, oro ut vendat mihi,dico eius pro méritis gratum me et munem fore.quid verbis opus est? emi, átque advexi heri.eam me ádvexisse nolo resciscat pater.modo eam reliqui ad portum in navi et servolum.sed quid currentem servom a portu conspicor,quem navi abire vetui? timeo quid siet.
With your utmost power and might always try and endeavour that your younger master may by your aid be preserved. Come then, Acanthio, away with weariness from you; take care and be on your guard against sloth. At the same time put an end to this panting; troth, I can hardly fetch my breath;at the same time, too, drive right full against all those persons who come in the way, shove them aside, and push them into the road. This custom here is a very bad one; no one thinks it proper for him to give way to one who is running and in haste; and thus three things must be done at the same moment, when you have commenced upon but one; you must both run and fight, and squabble as well, upon the road.CHARINUS: (apart.)
Acanthio:Ex súmmis opibus víribusque usque éxperire, nítere,erus ut minor opera tua servetur: agedum, Acanthio,abige abs te lassitudinem, cave pigritiae praeverteris.simul enicat suspiritus (vix suffero hercle anhelitum),simul autem plenis semitis qui adversum eunt: aspellito,detrude, deturba in viám. haec disciplina hic pessumast:cúrrenti properanti haud quisquam dignum habet decedere.ita trés simitu res agendae sunt, quando unam occeperis:et currendum et pugnandum et autem iurigandum est in via.
What’s the reason of this, that he’s requiring speed for himself at a rate so rapid? I have some anxiety, what the business is, or what news he brings.ACANTHIO: (to himself.)I’m trifling about it. The more I stop, the greater the risk that’s run.CHARINUS: (apart.)
Charinvs:Quid illúc est quod ille tam expedite exquirit cursuram sibi?curaest, negoti quid sit aut quid nuntiet.Acanthio:Nugas ago.quam restito, tam maxime res in periclo vortitur.
He brings news of some misfortune, I know not what.ACANTHIO: (to himself.)His knees are failing this runner. I’m undone, my spleen is in rebellion, it’s taking possession of my breast.I’m done up, I can’t draw my breath. A very worthless piper should I be.
Charinvs:Mali nescio quid nuntiat.Acanthio:Genua hunc cursorem deserunt;perii, seditionem facit lien, óccupat praecordia,perii, animam nequeo vertere, nimis nihili tibicen siem.Charinvs:[At tu edepol sume laciniam atque absterge sudorem tibi.]
I’ faith, not all the baths will ever remove this lassitude from me. Am I to say that my master Charinus is at home or abroad?CHARINUS: (apart.)I’m doubtful in my mind what the matter is; I’d like for myself to learn of him, that I may become acquainted with it.ACANTHIO: (to himself.)
Acanthio:numquam edepol omnes balineae mi hanc lassitudinem eximent.domin án foris dicam esse erum Charinum?Charinvs:Ego animi pendeo.quíd illud sit negoti lubet scire, ex hoc metu ut eximar.
But why still standing here? Why still hesitating to make splinters of this door? (Knocks at the door of DEMIPHO’S house, and calls.) Open the door, some one. Where’s my master, Charinus? Is he at home or abroad? Does any one think fit to come to the door?CHARINUS: (presenting himself.)Why, here am I, whom you’re looking for, Acanthio.
Acanthio:Át etiam asto? at etiam cesso foribus facere hisce assulas?áperite aliquis. ubi Charinus est erus? dómin est an foris?num quísquam adire ad ostium dignum arbitratur?Charinvs:Ecce me,Acanthio, quem quaeris.
ACANTHIO: (not seeing him.)There is nowhere a more lazy management than in his house.
Acanthio:Nusquamst disciplina ignavior.
CHARINUS:What matter is afflicting you so terribly?
Charinvs:Quae té malae res ágitant?
ACANTHIO: (turning round.)Many, master, both yourself and me.
Acanthio:Multae, ere, te átque me.
CHARINUS:What’s the matter?
Charinvs:Quid ést negoti?
ACANTHIO:We are undone.
Acanthio:Périimus.
CHARINUS:That beginning do you present unto our foes.
Charinvs:Principium ⟨id⟩ inimicis dato.
ACANTHIO:But your own self it has befallen, as fate would have it.
Acanthio:At tibi sortito id optigit.
CHARINUS:Tell me this matter, whatever it is.
Charinvs:Loquere íd negoti quidquid est.
ACANTHIO:Quietly—I want to take a rest.(He pants.)CHARINUS:But, i’ faith, do take the skirt of your coat, and wipe the sweat from off you.
Acanthio:Placide, volo adquiescere.
ACANTHIO:For your sake, I’ve burst the veins of my lungs; I’m spitting blood already.(He spits.)
tua causa rupi ramites, iam dudum sputo sanguinem.
CHARINUS:Swallow Aegyptian resin with honey; you’ll make it all right.
Charinvs:Resinam ex melle Aegyptiam vorato, salvom feceris.
ACANTHIO:Then, i’ faith, do you drink hot pitch; then your troubles will vanish.
Acanthio:At edepol tu calidam picem bibito, aegritudo abscesserit.
CHARINUS:I know no one a more tetchy fellow than yourself.
Charinvs:Hóminem ego iracundiorem quam te novi neminem.
ACANTHIO:And I know no one more abusive than yourself
Acanthio:At ego maledicentiorem quam te novi neminem.
CHARINUS:But what if I’m persuading you to that which I take to be for your benefit?
Charinvs:Sin saluti quod tibi esse censeo, id consuadeo?
ACANTHIO:Away with benefit of that sort, that’s accompanied with pain.
Acanthio:Apage istiusmodi salutem, ⟨cum⟩ cruciatu quae advenit.
CHARINUS:Tell me, is there any good at all that any one can enjoy entirely without evil; or where you mustn’t endure labour when you wish to enjoy it?
Charinvs:Dic mihi, an boni quid usquamst, quod quisquam uti possietsine malo omni, aut ne laborem capias cum illo uti voles?
ACANTHIO:I don’t understand these things; I never learnt to philosophize, and don’t know how. I don’t want any good to be given me, to which evil is an accompaniment.CHARINUS: (extending his hand.)
Acanthio:Nescio ego istaec: philosophari numquam didici neque scio.ego bonum, malum quo accedit, mihi dari haud desidero.
Come now, Acanthio, give me your right hand.ACANTHIO:It shall be given; there then, take it.(Gives his hand.)
Charinvs:Cedo tuam mihi dexteram, agedum, Acanthio.Acanthio:Em dabitur, tene.
CHARINUS:Do you intend yourself to be obedient to me, or don’t you intend it?
Charinvs:Vin tu te mihi obsequentem esse an nevis?
ACANTHIO:You may judge by experience, as I’ve ruptured myself with running for your sake, in order that what I knew, you might have the means of knowing directly.
Acanthio:Opera licetexperiri, qui me rupi causa currendo tua,ut quae scirem scire actutum tibi liceret.
CHARINUS:I’ll make you a free man within a few months.
Charinvs:Liberumcaput tibi faciam ⟨cis⟩ paucos mensis.
ACANTHIO:You are smoothing me down.
Acanthio:Palpo percutis.
CHARINUS:What, should I presume ever to make mention of an untrue thing to you? On the contrary, before I said so, you knew already whether I intend to utter an untruth.
Charinvs:Egon ausim tibi usquam quicquam facinus falsum proloqui?quin iam prius quam sum elocutus, scis si mentiri volo.
ACANTHIO:Ah! your words, upon my faith, are increasing my weakness. You are worrying me to death!
Acanthio:Ah,lassitudinem hercle verba tua mihi addunt, enicas.
CHARINUS:What, is this the way you’re obedient to me?
Charinvs:Sicine mi obsequens es?
ACANTHIO:What do you want me to do?
Acanthio:Quid vis faciam?
CHARINUS:What, you? What I want is this—
Charinvs:Tun? id quod volo.
ACANTHIO:What is it then that you do want?
Acanthio:Quid ⟨id⟩ est igitur quod vis?
CHARINUS:I’ll tell you.
Charinvs:Dicam.
ACANTHIO:Tell me, then.
Acanthio:Dice.
CHARINUS:But still, I’d like to do it in a quiet way.
Charinvs:At énim placide volo.
ACANTHIO:Are you afraid lest you should wake the drowsy Spectators from their nap?
Acanthio:Dormientis spectatores metuis ne ex somno excites?
CHARINUS:Woe be to you!
Charinvs:Vae tibi.
ACANTHIO:For my part, that same am I bringing to you from the harbour.
Acanthio:Tibi equidem a portu adporto hoc—
CHARINUS:What are you bringing? Tell me.
Charinvs:Quid fers? dic mihi.
ACANTHIO:Violence, alarm, torture, care, strife, and beggary.
Acanthio:Vim metum, cruciatum curam, iurgiumque atque inopiam.
CHARINUS:I’m undone! You really are bringing me hither a store of evils. I’m ruined outright.
Charinvs:Perii, tu quidem thensaurum huc mi adportavisti mali.nullus sum.
ACANTHIO:Why, yes, you are—
Acanthio:Immo es—
CHARINUS:I know it already; you’ll be saying I’m wretched.ACANTHIO:’Tis you have said so; I’m mum.
Charinvs:Scio iam, miserum dices tu.Acanthio:Dixi ego tacens.
CHARINUS:What mishap is this?
Charinvs:Quid istuc est mali?
ACANTHIO:Don’t enquire. It is a very great calamity.
Acanthio:Ne rogites, maxumum infortunium est.
CHARINUS:Prithee, do relieve me at once. Too long a time have I been in suspense.
Charinvs:Obsecro, dissolve iam me; nimis diu animi pendeo.
ACANTHIO:Softly; I still wish to make many enquiries before I’m beaten.
Acanthio:Placide, multa exquirere etiam prius volo quam vapulem.
CHARINUS:By my troth, you assuredly will be beaten, unless you say at once, or get away from here.
Charinvs:Hercle vero vapulabis, nisi iam loquere aut hinc abis.
ACANTHIO:Do look at that, please, how he does coax me; there’s no one more flattering when he sets about it.
Acanthio:Hoc sis vide, ut palpatur. nullust, quando occepit, blandior.
CHARINUS:By heavens, I do entreat and beseech you to disclose to me at once what it is; inasmuch as I see that I must be the suppliant of my own servant.
Charinvs:Obsecro hercle oroque ut istuc quid sit actutum indices,quandoquidem mihi supplicandum servolo video meo.
ACANTHIO:And do I seem so unworthy of it?
Acanthio:Tandem indignus videor?
CHARINUS:Oh no, quite worthy.
Charinvs:Immo dignus.
ACANTHIO:Well, so I thought.
Acanthio:Equidem credidi.
CHARINUS:Prithee, is the ship lost?
Charinvs:Obsecro, num navis periit?
ACANTHIO:The ship’s all right; don’t fear about that.
Acanthio:Salvast navis, ne time.
CHARINUS:Well then, the rest of the cargo?
Charinvs:Quid alia armamenta?
ACANTHIO:That’s right and tight.
Acanthio:Salva et sana sunt.
CHARINUS:Why then don’t you tellme what it is, for which, just now, running through the city, you were seeking me?
Charinvs:Quin tu expedisquid siet quod me per urbem currens quaerebas modo.
ACANTHIO:Really, you are taking the words out of my mouth.
Acanthio:Tu quidem ex óre orationem mi eripis.
CHARINUS:I’ll hold my tongue.
Charinvs:Taceo.
ACANTHIO:Do hold your tongue. I doubt, if I brought you any good news, you’d be dreadfully pressing, who are now insisting upon my speaking out, when you must hear bad news.
Acanthio:Tace.credo, si boni quid ad te nuntiem, instes acriter,qui nunc, quom malum audiendumst, flagitas me ut eloquar.
CHARINUS:Troth then, prithee do you let me know what this misfortune is.
Charinvs:Obsecro hercle te, istuc ut tu mihi malum facias palam.
ACANTHIO:Since you beg of me, I’ll tell you. Your father—
Acanthio:Eloquar, quandoquidem me oras. tuos pater—
CHARINUS:My father did what?
Charinvs:Quid meus pater?
ACANTHIO:Your mistress—
Acanthio:Tuam amicam—
CHARINUS:What about her?
Charinvs:Quid eam?
ACANTHIO:He has seen her.
Acanthio:Vidit.
CHARINUS:Seen her? Ah wretch that I am! What I ask you, answer me.
Charinvs:Vidit? vae misero mihi.[hoc quod te rogo responde.]
ACANTHIO:Nay, but do you ask me, if you want anything.
Acanthio:[Quin tu, si quid vis, roga.]
CHARINUS:How could he see her?
Charinvs:Qui potuit videre?
ACANTHIO:With his eyes.
Acanthio:Oculis.
CHARINUS:In what way?
Charinvs:Quo pacto?
ACANTHIO:Wide open.
Acanthio:Hiantibus.
CHARINUS:Away hence and be hanged. You are trifling, when my life’s at stake.
Charinvs:In hinc dierectus? núgare in re capitali mea.
ACANTHIO:How the plague am I trifling, if I answer you what you ask me?
Acanthio:Qui, malum, ego nugor, si tibi quod me rogas respondeo?
CHARINUS:Did he see her for certain?
Charinvs:Certen vidit?
ACANTHIO:Aye, troth, as certainly as I see you and you see me.
Acanthio:Tam hercle certe quám ego te aut tu me vides.
CHARINUS:Where did he see her?
Charinvs:Vbi eam vidit?
ACANTHIO:Down on board the ship, as he stood near the prow and chatted with her.
Acanthio:Intus intra navem, út prope astitit;et cum ea confabulatust.
CHARINUS:Father, you have undone me. Come now, you, come now, you sir? Why, you whip-rascal, didn’t you take care that he mightn’t see her? Why, villain, didn’t you stow her away, that my father mightn’t perceive her?
Charinvs:Perdidisti me, pater.eho tu, eho tu, quin cavisti ne eam videret, verbero?quin, sceleste, ábstrudebas, né eam conspiceret pater?
ACANTHIO:Because we were busily employed about our business; we were engaged in packing up and arranging the cargo. While these things were being done, your father was brought alongside in a very small boat; and not an individual beheld the man until he was aboard the ship.
Acanthio:Quia negotiosi eramus nos nostris negotiis:armamentis complicandis [et] componendis studuimus.dum haec aguntur, lembo advehitur tuos pater pauxillulo,neque quisquam hominem conspicatust, donec in navem subit.
CHARINUS:In vain have I escaped the sea with its dreadful tempests! Just now I really did suppose that I was both ashore and in a place of safety; but I see that by the raging waves I am being hurried towards the rocks. Say on; what took place?
Charinvs:Nequiquam, mare, subterfugi á tuis tempestatibus:equidem me iam censebam esse in terra atque in tuto loco,verum video med ad saxa ferri saevis fluctibus.loquere porro, quid sit actum.
ACANTHIO:After he espied the woman, he began to ask her to whom she belonged.
Acanthio:Postquam aspexit mulierem,rogitare occepit cuia esset.
CHARINUS:What did she answer?
Charinvs:Quid respondit?
ACANTHIO:That instant I ran up and interposed, saying that you had bought her as a maid-servant for your mother.
Acanthio:Ilicooccucurri atque interpello, matri te ancillam tuaeemisse illam.
CHARINUS:Did he seem to believe you in that?
Charinvs:Visun est tibi credere id?
ACANTHIO:Do you e’en ask me that? Why the rogue began to take liberties with her.
Acanthio:Etiam rogas?sed scelestus subigitare occepit.
CHARINUS:Prithee, what, with her?
Charinvs:Illamne, obsecro?
ACANTHIO:’Twere a wonder if he had taken liberties with myself.CHARINUS:By heavens, my heart is saddened,which, drop by drop is melting away, just as though you were to put salt in water. I’m undone.
Acanthio:Mirum quin me subigitaret.Charinvs:Edepol cor miserum meum,quod guttatim contabescit, quasi in aquam indideris salem.perii.
ACANTHIO:Aye, aye, that one expression have you most truly uttered.
Acanthio:Em istuc unum verbum dixisti verissimum.
CHARINUS:This is mere folly.What shall I do? I do think my father won’t believe me if I say that I bought her for my mother; and then, besides, it seems to me a shame that I should tell a lie to my parent.
stultitia istaec est.Charinvs:Quid faciam? credo, non credet pater,si illam matri meae ⟨me⟩ emisse dicam; post autem mihiscelus videtur, me parenti proloqui mendacium.
He’ll neither believe, nor indeed is it credible, that I bought this woman of surpassing beauty as a maid-servant for my mother.ACANTHIO:Won’t you be quiet, you most silly man? Troth, he will believe it, for he just now believed me.
neque ille credet, neque credibile est forma eximia mulierem,eam me emisse ancillam matri.Acanthio:Non taces, stultissime?credet hercle, nam credebat iam mihi.
CHARINUS:I’m dreadfully afraid that a suspicion will reach my father how the matter really stands. Prithee, answer me this that I ask you.
Charinvs:Metuo miser,ne patrem prehendat, ut sit gesta res, suspicio.hoc quod te rogo responde ⟨quaeso⟩.
ACANTHIO:What do you ask?
Acanthio:Quaeso quid rogas?
CHARINUS:Did he seem to suspect that she was my mistress?
Charinvs:Num esse amicam suspicari visus est?
ACANTHIO:He did not seem. On the contrary, in everything, just as I said it, he believed me.
Acanthio:Non visus est.quin quicque ut dicebam mihi credebat.
CHARINUS:As being true-as he seemed to yourself at least.
Charinvs:Verum, ut tibi quidemvisus est.
ACANTHIO:Not so; but he really did believe me.
Acanthio:Non, sed credebat.
CHARINUS:Ah! wretched man that I am! I’m ruined! But why do I kill myself here with repining, and don’t be off to the ship? Follow me.(Hastening along.)
Charinvs:Vae mihi misero, nullus sum.sed quid ego hic in lamentando pereo, ad navem non eo?sequere.
ACANTHIO:If you go that way, you’ll conveniently come slap upon your father.
Acanthio:Si istac ibis, commodum obviam venies patri;
As soon as he shall see you, dismayed and out of spirits, at once he’ll be stopping you, and enquiring where you bought her, and for how much you bought her; he’ll be trying you in your dismay.CHARINUS: (turning about.)I’ll go this way in preference. Do you think that by this my father has left the harbour?
postea aspiciet te timidum esse atque exanimatum: ilicoretinebit, rogitabit unde illam emeris, quanti emeris:timidum temptabit te.Charinvs:Hac ibo potius. iam censes patremabiisse a portu?
ACANTHIO:Why, it was for that reason I ran before him hither, that he mightn’t come upon you unawares and fish it out of you.
Acanthio:Quin ea ego huc praecucurri gratia,ne te opprimeret imprudentem atque electaret.
CHARINUS:Very properly done.(Exeunt.) (Enter DEMIPHO.)
Charinvs:Optime.—
DEMIPHO: (to himself.)In wondrous ways do the Gods make sport of men, and in wondrous fashions do they send dreams in sleep. As, for instance, I, this very last night that has passed, have sufficiently experienced in my sleep, and, mortal that I am, was much occupied therewith.
Demipho:Miris modis di ludos faciunt hominibusmirisque exemplis somnia in somnis danunt.velut ego nocte hac quae praeteriit proxumain somnis egi satis et fui homo exercitus.mercari visus mihi sum formosam capram;
I seemed to have purchased for myself a beautiful she-goat. That she might not offend that other she-goat which I had at home before, and that they mightn’t disagree if they were both in the same spot, after that I had purchased her, I seemed to entrust her to the charge of an ape. This ape, not very long afterwards, came to me,uttered imprecations against me, and assailed me with reproaches; he said that by her means and through the arrival of the she-goat he had suffered injury and loss in no slight degree; he said that the she-goat, which I had entrusted to him to keep, had gnawed away the marriage-portion of his wife.
ei ne noceret quam domi ante habui capramneu discordarent, si ambae in uno essent loco,posterius quam mercatus fueram, visus sumin custodelam simiae concredere.ea simia adeo post haud multo ad me venit,male mihi precatur et facit convicium:ait sése illius opera atque adventu capraeflagitium et damnum fecisse haud mediocriter;dicit capram, quam dederam servandam sibi,suaé uxoris dotem ambedisse oppido.
This seemed extremely wonderful to me, how that this single she-goat could possibly have gnawed away the marriage-portion of the wife of the ape. The ape, however, insisted that it was so, and, in short, gave me this answer, that if I didn’t make haste and remove her away from his own house, he would bring her home into my house to my wife.
mi illud videri mirum, ut una illaec caprauxoris simiai dotem ambederit.instare factum simia, atque hoc deniquerespondet, ni properem illam ab sese abducere,ad me domum intro ad uxórem ducturum meam.
And, by my troth, I seemed very greatly to take an interest in her, but not to have any one to whom to entrust this she-goat; wherefore the more, in my distress, was I tormented with anxiety what to do. Meanwhile, a kid appeared to address me, and began to tell me that he had carried off the she-goat from the ape, and began to laugh at me.
atque oppido hercle bene velle illi visus sum,ast non habere cui commendarem capram;quo magis quid facerem cura cruciabar miser.interea ad me haedus visust adgredirier,infit mihi praedicare, sese ab simiacapram abduxisse, et coepit inridere me;
But I began to lament and complain that she was carried off. To what reality I am to suppose that this vision points, I can’t discover; except that I suspect that I have just now discovered this she-goat, what she is, or what it all means.
ego énim lugere atque abductam illam aegre pati.hoc quam ad rem credam pertinere somnium,nequeo invenire; nisi capram illam suspicoriam me invenisse quae sit aut quid voluerit.
This morning, at daybreak, I went away hence down to the harbour. After I had transacted there what I wanted, suddenly I espied the ship from Rhodes, in which my son arrived here yesterday. I had an inclination, I know not why, to visit it; I went on board a boat, and put off to the ship;
ad portum hinc abii mane cum luci simul;postquam id quod volui transegi, atque ego conspicornavem ex Rhodo quast héri advectus filius;conlibitumst illuc mihi nescio qui visere:inscendo in lembum átque ad navem devehor.
and there I beheld a woman of surpassing beauty, whom my son has brought as a maid-servant for his mother. After I had thus beheld her, I fell in love with her, not as men in their senses, but after the fashion in which madmen are wont. I’ faith, in former times, in my youthful days, I fell in love,’tis true; but after this fashion, according as I’m now distracted, never. Now beyond a doubt, surely thus this matter stands; this is that she-goat. But what that ape and that kid mean, I’m afraid. One thing, i’ faith, I really do know for certain, that I’m undone for love; (to the AUDIENCE) consider yourselves the other point, what a poor creature I am.
atque égo illi aspicio forma eximia mulierem,filius quam advexit meus matri ancillam suae.quam ego postquam aspexi, non ita amo ut sani solenthomines, sed eodem pacto ut insani solent.amavi hercle equidem ego olim in adulescentia,verum ad hoc exemplum numquam, ut nunc insanio.unum quidem hercle iam scio, periisse me;vosmet videte ceterum quanti siem.nunc hoc profecto sic est: haec illast capra;verum hercle simia illa atque haedus mihi malumadportant, atque eos esse quos dicam hau scio.
But I’ll hold my tongue; lo! I see my neighbour; he’s coming out of doors.(Stands aside.) (Enter LYSIMACHUS and a SERVANT with some rakes, from the house of the former.)LYSIMACHUS:Really I will have this goat mutilated, that’s giving us so much trouble at the farm.DEMIPHO: (apart.)
sed conticiscam, nam eccum it vicinus foras.Lysimachvs:Profecto ego illunc hircum castrari volo,ruri qui vobis exhibet negotium.
Neither this omen nor this augury pleases me;
Demipho:Nec omen illud mihi nec auspicium placet.
I’m afraid that my wife will be just now mutilating me like the he-goat, and be acting the part of this same ape.
quasi hircum metuo ne uxor me castret mea.[atque illius haec nunc simiae partis ferat.]
LYSIMACHUS:Do you go hence to my country-house, and take care and deliver personally into his own hands those rakes to the bailiff Pistus himself. Take care and tell my wife thatI have business in the city, so that she mayn’t expect me; for do you mention that I have three causes coming on for judgment to-day. Be off, and remember to say this.SERVANT:Anything more?
Lysimachvs:I tu hinc ad villam atque istos rastros vilicoPisto ipsi facito coram ut tradas in manum.uxori facito ut nunties, negotiummihi esse in urbe, ne me exspectet; nam mihitris hodie litis iudicandas dicito.ei, et hoc memento dicere.Servvs:Numquid amplius?
LYSIMACHUS:That’s enough.(Exit SERVANT.)
Lysimachvs:Tantumst.
DEMIPHO: (Stepping forward.)Greetings to you, Lysimachus.
Demipho:Lysimache, salve.
LYSIMACHUS:Well met! and greetings to you, Demipho. How are you? How goes it?
Lysimachvs:Euge, Demipho,salveto. quid agis? quid fit?
DEMIPHO:As with one that’s most wretched.
Demipho:Quod miserrumus.
LYSIMACHUS:May the Gods grant better things.
Lysimachvs:Di melius faxint.
DEMIPHO:As for the Gods, it’s they that do this.
Demipho:Di hoc quidem faciunt.
LYSIMACHUS:What’s the matter?
Lysimachvs:Quid est?
DEMIPHO:I’d tell you, if I saw that you had time or leisure.
Demipho:Dicam, si videam tibi esse óperam aut otium.
LYSIMACHUS:Although I have business in hand, if you wish for anything, Demipho, I’m never too busy to give attention to a friend.
Lysimachvs:Quamquam negotiumst, si quid vis, Demipho,non sum occupatus umquam amico operam dare.
DEMIPHO:You speak of your kindness to myself who have experienced it. How do I seem to you as to age?
Demipho:Benignitatem tuam mi experto praedicas.quid tibi ego aetatis videor?
LYSIMACHUS:A subject for Acheron—an antiquated, decrepit old fellow.
Lysimachvs:Acherunticus,senex vetus, decrepitus.
DEMIPHO:You see in a wrong light. I am a child, Lysimachus, of seven years old.
Demipho:Pervorse vides.puer súm, Lysimache, septuennis.
LYSIMACHUS:Are you in your senses, to say that you are a child?
Lysimachvs:Sanun es,qui puerum te esse dicas?
DEMIPHO:I’m telling what’s true.
Demipho:Vera praedico.
LYSIMACHUS:I’ faith, it has this moment come into my mind what you mean to say;
Lysimachvs:Modo hercle in mentem venit, quid tu diceres:
directly a person is old, no longer has he sense or taste; people say that he has become a child again.
senex quom extemplo est, iam nec sentit nec sapit,aiunt solere eum rusum repuerascere.
DEMIPHO:Why, no; for I’m twice as hearty as ever I was before.
Demipho:Immo bis tanto valeo quam valui prius.
LYSIMACHUS:I’ faith, it’s well that so it is, and I’m glad of it.
Lysimachvs:Bene hercle factum, et gaudeo.
DEMIPHO:Aye, and if you did but know; with my eyes, too, I see even better now than I did formerly.
Demipho:Immo si scias,oculis quoque etiam plus iam video quam prius.
LYSIMACHUS:That’s good.
Lysimachvs:Benest.
DEMIPHO:Of a thing that’s bad, I’m speaking.
Demipho:Malae rei dico.
LYSIMACHUS:Then that same is not good.
Lysimachvs:Iam istuc non benest.
DEMIPHO:But, if I wished at all, could I venture to disclose something to you?
Demipho:Sed ausimne ego tibi eloqui fideliter?
LYSIMACHUS:Boldly.
Lysimachvs:Audacter.
DEMIPHO:Give heed, then.
Demipho:Animum advorte.
LYSIMACHUS:It shall be carefully done.
Lysimachvs:Fiet sedulo.
DEMIPHO:This day, Lysimachus, I’ve begun to go to school to learn my letters. I know three letters already.
Demipho:Hodie ire in ludum occepi litterarium,Lysimache. ternas scio iam.
LYSIMACHUS:How? Three letters?
Lysimachvs:Quid ternas?
DEMIPHO: (spelling.)A M O [I am in love].
Demipho:Amo.
LYSIMACHUS:What! you, in love, with your hoary head, you most shocking old fellow?
Lysimachvs:Tun capite cano amas, senex nequissime?
DEMIPHO:Whether that is hoary, or whether red, or whether black, I’m in love.
Demipho:Si canum seu istuc rutilum sive atrumst, amo.
LYSIMACHUS:You’re now playing upon me in this, I fancy, Demipho.
Lysimachvs:Ludificas nunc tu me hic, opinor, Demipho.
DEMIPHO:Cut my throat, if it’s false, what I’m saying. That you may be sure I’m in love, take a knife, and do you cut offeither my finger, or my ear, or my nose, or my lip: if I move me, or feel that I’m being cut, then, Lysimachus, I give you leave to torture me to death here with being in love.LYSIMACHUS: (aside to the AUDIENCE.)
Demipho:Decide collum stanti, si falsum loquor;vel, ut scias me amare, cape cultrum ac secadigitum vel aurem vel tu nasum vel labrum:si movero me seu secari sensero,Lysimache, auctór sum ut me amando enices.
If ever you’ve seen a lover in a picture, why, there he is (pointing at DEMIPHO): for really, in my way of thinking, an antiquated, decrepit old manis just about the same as though he were a figure painted upon a wall.
Lysimachvs:Si umquam vidistis pictum amatorem, em illic est.nam meo quidem animo vetulus decrepitus senextantidemst quasi sit signum pictum in pariete.
DEMIPHO:Now, I suppose, you are thinking of censuring me.
Demipho:Nunc tu me, credo, castigare cogitas.
LYSIMACHUS:What, I, censure you?
Lysimachvs:Egon té?
DEMIPHO:Well, there’s no reason that you should censure me. Other distinguished men have done the like before.It’s natural to be in love, it’s natural, as well, to be considerate. Then, please, don’t reprove me; no inclination impelled me to this.
Demipho:Nihil est iam quod tu mihi suscenseas:fecere tale ante alii spectati viri.humanum amarest, humanum autem ignoscerest:ne sís me obiurga, hoc non voluntas me impulit.
LYSIMACHUS:Why, I’m not reproving you.
Lysimachvs:Quin non obiurgo.
DEMIPHO:But still, don’t you think any the worse of me for acting thus.
Demipho:At ne deteriorem tamenhoc facto ducas.
LYSIMACHUS:I, think the worse of you? O, may the Deities forbid it.
Lysimachvs:Egon te? ah, ne di siverint.
DEMIPHO:Still, please, only do take care of that.
Demipho:Vide sís modo etiam.
LYSIMACHUS:Due care is taken.
Lysimachvs:Visumst.
DEMIPHO:Quite sure?
Demipho:Certen?
LYSIMACHUS:You’re wearing me out.(Aside.)
Lysimachvs:Perdis me.
This person’s deranged through love. (To DEMIPHO.) Do you desire aught with me?DEMIPHO:Farewell!
hic homo ex amore insanit. numquid vis?Demipho:Vale.
LYSIMACHUS:I’m making haste to the harbour; for I’ve got business there.
Lysimachvs:Ad portum propero, nam ibi mihi negotium est.
DEMIPHO:Good luck go with you.
Demipho:Bene ambulato.
LYSIMACHUS:Heartily fare you well.
Lysimachvs:Bene vale.—
DEMIPHO:Kindly fare you well.(Exit LYSIMACHUS.)
Demipho:Bene sit tibi.
(DEMIPHO continues, to himself.) And what’s more, I too as well have got some business at the harbour; now, therefore, I shall be off thither. But, look! most opportunely I see my son. I’ll wait for the fellow; it’s necessary for me now to see him,to persuade him, as far as I possibly can, to sell her to me, and not make a present of her to his mother; for I’ve heard that he has brought her as a present for her. But I have need of precaution, that he mayn’t any way imagine that I have set my fancy upon her.(Enter CHARINUS, at a distance.)CHARINUS: (to himself.)
quin mihi quoque etiamst ad portum negotium.nunc adeo ibo illuc. séd optume gnatum meumvideo eccum. opperiar hominem. hoc nunc mihi viso opust,huic persuadere quo modo potis siem,ut illam vendat neve det matri suae;nam ei dono advexe audivi. sed praecauto opust,ne hic illam me animum adiecisse aliqua sentiat.
Never, I do think, was any person more wretched than myself, nor one who had more everlasting crosses. Isn’t it the fact, that whatever thing there is that I have commenced to attempt, it cannot fall out to my wish according as I desire? To such an extent is some evil fortune always befalling me,which overwhelms my fair intentions. To my misfortune, I procured me a mistress to please my inclination; I acquired her for a sum of money, fancying that I could keep her unknown to my father. He has found her out, and has seen her, and has undone me. Nor have I yet determined what to say when he asks me,so much do uncertain thoughts, aye, tenfold, struggle within my breast; nor know I now in my mind what resolution I can possibly take; so much uncertainty, mingled with anxiety, is there in my feelings, at one moment the advice of my servant pleases me, then again it doesn’t please me, and it doesn’t seem possible for my fatherto be induced to think that she was bought as a maid-servant for my mother. Now, if I say, as is the fact, and declare that I purchased her for myself, what will he think of me? He may take her away, too, and carry her hence beyond sea, to be sold!Well taught at home, I know how severe he is. Is this, then, being in love? I’d rather be at the plough-tail than love in this fashion. Before to-day, long ago, he drove me away against my inclination from his house, my home, and bade me go and traffic. There did I meet with this misfortune. When its misery can surpass its pleasure, what is there delightful in it?
Charinvs:Homó me misérior nullúst aeque, opínor,neque ádvorsa cuí plura sínt sempitérna;satin quídquid est, quam rem agere óccepi,proprium nequit mihi evenire quod cupio?ita míhi mala res aliqua óbicitur,bonum quaé meum comprimit cónsilium.míser amicam míhi paravi, ánimi causa, pretio † eripui,ratús clam patrém ⟨me⟩ meúm posse habere:is rescivit et vidit, et perdidit me;neque is cum roget quid loquar cogitatumst,ita animi decem in pectore incerti certant.nec quid corde nunc consili capere possimscio, tantus cum cura meost error animo,dum servi mei perplacet mihi consilium,dum rursum haud placet nec pater potis videturinduci ut putet matri ancillam emptam esse illam.nunc si dico ut res est atque illam mihi meemisse indico, quem ad modum existumet me?atque illam abstrahat, trans mare hinc venum asportet;scio saevos quam sit, domo doctus. igiturhócine est amare? arare mavelim, quam sic amare.iam hínc olim invitum domo extrusit ab se,mercatum ire iussit: ibi hoc malum ego inveni.úbi voluptatem aegritudo vincat, quid ibi inest amoeni?
In vain I’ve hidden her, concealed her, kept her in secret; my father’s a very fly; nothing can be kept away from him; nothing so sacred or so profane is there, but that he’s there at once; neither have I any assured hope in my mind through which to feel confidence in my fortunes.DEMIPHO: (apart.)
nequíquam abdidi, abscondidi, abstrusam habebam:muscast meus pater, nil potest clam illum haberi,néc sacrum nec tam profanum quicquam est, quin ibi ilico adsit.nec, qui rebus meis confidam mi ulla spes in corde certast.
What’s the reason of this, that my son is talking to himself alone? He seems to me anxious about some matter, I know not what.CHARINUS: (looking round.)Heyday, now! Why, surely it’s my father here that I see. I’ll go and accost him. (Accosting him.) How goes it, father?
Demipho:Quíd illuc est quod solus secum fabulatur filius?sollicitus mihí nescio qua re videtur.Charinvs:Attatae,meus patér hic quidem est quem video. ibo, adloquar. quid fit, pater?
DEMIPHO:Whence do you come? Why are you in a hurry, my son?
Demipho:Vnde incedis, quid festinas, gnate mi?
CHARINUS:It’s all right, father.
Charinvs:Recte, pater.
DEMIPHO:So I trust; but what’s the reason that your colour’s so changed? Do you feel ill at all?
Demipho:Ita volo, sed istúc quid est, tibi quod commutatust color?numquid tibi dolet?
CHARINUS:I know not what it is affects my spirits, father;
Charinvs:Nescio quid meo animost aegre, pater.
this last night I didn’t rest quite as well as I wished.
poste hac nocte non quievi satis mea ex sententia.
DEMIPHO:As you’ve been travelling by sea, your eyes, I suppose, are at present rather unaccustomed to the shore.
Demipho:[Per mare ut vectu'svectus es, nunc oculi terram mirantur tui.]
CHARINUS:No doubt it is that; but it will be going off presently.
Charinvs:[Magis opinor—]
DEMIPHO:Troth, it’s for that reason you are pale; if you were prudent, you’d go home and lie down.
Demipho:[Id est profecto; verum actutum abscesserit.]ergo edepol palles. si sapias, eas ac decumbas domi.
CHARINUS:I haven’t the leisure; I wish to attend to business on commission.
Charinvs:Otium non est: mandatis rebus praevorti volo.
DEMIPHO:Attend to it to-morrow; the day after, attend to it.
Demipho:Cras agito, perendie agito.
CHARINUS:I’ve often heard from you, father, it behoves all wise men, the first thing, to give their earliest attention to business upon commission.
Charinvs:Saepe ex te audivi, pater:rei mandatae omnis sapientis primum praevorti decet.
DEMIPHO:Do so, then; I have no wish to be striving against your opinion.CHARINUS: (aside.)
Demipho:Age igitur; nolo advorsari tuam advorsum sententiam.