(Enter PYRGOPOLINICES, ARTOTROGUS, and Soldiers.)PYRGOPOLINICES:Take ye care that the lustre of my shield is more bright than the rays of the sun are wont to be at the time when the sky is clear; that when occasion comes, the battle being joined,’mid the fierce ranks right opposite it may dazzle the eyesight of the enemy.
Pyrgopolynices:Curate ut splendor meo sit clupeo clariorquam solis radii esse olim quom sudumst solent,ut, ubi usus veniat, contra conserta manupraestringat oculorum aciem in ácie hostibus.
But, I wish to console this sabre of mine, that it may not lament nor be downcast in spirits, because I have thus long been wearing it keeping holiday, which so longs right dreadfully to make havoc of the enemy. But where is Artotrogus?ARTOTROGUS:Here he is; he stands close by the hero,valiant and successful, and of princely form. Mars could not dare to style himself a warrior so great, nor compare his prowess with yours.
nam ego hanc machaeram mihi consolari volo,ne lamentetur neve animum despondeat,quia se iam pridem feriatam gestitem,quae misera gestit † et fratrem facere ex hostibus.sed ubi Artotrogus hic est?Artotrogvs:Stat propter virumfortem atque fortunatum et forma regia;tum bellatorem — Mars haud ausit dicereneque aequiperare suas virtutes ad tuas.
PYRGOPOLINICES:Him you mean whom I spared on the Gorgonidonian plains, where Bumbomachides Clytomestoridysarchides,the grandson of Neptune, was the chief commander?
Pyrgopolynices:Quemne ego servavi in campis Curculioniis,ubi Bumbomachides Clutomistaridysarchideserat imperator summus, Neptuni nepos?
ARTOTROGUS:I remember him; him, I suppose, you mean with the golden armour, whose legions you puffed away with your breath just as the wind blows away leaves or the reed-thatched roof.
Artotrogvs:Memini. nempe illum dicis cum armis aureis,cuius tú legiones difflavisti spiritu,quasi ventus folia aut paniculum tectorium.
PYRGOPOLINICES:That, on my troth, was really nothing at all.
Pyrgopolynices:Istuc quidem edepol nihil est.
ARTOTROGUS:Faith, that really was nothing at allin comparison with other things I could mention—(aside) which you never did. If any person ever beheld a more perjured fellow than this, or one more full of vain boasting, faith let him have me for himself, I’ll resign myself for his slave; if ’tis not the fact that my one mess of olive pottage is eaten up by me right ravenously.
Artotrogvs:Nihil hercle hoc quidemstpraeut alia dicam — quae tu numquam feceris.periuriorem hoc hominem si quis videritaut gloriarum pleniorem quam illic est,me sibi habeto, ego me mancupio dabo;nisi unum, epityrum estur insanum bene.
PYRGOPOLINICES:Where are you?
Pyrgopolynices:Vbi tu es?
ARTOTROGUS:Lo! here am I. I’ troth in what a fashion it was you broke the fore-leg of even an elephant, in India, with your fist.
Artotrogvs:Eccum. edepol vel elephanto in India,quo pacto ei pugno praefregisti bracchium.
PYRGOPOLINICES:How?—the fore-leg?
Pyrgopolynices:Quid, bracchium?
ARTOTROGUS:I meant to say this—the thigh.
Artotrogvs:Illud dicere volui, femur.
PYRGOPOLINICES:I struck the blow without an effort.
Pyrgopolynices:At indíligenter iceram.
ARTOTROGUS:Troth, if, indeed,you had put forth your strength, your arm would have passed right through the hide, the entrails, and the frontispiece of the elephant.
Artotrogvs:Pol si quidemconisus esses, per corium, per visceraperque os elephanti transmineret bracchium.
PYRGOPOLINICES:I don’t care for these things just now.
Pyrgopolynices:Nolo istaec hic nunc.
ARTOTROGUS:I’ faith,’tis really not worth the while for you to tell me of it, who know right well your prowess. (Aside) ’Tis my appetite creates all these plagues. I must hear him right out with my ears, that my teeth mayn’t have time to grow,and whatever lie he shall tell, to it I must agree.
Artotrogvs:Ne hercle operae pretium quidemstmihi te narrare tuas qui virtutes sciam.venter creat omnis hasce aerumnas: auribusperaurienda sunt, ne dentes dentiant,et adsentandumst quidquid hic mentibitur.
PYRGOPOLINICES:What was it I was saying?
Pyrgopolynices:Quid illúc quod dico?
ARTOTROGUS:O, I know what you were going to say just now. I’ faith ’twas bravely done; I remember its being done.
Artotrogvs:Ehem, scío iam quid vis dicere.factum hercle est, memini fieri.
PYRGOPOLINICES:What was that?
Pyrgopolynices:Quid id est?
ARTOTROGUS:Whatever it was you were going to say.
Artotrogvs:Quidquid est.
PYRGOPOLINICES:Have you got your tablets?
Pyrgopolynices:Habes —
ARTOTROGUS:Are you intending to enlist? I have them, and a pen as well.
Artotrogvs:Tabellas vis rogare? habeo, et stilum.
PYRGOPOLINICES:How cleverly you do suit your mind to my own mind.
Pyrgopolynices:Facete advortis tuom animum ad animum meum.
ARTOTROGUS:’Tis fit that I should know your inclinations studiously, so that whatever you wish should first occur to me.
Artotrogvs:Novisse mores tuos me meditate decetcuramque adhibere, ut praeolat mihi quod tu velis.
PYRGOPOLINICES:What do you remember?
Pyrgopolynices:Ecquid meministi?
ARTOTROGUS:I do remember this. In Cilicia there were a hundred and fifty men, a hundred in Cryphiolathronia, thirty at Sardis, sixty men of Macedon,whom you slaughtered altogether in one day.
Artotrogvs:Memini: centum in Ciliciaet quinquaginta, centum in Scytholatronia,triginta Sardos, sexaginta Macedones† sunt homines quos tu occidisti uno die.
PYRGOPOLINICES:What is the sum total of those men?
Pyrgopolynices:Quanta istaec hominum summast?
ARTOTROGUS:Seven thousand.
Artotrogvs:Septem milia.
PYRGOPOLINICES:It must be as much: you keep the reckoning well.
Pyrgopolynices:Tantum esse oportet. recte rationem tenes.
ARTOTROGUS:Yet I have none of them written down; still, so I remember it was.
Artotrogvs:At nullos habeo scriptos: sic memini tamen.
PYRGOPOLINICES:By my troth, you have a right good memory.
Pyrgopolynices:Edepol memoria es optuma.
ARTOTROGUS: (aside.)’Tis the flesh-pots give it a fillip.
Artotrogvs:Offae monent.
PYRGOPOLINICES:So long as you shall do such as you have done hitherto, you shall always have something to eat: I will always make you a partaker at my table.
Pyrgopolynices:Dum tale facies quale adhuc, assiduo edes,communicabo semper te mensa mea.
ARTOTROGUS:Besides, in Cappadocia, you would have killed five hundred men altogether at one blow, had not your sabre been blunt.
Artotrogvs:Quid ín Cappadocia, ubi tu quingentos simul,ni hebes machaera foret, uno ictu occideras?
PYRGOPOLINICES:I let them live, because I was quite sick of fighting.
Pyrgopolynices:At peditastelli quia erant, sivi viverent.
ARTOTROGUS:Why should I tell you what all mortals know, that you, Pyrgopolinices, live alone upon the earth, with valour, beauty, and achievements most unsurpassed? All the women are in love with you, and that not without reason, since you are so handsome. Witness those girls that pulled me by my mantle yesterday.
Artotrogvs:Quid tibi ego dicam, quód omnes mortales sciunt,Pyrgopolynicem te unum in terra viverevirtute et forma et factis invictissumum?amant ted omnes mulieres, neque iniuria,qui sis tam pulcher; vel illae quae here palliome reprehenderunt.
PYRGOPOLINICES:What was it they said to you?
Pyrgopolynices:Quid eae dixerunt tibi?
ARTOTROGUS:They questioned me about you. “Is Achilles here?” says one to me. “No,” says I, “his brother is.” Then says the other to me: “By my troth, but he is a handsome and a noble man. See how his long hair becomes him.”“Certainly the women are lucky who share his favours.”
Artotrogvs:Rogitabant: “hicine Achilles est?” inquit mihi.“immo eius frater” inquam “est”. ibi illarum altera“ergo mecastor pulcher est” inquit mihi“et liberalis. vide caesaries quam decet.ne illae sunt fortunatae quae cum isto cubant.”
PYRGOPOLINICES:And pray, did they really say so?
Pyrgopolynices:Itane aibant tandem?
ARTOTROGUS:They both entreated me to bring you past to-day by way of a sight to them.
Artotrogvs:Quaen me ambae obsecraverint,ut te hodie quasi pompam illa praeterducerem?
PYRGOPOLINICES:’Tis really a very great plague to be too handsome a man.ARTOTROGUS:They are quite a nuisance to me; they are praying, entreating, beseeching me,to let them see you; bidding me be fetched to them; so that I can’t give my attention to your business.
Pyrgopolynices:Nimiast miseria nimis pulchrum esse hominem.Artotrogvs:Immo itast.molestaé sunt: orant, ambiunt, exobsecrantvidere ut liceat, ad sese arcessi iubent,ut tuo non liceat dare operam negotio.
PYRGOPOLINICES:It seems that it is time for us to go to the Forum, that I may count out their pay to those soldiers whom I have enlisted of late.
Pyrgopolynices:Videtur tempus esse, ut eamus ad forum,ut in tabellis quos consignavi hic herilatrones, ibus denumerem stipendium.
For King Seleucus entreated me with most earnest suit that I would raise and enlist recruits for him. To that business have I resolved to devote my attention this day.
nam rex Seleucus me opere oravit maxumo,ut sibi latrones cogerem et conscriberem.regi hunc diem mihi operam decretumst dare.
ARTOTROGUS:Come, let’s be going then.
Artotrogvs:Age eamus ergo.
PYRGOPOLINICES:Guards, follow me.(Exeunt.) (The prologue. Enter PALAESTRIO.)
Pyrgopolynices:Sequimini, satellites. —
PALAESTRIO:To tell the subject of this our play, I have all willingness,if you will but have the kindness to listen to it. But he who does not wish to listen, let him arise and go out, that there may be room where he may sit who does wish to listen. Now I will disclose to you both the subject and the name of the play which we are just now about to act, and for the sake of which you are now seated in this mirthful place,“Alazon” is the name, in Greek, of this Comedy; the same we call in Latin, “the Braggart” (Gloriosus). This city is Ephesus; then, the Captain, my master, who has gone off hence to the Forum, a bragging, impudent,stinking fellow, brimful of lying and lasciviousness, says that all the women are following him of their own accord. Wherever he goes, he is the laughing.stock of all; and so, the Courtesans here—since they make wry mouths at him, you may see the greater part of them with lips all awry.
Palaestrio:Mihi ad enarrandum hoc argumentum est comitas,si ad auscultandum vostra erit benignitas;qui autem auscultare nolet, exsurgat foras,ut sit ubi sedeat ille qui auscultare volt.nunc qua adsedistis causa in festivo loco,comoediai quam nos acturi sumuset argumentum et nomen vobis eloquar.Alazon Graece huic nomen est comoediae,id nos Latine gloriosum dicimus.hoc oppidum Ephesust; illest miles meus erus,qui hinc ad forum abiit, gloriosus, impudens,stercoreus, plenus periuri atque adulteri.ait sése ultro omnis mulieres sectarier:is deridiculost, quaqua incedit, omnibus.itaque hic meretrices, labiis dum ductant eum,maiorem partem videas valgis saviis.
I wish you now to know this, how I came to be his slave, from him to whom I was servant before; for ’tis not long that I have been in slavery to him. Give your attention, for now I will begin the argument. A very worthy young man at Athens was my master.
nam ego hau diu apud hunc servitutem servio;id volo vos scire, quo modo ad hunc devenerimin servitutem ab eo cui servivi prius.date operam, nam nunc argumentum exordiar.erat erus Athenis mihi adulescens optumus;
He was in love with a Courtesan, brought up at Athens, in Attica, and she on the other hand loved him; such affection is most worthy to be cherished. In the public service, he was sent to Naupactus as Ambassador on behalf of that mighty republic. In the mean time, by chance, this Captain came to Athens.He introduced himself to this lady of my master, began to cajole her mother with presents of wine, trinkets, and costly treats; and so the Captain made himself on intimate terms with the procuress. As soon as ever an opportunity was presented for this Captain,he tricked this procuress, the mother of the damsel, whom my master loved. For, unknown to her mother, he put the daughter on board ship, and carried this woman, against her will, hither to Ephesus. Soon as I knew that the lady of my master was carried off from Athens,as quickly as ever I was able, I procured for myself a ship: I embarked, that I might carry tidings of this matter to my master at Naupactum. When we had got out to sea, some pirates, as they had hoped to do, took that ship on board of which I was; thus I was undone before I reached my master, for whom I had commenced to proceed on my voyage.
is amabat meretricem … matre Athenis Atticis,et illa íllum contra; qui est amor cultu optumus.is publice legatus Naupactum fuitmagnai rei publicai gratia.interibi hic miles forte Athenas advenit,insinuat sese ad illam amicam eri †occepit eius matri suppalpariervino, ornamentis opiparisque obsoniis,itaque intimum ibi se miles apud lenam facit.ubi primum evenit militi huic occasio,sublinit os illi lenae, matri mulieris,quam erus méus amabat; nám is illius filiamconicit in navem miles clam matrem suam,eamque húc invitam mulierem in Ephesum advehit.ubi amicam erilem Athenis avectam scio,ego quantum vivos possum mihi navem paro,inscendo, ut eam rem Naupactum ad erum nuntiem.ubi sumus provecti in altum, fit quod ⟨di⟩ volunt,capiunt praedones navem illam ubi vectus fui:prius périi quam ad erum veni, quo ire occeperam.
He that took me, gave me as a present to this same Captain. After he had taken me home to his own house, I saw there that favorite of my master who lived at Athens. When, on the other hand, she perceived me, she gave me a sign with her eyes not to address her by name. Afterwards, when there was an opportunity,the damsel complained to me of her hard fate. She said that she wished to escape to Athens from this house, that she was attached to him, that master of mine who lived at Athens, and that she had never hated any one more thoroughly than this same Captain. As I discovered the feelings of the damsel,I took tablets, sealed them in private, and gave them to a certain merchant to carry to him (my master, I mean, who was at Athens, and who had so loved her), in order that he might come hither. He did not slight the message, for he both is come, and is lodging here next door,with his host, a friend of his father’s, a nice old man. He, too, gives every assistance to his guest in his amour, and encourages and seconds us with his help and his advice. Therefore, here (pointing to the CAPTAIN’S house), in-doors, I have found a grand contrivance, by which to cause these lovers, each, to meet the other.
ille ⟨quí⟩ me cepit dat me huic dono militi.hic postquam in aedis me ad se deduxit domum,video illam amicam erilem, Athenis quae fuit.ubi contra aspexit me, oculis mihi signum dedit,ne se appellarem; deinde, postquam occasio est,conqueritur mecum mulier fortunas suas:ait sése Athenas fugere cupere ex hac domu,sese illum amare meum erum, Athenis qui fuit,neque peius quemquam odisse quam istum militem.ego quoniam inspexi mulieris sententiam,cepi tabellas, consignavi, clanculumdedi mércatori cuidam, qui ad illum deferatmeum erum, qui Athenis fuerat, qui hanc amaverat,ut is huc veniret. is non sprevit nuntium;nam et venit et is in proximo hic devertiturapud suom paternum hóspitem, lepidum senem;isque illi amanti suo hospiti morem geritnosque opera consilioque adhortatur, iuvat.itaque ego paravi hic intus magnas machinas,qui amantis una inter se facerem convenas.
For one room, which the Captain gave to his mistress for no one but herself to set foot in, in that same room I have dug a hole through the party-wall, in order that there may secretly be an ingress for the damsel from the one house to the other. And this I have done with the knowledge of the old gentleman;’twas he that gave the advice.
nam unum conclave, concubinae quod deditmiles, quo nemo nisi eapse inferret pedem,in eo conclavi égo perfodi parietem,qua commeatus clam esset hinc huc mulieri;et sene sciente hoc feci: is consilium dedit.
But my fellow-servant, whom the Captain has given as a keeper to his mistress, is a person of no great worth. By clever contrivances and ingenious devices, we will throw dust in his eyes, and we will make him so as not to see what he really does see.
nam meus conservos est homo haud magni preti,quem concubinae miles custodem addidit.ei nos facetis fabricis et doctis dolisglaucumam ob oculos obiciemus eumque itafaciemus ut quod viderit ne viderit.
And that you may not hereafter make mistakes, this damsel to-day, in this house and in that, will perform in turn a double part, and will be the same, but will pretend to be another, person. Thus will the keeper of the damsel be gulled. But there is a noise at the door here of the old gentleman, our neighbour.
et mox ne erretis, haec duarum hodie vicem⟨suam⟩ et hinc et illinc mulier feret imaginem,atque eadem erit, verum alia esse adsimulabitur.ita sublinetur os custodi mulieris.sed foris concrepuit hinc a vicino sene;
’Tis himself coming out ’tis he, the nice old man that I was speaking of.(He retires to a distance.) (Enter PERIPLECOMENUS from his house.)PERIPLECOMENUS: (speaking to his servants within.)Faith, if you don’t in future smash his ankle-bones for any stranger that you see on my tiles, I will cut you so with lashes as to make thongs of your sides. My neighbours, i’ faith, are overlookers of what is going on in my own house; so often are they peeping down through the skylight. And now, therefore, I give you all notice,whatever person of this Captain’s household you shall see upon our tiles, except Palaestrio only, push him headlong here into the street. Suppose he says that he is following some hen, or pigeon, or monkey; woe be to you, if you don’t badly maul the fellow even to death. And so, that they may commit no infringement against the laws of dice,do you take good care that they keep holiday at home without any ankle-bones at all.PALAESTRIO: (aside.)
ipse exit: hic illest lepidus quem dixi senex.Periplectomenvs:Ni hércle diffregéritis talos pósthac quemque in tégulisvideritis alienum, ego vostra faciam latera lorea.mi equidem iam arbitri vicini sunt, meae quid fiat domi,ita per impluvium intro spectant. nunc adeo edico omnibus:quemque a milite hoc videritis hominem in nostris tegulis,extra unum Palaestrionem, huc deturbatote in viam.quod ille gallinam aut columbam se sectari aut simiamdicat, disperiistis ni usque ad mortem male mulcassitis.atque adeo ut ne legi fraudem faciant aleariae,adcuratote ut sine talis domi agitent convivium.
Something amiss,—what, I know not, has been done him by our family so far as I can hear, inasmuch as the old man has ordered the ankles of my fellow-servants to be broken. But he has excepted me; nothing care I what he does to the rest of them. I’ll accost the old man. (Advances.)PERIPLECOMENUS:The person that is coming this way, is he coming towards me? He comes as if he was coming to me.
Palaestrio:Nescio quid malefactum a nostra hic familiast, quantum audio:ita hic senex talos elidi iussit conservis meis;sed me excepit: nihili facio, quid illis faciat ceteris.adgrediar hominem.Periplectomenvs:Estne advorsum hic qui advenit Palaestrio?
PALAESTRIO:How do you do, Periplecomenus?
Palaestrio:Quid agis, Periplectomene?
PERIPLECOMENUS:There are not many men, if I were to wish, whom I would rather now see and meet with than yourself.
Periplectomenvs:Hau multos homines, si optandum foret,nunc videre et convenire quam te mavellem.
PALAESTRIO:What’s the matter? What disturbance have you with our family?
Palaestrio:Quid est?quid tumultuas cum nostra familia?
PERIPLECOMENUS:We are done for.
Periplectomenvs:Occisi sumus.
PALAESTRIO:What’s the matter?
Palaestrio:Quid negotist?
PERIPLECOMENUS:The thing’s discovered.
Periplectomenvs:Res palamst.
PALAESTRIO:What thing’s discovered?
Palaestrio:Quae res palamst?
PERIPLECOMENUS:Some one just now of your household was looking in from the tilesthrough our skylight at Philocomasium and my guest as they were toying together.
Periplectomenvs:De tegulismodo nescio quis inspectavit vestrum familiariumper nostrum impluvium intus ápud nos Philocomasium atque hospitemosculantis.
PALAESTRIO:What person saw it?
Palaestrio:Quis homo id vidit?
PERIPLECOMENUS:Your fellow-servant.
Periplectomenvs:Tuos conservos.
PALAESTRIO:Which person was it?
Palaestrio:Quis is homost?
PERIPLECOMENUS:I don’t know; he took himself off so suddenly—in an instant.
Periplectomenvs:Nescio, ita abripuit repente sese subito.
PALAESTRIO:I suspect I’m ruined.
Palaestrio:Suspicorme periisse.
PERIPLECOMENUS:When he went away, I cried: “Hallo! you sir!” said I, “what are you doing upon the tiles?” As he went away he replied to me in these terms, that he was following a stray’d monkey.
Periplectomenvs:Vbi abit, conclamo: “heus quid agis tu” inquam “in tegulis?”ille mihi abiens ita respondit “se sectari simiam.”
PALAESTRIO:Woe to wretched me! that I must be ruined for a worthless beast. But is Philocomasium there with you even still?
Palaestrio:Vae mihi misero, quoi pereundumst propter nihili bestiam.sed Philocomasium hicine etiam nunc est?
PERIPLECOMENUS:When I came out, she was there.
Periplectomenvs:Quom exibam, hic erat.
PALAESTRIO:If she is, then bid her return to our house as soon as ever she can, that the servants may see that she is at home; unless, indeed, she wishes that we, who are slaves, her fellow-slaves, should all be given up together to tortures by the cross on account of her courting.
Palaestrio:I sis, iube transire huc quantum possit, se ut videant domifamiliares, nisi quidem illa nos volt, qui servi sumus,propter amorem suom omnes crucibus contubernales dari.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I bade her do so; unless you would aught else.
Periplectomenvs:Dixi ego istuc; nisi quid aliud vis.
PALAESTRIO:I would. Tell her this: that, by my troth, she must not hesitate at all to bring in play her skill and cleverness.
Palaestrio:Volo. hoc ei dicito:profecto ut ne quoquam de ingenio degrediatur muliebriearumque artem et disciplinam optineat colere.
PERIPLECOMENUS:In what way?
Periplectomenvs:Quem ad modum?
PALAESTRIO:That by her words she may persuade him who saw her here at your house, that he did not see her.Should he accuse her, on the other hand let her convince him with her oath.
Palaestrio:Vt eum, qui hic se vidit, verbis vincat, ne is se viderit.
Even though she were seen a hundred times over, still let her deny it.(Aside.) For, if she is at all inclined to ill, a woman never goes begging to the gardener for material, she has a garden at home and a stock of her own for all mischievous contrivances;at home she has impudence, a lying tongue, perfidiousness, malice, and boldness, self-conceit, assurance, and deceitfulness,—at home she has wiles,—at home captivating contrivances,—stratagems at home.
siquidem centiens hic visa sit, tamen infitias eat.os habet, linguam, perfidiam, malitiam atque audaciam,confidentiam, confirmitatem, fraudulentiam.qui arguat se, eum contra vincat iureiurando suo:domi habet animum falsiloquom, falsificum, falsiiurium,domi dolos, domi delenifica facta, dómi fallacias.nam mulier holitori numquam supplicat, si quast mala:domi habet hortum et condimenta ad omnis mores maleficos.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I’ll tell her this, if she shall be in-doors here (pointing to his house.) But what is it, Palaestrio, that you are considering with yourself in your mind?
Periplectomenvs:Ego istaec, si erit hic, nuntiabo. sed quid est, Palaestrio,quod volutas tute tecum in corde?
PALAESTRIO:Be silent a moment, while I am calling a council in my mind, and while I am considering what I am to do, what plan I must contrive, on the other hand, as a match for my crafty fellow-servant, who has seen her billing here in your house; so that what was seen may not have been seen.
Palaestrio:Paulisper tace,dúm ego mihi consilia in animum convoco et dum consuloquid agam, quem dolum doloso contra conservo parem,qui illam hic vidit osculantem, id visum ut ne visum siet.
PERIPLECOMENUS:Do contrive one; in the meantime, I’ll retire hence to a distance from you, to this spot. (He retires to a distance.) Look at him, please (to the AUDIENCE), revolving his cares with brow severe, how he stands. He strikes his breast with his fingers I fancy he’s about to call his heart outside. See, he shifts his posture; again he places his left hand upon his left thigh. His right hand is reckoning down his plans upon his fingers; in despair he strikes his thigh.His right hand is moving rapidly; with difficulty does it suggest what he is to do. He snaps his fingers now; he’s striving hard; full oft he changes his position. But see how he shakes his head; it pleases him not what he has hit upon. Whatever it is, nothing crude will he bring forth, something well-digested will he produce. But see, he is building; he has placed his hand as a pillar beneath his chin.
Periplectomenvs:Quaere: ego hinc abscessero aps te huc interim. illuc sis vide,quem ad modum adstitit, severo fronte curans cogitans.pectus digitis pultat, cor credo evocaturust foras;ecce avortit: nixus laevo in femine habet laevam manum,dextera digitis rationem computat, ferit femurdexterum. ita vehementer icit: quod agat aegre suppetit.concrepuit digitis: laborat; crebro commutat status,eccere autem capite nutat: non placet quod repperit.quidquid est, incoctum non expromet, bene coctum dabit.ecce autem aedificat: columnam mento suffigit suo.
Have done with it in truth, this mode of building pleases me not; for I have heard say that the head of a foreign Poet is wont to be supported thus, over whom two guards are ever at all hours keeping watch. Bravo! how becomingly he stands,—i’ faith, how like a very slave, and how faithful to his part. Never, this day, will he rest, before he has completed that which he is in search of.
apage, non placet profecto mi illaec aedificatio;nam os columnatum poetae esse indaudivi barbaro,cui bini custodes semper totis horis occubant.euge, euscheme hercle astitit et dulice et comoedice;numquam hodie quiescet prius quam id quod petit perfecerit.
He has it, I suspect. Come—to the business you’re about: keep wide awake, think not of sleep; unless, indeed, you wish to be keeping your watch here all checquered o’er with stripes.’Tis I, that am talking to you; schemer, don’t you know that I am speaking to you? Palaestrio! awake, say; arouse yourself, I say;’tis daylight now, I say.PALAESTRIO:I hear you.
habet opinor. age si quid agis, vigila, ne somno stude,nisi quidem hic agitare mavis varius virgis vigilias.tibi ego dico. an heri maduisti? heus te adloquor, Palaestrio:vigila inquam, expergiscere inquam, lucet hoc inquam.Palaestrio:Audio.
PERIPLECOMENUS:Don’t you see that the enemy is upon you, and that siege is being laid to your back? Take counsel, then;obtain aid and assistance in this matter; the hastily, not the leisurely, is befitting here. Get the start of them in some way, and in some direction this moment lead around your troops. Close round the enemy in siege; prepare the convoy for our side. Cut off the enemy’s provision, secure yourself a passage, by which supplies and provision may be enabled in safety to reach yourself and your forces. Look to this business; the emergency is sudden.
Periplectomenvs:Viden hostis tibi adesse tuoque tergo obsidium? consule,arripe opem auxiliumque ad hanc rem: propere hoc, non placide decet.anteveni aliqua aut tú aliquosum circumduce exercitum,coge in obsidium perduellis, nostris praesidium para;interclude inimicis commeatum, tibi muni viamqua cibatus commeatusque ad te et legiones tuastuto possit pervenire: hanc rém age, res subitaria est.
Invent—contrive—this instant give us some clever plan; so that that which has been seen here within, may not have been seen; that which has been done, may not have been done. There, my man, you undertake a great enterprise; lofty the defences which you erect. If you yourself alone but say you undertake this, I have a certaintythat we are able to rout our foes.PALAESTRIO:I do say so, and I do undertake it.
[reperi, comminiscere, cedo calidum consilium cito,][quae hic sunt visa ut visa ne sint, facta ut facta ne sient.][magnam illic homo rem incipissit, magna munit moenia.]tu unus si recipere hoc ad te dicis, confidentiastnos inimicos profligare posse.Palaestrio:Dico et recipioad me.
PERIPLECOMENUS:And I do pronounce that you shall obtain that which you desire.
Periplectomenvs:Et ego impetrare dico id quod petis.
PALAESTRIO:May Jupiter kindly bless you then!
Palaestrio:At te Iuppiterbene amet.
PERIPLECOMENUS:But, friend, do you impart to me the plan which you have devised.
Periplectomenvs:Auden participare me quod commentus escommentu's?
PALAESTRIO:Be silent, then, while I am inducting you in the direction of my devices; that you may know as well as my own self my plans.
Palaestrio:Tace,dum in regionem astutiarum mearum te induco, ut sciasiuxta mecum mea consilia.
PERIPLECOMENUS:The same you shall receive safe from the same spot where you have deposited them.
Periplectomenvs:Salva sumes indidem.
PALAESTRIO:My master is surrounded with the hide of an elephant, not his own, and has no more wisdom than a stone.
Palaestrio:Erus meus elephanti corio circumtentust, non suo,neque habet plus sapientiai quam lapis.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I myself know the same thing.
Periplectomenvs:Ego istuc scio.
PALAESTRIO:Now, thus I would begin upon my plan; this contrivance I shall act upon. I shall say that her other own twin-sister has come here from Athens, with a certain person, her lover, to Philocomasium,as like to her as milk is to milk. I shall say that they are lodged and entertained here in your house.
Palaestrio:Nunc sic rationem incipisso, hánc instituam astutiam,ut Philocomasio huc sororem geminam germanam alteramdicam Athenis advenisse cúm amatore aliquo suo,tam similem, quam ⟨lacte⟩ lactist; ápud ⟨te⟩ eos hic devortierdicam hospitio.
PERIPLECOMENUS:Bravo! bravo! cleverly thought of. I approve or your device.
Periplectomenvs:Euge euge, lepide, laudo commentum tuom.
PALAESTRIO:So that, if my fellow-servant should accuse her before the Captain, and say that he has seen her here at your house, toying with another man, I shall assert, on the other hand, that my fellow-servant has seen the other one, the sister, at your house,fondling and toying with her own lover.
Palaestrio:Vt si illic concriminatus sit advorsum militemmeus conservos, eam vidisse hic cum alieno oscularier,eam arguam vidisse apud te contra conservom meumcum suo amatore amplexantem atque osculantem.
PERIPLECOMENUS:Aye, most excellent. I’ll say the same, if the Captain shall inquire of me.
Periplectomenvs:Immo optume.idem ego dicam, si ⟨ex⟩ me exquiret miles.
PALAESTRIO:But do you say that they are extremely alike; and this must be imparted in time to Philocomasium, in order that she may know; that she mayn’t be tripping if the Captain should question her.
Palaestrio:Sed simillimasdicito esse, et Philocomasio id praecipiendum est ut sciat,ne titubet, si exquiret ex ea miles.
PERIPLECOMENUS:A very clever contrivance. But if the Captain should wish to see them both in company together,what shall we do then?
Periplectomenvs:Nimis doctum dolum.sed si ambas videre in uno miles concilio volet,quid agimus?
PALAESTRIO:That’s easy enough. Three hundred excuses may be picked up—she is not at home; she has gone out walking; she is asleep; she is dressing; she is bathing; she is at breakfast; she is taking dessert; she is engaged; she is enjoying her rest; in fact, she can’t come. There are as many of these put-offs as you like, if I can only persuade him at the very outset to believe that to be true which shall be contrived.
Palaestrio:Facilest: trecentae possunt causae conligi:“non domist, ábiit ambulatum, dormit, ornatur, lavat,”“prandet, potat: occupatast, operae non est, non potest”,quantum vis prolationum, dum modo hunc prima viainducamus, vera ut esse credat quae mentibimur.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I like what you say.
Periplectomenvs:Placet ut dicis.
PALAESTRIO:Go in-doors then; and if the damsel’s there, bid her return home directly, and instruct and tutor her thoroughly in this plan, that she may understand our scheme, as we have begun it, about the twin-sister.
Palaestrio:Intro abi ergo, et si isti est mulier, eam iubecito domum transire, atque haec ei dice monstra praecipe,ut teneat consilia nostra, quem ad modum exorsi sumus,de gemina sorore.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I’ll have her right cleverly tutor’d for you. Is there anything else?
Periplectomenvs:Docte tíbi illam perdoctam dabo.numquid aliud?
PALAESTRIO:Only, be off in-doors.
Palaestrio:Intro ut abeas.
PERIPLECOMENUS:I’m off.(Exit.) (PALAESTRIO alone.)
Periplectomenvs:Abeo. —
PALAESTRIO:And I’ll go home, too;and I’ll conceal the fact that I am giving her my aid in seeking out the man, which fellow-servant of mine it was, that to-day was following the monkey. For it cannot be but in his conversation he must have made some one of the household acquainted about the lady of his master, how that he himself has seen her next door here toying with some stranger spark.
Palaestrio:Et quidem ego ibo domumatque hominem investigando operam huic dissimulabiliter dabo,qui fuerit conservos qui hodie sit sectatus simiam.nam ille non pótuit quin sermone suo aliquem familiariumparticipaverit de amica eri, sese vidisse eamhic in proximo osculantem cum alieno adulescentulo.
I know the habit myself; “I can’t hold my tongue on that which I know alone.” If I find out the person who saw it, I’ll plant against him all my mantelets and covered works. The material is prepared;’tis a sure matter that I must take this person by force, and by thus besieging him. If so I don’t find the man, just like a hound I’ll go smelling about, even until I shall have traced out the fox by his track.
novi morem: egomet tacere nequeo solus quod scio.si invenio qui vidit, ad eum vineas pluteosque agam:res paratast, vi pugnandoque hominem caperest certa res.si ita non reperio, ibo odorans quasi canis venaticus,usque donec persecutus volpem ero vestigiis.
But our door makes a noise: I’ll lower my voice; for here is the keeper of Philocomasium, my fellow-servant, coming out of doors.(Stands aside.) (Enter SCLEDRUS from the CAPTAIN’s house.)
sed fores crepuerunt nostrae, ego voci moderabor meae;nam illic est Philocomasio custos meus conservos qui it foras.
SCELEDRUS:Unless, in fact, I have been walking this day in my sleep upon the tiles, i’ faith, I know for sure that I have seen here, at our neighbour’s next door, Philocomasium, the lady of my master, on the high road to mischief to herself.PALAESTRIO: (aside.)
Sceledrvs:Nisi quidem ego hodie ambulavi dormiens in tegulis,certo edepol scio me vidisse hic proxumae viciniaePhilocomasium erilem amicam sibi malam rem quaerere.
’Twas he that saw her billing, so far as I have heard him say.
Palaestrio:Hic illam vidit osculantem, quantum hunc audivi loqui.
SCELEDRUS:Who’s that?
Sceledrvs:Quis hic est?
PALAESTRIO:Your fellow-servant. How are you, Sceledrus?
Palaestrio:Tuos conservos. quid agis, Sceledre?
SCELEDRUS:I am glad that I have met you, Palaestrio.PAT.:What now? Or what’s the matter? Let me know.
Sceledrvs:Te, Palaestrio,volup est convenisse.Palaestrio:Quid iam? aut quid negotist? fac sciam.
SCELEDRUS:I’m afraid.
Sceledrvs:Metuo —
PALAESTRIO:What are you afraid of?
Palaestrio:Quid metuis?
SCELEDRUS:By my troth, lest, this day, as many domestics as there are of us here, we shall jump into a most woful punishmient by way of torture.
Sceledrvs:Ne hercle hodie, quantum hic familiariumst,maxumum in malum cruciatumque insuliamus.
PALAESTRIO:Jump you alone, please;for I don’t at all like this jumping in and jumping out.
Palaestrio:Tu salisolus, nám ego istam insulturam et desulturam nil moror.
SCELEDRUS:Perhaps you don’t know what new mischance has happened at home?
Sceledrvs:Nescis tu fortasse, apud nos facinus quod natumst novom.
PALAESTRIO:What mischance is this?
Palaestrio:Quod id est facinus?
SCELEDRUS:A disgraceful one.
Sceledrvs:Impudicum.
PALAESTRIO:Do you then keep it to yourself alone: don’t tell it me; I don’t want to know it.
Palaestrio:Tute scias soli tibi,mihi ne dixis, scire nolo.
SCELEDRUS:But I won’t let you not know it. To-day I was following our monkey upon the tiles, next door there.(Points to the house.)
Sceledrvs:Non enim fáciam quin scias.simiam hodie sum sectatus nostram in horum tegulis.
PALAESTRIO:By my troth, Sceledrus, a worthless fellow, you were following a worthless beast.
Palaestrio:Edepol, Sceledre, homo sectatus essectatu's nihili nequam bestiam.
SCELEDRUS:The Gods confound you!
Sceledrvs:Di te perdant.
PALAESTRIO:That befits yourself, since you began the conversation.
Palaestrio:Te istuc aequom — quoniam occepisti, eloqui.
SCELEDRUS:By chance, as it happened, I looked down there through the skylight, into the next house; and there I saw Philocomasium toying with some strange young man, I know not whom.
Sceledrvs:Forte fortuna per impluvium huc despexi in proxumum,atque ego illi áspicio osculantem Philocomasium cum alteronescio quo adulescente.
PALAESTRIO:What scandalous thing is this I hear of you, Sceledrus?
Palaestrio:Quod ego, Sceledre, scelus ex te audio?
SCELEDRUS:I’ faith, I did see her, beyond a doubt.
Sceledrvs:Profecto vidi.
PALAESTRIO:What, yourself?
Palaestrio:Tutin?
SCELEDRUS:Yes, I myself, with these eyes of mine.
Sceledrvs:Egomet duobus his oculis meis.
PALAESTRIO:Get away, it isn’t likely what you say, nor did you see her.
Palaestrio:Abi, non verisimile dicis, neque vidisti.
SCELEDRUS:Do I, then, appear to you as if I were purblind?PALAESTRIO:’Twere better for you to ask the doctor about that. But, indeed, if the Gods only love you, don’t you rashly father this idle story. Now are you breeding thence a fatal dilemma for your legs and head;
Sceledrvs:Num tibilippus videor?Palaestrio:Medicum istuc tibi meliust percontarier.verum enim tu ístam, si te di ament, temere hau tollas fabulam:tuis nunc cruribus capitique fraudem capitalem hinc creas.
for, in two ways, the cause is contrived for you to be ruined, unless you put a check upon your foolish chattering.SCELEDRUS:But how, two ways?
nam tibi iam ut pereas paratum est dupliciter, nisi supprimistuom stultiloquium.Sceledrvs:Qui vero dupliciter?
PALAESTRIO:I’ll tell you. First then, if you falsely accuse Philocomasium, by that you are undone; in the next place, if it is true, having been appointed her keeper, there you are undone.
Palaestrio:Dicam tibi.primumdum, si falso insimulas Philocomasium, hoc perieris;iterum, si id verumst, tu ei custos additus ⟨eo⟩ perieris.
SCELEDRUS:What may happen to me, I know not; I know for certain that I did see this.
Sceledrvs:Quid fuat me, nescio: haec me vidisse ego certo scio.
PALAESTRIO:Do you persist in it, unfortunate wretch?
Palaestrio:Pergin, infelix?
SCELEDRUS:What would you have me say to you, but that I did see her? Moreover, she is in there, next door, at this very moment.
Sceledrvs:Quid tibi vis dicam nisi quod viderim?quin etiam nunc intus hic in proxumost.
PALAESTRIO:What! Isn’t she at home?
Palaestrio:Eho an non domist?
SCELEDRUS:Go and see. Go in-doors yourself; for I don’t ask now for any confidence to be put in me.
Sceledrvs:Vise, abi intro tute, nam ego mi iam nil credi postulo.
PALAESTRIO:I’m determined to do so.
Palaestrio:Certum est facere. —
SCELEDRUS:I’ll wait here for you.(PALAESTRIO goes into the CAPTAIN’S house. SCLEDRUS, alone.)SCELEDRUS:In this direction will I be on the watch for her, how soon the heifer may betake herself from the pasture this way towards her stall.
Sceledrvs:Hic te opperiar; eadem illi insidias dabo,quam mox horsum ad stabulum iuuenix recipiat se ⟨a⟩ pabulo.
What now shall I do? The Captain gave me to her as her keeper. Now, if I make a discovery, I’m undone; if I am silent, still I am undone, if this should be discovered. What is there more abandoned or more daring than a woman? While I was upon the tiles, this woman betook herself out of doors from her dwelling. By my troth,’twas a brazen act she did. If, now, the Captain were to know of this,i’ faith, I believe he would pull down the whole entire house next door, and me he would send to the gibbet. Whatever comes of it, i’ faith, I’ll hold my tongue rather than come to a bad end. I cannot keep effectual guard on a woman that puts herself up for sale.PALAESTRIO: (Enter PALAESTRIO from the CAPTAIN’s house.)
quid ego nunc faciam? custodem me illi miles addidit:nunc si indicium facio, interii; si taceo, ⟨interii⟩ tamen,si hoc palam fuerit. quid peius muliere aut audacius?dúm ego in tegulis sum, illaec sese ex hospitio edit foras;edepol facinus fecit audax. hocine si miles sciat,credo hercle has sustollat aedis totas atque hunc in crucem.hercle quidquid est, mussitabo potius quam inteream male;non ego possum quae ipsa sese venditat tutarier.
Sceledrus, Sceledrus, what one man is there on earth more impudent than yourself? Who more than yourself has been born with the Deities hostile and enraged?SCELEDRUS:What’s the matter?
Palaestrio:Sceledre, Sceledre, quis homo in terra te alter est audacior?quis magis dís inimicis natus quam tu atque iratis?Sceledrvs:Quid est?
PALAESTRIO:Do you want those eyes of yours gouged out, with which you see what never existed?
Palaestrio:Iuben tibi oculos exfodiri, quibus id quod nusquam est vides?
SCELEDRUS:How, what never existed?
Sceledrvs:Quid, nusquam?
PALAESTRIO:I would not buy your life at the price of a rotten nut.
Palaestrio:Non ego tuam empsim vitam vitiosa nuce.
SCELEDRUS:Why, what’s the matter?
Sceledrvs:Quid negotist?
PALAESTRIO:What’s the matter, do you ask?
Palaestrio:Quid negoti sit rogas?
SCELEDRUS:And why shouldn’t I ask?
Sceledrvs:Cur non rogem?
PALAESTRIO:Why don’t you beg for that tongue of yours to be cut out, that prates so at random?
Palaestrio:Non tu tibi istam praetruncari linguam largiloquam iubes?
SCELEDRUS:Why should I beg for that?
Sceledrvs:Quam ob rem iubeam?
PALAESTRIO:Why, Philocomasium is there at home, she whomyou were saying that you had seen next door kissing and toying with another man.
Palaestrio:Philocomasium eccam domi, quam in proxumovidisse aibas te osculantem atque amplexantem cum altero.
SCELEDRUS:’Tis a wonder that you are in the habit of feeding on darnel, with wheat at so low a price.
Sceledrvs:Mirumst lolio victitare te tam vili tritico.
PALAESTRIO:Why so?
Palaestrio:Quid iam?
SCELEDRUS:Because you are so dim of sight.
Sceledrvs:Quia luscitiosus esluscitiosu's.
PALAESTRIO:You gallows-bird,’tis you, indeed, that are blind, with a vengeance, and not dim of sight; for, sure enough, there she is at home.
Palaestrio:Verbero, edepol tu quidemcaecus, non luscitiosus esluscitiosu's. nam illa quidem … domi.
SCELEDRUS:How? At home?
Sceledrvs:Quid, domi?
PALAESTRIO:At home, i’ faith, undoubtedly.
Palaestrio:Domi hercle vero.
SCELEDRUS:Be off with you; you are playing with me, Palaestrio
Sceledrvs:Abi, ludis me, Palaestrio.
PALAESTRIO:My hands are dirty, then.
Palaestrio:Tum mihi sunt manus ínquinatae.
SCELEDRUS:How so?
Sceledrvs:Qui dum?
PALAESTRIO:Because I am playing with dirt.
Palaestrio:Quia ludo luto.
SCELEDRUS:A mischief on your head.
Sceledrvs:Vae capiti tuo.
PALAESTRIO:Nay rather, Sceledrus, it shall be on yours, I promise you, unless you change for fresh your eyes and your talk. But our door made a noise.
Palaestrio:⟨Tuo⟩ istuc, Sceledre, promitto fore,nisi oculos orationemque aliam commutas tibi.sed fores cóncrepuerunt nostrae.
SCELEDRUS:Well, I shall watch here out of doors, for there is no way by which she can pass hence in-doors, except through the front door.
Sceledrvs:At ego ilico observo foris;nam nihil est qua hinc huc transire ea possit nisi recto ostio.
PALAESTRIO:But there she is, at home. I don’t know, Scledrus, what mischief is possessing you.
Palaestrio:Quin domi eccam. nescio quae te, Sceledre, scelera suscitant.
SCELEDRUS:I see for my own self, I judge for my own self, I have especial faith in my own self: no man shall frighten me out of it, but that she is in that house. (Points to the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.) Here I’ll take my stand, that she may not steal out home without my knowledge.
Sceledrvs:Mihi ego video, mihi ego sapio, ⟨mihi⟩ ego credo plurumum:mé homo nemo deterrebit, quin ea sit in his aedibus.hic obsistam, ne imprudenti huc ea se subrepsit mihi.
PALAESTRIO: (aside)This fellow is in my hands; now will I drive him from his strong hold.
Palaestrio:Meus illic homo est, deturbabo iam ego illum de pugnaculis.
(To SCLEDRUS) Do you wish me now to make you own that you don’t see correctly?SCELEDRUS:Come, do it then.
vin iam faciam, ut stultividum … fateare?Sceledrvs:Age face.
PALAESTRIO:And that you neither think aright in your mind, nor yet make use of your eyes?
Palaestrio:Neque te quicquam sapere corde neque oculis uti?
SCELEDRUS:I’d have you do it.
Sceledrvs:Volo.
PALAESTRIO:Do you say, then that the lady of your master is there in that house?
Palaestrio:Nempe tu istíc ais esse erilem concubinam?
SCELEDRUS:I assert, as well, that I saw here here in this house (points to the house of PERIPLECOMENUS), toying with a strange man.
Sceledrvs:Atque arguoeam me vidisse osculantem hic intus cum alieno viro.
PALAESTRIO:don’t you know that there is no communication between our house here and that one?
Palaestrio:Scin tu nullum commeatum hínc esse a nobis?
SCELEDRUS:I know it.
Sceledrvs:Scio.
PALAESTRIO:Neither by the terrace, nor by the garden, only through the skylight?
Palaestrio:Neque solarium neque hortum, nisi per impluvium?
SCELEDRUS:I know it.
Sceledrvs:Scio.
PALAESTRIO:What then, if she is now at home? If I shall make her, so as you may see her, come out hence from our house, are you not deserving of many a lashing?
Palaestrio:Quid nunc? si ea domist, si facio, ut eam exire hinc videas domo,dignun es verberibus multis?
SCELEDRUS:I am so deserving.
Sceledrvs:Dignus.
PALAESTRIO:Watch that door, then, that she may not privily betake herself out thence without your knowledge and pass here into our house.
Palaestrio:Serva istas fores,ne tibi clam se subterducat istinc atque huc transeat.
SCELEDRUS:’Tis my intention to do so.PALAESTRIO:Upon her feet will I place her this moment here before you in the street.
Sceledrvs:Consilium est ita facere.Palaestrio:Pede ego iam illam huc tibi sistam in viam. —
SCELEDRUS:Come, then, and do so.(PALAESTRIO goes into the CAPTAIN’s house.) (SCLEDRUS, alone.)SCELEDRUS:I wish to know whether I did see that which I did see, or whether he can do that which he says he can do — make her to be at home. For, really, I have eyes of my own, and I don’t ever ask to borrow them out of doors. But this fellow is forever fawning about her; he is always near her; he is called first to meat; his mess is given to him first.
Sceledrvs:Agedum ergo face. vólo scire, utrum egon id quod vidi videriman illic faciat, quod facturum dicit, ut ea sit domi.nam ego quidem meos oculos habeo nec rogo utendos foris.sed hic illi subparasitatur semper, hic eae proxumust,primus ad cibum vocatur, primo pulmentum datur;
For this fellow has been, perhaps, about three years with us; nor fares it better with any other servant in our family than with him. But it is necessary for me to mind what I am about; to keep my eye upon this door. If I take my station here, this way, in faith, I warrant they will never impose on me.(Enter PALAESTRIO and PHILOCOMASIUM from the CAPTAIN’s house.)PALAESTRIO: (speaking to her in a low voice as he enters)Be sure to remember my instructions.
nam illic noster est fortasse circiter triennium,neque cuiquam quam illi in nostra meliust famulo familia.sed ego hoc quod ago, id me agere oportet, hoc observare ostium.sic obsistam. hac quidem pol certo verba mihi numquam dabunt.Palaestrio:Praecépta facito ut mémineris.
PHILOCOMASIUM: (aside)It’s strange you should so often remind me.
Philocomasivm:Totiéns monere mírumst.
PALAESTRIO: (aside)But I fear you may not prove cunning enough.
Palaestrio:At metuo ut satis sis subdola.
PHILOCOMASIUM: (aside)Give me even ten scholars, though far from artful, I could instruct them so as to prove artful; in me alone is there a superabundance of artfulness;
Philocomasivm:Cedo vel decem, edocebominime malas ut sint malae, mihi solae quod superfit.
come, then, now put your plans in force; I’ll step aside here.(Steps aside.)
Palaestrio:Age nunciam insiste in dolos; ego abs te procul recedam.
PALAESTRIO:What have you to say, Scledrus?SCELEDRUS: (not lifting up his eyes)I’m about this business of mine; I have got ears, say what you please.
quid ais tu, Sceledre?Sceledrvs:Hanc rem gero. habeo auris, loquere quidvis.
PALAESTRIO:I think that in that self-same position you will have to die outside the gates,when, with hands outstretched, you will be carrying your cross.
Palaestrio:Credo ego istoc extemplo tibi esse eundum actutum extra portam,dispessis manibus, patibulum quom habebis.
SCELEDRUS:For what reason so?
Sceledrvs:Quamnam ob rem?
PALAESTRIO:Just look on your left hand; who is that lady?
Palaestrio:Respice dum ad laevam: quis illaec est mulier?
SCELEDRUS: (looking.)O ye immortal Gods, it really is the lady of my master!
Sceledrvs:Pro di immortales,eri cóncubinast haec quidem.
PALAESTRIO:I’ faith, so she seems to me as well. Do then, now, since so you would have it—
Palaestrio:Mihi quoque pol ita videtur.age nunciam, quando lubet —
SCELEDRUS:Do what?
Sceledrvs:Quid agam?
PALAESTRIO:Die this very instant.PHILOCOMASIUM: (advancing.)
Palaestrio:Perire propera.
Where is this faithful servant, who has falsely accused me in my innocenceof this most heinous crime?PALAESTRIO:See, here he is;’tis he that told it me,—assuredly ’twas he.
Philocomasivm:Vbi iste ést bonus sérvos, qui probri me maxumi innocentemfalso insimulavit?Palaestrio:Em tibi, hic mihi dixit tibi quae dixi.
PHILOCOMASIUM:Villain, did you say that you had seen me next door here kissing?
Philocomasivm:Tun me vidisse in proxumo hic, sceleste, ais osculantem?
PALAESTRIO:Besides, he said it was with some strange young man.
Palaestrio:Atque cum álieno adulescentulo dixit.
SCELEDRUS:I’ faith, I did. say so, undoubtedly.
Sceledrvs:Dixi hercle vero.
PHILOCOMASIUM:You, saw me?
Philocomasivm:Tun me vidisti?
SCELEDRUS:Yes, with these self-same eyes.
Sceledrvs:Atque his quidem hercle oculis.
PHILOCOMASIUM:I fancy you will lose those eyes, which see more than what they really do see.
Philocomasivm:Carebis, credo,qui plus vident quam quod vident.
SCELEDRUS:By my faith, I shall never be intimidatedfrom having seen what I really did see.
Sceledrvs:Numquam hercle deterreborquin viderim id quod viderim.
PHILOCOMASIUM:In my foolishness I am delaying too long in parleying with this madman, whom, by the powers, I’ll punish with death.
Philocomasivm:Ego stulta et mora multum,quae cum hoc insano fabuler, quem pol ego capitis perdam.
SCELEDRUS:Forbear to threaten me: I know that the cross will prove my tomb; there are laid my forefathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather.’Tis not in possibility, however, for these eyes of mine to be dug out by your threats.
Sceledrvs:Noli minitari: scio crucem futuram mihi sepulcrum;ibi meí sunt maiores siti, pater, avos, proavos, abavos.non possunt mihi minaciis tuis hisce oculi exfodiri.
But I want a few words with you; prithee, Palaestrio, whence came she hither?PALAESTRIO:Whence but from our house?
sed paucis verbis te volo, Palaestrio. opsecro te,unde exit haec?Palaestrio:Vnde nísi domo?
SCELEDRUS:From our house?
Sceledrvs:Domo?
PALAESTRIO:Do you credit me?
Palaestrio:Mé viden?
SCELEDRUS:I do credit you: but ’tis a thing to be wondered at, how she has been able to return from that house to ours. For, beyond a doubt, we have neither a terrace to our house, nor any garden, nor any window but what is latticed. (To PHILOCOMASIUM.) But, undoubtedly, I did see you in the house next door.
Sceledrvs:Te video.nimis mírumst facinus, quo modo haec hinc huc transire potuit;nam certo neque solariumst apud nós neque hortus ullusneque fénestra nisi clatrata; nam certe ego te hic intus vidi.
PALAESTRIO:Do you persist, you rascal, in pretending to accuse her?
Palaestrio:Pergin, sceleste, intendere hanc arguere?
PHILOCOMASIUM:In good sooth, then, the dream has not turned out untrue, that I dreamed last night.
Philocomasivm:Ecastor ergomi hau falsum evenit somnium, quod noctu hac somniavi.