No woman ever will be, or ever has been, more wretched than myself in being married to such a husband. Alas! unhappy that I am! Just see, to what a husband have you committed yourself and the property you have! Just see, to what a person I brought ten talents for a portion; that I should see these things, that I should endure these insults.LYSIMACHUS: (behind.)
Dorippa:Miserior mulier me nec fiet, nec fuit,tali viro quae nupserim. heu miserae mihi.em quoi te et tua, quae tu habeas, commendes viro,em quoi decem talenta dotis detuli,haec ut viderem, ut ferrem has contumelias.
I’ troth, I’m undone; my wife’s returned from the country already. I do believe she has seen the damsel in the house. But what she says I cannot distinctly hear from hence; I’ll go nearer to her.(Approaches her.)DORIPPA:Ah! woe to wretched me!
Lysimachvs:Perii hercle, rure iam rediit uxor mea:vidisse credo mulierem in aedibus.sed quae loquatur exaudire hinc non queo.accedam propius.Dorippa:Vae miserae mi.
LYSIMACHUS: (behind.)Aye, and to me as well.
Lysimachvs:Immo mihi.
DORIPPA:I’m utterly undone!
Dorippa:Disperii.
LYSIMACHUS: (behind.)As for me, i’ faith, to my sorrow I’m downright undone! she has seen her. May all the Gods confound you, Demipho!
Lysimachvs:Equidem hercle oppido perii miser.vidit. ut te omnes, Demipho, di perduint.
DORIPPA:I’ troth, this was it, why my husband wouldn’t go into the country.LYSIMACHUS: (behind.)
Dorippa:Pol hoc est, ire quod rus meus vir noluit.
What shall I do now, but go up and speak to her? (Goes up to her.) The husband bids health to his wife. Are the country people becoming townsfolk?DORIPPA:They are acting more decently than those who are not become country people.
Lysimachvs:Quid nunc ego faciam nisi uti ádeam atque adloquar?iubet salvere suos vir uxorem suam.urbani fiunt rustici?Dorippa:Pudiciusfaciunt, quam ílli qui non fiunt rustici.
LYSIMACHUS:Are the people in the country at all in fault?
Lysimachvs:Num quid delinquont rustici?
DORIPPA:I’ faith, less so than the townsfolk, and much less mischief do they meet with for themselves.
Dorippa:Ecastor minusquam urbani, et multo minus mali quaerunt sibi.
LYSIMACHUS:But in what have the townsfolk done wrong? Tell me that.
Lysimachvs:Quid autem urbani deliquerunt? dic mihi,cupio hercle scire.
DORIPPA:Whose woman is that in the house?
Dorippa:Sed tu me temptas sciens.quoia illa mulier intust?
LYSIMACHUS:What, have you seen her?
Lysimachvs:Vidistine eam?
DORIPPA:I have seen her.
Dorippa:Vidi.
LYSIMACHUS:Whose is she, do you ask?
Lysimachvs:Quoia ea sit rogitas?
DORIPPA:I shall find out, in spite of you;i’ faith, I long to know.But you are trying me on purpose.
Dorippa:Resciscam tamen.
LYSIMACHUS:Do you wish me to tell you whose she is? She, she— (Aside.) Ah me! upon my faith, I don’t know what to say.
Lysimachvs:Vin dicam quoiast? illa—illa edepol—vae mihi,nescio quid dicam.
DORIPPA:Do you hesitate?
Dorippa:Haeres.
LYSIMACHUS: (aside.)I never saw one who did it more.
Lysimachvs:Haud vidi magis.
DORIPPA:But why don’t you tell me?
Dorippa:Quin dicis?
LYSIMACHUS:Nay, but if I may—
Lysimachvs:Quin si liceat—
DORIPPA:You ought to tell me.
Dorippa:Dictum oportuit.
LYSIMACHUS:I cannot, you hurry me so; you press me as though were guilty.DORIPPA: (ironically.)
Lysimachvs:Non possum, ita instas; urges quasi pro noxio.
I know you are free from all guilt.LYSIMACHUS:Speak out as boldly as you please.
Dorippa:Scio, innóxiu'sinnoxius es.Lysimachvs:Audacter quam vis dicito.
DORIPPA:Tell me, then.
Dorippa:Dic igitur.
LYSIMACHUS:I, tell you?
Lysimachvs:Dicam.
DORIPPA:Why, it must be told, in spite of everything.
Dorippa:At qui dicundum est tamen.
LYSIMACHUS:She is— Do you wish me tell her name as well?
Lysimachvs:Illast—etiam vis nomen dicam?
DORIPPA:You are trifling. I’ve caught you in the fact; you are guilty.
Dorippa:Nihil agis,manufesto teneo in noxia.
LYSIMACHUS:Guilty of what?If now I had no occasion for silence, now I shouldn’t tell you.Why, this same woman is —
Lysimachvs:Qua noxia?ista quidem illa est.
DORIPPA:Who is she?
Dorippa:Quae illa est?
LYSIMACHUS:She—
Lysimachvs:Illa—
DORIPPA:Marry, come up! don’t you know who she is?
Dorippa:†Iohia
LYSIMACHUS:Why, yes, I do know. I’ve been chosen as an arbitrator with respect to her.
Lysimachvs:Iam—si nihil usus esset, iam non dicerem.
DORIPPA:An arbitrator? Now I know; you have invited her here to consult with you.
Dorippa:Non tu scis quae sit illa?Lysimachvs:Immo iam scio:de istac sum iudex captus.Dorippa:Iudex? iam scio:nunc tu in consilium istam advocavisti tibi.
LYSIMACHUS:Why no; she has been given me as a deposit.
Lysimachvs:Immo sic: séquestro mihi datast.
DORIPPA: (ironically.)I understand.
Dorippa:Intellego.
LYSIMACHUS:By my troth, it’s not anything of that sort.
Lysimachvs:Nihil hercle istius quicquam est.
DORIPPA:You are clearing yourself too soon.LYSIMACHUS: (aside.)
Dorippa:Numero purigas.
Too much of a business have I met with; really I’m stuck fast.(Enter a COOK, at a distance, with SCULLIONS and provisions.)
Lysimachvs:Nimium negoti repperi. enim vero haereo.
A COOK.:Make haste, get quickly on, for I’ve got to cook a dinner for an old gentleman in love. And, in fact, when I think of it again, it’s to be cooked for ourselves, not him for whom we’ve been hired: for a person that’s in love, if he has that with which he is in love, he esteems that as food,to see her, embrace her, kiss her, chat with her; but we, I trust, shall return well laden home. Step this way. But see, here’s the old gentleman that hired us.LYSIMACHUS: (aside.)
Cocvs:Agite ite actutum, nam mi amatori senicoquendast cena. átque, quom recogito,nobis coquendast, non ⟨quoi con⟩ducti sumus.nam quí amat quod amat sí habet, id habet pro cibo:videre, amplecti, ósculari, álloqui;sed nos confido onustos redituros domum.ite hac. sed eccum qui nos conduxit senex.
Why, look! I’m undone! here’s the Cook.A COOK.: (going up to LYSIMACHUS.)We are come.
Lysimachvs:Ecce autem perii, coquos adest.Cocvs:Advenimus.
LYSIMACHUS:Be off!A COOK.:How, be off?
Lysimachvs:Abi.Cocvs:Quid, abeam?
LYSIMACHUS: (in a low voice.)Hush! Be off!A COOK.:What, I, be off?
Lysimachvs:St, abi.Cocvs:Abeam?
LYSIMACHUS:Be off, I say.
Lysimachvs:Abi.
A COOK.:Are you not going to have a dinner?LYSIMACHUS:We are full already.
Cocvs:Non estis cenaturi?Lysimachvs:Iam saturi sumus.
LYSIMACHUS: (aside.)I’m utterly undone.
Lysimachvs:Intérii.
DORIPPA:What say you? Have those persons ordered these things to be brought to you as well, between whom you were appointed arbitrator?
Dorippa:Quid ais tu? etiamne haec illi tibiiusserunt ferri, quos inter iudex datu'sdatus es?
A COOK.:Is this person (pointing to DORIPPA) your mistress, whom a little time since you told me you were in love with, when you were buying the provisions?LYSIMACHUS:Won’t you hold your tongue?
Cocvs:Haecin tua est amica, quam dudum mihite amare dixti, quom obsonabas?Lysimachvs:Non taces?
A COOK.:A very pretty figure of a woman! I’ faith, she does love a sweetheart.
Cocvs:Satis scítum filum mulieris. verum hercle anet.
LYSIMACHUS:Won’t you be off to perdition?A COOK.:She’s not amiss.
Lysimachvs:Abin díerectus?Cocvs:Haud malast.
LYSIMACHUS:But you are amiss.
Lysimachvs:At tu malu'smalus es.
A COOK.:I’ troth, I do fancy she’s a nice bed-fellow.LYSIMACHUS:Won’t you be off? I’m not the person that hired you just now.A COOK.:How’s that? Nay but, upon my faith, you are that very man.
Cocvs:Scitam hercle opinor concubinam hanc.Lysimachvs:Non abis?non ego sum qui te dudum conduxi.Cocvs:Quid est?immo hercle tu istic ipsus.
LYSIMACHUS: (aside.)Alas wretch that I am!
Lysimachvs:Vae misero mihi.
A COOK.:Your wife’s in the country, I suppose, whom you were saying a little time ago you hated full as much as vipers.LYSIMACHUS:I, said that to you?
Cocvs:Nempe uxor rurist tua, quam dudum dixeraste odisse aeque atque anguis.†Lysimachvs:Egone istuc dixi tibi?
A COOK.:Aye, to me, upon my faith.LYSIMACHUS:So may Jupiter love me, wife, I never did say that.
Cocvs:Mihi quidem hercle.Lysimachvs:Ita me amabit Iuppiter,uxor, ut ego illud numquam dixi.
DORIPPA:Do you deny that as well?A COOK.: (to DORIPPA.)
Dorippa:Etiam negas?palam istaec fiunt, te me odisse.Lysimachvs:Quin nego.
He didn’t say he hated you, but his wife.DORIPPA:This is made clear, that you detest me.LYSIMACHUS:But I deny it.
Cocvs:Non, non te odisse aiebat, sed uxorem suam;
A COOK.:And he said that his wife was in the country.LYSIMACHUS: (pointing to DORIPPA.)This is she. Why are you annoying me?A COOK.:Because you say that you don’t know me. Are you afraid of her?
et uxórem suam ruri esse aiebat.Lysimachvs:Haec east.quid mihi molestu'smolestus es?Cocvs:Quia novisse me negas;nisi metuis tu istanc.
LYSIMACHUS:I’m wise in being so; for she’s my only companion.
Lysimachvs:Sapio, nam mihi unicast.
A COOK.:Do you wish to use my services?LYSIMACHUS:I don’t wish.A COOK.:Give me my pay.
Cocvs:Vin me experiri?Lysimachvs:Nolo.Cocvs:Mercedem cedo.
LYSIMACHUS:Ask for it to-morrow; it shall be given you; for the present, be off.(Aside.) Alas, wretch that I am!
Lysimachvs:Cras petito; dabitur. nunc abi.Dorippa:Heu miserae mihi.
I now find that that old saying is a true one, that some bad comes through a bad neighbour.A COOK.: (to the SCULLIONS.)
Lysimachvs:Nunc ego verum illud verbum esse experior vetus:aliquid mali esse propter vicinum malum.
Why are we standing here?LYSIMACHUS:Why don’t you be gone?A COOK.: (aside to LYSIMACHUS.)If any inconvenience happens to you, that’s not my fault.LYSIMACHUS: (aside to the COOK.)
Cocvs:Cur hic astamus? quin abimus? incommodisi quid tibi evénit, id non est culpa mea.
Why, you are utterly ruining wretched meA COOK.: (aside to LYSIMACHUS.)I understand now what you want. You mean, you wish me to go away from here.LYSIMACHUS: (aside to the COOK.)I do wish it, I say.A COOK.: (aside to LYSIMACHUS.)I’ll be off. Pay me a drachma.
Lysimachvs:Quin me eradicas miserum.Cocvs:Scio iam quid velis:nempe me hínc abire vis.
LYSIMACHUS: (aside to the COOK.)It shall be paid.A COOK.: (aside to LYSIMACHUS.)Then order it to be paid me, please. It can be paid in the meantime, while they are putting down the provisions.
Lysimachvs:Volo inquam.Cocvs:Abibitur.drachmam dato.
LYSIMACHUS: (aside to the COOK.)Why don’t you be off? Can’t you cease being troublesome?(Slips the money into his hand.)A COOK.: (to the SCULLIONS.)Come, do you set downthose provisions before the feet of that old gentleman. These baskets I’ll order to be fetched from your house either by-and-by or else to-morrow. (To the SCULLIONS.) Do you follow me.(Exeunt, having set down the provisions.)
Lysimachvs:Dabitur.Cocvs:Dari ergo sis iube.dari pótest interea dum illi ponunt.
LYSIMACHUS:Perhaps you are surprised at that Cook, that he came and brought these things. I’ll tell you why it is.
Lysimachvs:Quin abis?potine ut molestus ne sis?Cocvs:Agite apponiteobsonium istuc ante pedes illi seni.haec vasa aut mox aut cras iubebo abs te petisequimíni.—Lysimachvs:Fortasse te illum mirari coquom,quod venit atque haec attulit. dicam quid est.
DORIPPA:I’m not surprised if you do anything wrongful or criminal;
Dorippa:Non miror si quid damni facis aut flagiti.
and, by heavens, I’ll not put up with it, that I am married thus unfortunately, and that harlots are brought into my house in this way. Syra, go ask my father, in my name, to come here directly together with you.SYRA:I’ll go.
nec pol ego patiar, sic me nuptam tam malemeasque in aedis sic scorta obductarier.Syra, i, rogato meum patrem verbis meis,ut veniat ad me iam simul tecum.—Syra:Eo.—
LYSIMACHUS:Prithee, wife, you don’t know what the matter is.
Lysimachvs:Nescis negoti quid sit, uxor, obsecro.
In set form now will I make oath, that I have never had anything to do with her. (Exit SYRA.) What, is Syra gone now? By heaven, I’m undone! (DORIPPA goes into the house.) (to himself.) But, see, she’s off as well! Woe to wretched me! Then, neighbour Demipho, may the Gods and Goddesses confound you, together with your mistress and your intriguings!
conceptis verbis iam iusiurandum dabo,me numquam quicquam cum illa—iamne abiit Syra?perii hercle. ecce autem haec abiit. vae misero mihi.at te, vicine, di deaeque perduint,cum tua amíca cumque amationibus.
He has most unjustly loaded me with suspicions; he has stirred up enemies against me. At home my wife is most infuriated. I’ll be off to the Forum, and tell this to Demipho, that I’ll drag this woman by the hair into the street, unless he takes her hence out of this house wherever he chooses.
suspicione implevit me indignissime,concivit hostis dómi: uxór acerrumast.ibo ad forum atque haec Demiphoni éloquar,me istanc capillo protracturum esse in viam,nisi hinc abducit quo volt ex hisce aedibus.
(Goes to the door and calls.) Hark you! wife, wife! although you’re angry at me, you’ll order, if you are wise, these things to be carried hence indoors. We shall be able by-and-by to dine all the better upon the same.(Enter SYRA and EUTYCHUS, at a distance, on opposite sides.)SYRA: (to herself.)Whither my mistress sent me, to her father —, he’s not at home; they said that he has gone off into the country. Now, I’ll take home this answer.I’ faith, the women do live upon hard terms, and, wretched creatures, on much more unjust ones than the men. For if a husband has been keeping a mistress without the knowledge of his wife,if the wife comes to know it, the husband gets off with impunity; if, unknown to the husband, the wife goes from the house out of doors, a pretext arises for the husband, the marriage is dissolved. I wish the law was the same for the husband as for the wife; for the wife that is a good one, is content with one husband;why, any the less, should the husband be content with one wife? By my troth, I’d give cause, if men were punished in the same way (if any one should be keeping a mistress unknown to his wife), as those women are repudiated who are guilty of a slip, that there should be more divorced men than there are women now.
uxor, heus uxor, quamquam tu irata es mihi,iubeas, si sapias, haec intró auferrier:eadem licebit mox cenare rectius.—Syra:Era quo me misit, ad patrem, non est domi:rus abiisse aibant. nunc domum renuntio.
EUTYCHUS: (to himself, apart.)I’m quite tired with hunting the whole city through; I find nothing whatever about this woman. But my mother has returned from the country; for I see Syra standing before the house. Syra!
Evtychvs:Defessus sum urbem totam pervenarier:nihil investigo quicquam de illa muliere.sed mater rure rediit, nam video Syramastare ante aedis.Syra.
SYRA:Who is it that’s calling me?EUTYCHUS:’Tis I, your master and foster-child.
Syra:Quis est qui me vocat?Evtychvs:Erus atque alumnus tuos sum.
SYRA: (turning round.)Save you, my foster-child.
Syra:Salve, alumne ⟨mi⟩.
EUTYCHUS:Has my mother returned from the country then? Answer me.
Evtychvs:Iam mater rure rediit? responde mihi.
SYRA:Aye, for her own especial sake and that of the family.
Syra:Sua quidem salute ac familiai maxuma.
EUTYCHUS:What is it that’s the matter?
Evtychvs:Quid istúc negotist?
SYRA:That very pretty father of yours has brought a mistress into the house.
Syra:Tuos pater bellissumusamicam adduxit intro in aedis.
EUTYCHUS:How say you?
Evtychvs:Quo modo?
SYRA:Your mother, on arriving from the country, found her at home.
Syra:Adveniens mater rure eam offendit domi.
EUTYCHUS:By my troth, I didn’t think my father was a person for those practices. Is the woman now even still in-doors?
Evtychvs:Pol haud censebam istarum esse operarum patrem.etiam nunc mulier intust?
SYRA:Even still.
Syra:Etiam.
EUTYCHUS:Do you follow me.(He goes into the house of LYSIMACHUS.)
Evtychvs:Sequere me.—
SYRA: (to herself.)How now? Do I see Peristrata here, the wife of Demipho? She quickens her pace; she glances about with her eyes; she turns herself round; she inclines her neck on one side. I’ll observe from here what matter she’s about; it’s something of importance, whatever scent she’s upon.(Stands aside.) (Enter PERISTRATA and LYCISSA, from the house of DEMIPHO.)PERISTRATA:The Goddess Astarte is the might of mortals and of the Gods, their life, their health; she, the same, who is likewise their death, destruction, downfall, the seas, the earth, the heaven, and the stars. Whatever Temples of Jove we inhabit, they are guided by her nod; her do they obey; to her do they pay regard; what displeases her, the other Deities do quickly put aside. Whatever pleases her, that, all things, which live and have sense, do pursue. Some she tortures, destroys; others, with her own milk does she nourish and raise aloft; but those whom she tortures, they live and enjoy their senses; those whom she hastens to rear and raise aloft, these last indeed do perish forthwith, and to their sorrow use their senses. Then, well-wishers, they lie prostrate, objects of dislike they bite the ground, grovel upon their faces, roar out, and make a riot; and when they think they live, then in especial do they rush on to ruin, then, then do they show eagerness in the pursuit of the object beloved; young men stumble, aged men likewise are led away. They love themselves; the object which they love, they wish to be loved and known. But if at that age they begin to fall in love, much more grievous is their madness. But if they do not love, then they hate, they are morose, too, and wayward; tattlers, haters, ill-disposed, passionate, envious for themselves and theirs. What they have formerly been shamelessly guilty of themselves, if it is done in a more quiet way, fathers do not tolerate as they ought to do; but they proclaim it, and indecently cry it out aloud.SYRA: (apart.)So far as I understand, Demipho is treating this lady badly too.PERISTRATA:This is the truth. My son is in love and is dying; when his father came to know of it, he was enraged beyond bounds. What insanity is this? This same husband of mine at one time packed my son off to Rhodes to traffic; now, according to the news Acanthio brings, he’ll be betaking himself into banishment. O unjust father! O unfortunate son! whither will you betake yourself? Where will you leave your mother? Shall I pass my life bereft? Shall I lose my son? I will not endure it. Has his father sold her? Wherever she shall be found, the mother will redeem her. Do you tell me, Lycissa, do they suppose that she was brought into this neighbourhood?LYCISSA: (pointing to the house of LYSIMACHUS.)To that, I fancy; to the house of a certain old gentleman, a friend.PERISTRATA:Here, there is no one that I know of besides Lysimachus.SYRA: (apart.)They are mentioning Lysimachus. It’s a wonder if the old fellows, who are neighbours, haven’t been going halves in the same nest.PERISTRATA:I’ll go look for Dorippa, his wife.(The door of the house of LYSIMACHUS opens.)LYCISSA:Why go look for her? Don’t you see her?PERISTRATA:Indeed, I do see her. Let’s listen; she’s muttering something in a passion, I know not what, to herself.(They stand aside.) (Enter DORIPPA, from the house of LYSIMACHUS.)DORIPPA: (to herself.)Syra hasn’t come back, whom, poor wretch, it’s now a long time since I sent to fetch my father; in her very slowness, she has either hardened into a stone, or she has stopped from swelling with the sting of a serpent.SYRA: (apart.)I’m undone; here’s my mistress, she’s looking after me.DORIPPA: (continuing.)I cannot remain at home; my eyes cannot abide that pretty young harlot; I would have shut her out of doors, but my son Eutychus prevented me. Still, I shan’t altogether believe the news he brings.LYCISSA: (apart.)Do you hear, mistress?PERISTRATA: (apart.)I hear; let her go on.LYCISSA: (apart.)I’ll let her.DORIPPA: (to herself.)He says that she has come hither to our house for the sake of an old gentleman, a friend; that he has her for sale, so that he may withdraw her from his son, who’s in love with her. This really is a falsehood, either in my husband or my son; the accounts differ. The husband says that she was given him as a deposit; but the son says that she’s on sale.SYRA: (apart.)I’ll go meet her on a sudden, that she mayn’t find out that I’ve been loitering.DORIPPA:In this matter I shan’t believe my son, who’s acting in compliance with his father; for, for him, like a regular cuckoo, has he determined to tell abundance of lies: for my own part I shall believe the Cook, in preference. But see, here’s Syra. How the old witch does run. Syra!SYRA:Who’s calling me?(Stares around her.)DORIPPA:The Gods send a plague upon you!SYRA:Mistress, if you are wise, bestow this upon your rival and your husband in preference.DORIPPA:For saying that, I’m no longer angry with you. But where’s your father? Why does he delay? Does gout hinder the man?SYRA:He’s lame with neither gout nor chalk-stones, whom his feet carry into the country.DORIPPA:Not at home?SYRA:No.DORIPPA:Where then?SYRA:They say he’s in the country, and that it’s uncertain whether he’ll return to-day, he has such a large account with his bailiff.DORIPPA:Everything is befalling me this day contrary to my wishes. I shan’t live till the evening, unless I drive that hussy away from the house. (She turns to the door.) I’m going home.LYCISSA: (apart.)The mistress is going away.PERISTRATA: (apart.)What, going away? Call her.LYCISSA: (calling.)Dorippa! Dorippa!DORIPPA: (turning round.)What nuisance is this? Who’s calling me back?PERISTRATA:I’m not a nuisance, but a well-wisher; and it’s your friend Peristrata addresses you. Prithee, do stay.DORIPPA:Why, Peristrata—i’ faith, I didn’t know you: dreadful vexation is tormenting and agitating me.PERISTRATA:This I enquire about—prithee don’t deny me. I heard you just now; tell me what annoyance is troubling you.DORIPPA:Peristrata, so may the Gods prosper your only son, do kindly lend me your attention; none could be given me more agreably: our ages are alike; together we grew up; we have husbands alike in age; with no one do I converse with greater pleasure. I’m really annoyed with good reason. What now would your feelings be, if at this time of life your husband Demipho were to bring a mistress before your eyes?PERISTRATA:Has he brought one?DORIPPA:So it is.PERISTRATA:She’s at your house?DORIPPA:At my house; aye, and cooks were hired; a banquet was being prepared, if my coming hadn’t upset everything. Venus and Cupid are tormenting the wretched old fellow at an unseasonable time.PERISTRATA:But these things are trifles, Dorippa. I wish that I wasn’t more wretched.DORIPPA:Trifles?PERISTRATA:Really trifles.DORIPPA:What worse could your husband do?PERISTRATA:Aye, worse than worse.DORIPPA:What is it? Prithee do say. As you to me, so I to you, let’s give advice to each other what needs to be done, It’s an old saying, that, “he’s truly wise who is wise at the risk of another.”PERISTRATA:Dorippa, I have an only son; do you know that?DORIPPA:I do know it.PERISTRATA:Him his father some time ago packed off from his own house to Rhodes.DORIPPA:For what reason?PERISTRATA:Because he was in love.DORIPPA:For that very thing?PERISTRATA:Yes, and the very same thing now as well—inasmuch as he had brought a female slave here, his father coming to know of it, took her away, and put her up for sale.DORIPPA:Aye, aye, I know it; my son told me the truth. I fancied she was the mistress of my husband. To whom was she entrusted?PERISTRATA:To a certain old gentleman in this neighbourhood, his friend. I think that he has no other friend here except your husband.DORIPPA: (aside.)It certainly is she.(To PERISTRATA.)What does your son?PERISTRATA:He declares that he’ll leave this city.DORIPPA:The matter’s in a safe position. What if he finds her?PERISTRATA:I imagine he’ll stay.DORIPPA:Beyond expectation we are saved; don’t doubt it; she’s at my house.PERISTRATA:At your house? It was she, I suppose, about whom I heard you talking just now.DORIPPA:It was she.PERISTRATA:O well done; I love you with reason; you’ve restored me my son. Do let me see her.DORIPPA:Let’s go in-doors then.PERISTRATA:Let’s go. (Turning round.) Come here, Lycissa. Do you go tell these things to Acanthio. I’ll go here to Dorippa’s house.(Exit LYCISSA. DORIPPA, PERISTRATA, and SYRA go into the house of LYSIMACHUS.) (Enter CHARINUS, from the house of DEMIPHO, in a travelling habit.)
Syra:Ecastor lege dura vivont mulieresmultoque iniquiore miserae quam viri.nam si vir scortum duxit clam uxorem suam,id si rescivit uxor, impunest viro;uxor virum si clam domo egressa est foras,viro fit causa, exigitur matrimonio.utinam lex esset eadem quae uxori est viro;nam uxor contenta est, quae bona est, uno viro:qui minus vir una uxore contentus siet?ecastor faxim, si itidem plectantur viri,si quis clam uxorem duxerit scortum suam,ut illae éxiguntur quae in se culpam commerent,plures viri sint vidui quam nunc mulieres.—
CHARINUS: (looking towards the door.)O higher and lower portions of the threshold, now both of you farewell. This day for the last time do I raise this foot within my father’s house. The ease, the enjoyment, the in-dwelling, the habitation of this house is henceforth for me cut off, destroyed, and alienated. I am undone! The household Gods of my parents, the Lar the father of the family,to you do I recommend, that you will kindly protect the possessions of my parents. I shall now seek other household Gods for myself, another Lar, another city, another state. The people of Attica I do detest; for where worse manners are on the increase every day, where, those who are friends, those who are faithless, you are not able, to distinguish,and where that is torn away from you, which especially pleases your taste, there, in fact, if a kingdom were given one, that country is not desirable.(Stands aside in deep thought.) (Enter EUTYCUHS, from the house of LYSIMACHUS, at a distance.)
Charinvs:Límen superum ínferumque, salve, simul autem vale:hunc hodie postremum extollo mea domo patria pedem.usus, fructus, victus, cultus iam mihi harunc aediuminteremptust, interfectust, alienatust. occidi.di penates meum parentum, familiai Lar pater,vobis mando, meum parentum rem bene ut tutemini.ego mihi alios deos penatis persequar, alium Larem,aliam urbem, aliam civitatem: ab Atticis abhorreo;nám ubi mores deteriores increbrescunt in dies,ubi qui amici, qui infideles sint nequeas pernoscereubique id eripiatur, animo tuo quod placeat maxume,ibi quidem si regnum detur, non cupita est civitas.
EUTYCHUS: (to himself.)Thou who art the overlooker of Gods and of men, and the mistress of mortals as well, inasmuch as thou hast indulged me in this hope that I entertained, I do return thee thanks. What Deity is there now that is joyous with gladness like mine?That was at home which I was in search of. There did I find six companions, life, friendship, my native land, festivity, mirth, and jollity. On finding these, at the same moment did I utterly destroy ten very bad things, wrath, hatred, folly, ruin, perverseness, grief, tears, exile, want, and loneliness.Ye Gods, I pray you grant me a speedy opportunity of meeting him.
Evtychvs:Divom atque hominum quae spectatrix atque era eadem es hominibus,spem speratam quom obtulisti hanc mihi, tibi grates ago.ecquisnam deus est, qui mea nunc laetus laetitia fuat?domi erát quod quaeritabam: sex sodales repperi,vitam, amícitiam, civitátem, laetitiam, ludum, iocum;eorum inventu res simitu pessumas pessum dedi,iram, inimicitiam, maerorem, lacrumas, exilium, inopiam[solitudinem, stultitiam, exitium, pertinaciam].date, di, quaeso conveniundi mi eius celerem copiam.
CHARINUS: (to himself, not seeing EUTYCHUS.)I’m ready prepared, as you see. Pride I cast aside; I’m my own companion, attendant, horse, groom, esquire; I’m my own master, I, too, obey myself; for my own self do I carry what I require. O Cupid! how powerful art thou.For easily dost thou render any one resolute through thy deeds, and then again, the same person diffident forthwith from being over bold.
Charinvs:Apparatus sum ut videtis: abicio superbiam;egomet mihi comes, calator, equos, agaso, ármiger,egomet sum mihi imperator, idem egomet mihi oboedio,egomet mihi fero quod usust. o Cupido, quantus es.nam tu quemvis confidentem facile tuis factis facis,eundem ex confidente actutum diffidentem denuo.
EUTYCHUS: (to himself.)I’m thinking which way to run in search of him.
Evtychvs:Cogito quonam égo illum curram quaeritatum.
CHARINUS: (continuing.)The matter’s resolved upon, that I’ll seek her everywhere, wherever in the world she has been carried off from hence; and neither shall any river stand in my way, nor mountain, nor the sea,indeed, nor heat, nor cold; I dread neither wind nor hail; the torrents of rain I’ll submit to; labour, heat, and thirst, will I endure. I’ll neither stop nor rest anywhere at night, or in the day, assuredly, before I shall have met with either my mistress or my death.
Charinvs:Certa resme usque quaerere illam, quoquo hínc abductast gentium;neque mihi ulla obsistet amnis nec mons neque adeo mare,nec calor nec frigus metuo neque ventum neque grandinem;imbrem perpetiar, laborem sufferam, solem, sitim;non concedam neque quiescam úsquam noctu neque diusprius profecto quam aut amicam aut mortem investigavero.
EUTYCHUS: (looking round.)Some voice, I know not who’s, flew to my ear.
Evtychvs:Nescio quóia vox ad aures mi advolavit.
CHARINUS: (continuing.)You do I invoke,ye Lares of the roads, that you will kindly lend me aid.
Charinvs:Invocovos, Lares viales, ut me bene tutetis.
EUTYCHUS: (seeing CHARINUS.)Jupiter! isn’t that Charinus?
Evtychvs:Iuppiter,estne illic Charinus?
CHARINUS: (turning round.)Fellow-citizens, fare ye well.
Charinvs:Cives, bene valete.
EUTYCHUS: (aloud.)Charinus, stop, this instant.
Evtychvs:Ilicosta, Charine.
CHARINUS:Who calls me back?
Charinvs:Qui me revocat?
EUTYCHUS:Hope, Safety, Victory.
Evtychvs:Spes, Salus, Victoria.
CHARINUS:What do you want with me?
Charinvs:Quid me voltis?
EUTYCHUS:To go along with you.
Evtychvs:Ire tecum.
CHARINUS:Look for another companion; these companions that have possession of me, will not part with me.
Charinvs:Alium comitem quaerite,non amittunt hi me comites qui tenent.
EUTYCHUS:Who are they?
Evtychvs:Qui sunt ei?
CHARINUS:Care, misery, sickness, tears, and lamentation.
Charinvs:Cura, miseria, aegritudo, lacrumae, lamentatio.
EUTYCHUS:Drive away those companions, and look this way and return.
Evtychvs:Repudia istos comites atque hoc respice et revortere.
CHARINUS:If indeed you wish to speak to me, do you follow.(Moves on.)
Charinvs:Siquidem mecum fabulari vis, subsequere.
EUTYCHUS:Stop, this instant!
Evtychvs:Sta ilico.
CHARINUS:You do amiss, in delaying me as I haste; the sun is setting.
Charinvs:Male facis, properantem qui me commorare. sol abit.
EUTYCHUS:If you would make haste in this direction, just as you are hastening in that one, you’d be doing more rightly;this way there is now a prospering gale, only tack about. Here is a fair Westerly breeze; there is a showery Southern blast. The one causes a calm; the other stirs up all the waves. Betake yourself towards the land, Charinus, in this direction. Don’t you see right opposite? Black clouds and showers are coming on. Look now to the left,how full the heaven is of brightness. Don’t you see right opposite?
Evtychvs:Si huc item properes ut istuc properas, facias rectius:huc secundus ventus nunc est; cape modo vorsoriam:hic favonius serenust, istic auster imbricus;hic facit tranquillitatem, iste omnis fluctus conciet.recipe te ad terram, Charine, huc. nonne ex advorso vides,nubis atra imberque ⟨ut⟩ instat? aspice ad sinisteram,caelum ut est splendore plenum atque ut dei is⟨tuc vorti iubent⟩?
CHARINUS:He has thrown religious scruples in my way; I’ll betake myself in that direction.(Turns towards EUTYCHUS.)
Charinvs:Religionem illic ⟨mi⟩ obiecit: recipiam me illuc.
EUTYCHUS:You are wise. O Charinus, turn your steps, and turn your feet as well, in the opposite direction.Extend your arm. Catch hold of me. Do you hold me new?
Evtychvs:Sapis.o Charine, contra pariter fer gradum et confer pedem,porge bracchium.
CHARINUS:I’m holding you.
Charinvs:Prehende. iam tenes?
EUTYCHUS:Hold on, then.Whither now were you going?
Evtychvs:Teneo.
CHARINUS:Into banishment.
Charinvs:Tene.
EUTYCHUS:What to do there?
Evtychvs:Quo nunc ibas?
CHARINUS:As a wretched person would.
Charinvs:Exulatum.
EUTYCHUS:Don’t fear; this instant shall I restore you to joyousness before you go away.
Evtychvs:Quid ibi faceres?
CHARINUS:I’m going.(Moves.)
Charinvs:Quod miser.
EUTYCHUS:A thing that you especially long to hear, the same shall you hear for you to rejoice at. Stay this instant; I’m come as a friend, full of the kindest feelings.
Evtychvs:Ne pave, restituam iam ego te in gaudio antiquo ut sies.maxime quod vis audire, id audies, quod gaudeas[sta ilico, amicus aduenio multum beneuolens].tuam amicam—
CHARINUS:What is it?
Charinvs:Quid eam?
EUTYCHUS:Your mistress—
Evtychvs:Vbi sit ego scio.
CHARINUS:What of her?
Charinvs:Tune, obsecro?
EUTYCHUS:I know where she is.
Evtychvs:Sanam et salvam.
CHARINUS:Prithee, do you?
Charinvs:Vbi eam salvam?
EUTYCHUS:She’s safe and sound.
Evtychvs:Ego scio.
CHARINUS:Where is she safe?
Charinvs:Ego me mavelim.
EUTYCHUS:I know where.
Evtychvs:Potin ut animo sis tranquillo?
CHARINUS:I’d much rather I did.
Charinvs:Quid si mi animus fluctuat?
EUTYCHUS:Can’t you possibly be calm in your feelings?
Evtychvs:Ego istum in tranquillo quieto tuto sistam: ne time.
CHARINUS:What if my feelings are agitated?
Charinvs:Obsecro te, loquere ⟨propere⟩ ubi sit, ubi eam videris.quid taces? dic. enicas me miserum tua reticentia.
EUTYCHUS:I’ll bring them for you into a safe and tranquil state; don’t you fear.
Evtychvs:Non longe hinc abest a nobis.
CHARINUS:Prithee … do say where she is —where you’ve seen her. Why are you mute? Speak—you are torturing to death wretched me by your silence.
Charinvs:Quin ergo commostras, si vides?†
EUTYCHUS:She isn’t far from here.
Evtychvs:Non video hercle nunc, sed vidi modo.
CHARINUS:Why then don’t you point her out, if you see her?
Charinvs:Quin égo videam facis?
EUTYCHUS:I’ faith, I don’t see her at this moment; but I saw her just now.
Evtychvs:Faciam.
CHARINUS:Why, then, don’t you cause me to see her?
Charinvs:Longum istuc amantist.
EUTYCHUS:I will cause it.CHARINUS:That means a long time for one in love.EUTYCHUS:Are you still in apprehension? I’ll disclose it all. No person is there living more beloved by me than is he who has got her; nor is there one to whom it is right that I should be a better wisher.
Evtychvs:Etiam metuis? omniacommonstrabo. amicior mihi nullus vivit atque is estqui illam habet, neque est quoi magis me vélle melius aequóm siet.
CHARINUS:I don’t care about that; I’m looking for her.
Charinvs:Non curo istunc, de illa quaero.
EUTYCHUS:About her, then, I’m telling you.
Evtychvs:De illa ergo ego dico tibi.
Really, this has not come into my mind but this moment, to tell it you—CHARINUS:Tell me, then, where she is.
sane hoc non in mentem venit dudum, ut ubi ⟨sit dicerem⟩.Charinvs:Dic igitur, ubi illa est?
EUTYCHUS:In our house.
Evtychvs:In nostris aedibus.
CHARINUS:If you are telling the truth, a worthy house, and aptly built, I deem it. But how am I to credit that? Have you seen her; or do you speak from hearsay?
Charinvs:Aedis probas,si tu vera dicis; pulchre aédificatas arbitro.sed qui ego istúc credam? vidistin an de audito nuntias?
EUTYCHUS:I’ve seen her myself.
Evtychvs:Egomet vidi.
CHARINUS:Who took her to your house?
Charinvs:Quis eam adduxit ad vos?
EUTYCHUS:Why, you’re asking an unfair question.
Evtychvs:⟨Vt⟩ inique rogas.
What matters it to you with whom she came?CHARINUS:So long as she’s there—
quid tua refert, qui cum istac venerit?Charinvs:Dum istic siet.vera dicis?
EUTYCHUS:She certainly is.
Evtychvs:Nil, Charine, te quidem quicquam pudet;est profecto.
CHARINUS:Then, for these tidings, do you wish whatever you please.
Charinvs:Opta ergo ob istunc nuntium quid vis tibi.
EUTYCHUS:What if I do wish?
Evtychvs:Quid si optabo?
CHARINUS:Pray to the Gods to bring its fulfilment.
Charinvs:Deos orato ut eius faciant copiam.
EUTYCHUS:You are laughing at me.
Evtychvs:Derides.
CHARINUS:My fortunes, in fine, are redeemed, if I can see her.
Charinvs:Servata res est demum, si illam videro.
But why don’t I lay aside this garb? (Goes to the door of DEMIPHO’S house, and calls.) Hallo, somebody, come here this instant out of doors. Come out, and bring me thence a cloak this way.EUTYCHUS:Well, now how much you do gratify me.CHARINUS: (to a BOY who enters, bringing his cloak.)
sed quin ornatum hunc reicio? heus, aliquis actutum huc forasexite illinc, pallium mi ecferte.Evtychvs:Em, nunc tu mihi places.
You boy, who have come with such speed, take my scarf (giving it), and now stand aside there; that, if these things are not true, I may hasten to go upon this intended journey.(To EUTYCHUS.)Are you telling the truth?EUTYCHUS:Really, Charinus, you are not ashamed of anything.
Charinvs:Optume advenis, pueré, cape chlamydem atque istic sta ilico,ut, si haec non sint vera, inceptum hoc itiner perficere exsequar.
Don’t you believe me?CHARINUS:For my part, I really do believe everything that you tell me.
Evtychvs:Non mihi credis?Charinvs:Omnia equidem credo quae dicis mihi.
But why don’t you introduce me to her, that I may see her?EUTYCHUS:Wait a little.
sed quin intro ducis me ad eam, ut videam?Evtychvs:Paulisper mane.
CHARINUS:Why am I to wait?
Charinvs:Quid, manebo?
EUTYCHUS:It’s not a convenient moment to go into the house.
Evtychvs:Tempus non est intro eundi.
CHARINUS:You are torturing me to death.
Charinvs:Enicas.
EUTYCHUS:There’s no need, I tell you, for you to go into the house just now.
Evtychvs:Non opus est, inquam, nunc intro te ire.
CHARINUS:Answer me-for what reason?
Charinvs:Responde mihi,qua causa?
EUTYCHUS:She’s not at leisure.
Evtychvs:Operae non est.
CHARINUS:Why so?
Charinvs:Cur?
EUTYCHUS:Because it isn’t convenient to her.
Evtychvs:Quia non est illi commodum.
CHARINUS:Is it so? Not convenient to her who loves me, and whom I love in return?
Charinvs:Itane? commodum illi non est, quae me amat, quam ego contra amo?
He’s trifling with me in every way. I’m too foolish to believe him. He’s only delaying me. (Turns to the BOY.) I’ll put on my scarf again.
omnibus hic ludificatur me modis. ego stultior,qui isti credam. commoratur. chlamydem sumam denuo.
EUTYCHUS:Stop a little, and listen to this.
Evtychvs:Mane parumper atque haec audi.
CHARINUS: (taking off the cloak.)You boy, take this cloak, please.(Puts on the travelling scarf.)EUTYCHUS:Really this hasn’t come but this moment into my mind to tell it you.
Charinvs:Cape sis, puere, hoc pallium.
My mother’s dreadfully angry with my father, because he has brought into the house a harlot before her very eyes, while she was away in the country. She suspects that she’s his own mistress.CHARINUS: (not attending to him.)I’ve taken up my belt.(Puts it on.)
Evtychvs:Mater irata est patri vehementer, quia scortum sibiob oculos adduxerit in aedis, dum ruri ipsa abest:suspicatur illam amicam esse illi.Charinvs:Sonam sustuli.
EUTYCHUS:She’s now enquiring into this matter in-doors.
Evtychvs:Eam rem nunc exquirit intus.
CHARINUS: (inattentive.)Now my sword’s in hand.(Taking it from the BOY.)
Charinvs:Iam machaerast in manu.
EUTYCHUS:But if I were now to introduce you?
Evtychvs:Nam si eo ted intro ducam—
CHARINUS: (inattentive.)I’ll take my bottle, and be off from here.(Moves.)
Charinvs:Tollo ampullam atque hinc eo.
EUTYCHUS:Stop, stop, Charinus!
Evtychvs:Mane, mane, Charine.
CHARINUS:You are mistaken; you can’t deceive me.
Charinvs:Erras, me decipere haud potes.
EUTYCHUS:And, i’ faith, I have no wish.
Evtychvs:Neque edepol volo.
CHARINUS:Why, then, don’t you allow me to proceed upon my journey?
Charinvs:Quín tu ergo itiner exsequi meum me sinis?
EUTYCHUS:I won’t let you.
Evtychvs:Non sino.
CHARINUS:I’m delaying myself. Boy, do you this instant be off hence in-doors.(The BOY goes into the house.)
Charinvs:Egomet me moror. tu puere, abi hinc intro ocius.
Now I’ve ascended the chariot; now I’ve taken the reins in my hands.(Imitating the action of a charioteer.)
iam in currum escendi, iam lora ín manus cepi meas.
EUTYCHUS:You are not in your senses.
Evtychvs:Sanus non es.
CHARINUS:Feet of mine, why don’t ye betake yourselves into the chariot, straight for Cyprus, since my father determines on my banishment?
Charinvs:Quin, pedes, vos in curriculum conicitisin Cyprum recta, quandoquidem pater mihi exilium parat?
EUTYCHUS:You are silly. Prithee, don’t be saying this.
Evtychvs:Stultus es, noli istuc quaeso dicere.
CHARINUS: (as though to himself.)I’m resolved to persist—to use my endeavours to seek her out where she is.
Charinvs:Certum exsequist,operam ut sumam ad pervestigandum, ubi sit illaec.
EUTYCHUS:Why, she’s at our house.CHARINUS: (as though to himself.)
Evtychvs:Quin domist.
For what that person said, he told a falsehood in it.EUTYCHUS:Really, I told you the truth.CHARINUS: (continuing.)
Charinvs:Nam hic quod dixit, id mentitust.Evtychvs:Vera dixi equidem tibi.
Now I’ve come to Cyprus.EUTYCHUS:Nay, but follow me, that you may see her whom you are looking for.(Moves towards his FATHER’S house.)CHARINUS: (pretending not to hear.)
Charinvs:Iam Cyprum veni.Evtychvs:Quin sequere, ut illam videas quam expetis.
Enquiring there, I didn’t find her.EUTYCHUS:I’ll not care then for my mother’s anger.CHARINUS: (still pretending.)
Charinvs:Percontatus non inveni.Evtychvs:Matris iam iram neglego.
I’ll still go on to seek her. Now I’ve got to Chalcis;
Charinvs:Porro proficiscor quaesitum. nunc perveni Chalcidem;
I see there my former host at Zacynthus; I tell him why I’ve come thither; I make enquiry if he has heard say who has brought her thither, who has got possession of her.
video ibi hospitem Zacyntho, dico quid eo advenerim,rogito quis eam vexerit, quis habeat si íbi indaudiverit.
EUTYCHUS:Why don’t you cease that nonsense, and step with me this way in-doors?CHARINUS: (still pretending.)
Evtychvs:Quin tu istas omittis nugas ac mecum huc intro ambulas?
My host answered that figs grew, not bad ones, at Zacynthus.
Charinvs:Hospes respondit, Zacynthi ficos fieri non malas.
EUTYCHUS:He didn’t say false there.
Evtychvs:Nil mentitust.
CHARINUS: (continuing.)But he says that he has heard about my mistress, that she’s here at Athens.
Charinvs:Sed de amica se indaudivisse autumat,hic Athenis esse.
EUTYCHUS:Really, this Zacynthian is quite a Calchas.CHARINUS: (continuing.)
Evtychvs:Calchas iste quidem Zacynthiust.
I get aboard ship, and start at once. I’m now at home; now I’ve returned from banishment. My friend, Eutychus (turning towards him), greetings to you! How have you been? How are my parents? Are they well? Do you come to my mother, you say—you invite me kindly; you speak politely. At your house to-morrow; for the present at home.
Charinvs:Navem conscendo, proficiscor ilico. iam sum domi,iam redii ⟨ex⟩ exilio. salve, mi sodalis Eutyche:ut valuisti? quid parentes mei? valent mater pater?bene vocas, benigne dicis: cras apud te, nunc domi.
So it is proper; so it ought to be done.EUTYCHUS:How now? What are you dreaming about? This man’s not in his senses.
sic decet, sic fieri oportet.Evtychvs:†Eloque ni somnias.hic homo non sanust.
CHARINUS:Why don’t you, as a friend, make haste to cure me then?
Charinvs:Medicari amicus quin properas ⟨mihi⟩?
EUTYCHUS:Follow me, please.
Evtychvs:Sequere sis.
CHARINUS: (running close behind him.)I’m following.
Charinvs:Sequor.
EUTYCHUS: (turning round.)Softly, pray; you are treading on my heels. Don’t you hear me?
Evtychvs:Clementer quaeso, calces deteris.audin tu?
CHARINUS:I’ve heard you for some time past.
Charinvs:Iam dudum audivi.
EUTYCHUS:I want a reconciliation to be made between my father and mother; for now she’s in a passion—
Evtychvs:Pacem componi volomeo patri cum matre: nam nunc est irata—
CHARINUS: (pushing him.)Only do go on.
Charinvs:I modo.
EUTYCHUS:About that woman—
Evtychvs:Propter istanc.
CHARINUS: (pushing him.)Only do go on.
Charinvs:I modo.
EUTYCHUS:Therefore take care—
Evtychvs:Ergo cura.
CHARINUS: (pushing him.)Nay, but do go on then; I’ll make her as mild as Juno is when she’s kind to Jupiter.(They go into the house of LYSIMACHUS.) Enter DEMIPHO and LYSIMACHUS.)LYSIMACHUS:[Demipho, this saying of the wise, I think you have often heard, “Pleasure is the bait for misfortune;” because, by it, not less are men aught than are fishes with the hook Although aged people fly from it, still you don’t pay that regard to your old age: since it hasn’t even withdrawn love from you, but has forced you to it even more vehemently. Wherefore it utterly confounds yourself and your understanding and your mind, and dazzles your eyesight. Myself too have you brought into great trouble, and I know not what to do,
Charinvs:Quin tu ergo i modo.tam propitiam reddam, quam quom propitiast Iuno Iovi.—
DEMIPHO:Lysimachus, this is the will of the Gods, not of men. If you reflect upon this with yourself, you will be of opinion that you are not doing right, in censuring so heavily a person your friend and the sharer of your secrets.]As though you yourself had never done anything like this action.
Demipho:Quasi tu numquam quicquam adsimile húius facti feceris.
LYSIMACHUS:By heavens, never. I took care not to do anything: wretch that I am, I am scarcely alive; for my wife is lying all in a ferment about her.
Lysimachvs:Edepol numquam; cavi ne quid facerem. vix vivo miser.nam mea uxor propter illam tota in fermento iacet.
DEMIPHO:But I’ll undertake to clear you, so that she mayn’t be angry.
Demipho:At ego expurigationem habebo, ut ne suscenseat.
LYSIMACHUS:Follow me—but I see my son coming out.(Enter EYTUCHUS, from the house of LYSIMACHUS.)
Lysimachvs:Sequere me. sed exeuntem filium video meum.
EUTYCHUS: (as he comes out, to CHARINUS, within.)I’ll go to my father, that he may know my mother’s wrath is appeased. I’ll return just now.
Evtychvs:Ad patrem ibo, ut matris iram sibi esse sedatam sciat.iam redeo.
LYSIMACHUS: (to DEMIPHO.)The beginning pleases me. (Going up to EUTYCHUS.) What are you about? How goes it, Eutychus?
Lysimachvs:Placet principium. quid agis? quid fit, Eutyche?
EUTYCHUS:Extremely opportunely have you both met me.
Evtychvs:Optima opportunitate ambo advenistis.
LYSIMACHUS:What’s the matter?
Lysimachvs:Quid rei est?
EUTYCHUS:Your wife is peaceful and appeased. Give me your right hands this moment.(Shakes hands with them both.)
Evtychvs:Vxor tíbi placida ét placatast. cette dextras nunciam.
LYSIMACHUS:The Gods are favouring me.
Lysimachvs:Di me servant.
EUTYCHUS: (to DEMIPHO.)I bring you word that you have got no mistress.
Evtychvs:Tibi amicam ésse nullam nuntio.
DEMIPHO:The Gods confound you. Why, prithee, what affair is this?
Demipho:Di te perdant. quid negotist nam, quaeso, istuc?
EUTYCHUS:I’ll tell you. Give your attention then, both of you.LYSIMACHUS:Well then, we are giving you our attention, both of us.
Evtychvs:Eloquar.animum advortite igitur ambo.Demipho:Quin tibi ambo operam damus.
EUTYCHUS:Those who are born of a good family, if they are of bad tendencies,by their own faultiness withdraw nobleness from their rank, and disgrace their disposition.
Evtychvs:Qui bono sunt genere nati, ⟨si⟩ sunt ingenio malo,suapte culpa genere sapiunt, genus ingenio ímprobant.
DEMIPHO:He says what’s true.
Demipho:Verum hic dicit.
LYSIMACHUS:Then it’s to yourself he says it.
Lysimachvs:Tibi ergo dicit.
EUTYCHUS:For this reason is this the more true; for at this time of life, it wasn’t just for you to take away from your son, a young man, his mistress, purchased with his own money.
Evtychvs:Eo illud est verum magis.nam te istac aetate haud aequom filio fuerat tuoadulescenti amanti amicam eripere emptam argento suo.
DEMIPHO:How say you? Is she the mistress of Charinus?
Demipho:Quid tu ais? Charini amicast illa?
EUTYCHUS: (aside.)How the rogue does dissemble.
Evtychvs:Vt dissimulat malus.
DEMIPHO:Why, he said that he had bought her as a maidservant for his mother.
Demipho:Ille quidem illam sese ancillam matri emisse dixerat.
EUTYCHUS:Was it for that reason, then, you bought her, you young lover, you old boy?
Evtychvs:Propterea igitur tu mercatu'smercatus es, novos amator, vetus puer?
LYSIMACHUS:Very well said, i’ troth! Proceed, proceed. I’ll stand by him here on the other side. Let’s both load him well with such speeches as he’s worthy of.
Lysimachvs:Optume hercle, perge ⟨tú⟩, ego ádsistam hinc altrinsecus.quibus est dictis dignus, usque oneremus ambo.
DEMIPHO: (aside.)I’m done for.
Demipho:Nullus sum.
EUTYCHUS:Who has done an injustice so great to his blameless son;
Lysimachvs:Filio suo qui innocenti fecit tantam iniuriam.
whom, in fact, upon my faith, I brought back home just when he was setting out in self-banishment; for he was going into exile.DEMIPHO:Has he gone then?
Evtychvs:Quem quidem hercle ego, in exilium cum iret, redduxi domum;nam ibat exulatum.Demipho:An abiit?
LYSIMACHUS:What, do you speak, you hobgoblin? At this time of life you ought to abstain from those pursuits.
Lysimachvs:Etiam loquere, larua?temperare istac aetate istis decebat artibus.
DEMIPHO:I confess it; undoubtedly I’ve acted wrong.
Demipho:Fateor, deliqui profecto.
EUTYCHUS:What, do you speak, you hobgoblin? You ought at this time of life to have done with these guilty practices. Just as the seasons of the year, so different lines of conduct befit different ages;
Evtychvs:Etiam loquere, larua?[vacuom esse istac ted aetate hís decebat noxiis.]itidem ut tempus anni, aetatem aliam áliud factum condecet;
but if this is proper, that old fellows should be wenching in their old age, where in the world is our common welfare?DEMIPHO:Alas! wretch that I am! I’m undone.
nam si istuc ius est, senecta aetate scortari senes,ubi locist res summa nostra publica?Demipho:Ei, perii miser.
EUTYCHUS:The young men are more in the habit of giving their attention to following those pursuits.
Lysimachvs:Adulescentes rei agendae isti magis solent operam dare.
DEMIPHO:Troth, now, prithee, do take her to yourselves, with pigs and with basket.
Demipho:Iam obsecro hercle vobis habete cum porcis, cum fiscina.
EUTYCHUS:Restore her to your son;let him have her, now, as he wishes.
Evtychvs:Redde illi.
DEMIPHO:So far as I’m concerned, he may have her.
Demipho:Sibi habeat, iam ut volt per me sibi habeat licet.
EUTYCHUS:High time, i’ faith, since you haven’t the power of doing otherwise.
Evtychvs:Temperi edepol, quoniam ut aliter facias non est copia.
DEMIPHO:For this injury let him take what satisfaction he likes; only do you make peace, I beg of you, that he mayn’t be angry with me. I’ faith, if I had known it, or if, indeed, he had told me in the slightest way of joke that he was in love with her, I should never have proceeded to take her away from him so in love.
Demipho:Supplici sibi sumat quid volt ipse ob hanc iniuriam,modo pacem faciatis oro, ut ne mihi iratus siet.si hercle scivissem sive adeo ioculo dixisset mihi,se illam amare, numquam facerem ut illam amanti abducerem.
Enitychus, you are his companion, preserve and rescue me, I beg of you. Make this old fellow your client. You shall say that I’m mindful of a kindness.
Eutyche, ted oro, sodalis eius es, sérva et subveni:hunc senem para [me] clientem; memorem dices benefici.
LYSIMACHUS:Entreat him that he’ll pardon his offences and his youthful age.
Lysimachvs:Ora ut ignoscat delictis tuis atque adulescentiae.
DEMIPHO:Heyday now, are you still persisting in inveighing against me with your airs? I trust that a like opportunity will befall me as well for returning you a similar compliment.
Demipho:Pergin tu autem? heia, superbe invehere. spero ego mihi quoquetempus tale eventurum, ut tibi gratiam referam parem.
LYSIMACHUS:I’ve long made an end of those pursuits.
Lysimachvs:Missas iam égo istas artis feci.
DEMIPHO:And really so shall I from this time forward.LYSIMACHUS:Not a bit of it. Through usage your inclinations will be leading you to it again.
Demipho:Et quidem ego dehinc iam.Evtychvs:Nihil ⟨agis⟩:consuetudine animus rursus te huc inducet.
DEMIPHO:Prithee, do now be satisfied. Rather, scourge me with thongs even, if you like.
Demipho:Obsecro,satis iam ut habeatís. quin loris caedite etiam, si lubet.
LYSIMACHUS:You say right. But that your wife will do, when she comes to know of this.
Lysimachvs:Recte dicis. sed istuc uxor faciet, quom hoc resciverit.
DEMIPHO:There’s no need for her to come to know of it.
Demipho:Nihil opust resciscat.
EUTYCHUS:What’s that? She shan’t come to know of it; don’t be afraid.
Evtychvs:Quid istic? non resciscet, ne time.
Let’s go in-doors; this place isn’t a suitable one for your practices, for there to be persons to overhear who are passing through the street, while we are talking.
eamus intro, non utibilest hic locus, factis tuis,dum memoramus, arbitri ut sint qui praetereant per vias.
DEMIPHO:Why, faith, you say what’s right; that way the story will be shorter. Let’s be off
Demipho:Hercle qui tu recte dicis: eadem brevior fabulaerit. eamus.
EUTYCHUS:Your son is in-doors here at our house.
Evtychvs:Hic est intus filius apud nos tuos.
DEMIPHO:It’s very good. We’ll pass that way through the garden home.
Demipho:Optumest. illac per hortum nos domum transibimus.
LYSIMACHUS:Eutychus, I want this affair to be settled before I set my foot again within doors.
Lysimachvs:Eutyche, hanc volo prius rém agi, quam meum intró refero pedem.
EUTYCHUS:What is it?
Evtychvs:Quid istuc est?
LYSIMACHUS:Each person thinks about his own concerns. Answer me this: do you know for certain that your mother isn’t angry with me?
Lysimachvs:Suam quisque homo rem meminit. responde mihi:certon scis non suscensere mihi tuam matrem?
EUTYCHUS:I do know it.
Evtychvs:Scio.
LYSIMACHUS:Take care.
Lysimachvs:Vide.
EUTYCHUS:Trust me for it. Are you satisfied?
Evtychvs:Mea fide.
LYSIMACHUS:I am. But still, troth now, prithee, do take care.
Lysimachvs:Satis habeo. sed quaeso hercle, etiam vide.
EUTYCHUS:Don’t you believe me?
Evtychvs:Non mihi credis?
LYSIMACHUS:Yes, I do believe you; but still I’m dreadfully afraid.
Lysimachvs:Immo credo, sed tamen metuo miser.
DEMIPHO:Let’s go in-doors.
Demipho:Eamus intro.
EUTYCHUS:Aye, but I think we must pronounce. the law for the old men before we depart, on what terms they are to keep check upon themselves and to be continent. Whoever shall be sixty years of age, if we know of any one, whether husband or, i’ faith, whether bachelor, in fact, who goes a wenching, upon these terms shall we deal with him; we shall deem him a fool.And, i’ faith, so far as we’re concerned, he shall be in want who has squandered away his property. And let no one hereafter forbid his youthful son to be in love and to keep a mistress, so it be done in a decent manner. If he shall forbid him, let him, unknown to himself, suffer more loss than if he had openly permitted him. Let this law, then, from this night forward, be binding upon the old men.
Evtychvs:Immo dicamus senibus legem censeo,prius quam abeámus, qua se lege teneant contentique sint.annos gnatus sexaginta quí erit, si quem scibimussi maritum sive hercle adeo caelibem scortarier,cúm eo nos hac lege agemus: inscitum arbitrabimur,et per nos quidem hercle egebit qui suom prodegerit.neu quisquam posthac prohibeto ádulescentem filiumquin amet et scortum ducat, quod bono fiat modo;siquis prohibuerit, plus perdet clam ⟨qua⟩si praehibuerit palam.haec adeó ut ex hac nocte primum lex teneat senes.
(To the AUDIENCE.) Young men, kindly fare you well; and if this law, enacted for the sake of the old ones, pleases you, it is right that you should give us loud applause.
bene valete; atque, adulescentes, haec si vobis lex placet,ob senum hercle industriam vos aequom est clare plaudere.