---
title: "The Persian · Persa"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Persian · Persa. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/"
---

# The Persian · Persa

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A slave in love cheats a pimp with a fake Persian.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi014, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi014.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## Contents

1. [Lines 1–279](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/1.md)
2. [Lines 280–585](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/2.md)
3. [Lines 586–858](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/3.md)

## 1. Lines 1–279

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/1/#p-N

[¶0] (Enter TOXILUS and SAGARISTIO, on different sides..)
TOXILUS: (to himself.)
He who, falling in love, destitute of means, has first entered upon the paths of love, has in his own labours exceeded all the labours of Hercules. For with the lion, and with the Hydra, with the stag, with the Aetolian boar, with the birds of Stamphalus, with Antaeus, would I rather contend
than with love. So wretched am I become with hunting after money to borrow; and yet, those whom I ask know of nothing to answer me, except “I have got none.”
SAGARISTIO: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Qui amáns egens ingressus est princeps in Amoris vias,
superávit aerumnis suis aerumnas Herculi.
nam cúm leone, cum éxcetra, cum cérvo, cum apro Aetólico,
cum avibús Stymphalicís, cum Antaeo déluctari mávelim,
quam cúm Amore: ita fio miser quaerendo argento mutuo,
nec quicquam nisi “non est” sciunt mihi respondere quos rogo.

[¶1] The servant that is desirous faithfully to serve his master, i’ troth, it surely does behove him to treasure up full many a thing in his breast which he may think will please his master, both present and abroad.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Qui eró suo servíre volt bene sérvos servitútem,
ne illum edepol multa in pectore suo conlocare oportet,
quae eró placere cénseat praesénti atque apsentí suo.

[¶2] I neither serve with cheerfulness, nor am I quite to my master’s satisfaction; but, as though from a running eye, my master is still unable to keep his hands off me, in giving me his commands, in making me the support of his affairs.

> Latin: ego neque lubenter servio neque satis sum ero ex sententia,
sed quasi lippo oculo me érus meus manum apstinere hau quit tamen,
quin mi imperet, quin me suis negotiis praefulciat.

[¶3] TOXILUS:
Who’s this that’s standing opposite to me?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quís illic est qui cóntra me astat?

[¶4] SAGARISTIO:
Who’s that that’s standing opposite to me?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quís hic est qui sic cóntra me astat?

[¶5] TOXILUS:
It’s like Sagaristio.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Similis est Sagaristionis.

[¶6] SAGARISTIO:
Surely this is my friend Toxilus.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Toxilus híc quidem meus amicust.

[¶7] TOXILUS:
Certainly it is he.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ís est profecto.

[¶8] SAGARISTIO:
I think it is he.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Eum esse opinor.

[¶9] TOXILUS:
I’ll go meet him.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Congrediar.

[¶10] SAGARISTIO:
I’ll go up and accost him.
TOXILUS: (meeting him.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Contra adgredibor.

[¶11] O Sagaristio, may the Gods bless you.
SAGARISTIO:
O Sagaristio, the Gods grant you what you may desire. How fare you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
O Sagaristio, di ament te.
Sagaristio:
O Toxilé, dabunt di quae exoptes.
út vales?

[¶12] TOXILUS:
Just as I can.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Út queo.

[¶13] SAGARISTIO:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quíd agitur?

[¶14] TOXILUS:
I still live.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vívitur.

[¶15] SAGARISTIO:
Quite then to your satisfaction?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Sátin ergo ex sententia?

[¶16] TOXILUS:
If the things come to pass which I desire, quite.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Si eveniunt quae exopto, satis.

[¶17] SAGARISTIO:
You deal with your friends in a very silly fashion.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Nimis stúlte amicis utere.

[¶18] TOXILUS:
How so?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid iam?

[¶19] SAGARISTIO:
Because you ought to give them your commands.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Imperare oportet.

[¶20] TOXILUS:
As for myself, you were already dead to me, because I haven’t seen you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Mihi quidem tu iám eras mortuos, quia non te visitabam.

[¶21] SAGARISTIO:
Business, upon my faith—

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Negotium edepol—

[¶22] TOXILUS:
In the iron chain line, perhaps.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ferreum fortasse?

[¶23] SAGARISTIO:
For more than a twelvemonth I’ve been promoted in chains to be commanding officer in the basting line at the mill.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Plusculum annum
fui praéferratus apud molas tribunus vapularis.

[¶24] TOXILUS:
Why, that’s your old line of service.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vetus iam ístaec militiast tua.

[¶25] SAGARISTIO:
Have you been quite well all along?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Satin tu úsque valuisti?

[¶26] TOXILUS:
Not very.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hau probe.

[¶27] SAGARISTIO:
I’ faith, it’s with reason then you are so pale.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ergo edepol palles.

[¶28] TOXILUS:
I’ve been wounded in the battles of Venus;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Saucius factus sum in Veneris proelio:

[¶29] Cupid has pierced my heart with his arrow.
SAGARISTIO:
Do servants then fall in love here?

> Latin: sagittá Cupido cor meum transfixit.
Sagaristio:
Iam servi hic amant?

[¶30] TOXILUS:
Why, what could I do? Was I to be struggling against the Gods? Was I, like the sons of Titan, to be waging war with the Deities, with whom I am not quite able to cope?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quíd ego faciam? disne advorser? quasi Titani cum eis belligerem
quibus sat esse non queam?

[¶31] SAGARISTIO:
Do you only take care that “catapultae” made of elm don’t pierce your sides.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vide modo, ulmeae catapultae tuom ne transfigant latus.

[¶32] TOXILUS:
In right royal manner I’m celebrating the feast of Freedom.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Básilice ágito eleútheria.

[¶33] SAGARISTIO:
How so?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quíd iam?

[¶34] TOXILUS:
Because my master’s gone abroad.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quia erus peregri est.

[¶35] SAGARISTIO:
Do you say so?
Is he gone abroad?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ain tu,
péregri est?

[¶36] TOXILUS:
If you can bear to be enjoying yourself, do you come: you shall live with me; you shall be treated with right royal entertainment.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Si tu tibi bene esse
póte pati, veni: víves mecum,
básilico accipiere victu.

[¶37] SAGARISTIO:
Out upon it (rubbing himself.) my shoulder-blades are quite itching now, because I’ve heard you mention these things.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Váh, iam scapulae pruriunt, quia te ístaec audivi loqui.

[¶38] TOXILUS:
But this one thing is torturing me.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sed hoc me únum excruciat.

[¶39] SAGARISTIO:
Why, what is it?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quidnam id est?

[¶40] TOXILUS:
This day is the very last day, to determine whether my mistress is to be free, or whether she is to endure lasting servitude.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Haéc dies summa hódie est, mea amíca sitne líbera,
an sémpiternam sérvitutem sérviat.

[¶41] SAGARISTIO:
What, then, do you now desire?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid núnc vis ergo?

[¶42] TOXILUS:
You have it in your power to make me your friend for ever.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
⟨Fácere ami⟩cum tibi me potis es sempiternum.

[¶43] SAGARISTIO:
In what way?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quem ad modum?

[¶44] TOXILUS:
In lending me six hundred didrachms, for me to pay the same for her freedom, which I will forthwith refund you in the next three or four days. Come, do be good-natured; give me your help.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Út mihi des nummos sescentos, quós pro capite illius pendam,
quós continuo tibi reponam in hoc tríduo, aut quadriduo.
age fí benignus, subveni.

[¶45] SAGARISTIO:
With what assurance, you impudent fellow, do you venture to ask so much money of me?
Why, if I myself were to be sold all in one lot, it’s hardly possible for as much to be received as you are asking me for; for now you are asking for water from a pumice-stone, which is all a-dry itself.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Qua cónfidentia rogare tu á med argentum tantum audes,
ímpudens? quin si egomet totus véneam, vix recipi potis est
quód tu me rogas; nam tú aquam a púmice nunc póstulas,
qui ípsus sitiat.

[¶46] TOXILUS:
Ought you to be treating me in this fashion?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sicine hoc te mihi fácere?

[¶47] SAGARISTIO:
What am I to do?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid faciam?

[¶48] TOXILUS:
Do you ask the question? Beg it on loan from somebody.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Rogas?

[¶49] SAGARISTIO:
You do the same as you are asking me.

> Latin: alicúnde exora mutuom.
Sagaristio:
Tu fác idem quod rogas me.

[¶50] TOXILUS:
I’ve been trying; I’ve found it nowhere.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quaesivi, nusquam repperi.

[¶51] SAGARISTIO:
I really will try, if any one will trust me.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quaeram equidem, si quis credat.

[¶52] TOXILUS:
Am I then to consider it as a thing in possibility?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nempe habeo in mundo.

[¶53] SAGARISTIO:
If I had had it at home, I’d promise it at once. This is in my power, to use my best endeavours.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Si id domi esset mihi, iam pollicerer:
hoc meumst ut faciam sedulo.

[¶54] TOXILUS:
Whatever it is, come you home to me.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quidquid erit, recipe te ad me.
quaeré tamen, ego item sedulo.

[¶55] SAGARISTIO:
Still do you try to get it; I’ll carefully do the same. If anything shall turn up, I’ll let you know at once.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Si quid erit, ⟨te fac⟩iam ut scias.

[¶56] TOXILUS:
I entreat you, and entreat over and over again, do give me your stanch help in this.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
… obsecro te resecro⟨que⟩, operam da hánc mihi
fidélem.

[¶57] SAGARISTIO:
O dear! you are worrying me to death by your importunity.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ah, odio me énicas.

[¶58] TOXILUS:
It’s through the fault of love, and not my own, that I’m now become a silly prater to you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Amóris vitio, non meo, nunc tibi morologus fio.

[¶59] SAGARISTIO:
Then, i’ troth, I’ll now be taking my leave of you.
(Moving.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
At pol ego aps te concessero.—

[¶60] TOXILUS:
Are you going away, then? A good walk to you. But betake yourself back as soon as you can, and do take care that I haven’t to seek you; I shall be close at home until I have cooked up a mishap for the Procurer.
(Exit SAGARISTIO, and TOXILUS goes into the house.) (Enter SATURIO.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iamne ábis? bene ambulato.
sed recipe quam primum potes, cave fúas mi in quaestione.
usque ero domi, dum excoxero lenoni malam ⟨rem magnam⟩.—

[¶61] SATURIO: (to himself.)
The old and ancient calling of my forefathers do I follow, and hold, and cultivate with great care.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Veterem atque antiquom quaestum maio⟨rum meum⟩
servo atque obtineo et magna cum cura colo.

[¶62] For never was there any one of my forefathers, but that by acting the parasite they filled their bellies: my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, his father, and his grandfather, just like mice, always fed on the victuals of others, and in love of good eating no one could excel them.

> Latin: nam numquam quisquam meorum maiorum fuit,
quin parasitando paverint ventres suos:
patér, avos, proavos, abavos, atavos, tritavos
quasi mures semper edere alienum cibum,
neque edacitate eos quisquam poterat vincere;

[¶63] Hard Heads was their surname. From them have I derived this calling, and the station of my forefathers; nor do I wish myself to turn informer, nor indeed does it become me, without risk of my own, to go seize upon the goods of other people; nor do those persons please who do so; I’m speaking out.

> Latin: atque eis cognómentum erat durís Capitonibus.
unde égo hunc quaestum optineo et maiorum locum.
neque quadrupulari me volo, neque enim decet
sine meo periclo ire aliena ereptum bona,
neque illí qui faciunt mihi placent. planen loquor?

[¶64] For whoever does this, more for the sake of the public than of his own benefit, my mind can be induced to believe that he is a citizen both faithful and deserving; but if he should not prosecute to conviction the breaker of the laws, let him pay one half of the intended penalty to the public. And let this, too, be written in that law;

> Latin: nam publicae rei causa quicumque id facit
magis quám sui quaesti, animus induci potest,
eum esse civem ét fidelem ét bonum.
sed …
si legirupam qui damnet, det in publicum
dimidium; atque etiam in ea lege adscribier:

[¶65] when an informer has prosecuted any one, let the other in his turn sue him for just as much, and upon equal terms let them come before the Triumvirs. If that were done, assuredly I’d make those nowhere to be seen, who here with their whitened nets lay siege to the property of others.

> Latin: ubi quadrupulator quempiam iniexit manum,
tantidem ille illi rursus iniciat manum,
ut aequa parti prodeant ad tris viros:
si id fiat, ne isti faxim nusquam appareant,
qui hic albo rete áliena oppugnant bona.

[¶66] But am I not a simpleton, to be taking care of the public interests when there are the magistrates, whose duty it is to take care of them? Now I’ll in-doors here; I’ll go look after the scraps from yesterday, whether they have rested well or not; whether they have had a fever; whether they’ve been well covered up or not, so that no one could creep up to them.

> Latin: sed sumne ego stultus, qui rem curo publicam,
ubi sint magistratus, quos curare oporteat?
nunc huc intro ibo, visam hesternas reliquias,
quieríntne recte necne, num afuerit febris,
opertaen fuerint, ne quis obreptaverit.

[¶67] But the door is opening; I must pause in my steps.
(Enter TOXILUS, from the house of his MASTER.)
TOXILUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: sed aperiuntur aedes, remorandust gradus.

[¶68] I’ve hit upon the whole matter, so that with his own money the Procurer may this day make her his freed-woman. But see, here’s the Parasite whose assistance I have need of. I’ll make believe as though I didn’t see him; in that way I’ll allure the fellow.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Omnem rem inveni, ut sua sibi pecunia
hodie illam faciat leno libertam suam.
sed eccúm parasitum, quoius mi auxilio est opus.
simulabo quasi non videam: ita alliciam virum.

[¶69] (Goes to the door, and calls to the SERVANTS within.) Do you attend, you there, and quickly make haste, that I mayn’t have any delay when I come in-doors. Mix the honied wine; get ready the quinces and the junkets, that they may be nicely warmed upon the dishes, and throw in some scented calamus. I’ faith, that boon-companion of mine, I fancy, will be here just now.
SATURIO: (apart.)

> Latin: curate istic vos atque adproperate ocius,
ne mihi morae sit quicquam, ubi ego intro advenero.
commisce mulsum, struthea † coluthequam appara,
bene ut in scutris concaleat, et calamum inice.
iam pól ille hic aderit, credo, congerro meus.

[¶70] He’s meaning me—bravo!
TOXILUS:
I think that he’ll be here just now from the baths when he has bathed.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Me dicit, euge.
Toxilvs:
Lautum credo e balineis
iam hic adfuturum.

[¶71] SATURIO: (apart.)
How he does keep everything in its due order.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Vt ordine omnem rem tenet.

[¶72] TOXILUS:
Take you care that the gravy-cakes and the cheese-biscuits are hot; don’t be giving them to me unbaked.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Collyrae facite ut madeant et colyphia,
ne mihi incócta detis.

[¶73] SATURIO: (apart.)
He’s speaking the very fact; they are worth nothing raw, only if you swallow them warm.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Rem loquitur meram.
nihili sunt crudae, nisi quas madidas gluttias;

[¶74] Then, unless the broth for the gravy-cakes is of a thick consistency, that miserable, thin, pale, transparent stuff, is worth nothing at all. The broth for a gravy-cake ought to be like a soup. I don’t want it to be going into my bladder, I want it for my stomach.
TOXILUS: (pretending not to see him.)

> Latin: tum nisi cremore crassost ius collyricum,
nihilist, macrum illud epicrocum pellucidum:
quasi †iuream esse ius decet collyricum.
nolo in vesicam quod eat, in ventrem volo.

[¶75] Some one, I know not who, is talking near me here.
SATURIO: (accosting him.)
O my earthly Jupiter, your fellow-feaster addresses you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Prope me hic nescio quis loquitur.
Satvrio:
O mi Iuppiter
terrestris, te coepulonus compellat tuos.

[¶76] TOXILUS:
O Saturio, you’ve come opportunely for me.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
O Saturio, opportune advenisti mihi.

[¶77] SATURIO:
Upon my faith, you are telling a lie, and it becomes you not; for as Hungerio I’m come, not as Saturio am I come.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Mendacium edepol dicis, atque haud te decet:
nam essurio venio, non advenio saturio.

[¶78] TOXILUS:
But you shall have something to eat; for now the creature-comforts for the stomach are smoking away in-doors.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At edes, nam iam intus ventris fumant focula.

[¶79] I’ve ordered the remnants to be warmed.
SATURIO:
Why, it’s the proper thing for the gammon to be served up cold the day after.

> Latin: calefieri iussi reliquias.
Satvrio:
Pernam quidem
ius est adponi frigidam postridie.

[¶80] TOXILUS:
I’ve ordered it so to be done.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ita fieri iussi.

[¶81] SATURIO:
Any caviare?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Ecquid hallecis?

[¶82] TOXILUS:
Get out—do you ask the question?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vah, rogas?

[¶83] SATURIO:
You have a capital notion of what’s good.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Sapis múltum ad genium.

[¶84] TOXILUS:
But do you at all remember the matter about which I was making mention to you yesterday?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sed ⟨tu⟩, ecquid meministi, here
qua de re ego tecum mentionem feceram?

[¶85] SATURIO:
I recollect; that the lamprey and the conger ought not to be made warm; for they are much better stripped of their meat when cold. But why do we delay to commence the engagement? While it’s the morning, it befits all people to eat.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Memini: ut murena et conger ne calefierent;
nam nimio melius oppectuntur frigida.
sed quid cessamus proelium committere?
dum mane est, omnis esse mortalis decet.

[¶86] TOXILUS:
It’s almost too early in the morning.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nimis paéne manest.

[¶87] SATURIO:
The business that you begin to do in the morning, that same lasts on throughout the day.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Mane quod tu occeperis
negotium agere, id totum procedit diem.

[¶88] TOXILUS:
Prithee, do give your attention to this. For yesterday I mentioned it to you, and entreated you to lend me six hundred didrachms.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quaeso animum advorte hoc. iám heri narravi tibi
tecumque oravi, ut nummos sescentos mihi
dares utendos mutuos.

[¶89] SATURIO:
I recollect it and am aware, both that you did ask me, and that I hadn’t any to lend.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Memini et scio,
et te me orare et mihi non esse quod darem.

[¶90] A Parasite’s good for nothing that has got money at home; he has a longing at once to begin upon an entertainment, and to gobble away at his own expense, if he has anything at home. A Parasite ought to be a right down needy Cynic; he ought to have a leather bottle, a strigil, an utensil, a pair of slippers, a cloak,
and a purse; and in that a little of the needful, with which he may just cheer up the existence of his own household.

> Latin: nihili parasitus est, cui árgentum domi est:
lubido extemplo coeperest convivium,
tuburcinari de suo, si quid domi est.
cynicum esse egentem oportet parasitum probe:
ampullam, strigilem, scaphium, soccos, pallium,
marsuppium habeat, inibi paullum praesidi,
qui familiarem suam vitam oblectet modo.

[¶91] TOXILUS:
I don’t want money now; lend me your daughter.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam nolo argentum: filiam utendam tuam
mihi da.

[¶92] SATURIO:
By my troth, never to any person whatsoever have I lent her as yet.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Numquam edepol cuiquam etiam utendam dedi.

[¶93] TOXILUS:
Not for that purpose which you are insinuating.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Non ad istuc quod tu insimulas.

[¶94] SATURIO:
Why do you want her then?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quid eam vis?

[¶95] TOXILUS:
You shall know;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Scies.

[¶96] because she’s of a pretty and genteel figure.
SATURIO:
Such is the fact.

> Latin: quia forma lepida et liberali est.
Satvrio:
Res itast.

[¶97] TOXILUS:
This Procurer (pointing to the house of DORDALUS.) neither knows yourself nor your daughter.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hic leno neque te novit neque gnatam tuam.

[¶98] SATURIO:
How should any one know me, except him who finds me food?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Me ut quisquam norit, nisi ille qui praebet cibum?

[¶99] TOXILUS:
Such is the fact. This way you can find some money for me.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ita est. hoc tu mihi reperire argentum potes.

[¶100] SATURIO:
I’ faith, I wish I could.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Cupio hercle.

[¶101] TOXILUS:
Then do you allow me to sell her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tum tu me sine illam vendere.

[¶102] SATURIO:
You to sell her?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Tun illam vendas?

[¶103] TOXILUS:
Why no, I’ll depute another person to sell her, and to say that he is a foreigner; since it isn’t six months since that Procurer removed hither from Megara.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Immo alium adlegavero
qui vendat, qui esse se peregrinum praedicet.
sicut istic leno non sex menses Megaribus
huc est cum commigravit.

[¶104] SATURIO:
The remnants are spoiling; this, however, can be done afterwards.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Pereunt reliquiae.
posterius istuc tamen potest.

[¶105] TOXILUS:
Do you understand on what terms it can?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Scin quam potest?

[¶106] Never, on my word, shall you eat here this day, so don’t be mistaken, before you declare to me that you’ll do this that I’m requesting; and unless you bring your daughter with you hither at once as soon as you can, by my faith, I’ll cashier you from this squad. What now? What’s the matter? Why don’t you say what you will do?

> Latin: numquam hercle hodie hic prius edes, ne frustra sis,
quam te hoc facturum quod rogo adfirmas mihi;
atqué nisi gnatam tecum huc iam quantum potest
adducis, exigam hercle ego te ex hac decuria.
quid nunc? quid est? quin dicis quid facturus sis?

[¶107] SATURIO:
I’ troth, prithee sell even myself as well, if you like, so long as you sell me with my stomach full.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quaeso hercle me quoque etiam vende, si lubet,
dum saturum vendas.

[¶108] TOXILUS:
If you are going to do this, do it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hoc, si facturu's facturus es, face.

[¶109] SATURIO:
For my part, I’ll do what you desire,

> Latin: Satvrio:
Faciam equidem quae vis.

[¶110] TOXILUS:
You act kindly. Make haste, be off home; cleverly tutor your daughter beforehand, instruct her cunningly, what she is to say, where she is to declare she was born,
who were her parents, how she was kidnapped. But let her declare that she was born at a distance from Athens; and let her shed tears when she makes mention of it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Bene facis. propera, abi domum;
praemonstra docte, praecipe astu filiae,
quid fabuletur: ubi se natam praedicet,
qui sibi parentes fuerint, unde surpta sit.
sed longe ab Athenis esse se gnatam autumet;
et ut adfleat, cum ea memoret.

[¶111] SATURIO:
Now won’t you hold your tongue? Three times more artful is she than you would have her be.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Etiam tu taces?
ter tanto peior ipsa est quam illam tu esse vis.

[¶112] TOXILUS:
I’ troth, you say what’s excellent. But do you know what you are to do? Get
a tunic and a girdle, and bring a scarf and a broad-brimmed hat for him to wear who is to sell her to this Procurer—

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Lepide hercle dicis. sed scin quid facias? cape
tunicam atque zonam, et chlamydem adferto et causeam,
quam ille habeat qui hanc lenoni huic vendat.

[¶113] SATURIO:
Well-capital!

> Latin: Satvrio:
Eu, probe.

[¶114] TOXILUS:
As though he were a foreigner.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quasi sit peregrinus.

[¶115] SATURIO:
I approve of it—

> Latin: Satvrio:
Laudo.

[¶116] TOXILUS:
And do you bring your daughter cleverly drest up after a foreign fashion.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Et tu gnatam tuam
ornatam adduce lepide in peregrinum modum.

[¶117] SAGARISTIO:
“Où sont ” the dresses?
TOXILUS:
Borrow them of the chorus-leader.

> Latin: Satvrio:
πόθεν ornamenta?
Toxilvs:
Abs chorago sumito;

[¶118] He ought to lend them; the Aediles have contracted for them to be found.

> Latin: dare debet: praebenda aediles locaverunt.

[¶119] SATURIO:
I’ll have them here just now. But I’m to be acquainted with nothing of these matters?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Iam faxo hic aderunt. sed ego nihil horunc scio.

[¶120] TOXILUS:
I’ faith, nothing, in fact. But, when I’ve got the money, do you at once claim her of the Procurer.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nihil hercle vero. nam ubi ego argentum accepero,
continuo tu illam a lenone adserito manu.

[¶121] SATURIO:
Let him keep her for himself, if I don’t immediately carry her off from him.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Sibi habeat, si non extemplo ab eo abduxero.—

[¶122] TOXILUS:
Be off and attend to this. (Exit SATURIO.) In the meantime, I want to send a boy to my mistress; that she may be of good courage, and that I shall manage it to-day. I’m talking too much at length.
(Goes into the house.) (Enter SOPHOCLIDISCA and LEMNISELENE, from the house of DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Abi et istuc cura. interibi egó puerum volo
mittere ad amicam meam, út habeat animum bonum,
me esse effecturum ⟨hoc⟩ hodie. nimis longum loquor.—

[¶123] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
It were enough to tell an untaught, thoughtless, silly girl the same thing so many times over; really, in fact, I do imagine that I’m quite looked upon by you as a blockhead and a country booby.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Satis fúit índoctae, ímmemori, insípienti dicére totiens.
nimis tándem me quidem pró barda et pro rústica reor habitam ésse aps te.

[¶124] Although I do drink wine, still I’m not in the habit of swallowing down your commands together with it. I really had fancied that both myself and my ways had now been sufficiently proved by you; for, as for me, I’ve attended you now these five years; whereas, in that time, a cuckoo even, I do believe, if he had gone to school, could by now have been made to know his letters well; while, in the meantime, whether speaking or not speaking, you have not made yourself acquainted with my disposition.

> Latin: quamquam égo vinum bibo, at mándata non cónsuevi simul bíbere una.
me quídem iam satis tibi spéctatam censébam esse et meos móres.
nam equidém te iam sectór quintum hunc annúm, quom interea, crédo,
ovis si ín ludum iret, pótuisset iam fíeri ut probe litterás sciret,
quom interím tu meum ingeniúm fans atque infans nondum etiam edídicisti.

[¶125] Can you not hold your tongue? Can you not cease advising me? I remember, and I know, and I understand, and I keep in mind; i’ faith, you are in love, poor thing; on that account your mind’s disturbed. I’ll cause that that shall be calmed for you.

> Latin: potin út taceas? potin né moneas?
memini ét scio et calleo et cómmemini.
amas pól misera: id tuos scátit animus.
ego istúc placidum tibi ut sít faciam.

[¶126] LEMNISELENE:
Wretched is the person that’s in love.
(Goes into the house.)
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (to herself.)
Good for nothing, indeed, he certainly is,
who is in love with nothing. What need has that person of life? I ought to go, that I may prove obedient to my mistress; that through my aid she may the sooner become a free woman. I’ll go meet this Toxilus, however; his ears I’ll stuff with what has been enjoined upon me.
(Stands aside.) (Enter, from the house, TOXILUS and PAEGNIUM.)

> Latin: Lemniselenis:
Miser ést qui amat.—
Sophoclidisca:
Cérto is quidém nihilist,
qui níl amat: quíd ei homini ópus vita est?
iré decet me, út erae opsequéns fiam, libéra ea opera ócius ut sit.
convéniam hunc Toxilum: eius auris, quae mandata sunt, onerabo.

[¶127] TOXILUS:
Are these things quite clear and certain to you—do you quite remember and understand them?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sátin haec tibi sunt plána et certa? sátin haec meministi ét tenes?

[¶128] PAEGNIUM:
Better than you who have instructed me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Melius quam tu qui docuisti.

[¶129] TOXILUS:
Say you so, you whip-rascal?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ain véro, verbereum caput?

[¶130] PAEGNIUM:
I really do say so.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Aio enim véro.

[¶131] TOXILUS:
What did I say then P

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid ergo dixi?

[¶132] PAEGNIUM:
I’ll tell it to her all correctly.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ego recte apud illam dixero.

[¶133] TOXILUS:
I’ faith, you don’t know it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Non edepol scis.

[¶134] PAEGNIUM:
Troth now, lay me a wager that I don’t remember and know it all.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Da hercle pignus, ni omnia memini et scio,
et quidem sí scis tute, quot hodie habeas digitos in manu.

[¶135] TOXILUS:
Why, for my part, I’ll lay a wager with you on this, whether you know your own self, how many fingers you have this day upon your hand.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Egon dem pignus tecum?

[¶136] PAEGNIUM:
Without hesitation—if you are desirous to lose.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Audacter, si lubido est perdere.

[¶137] TOXILUS:
A fair truce rather let there be.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Bona pax sit potius.

[¶138] PAEGNIUM:
For that reason, then, do you let me go.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tum tu igitur sine me ire.

[¶139] TOXILUS:
I both bid and permit you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Et iubeo et sino;

[¶140] But I wish you so to attend to it, that you are back home while I’m thinking that you are there.

> Latin: sed ita volo te ire, ut domí sis, cum ego te esse illi censeam.

[¶141] PAEGNIUM:
I’ll do so.
(Moves towards their own house.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Faciam.

[¶142] TOXILUS:
Whither are you now going?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quo ergo is nunc?

[¶143] PAEGNIUM:
Home; that I may be at home while you are thinking that I am there.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Domum: uti domi sim, quom illi censeas.

[¶144] TOXILUS:
You are a rascal of a boy, and—for this service I’ll give you something to add to your savings.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Scelus tu pueri es, atque ob istánc rem ego aliqui te peculiabo.

[¶145] PAEGNIUM:
I’m aware how want of shame is wont to be imputed to a master’s word, and that masters cannot ever be compelled to appear before the judge on account of those promises.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Scio fide hercle erili ut soleat impudicitia opprobrari
nec subigi queantur umquam, ut pro éa fide habeant iudicem.

[¶146] TOXILUS:
Be off now.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Abi modo.

[¶147] PAEGNIUM:
I’ll give you reason to command me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ego laudabis faxo.

[¶148] TOXILUS:
But, Paegnium, take you care and give that letter to Lemniselene herself, and tell her what I bade you.
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sed has tabellas, Paegnium,
ipsi Lemniseleni fac des et quae iussi nuntiato.

[¶149] Do I delay to go whither I was sent?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Cesso ire ego quo missa sum?

[¶150] PAEGNIUM:
I’m off.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Eo ego.

[¶151] TOXILUS:
Then do be off; I’ll off home. Take care and manage this business with attention. Fly post haste.
(Goes into the house.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
I sane. ego domum ibo. face rem hanc cum cura geras.
vola curriculo.—

[¶152] PAEGNIUM:
That’s what the ostrich is wont to do in the Circus.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Istuc marinus passer per circum solet.

[¶153] He’s off from here in-doors there. But who’s this woman that’s coming towards me?
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (advancing.)

> Latin: illic hinc abiit intro huc. sed quis haec ést quae med advorsum incedit?

[¶154] Surely this is Paegnium.
PAEGNIUM:
This is Sophoclidisca, the private servant of her to whom I’m sent.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Paegnium hic quidem est.
Paegnivm:
Sophoclidisca haéc peculiarest eius
quo ego sum missus.

[¶155] SOPHOCLIDISCA: (aside.)
There’s not a person this day that’s reported to be more artful than this boy. I’ll accost him.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Nullus esse hodie hóc puero peior perhibetur.

[¶156] PAEGNIUM:
At this bar
I must come to a stop.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Compellabo.

[¶157] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Paegnium, my charmer of a boy, save you; how are you? How do you do?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Commorandust.
Paegnivm:
Apud hanc obieci …
Sophoclidisca:
Paegnium, deliciae pueri, salve. quid agis? ut vales?

[¶158] PAEGNIUM:
Sophoclidisca, the Gods will favour me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Sophoclidisca, di me amabunt.

[¶159] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Why “me?” Which of us?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid me?

[¶160] PAEGNIUM:
I’ faith, I don’t know. But if they were to do as you deserve, by my troth they’d hold you in hate, and treat you but badly.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Vtrum hercle ⟨di volent⟩;
sed si ut digna es faciant, odio hercle habeant et faciant male.

[¶161] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Do leave off your abusive talking.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Mitte male loqui.

[¶162] PAEGNIUM:
Since I’m saying just as you I’m talking to deserve, properly, not abusively.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quom ut digna es dico, bene, non male loquor.

[¶163] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
What are you about now?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid agis?

[¶164] PAEGNIUM:
Standing opposite to you, looking at a worthless woman.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Feminam scelestam te astans contra contuor.

[¶165] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
For my own part, assuredly, I do not know any more good-for-nothing boy than yourself.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Certe equidem puerum peiorem quam te novi neminem.

[¶166] PAEGNIUM:
What mischief do I do, or to what person do I speak abusively?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quid male facio aut quoi male dico?

[¶167] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I’ faith, to every one that you have the opportunity.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quoi pol cumque occasio est.

[¶168] PAEGNIUM:
Not an individual has ever thought so.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Nemo homo umquam ita arbitratust.

[¶169] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
But, i’ faith, full many a one knows that so it is.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
At pol multi esse ita sciunt.

[¶170] PAEGNIUM:
Heyday, indeed!

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Heia.

[¶171] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Heyday, indeed!

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Beia.

[¶172] PAEGNIUM:
According to your own disposition you judge of the ways of others.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tuo ex ingenio mores alienos probas.

[¶173] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I certainly do confess that I’m just as befits one of a Procurer’s household to be.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Fateor ego profecto me esse ut decet lenonis familiae.

[¶174] PAEGNIUM:
I’ve now had enough of your chattering.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Satis iam dictum habeo.

[¶175] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
What say you? Do you plead guilty to what I take you to be?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Sed quid tu? confitere ut te autumo?

[¶176] PAEGNIUM:
If I were so, I should confess it.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Fatear, si ita sim.

[¶177] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Be off then; you’ve got the victory.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Iam ábi, vicisti.

[¶178] PAEGNIUM:
Now then be off with you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Abi núnciam ergo.

[¶179] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Do you then tell me this—whither are you going?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Hoc mi expedi,
quó agis?

[¶180] PAEGNIUM:
Whither are you?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quo tu?

[¶181] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Say you.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Dic tu.

[¶182] PAEGNIUM:
Say you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
⟨Dic tu.⟩

[¶183] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I was the first to ask.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Prior rogavi.

[¶184] PAEGNIUM:
Then you shall be the last to know.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At post scies.

[¶185] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I’m going not far hence.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Eo ego hinc haud longe.

[¶186] PAEGNIUM:
And I, indeed, not far.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Et quidem ego haud longe ⟨hinc eo⟩.

[¶187] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Whither then, you rascal?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quo ergo ⟨is⟩, scelus?

[¶188] PAEGNIUM:
Unless I know first of you, you shall never know this of me that you are enquiring.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Nisi scieró prius ex te, tu ex me numquam hoc quod rogitas scies.

[¶189] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
On my honor you shall never this day know before I’ve heard it of you.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Numquam ecastor hodie scibis prius quam ex te audivero.

[¶190] PAEGNIUM:
Is such the fact?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Itane est?

[¶191] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Is such the fact?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Itane est.

[¶192] PAEGNIUM:
You are a worthless one.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Mala es.

[¶193] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Rogue.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Scelestu's scelestus es.

[¶194] PAEGNIUM:
That befits me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Decet me.

[¶195] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Me then it does not befit.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Me quidem addecet.

[¶196] PAEGNIUM:
What do you say? Are you quite determined, you hussy, to conceal whither you are going?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quid ais? certumnest celare, quó iter facias, pessuma?

[¶197] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
And are you quite resolved to hide whither you are betaking yourself, you scoundrel?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Offirmastin occultare quo te immittas, pessume?

[¶198] PAEGNIUM:
You are giving answer to what I say like for like; be off with you then, since such is your determination. I don’t care at all to know. Good-bye.
(Moving.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Par pari respondes dicto. abi iam, quando ita certa res.
nihili facio scire. valeas.

[¶199] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Stop!

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Asta.

[¶200] PAEGNIUM:
But I’m in a hurry.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At propero.

[¶201] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
And, i’ faith, I as well.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Et pol ego item.

[¶202] PAEGNIUM:
Have you got anything?
(Pointing to her hand.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ecquid habes?

[¶203] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Have you anything?
(Pointing likewise.)

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Ecquid tú?

[¶204] PAEGNIUM:
Really nothing whatever.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Nil equidem.

[¶205] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Show me your hand then.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Cedo manum ergo.

[¶206] PAEGNIUM: (showing his right hand.)
Is this the hand?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Estne haec manus?

[¶207] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Where is that other, the pilfering left hand?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Vbi illa altera ést furtifica laeva?

[¶208] PAEGNIUM: (hiding his left hand.)
Why, it is at home, d’ye see; I’ve not brought one hither.
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (trying to seize his hand.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Domi eccam. huc nullam attuli.

[¶209] You’ve got something, what it is I know not.
PAEGNIUM: (pushing her away.)
Don’t be mauling me about you she-groper.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Habes nescio quid.
Paegnivm:
Ne me attrecta, subigitatrix.

[¶210] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
But suppose I’m in love with you.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Sin te amo?

[¶211] PAEGNIUM:
You employ your pains to no purpose.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Male operam locas.

[¶212] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Why so?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Qui?

[¶213] PAEGNIUM:
Why, because you are in love with nothing at all, when you are in love with one who doesn’t return it.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quia enim nihil amas, quom ingratum amas.

[¶214] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
It befits these youthful looks and age to be on the watch for pleasure in good time;
so that, when your hair comes to change its hue, you may not be always in a grovelling servitude. Why, really, as yet you are not eighty pounds in weight.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Temperi hanc vigilare oportet formulam atque aetatulam,
né, ubi versicapillus fias, foede semper servias.
tu quidem haud étiam es octoginta pondo.

[¶215] PAEGNIUM:
Still, that warfare is waged much more successfully by spirit than by weight. But I’m losing my pains.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At confidentia
illa militia militatur multo magis quam pondere.
atque ego hanc [nunc] operam perdo.

[¶216] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Why so?

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid iam?

[¶217] PAEGNIUM:
Because I’m teaching those who know it all. But I’m loitering here.
(Moves.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quia peritae praedico.
sed ego cesso.

[¶218] SOPHOCLIDISCA: (taking hold of him.)
Do stop.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Mane.

[¶219] PAEGNIUM:
You are annoying to me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Molesta es.

[¶220] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
And so I shall be then, if I don’t find out whither you are betaking yourself.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Ergo ⟨ero⟩ quoque, nisi scio,
quó agas te.

[¶221] PAEGNIUM:
To your house.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ad vos.

[¶222] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
And I to your house, i’ faith.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Et pol ego ad vos.

[¶223] PAEGNIUM:
Why thither?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quid eo?

[¶224] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
What’s that to you?
PAEGNIUM: (standing before her.)

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid id ad te attinet?

[¶225] Why, you shan’t go now, unless, in return, I know.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:
You are teazing.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Enim non ibis nunc, vicissim nisi scio.
Sophoclidisca:
Odiosu's odiosus es.

[¶226] PAEGNIUM:
I choose to.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Lubet.

[¶227] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Never, upon my faith, shall you wring this out of me, so as to prove yourself more artful than I am.

> Latin: numquam hercle istuc exterebrabis, tu ut sis peior quam ego siem.

[¶228] PAEGNIUM:
It’s a misery to contend with you in artfulness.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:
You are a mischievous baggage.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Malitia certare tecum miseria est.
Paegnivm:
Mers tu mala es.

[¶229] PAEGNIUM:
What is there for you to fear?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:
The very same that there is for you.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid est quod metuas?

[¶230] PAEGNIUM:
Say then, what is it?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Idem istuc quod tu.

[¶231] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
But I’m forbidden to tell this to any person, and am instructed that all the dumb people are to speak of it before myself.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Dic ergo …
[ne hoc cuiquam homini edicerem, omnes muti ut loquerentur prius.]

[¶232] PAEGNIUM:
And most especially was I cautioned not to trust this to any person, so that all the dumb people were to mention this before myself.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Edictum est magno opere mihi, ne quoiquam hoc homini crederem,
omnes muti ut eloquerentur prius hoc quám ego.

[¶233] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Still, do you do so; on giving our words, let’s trust each other.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
At tu hoc face:
fide data credamus.

[¶234] PAEGNIUM:
I know this—all procuresses are light of faith, and the weight of a water-gnat is not more light than is the word of a procurer.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Novi: omnes sunt lenae levifidae,
neque tippulae levius pondust, quam fides lenonia.

[¶235] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Tell me, there’s a dear.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Dic amabo.

[¶236] PAEGNIUM:
Tell me, there’s a dear.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Dic amabo.

[¶237] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I don’t want to be your dear.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Nolo ames.

[¶238] PAEGNIUM:
You’ll easily prevail upon me in that.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Facile impetras.

[¶239] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Keep it yourself.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Tecum habeto.

[¶240] PAEGNIUM:
And you be mum about this.
(Showing her a letter.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Et tu hoc taceto.

[¶241] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
It shall be kept a secret.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Tacitum erit.

[¶242] PAEGNIUM:
It shall not be known.
(She shows him a letter.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Celabitur.

[¶243] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I’m carrying this letter to Toxilus, your master.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Toxilo has fero tabellas tuo ero.

[¶244] PAEGNIUM:
Be off; he’s there at home. And I am carrying this pinewood tablet sealed, to Lemniselene, your mistress.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Abi, eccillum domi.
at ego hánc ad Lemniselenem tuam eram opsignatam abietem.

[¶245] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
What’s written there.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Quid istic scriptum?

[¶246] PAEGNIUM:
If you don’t know, pretty much like yourself, I don’t know,
except soft words, perhaps.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Iuxta tecum, si tu nescis, nescio;
nisi fortasse blanda verba.

[¶247] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
I’m off.

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Ábeo.

[¶248] PAEGNIUM:
And I’ll be off.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Et ego ábiero.—

[¶249] SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Move on then.
(They go into the respective houses.) (Enter SAGARISTO.)

> Latin: Sophoclidisca:
Ambula.—

[¶250] SAGARISTIO: (to himself.)
To Jove the opulent, the renowned, the son of Ops, the strong, the mighty in power, who riches, hopes, kind plenty does bestow, joyously and gratefully do I offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
inasmuch as in a friendly way they have bestowed for my friend this opportunity of satisfying his necessity and of borrowing the money, so that I can lend him aid in his need. Whereas I no more dreamed, or thought, or imagined that I should have this opportunity—that same has now fallen from heaven as it were.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ióvi opulento, íncluto,
Ope gnáto, suprémo, validó, viripoténti,
opés, spes bonás, copiás commodánti
… lubens vítulorque merito,
quiá meo amico amíciter hanc cómmoditatis cópiam
danúnt, argenti mutui ut éi egenti opem adferam;
quód ego non magis sómniabam neque opinabar neque censebam,
eam fore mihi occasionem, ea nunc quasi decidit de caelo;

[¶251] For my master has sent me to Eretria; he has given me the money to purchase some trained oxen for him; but he said that the fair would take place seven days hence;

> Latin: nam erus meus me Eretriam misit, domitos boves ut sibi mercarer,
dedit argentum, nam ibi mercatum dixit esse die septumi:

[¶252] a simpleton to trust this money to me whose propensity he knew; for this money I shall misapply in some other purpose: there were no oxen for me to buy. Now I’ll both promote the success of my friend, and will give my inclination full enjoyment. The pleasures that belong to a long time will I serve up in a single day. Crack, crack it will be upon my back; I don’t care.

> Latin: stultus, qui hoc mihi daret argentum, cuius ingenium noverat.
nam hoc argentum álibi abutar: boves, quos emerem, non erant;
nunc et amico prosperabo et genio meo multá bona faciam,
diu quo bene erit, die úno absolvam: tux tax tergo erit meo. non curo.

[¶253] Now, to a person that is my friend I shall present these trained oxen from out of my purse; for this, in fact, is a delightful thing, handsomely to bite your thrice-dotted niggardly, antiquated, covetous, spiritless people, who against their servant seal up the saltcellar with the salt. It’s a virtue, when occasion prompts, to hold them in contempt. What will he do to me? He’ll order me to be beaten with stripes, the fetters to be put on. I may get a beating.
Don’t let him fancy that I shall go begging to him. Woe be unto him! Nothing new can now be inflicted upon me but what I have already experienced it. But see, here comes Paegnium, Toxilus’s boy.
(Enter PAEGNIUM, from the house of DORDALUS.)
PAEGNIUM: (to himself.)

> Latin: nunc amico homini boves dómitos mea ex crumina largiar.
nam id demum lepidumst, triparcos homines, vetulos, avidos, aridos
béne admordere, qui salinum servo obsignant cum sale.
virtús, ubi occásio admonet, dispicere. quid faciet mihi?
verberibus caedi iusserit, compédes impingi? vapulet,
ne sibi me credat supplicem fore: vae illi, nil iam mihi novi
offérre potest, quin sím peritus. sed … Toxili
púerum Paegnium eccum.

[¶254] My task that was set me I’ve finished; now I’m hastening home.
SAGARISTIO:
Stop, although you are in haste—Paegnium, listen to me.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Pensúm meum, quod datumst, cónfeci. nunc dómum propero.
Sagaristio:
Mane, etsí properas.
Paégnium, ausculta.

[¶255] PAEGNIUM:
You ought to buy a person, for you to desire to be obedient to you.
(Moves on.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Emere oportet, quem tibi oboediré velis.

[¶256] SAGARISTIO:
Stop there, I say.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Asta.

[¶257] PAEGNIUM:
You’d be giving some trouble, I fancy, if I were to be owing you anything,
who are now so troublesome.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Exhibeas molestiam, ut opínor, si quid debeam,
qui nunc sic tamen es molestus.

[¶258] SAGARISTIO:
You rascal, will you look back then?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Scelerate, etiam respicis?

[¶259] PAEGNIUM:
I am aware of what age I am; for that reason you shall get off for this abuse with impunity.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Scio ego quid sim aetatis, eo istuc maledictum impune auferes.

[¶260] SAGARISTIO:
Where is Toxilus, your master?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vbi Tóxilus est tuus érus?

[¶261] PAEGNIUM:
Wherever he pleases, and he don’t ask your advice.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Vbi illí libet, néque te consulit.

[¶262] SAGARISTIO:
Won’t you tell me, then, where he is, you villain?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Etiam
dicís ubi sit, venéfice?

[¶263] PAEGNIUM:
I don’t know, I say, you elm-twig spoiler.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Néscio, inquam, ulmítriba tu.

## 2. Lines 280–585

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

[¶0] SAGARISTIO:
You are abusive to your senior.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Male dícis maiorí.

[¶1] PAEGNIUM:
As you deserved it first, do you put up with it. My master bade me hold my labour at his bidding, my tongue in freedom.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Prior proméritus perpetiáre.
servam operam, linguam liberam erus iussit med habere.

[¶2] SAGARISTIO:
Will you not tell me, where is Toxilus?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Dicisne mi, ubi sit Toxilus?

[¶3] PAEGNIUM:
I tell you that—you may go to perdition everlasting.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Dico ut perpetuo pereas.

[¶4] SAGARISTIO:
This day you shall be flogged with a rope’s end.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Caedere hodie tu restibus.

[¶5] PAEGNIUM:
On your account, indeed, you cuckoo! I’ faith, you carrion, if I were to give you a broken head, I shouldn’t be afraid of that.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tua quidem, cucule, causa!
non hercle, si os perciderim tibi, metuam, morticine.

[¶6] SAGARISTIO:
I understand you, you’ve been up to some bad work just now.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Video ego te: iam incubitatus es.

[¶7] PAEGNIUM:
So I have. What business is that to you?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Ita sum. quid id ad te [attinet]?

[¶8] But I haven’t, like yourself, all for nothing.
SAGARISTIO:
Assurance!

> Latin: at non sum, ita ut tu, gratiis.
Sagaristio:
Confidens.

[¶9] PAEGNIUM:
I’ faith, I certainly am; for I am assured that I shall be free; don’t be hoping that you’ll ever be so.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Sum hercle vero.
nam ego me confido liberum fore, tu te numquam speras.

[¶10] SAGARISTIO:
Can’t you cease your impertinence?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Potin ut molestus ne sies?

[¶11] PAEGNIUM:
That which you are mentioning, you can’t do yourself.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quod dicis facere non quis.

[¶12] SAGARISTIO:
Away with you to utter perdition.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Abi in malam rem.

[¶13] PAEGNIUM:
And off home with you; for there it’s all ready prepared for you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At tu domum: nam ibi tibi parata praestost.

[¶14] SAGARISTIO:
He summons me on my recognizances.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vadatur hic me.

[¶15] PAEGNIUM:
I only wish the sureties may be out of the way, so that you may get to prison.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Vtinam vades desint, in carcere ut sis.

[¶16] SAGARISTIO:
Why’s this?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid hoc?

[¶17] PAEGNIUM:
Aye, why is it?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Quid est?

[¶18] SAGARISTIO:
Still abusing me, rascal?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Etiam, scelus, male loquere?

[¶19] PAEGNIUM:
Why, inasmuch as you are a slave, it ought at least to be allowed a slave to abuse you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tandem ut liceat,
quom servos sis, servom tibi male dicere.

[¶20] SAGARISTIO:
And is it so? Just look (holding up his fist.) what I shall give you.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Itane? specta
quid dedero.

[¶21] PAEGNIUM:
Nothing; for nothing have you.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Nil, nam nil habes.

[¶22] SAGARISTIO:
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound me,
if I don’t this very day, if I lay hold of you, fell you to the ground with blows.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Di deaeque me omnes perdant—

[¶23] PAEGNIUM:
I am your friend; I trust that what you wish may befall you,
and that it may come to pass;

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Amicus sum, eveniant volo tibi quae optas.
Sagaristio:
Atque id fiat,
nisi te hodie, si prehendero, defigam in terram colaphis.

[¶24] if you fell me, may others make you feel yourself fixed to the cross before long.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Tun me defigas? te cruci ipsum adfigent propediem alii.

[¶25] SAGARISTIO:
But you may the Gods and Goddesses—You understand what I was going to say after that, if I hadn’t been able to restrain my tongue. Can’t you be off?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Qui te di deaeque—scis quid hinc porro dicturus fuerim,
ni linguae moderari queam. potin abeas?

[¶26] PAEGNIUM:
You drive me off with ease; for already my shadow’s getting a whipping in-doors.
(Goes into the house.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Abigis facile.
nam umbra mea iam intus vapulat.—

[¶27] SAGARISTIO: (to himself.)
May the Gods and Goddesses confound that fellow! just like a crawling serpent he has got a double tongue, and is a wicked one.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vt istúnc di deaeque perdant.
tamquam proserpens bestiast bilinguis et scelestus.

[¶28] Upon my faith, I’m glad he’s gone. (Going towards the door.) Open, you door. But look! he’s coming from within, the person that I most especially wished to meet with.
(Enter TOXILUS, from his MASTER’S house, followed by SOPHOCLIDISCA.)
TOXILUS: (to SOPHOCLIDISCA.)

> Latin: hercle illum abiisse gaudeo. foris aperit, eccere autem
quem convenire maxime cupiebam egreditur intus.

[¶29] Tell her that it’s now arranged whence the money is to come. Bid her be of good heart; tell her that I love her exceedingly. When she cheers up, then does she cheer me up. What I’ve told you to tell her,
do you quite understand it?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:
Better than your legs understand you, do I understand it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Paratum iam esse dicito, unde argentum sit futurum,
iubeto habere animum bonum, dic me illam amare multum;
ubi se adiuvat, ibi me adiuvat. quae dixi ut nuntiares,
satin ea tenes?
Sophoclidisca:
Magis cálleo quam aprugnum callum callet.—

[¶30] TOXILUS:
Make all haste, be off home.
(SOPHOCLIDISCA goes into the house of DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Propera, abi domum. …

[¶31] SAGARISTIO: (apart.)
Now I’ll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I’ll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air.
(Struts along.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Nunc ego huic graphice facetus fiam.
subnixis alis me inferam atque amicibor gloriose.

[¶32] TOXILUS:
But who’s this that’s walking like a two-handled jug?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sed quís hic ansatus ambulat?

[¶33] SAGARISTIO: (apart.)
I’ll spit about me in a dignified style.
(Spits about.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Magnifice conscreabor.

[¶34] TOXILUS:
Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sagaristio hic quidemst. quíd agitur, Sagaristio? ut valetur?

[¶35] Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?
SAGARISTIO: (in a lofty way.)
Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.

> Latin: ecquid, quod mandavi tibi, †estne in te speculae?
Sagaristio:
Adito.
videbitur. factum volo. venito. promoneto.

[¶36] TOXILUS:
What’s this swelling here upon your neck?
(Touches his neck.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid hoc híc in collo tibi tumet?

[¶37] SAGARISTIO:
It’s a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vomicast, pressare parce;
nam ubi quí mala tangit manu, dolores cooriuntur.

[¶38] TOXILUS:
When did that first come upon you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quando istaec innatast tibi?

[¶39] SAGARISTIO:
To-day.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Hodie.

[¶40] TOXILUS:
You should order it to be lanced.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Secari iubeas.

[¶41] SAGARISTIO:
I’m afraid to lance it before it’s ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Metuo, ne immaturam secem, ne exhibeat plus negoti.

[¶42] TOXILUS:
I’d like to examine your complaint.
(Comes nearer.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Inspicere morbum tuom lubet.

[¶43] SAGARISTIO: (retreatinq.)
Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ah ah, abi atque cave sis
a cornu.

[¶44] TOXILUS:
Why so?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid iam?

[¶45] SAGARISTIO:
Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quia boves bini hic sunt in crumina.

[¶46] TOXILUS:
Do let them out, please; don’t starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Emitte sodes, ne enices fame; sine ire pastum.

[¶47] SAGARISTIO:
Why, I’m afraid that I mayn’t be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Enim métuo, ut possim reicere in bubile, ne vagentur.

[¶48] TOXILUS:
I’ll drive them back; be of good heart,

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ego reiciam. habe animum bonum.

[¶49] SAGARISTIO:
You shall be trusted then; I’ll lend them you Follow this way, please (taking the purse from his neck.) in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Credetur, commodabo.
sequere hac sis. argentum hic inest, quod mecum dudum orasti.

[¶50] TOXILUS:
What is it you say?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid tú ais?

[¶51] SAGARISTIO:
My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Dominus me bovis mercatum Eretriam misit.
nunc mi Eretria erit haec tua domus.

[¶52] TOXILUS:
You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nimis tú facete loquere.
atque ego omne argentúm tibi hoc actutum incolume redigam;

[¶53] for now I’ve arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I’m to get this money out of this Procurer.
SAGARISTIO:
So much the better.

> Latin: nam iam omnes sycophantias instruxi et comparavi,
quo pacto ab lenone auferam hoc argentum,
Sagaristio:
Tanto melior.

[¶54] TOXILUS:
Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Et mulier ut sit libera atque ipse ultro det argentum.
sed sequere me: ad eam rem usus est tua mihi opera.—

[¶55] SAGARISTIO:
Make use of it just as you please.
(They go into the house.) (Enter SATURIO and his DAUGHTER, in the habit of a PERSIAN.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Vtere ut vis.—

[¶56] SATURIO:
May this same matter turn out well for me, and for yourself, and for my stomach,
and for everlasting victuals for it as well for all time to come; that I may have more than enough, a superfluity, and that it may outlast me. Follow me this way, my daughter, with the Gods’ good leave. The matter to which we are to give our attention, you know, you remember, you understand; to you I have communicated all my designs.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quae res bene vortat mi et tibi et ventri meo
perennitatique adeo huic, perpetuo cibus
ut mihi supersit, suppetat, superstitet:
sequere hac, mea gnata, me, cum dis volentibus.
quoi rei opera detur scis, tenes, intellegis;
communicavi tecum consilia omnia.

[¶57] For that reason have I dressed you out after this fashion; young woman, to-day you are to be sold.
DAUGHTER:
Prithee, my dear father, although you do eagerly long for victuals at another’s cost, are you for the sake of your appetite going to sell your own daughter?

> Latin: ea causa ad hoc exemplum te exornavi ego.
venibis tu hodie, virgo.
Virgo:
Amabo, mi pater,
quamquam libenter escis alienis studes,
tuin véntris causa filiam vendas tuam?

[¶58] SATURIO:
It is a wonder, indeed, if I don’t sell you, who are my own, for the sake of King Philip or Attalus, rather than my own.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Mirum quin regis Phílippi causa aut Attali
te potius vendam quam mea, quae sis mea.

[¶59] DAUGHTER:
Whether do you regard me as your slave or as your daughter?

> Latin: Virgo:
Vtrum tú pro ancilla mé habes an pro filia?

[¶60] SATURIO:
I’ faith, that of the two which shall appear most for the interest of my stomach; it’s my authority over you, I suppose, not yours over me.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Vtrum hercle magis in ventris rem videbitur.
meum, opino, imperiumst in te, non in me tibi.

[¶61] DAUGHTER:
This power is yours, father; but still,
although our circumstances are but very limited, it’s better to pass our lives with frugality and moderation; for if disgrace is added to poverty, poverty will be more unendurable, our character more frail.

> Latin: Virgo:
Tua istaéc potestas est, pater. verum tamen,
quamquam res nostrae sunt, pater, pauperculae,
modice et modeste meliust vitam vivere;
nam ad paupertatem si admigrant infamiae,
gravior paupertas fit, fides sublestior.

[¶62] SATURIO:
Why really you are impertinent.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Enim véro odiosa es.

[¶63] DAUGHTER:
I am not, nor do I think that I am,
when, though of youthful age, I give good advice to my father. For enemies carry about slander not in the form in which it took its rise.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non sum, neque me esse arbitror,
quom parva natu recte praecipio patri.
nam inimici famam non ita ut natast ferunt.

[¶64] SATURIO:
Let them carry it about, and let them go to utter and extreme perdition. I don’t value all their enmities any more than if an empty table were now set before me.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Ferant eantque maximam malam crucem;
neque ego ínimicitias omnes pluris existimo,
quam mensa inanis nunc si apponatur mihi.

[¶65] DAUGHTER:
Father, the scandal of men is everlasting; even then does it survive, when you would suppose it to be dead.

> Latin: Virgo:
Patér, hominum immortalis est infamia;
etiam tum vivit, cum esse credas mortuam.

[¶66] SATURIO:
What? Are you afraid lest I should sell you?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Quid? metuis, ne te vendam?

[¶67] DAUGHTER:
I am not afraid of that, father; but I wish you not to pretend to do so.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non metuo, pater.
verum insimulari nolo.

[¶68] SATURIO:
Then it’s in vain you wish me not; this shall be done rather after my own fashion than yours.

> Latin: Satvrio:
At nequiquam nevis.
meo modo istuc potius fiet quam tuo
fiat. quae hae res sunt?

[¶69] DAUGHTER:
Shall be done!
SATURIO:
What is the matter, now?
DAUGHTER:
Father, reflect upon these words: if a master has threatened punishment to a slave, although it is not intended to be, still, when the whip is taken up, while he is taking off his tunics, with what an amount of misery is he afflicted. Now, that which is not to be, I’m still in fear of.

> Latin: Virgo:
Cogita hoc verbum, pater:
erus sí minatus est malum servo suo,
tametsi íd futurum non est, ubi captumst flagrum,
dum tunicas ponit, quanta adficitur miseria!
ego nunc quod non futurumst formido tamen.

[¶70] SATURIO:
Damsel or woman none will there ever be, but what she must be good for nothing, who is too wise to be giving satisfaction to her parents.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Virgo atque mulier nulla erit quin sit mala,
quae praeter sapiet quam placet parentibus.

[¶71] DAUGHTER:
Damsel and woman none can there be, but what she must be good for nothing, who holds her peace if she sees anything going on wrong.

> Latin: Virgo:
Virgo atque mulier nulla erit quin sit mala,
quae reticet, si quid fieri pervorse videt.

[¶72] SATURIO:’Twere better for you to beware of a mischief.
DAUGHTER:
But if I cannot
beware, what am I to do? For it’s as to yourself I wish to beware.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Malo cavere meliust te.
Virgo:
At si non licet
cavere, quid agam? nám ego tibi cautum volo.

[¶73] SATURIO:
What, am I a mischief?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Malusne égo sum?

[¶74] DAUGHTER:
You are not, nor is it becoming for me to say so; but for this purpose am I using my endeavours, that others may not say so who have that liberty.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non es, neque me dignumst dicere,
verum ei rei operam do, ne alii dicant, quibus licet.

[¶75] SATURIO:
Let each one say what he pleases; from this purpose I shall not be moved.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Dicat quod quisque volt; ego de hac sententia
non demovebor.

[¶76] DAUGHTER:
But, could it be after my own way,
you would be acting prudently, rather than foolishly.

> Latin: Virgo:
At, meo sí liceat modo,
sapienter potius facias quam stulte.

[¶77] SATURIO:
It is my pleasure.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Lubet.

[¶78] DAUGHTER:
I know that I must let it be your pleasure so far as I’m concerned; but it should not please you to be your pleasure, if I had my way.

> Latin: Virgo:
Lubere per me tibi licere intellego;
verum lubere hau lubeat, sí liceat mihi.

[¶79] SATURIO:
Are you going to be obedient to your father’s orders, or not?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Futura es dicto oboediens an non patri?

[¶80] DAUGHTER:
To be obedient.

> Latin: Virgo:
Futura.

[¶81] SATURIO:
Do you know then what I instructed you?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Scis iam tibi quae praecepi?

[¶82] DAUGHTER:
Everything.

> Latin: Virgo:
Omnia.

[¶83] SATURIO:
Both this, how you were stolen?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Et ut surrupta fueris?

[¶84] DAUGHTER:
I understand it perfectly well.

> Latin: Virgo:
Docte calleo.

[¶85] SATURIO:
And who your parents were?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Et qui parentes fuerint?

[¶86] DAUGHTER:
I keep it in my memory. You cause me of necessity to be artful; but take you care, when you wish to give me in marriage, that this story doesn’t cause the match to be given up.

> Latin: Virgo:
Habeo in memoria.
necessitate me mala ut fiam facis.
verum videto, me ubi voles nuptum dare,
ne haec fama faciat repudiosas nuptias.

[¶87] SATURIO:
Hold your tongue, simpleton. Do you not see the customs of people now-a-days, that marriage is easily effected here with a reputation of any kind? So long as there’s a marriage-portion, no fault is reckoned as a fault.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Tace, stúlta. non tu nunc hominum mores vides?
quoivis modi hic cum [mala] fama facile nubitur:
dum dos sit, nullum vitium vitio vortitur.

[¶88] DAUGHTER:
Then take you care, and let this occur to your thoughts, that I am without a fortune.

> Latin: Virgo:
Ergo istuc facito ut veniat in mentem tibi,
me esse indotatam.

[¶89] SATURIO:
Take you care, please, how you say that.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Cave sis tu istuc dixeris.

[¶90] By my faith, through the merits of the Gods and of my ancestors I’ll say it, you must not say that you are without a fortune, who have a marriage-portion at home. Why look, I’ve got a whole carriage-full of books at home. If you carefully give your attention to this matter in which we are exerting ourselves, six hundred bon-mots shall be given you out of them as a fortune,
all Attic ones, too; you shall not receive a single Sicilian one. With this for a fortune, you might safely marry a beggar even.

> Latin: pol deum virtute dicam et maiorum meum,
ne te indotatam dicas, quoi dos sit domi:
librorum eccillum hábeo plenum soracum.
si hoc adcurassis lepide, cui rei operam damus,
dabuntur dotis tibi inde sescenti logi,
atque Attici omnes; nullum Siculum acceperis:
cum hac dote poteris vel mendico nubere.

[¶91] DAUGHTER:
Why, then, don’t you take me, father, if you are going to take me anywhere? Either do you sell me, or do with me what you please.

> Latin: Virgo:
Quin tu me ducis, si quo ducturu's ducturus es, pater?
vel tu me vende vel face quid tibi lubet.

[¶92] SATURIO:
You ask what’s fair and right. Follow me this way.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Bonum aequomque oras. sequere hac.—

[¶93] DAUGHTER:
I’m obedient to your command.
(They go into the house, to TOXILUS.) (Enter DORDALUS, from his house.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Dicto sum audiens.—

[¶94] DORDALUS: (to himself.)
I wonder what I’m to say my neighbour is going to do, who swore to me that he would pay the money to-day? But if he should not pay it, and this day go by, I shall have forfeited the money, he his oath. But the door there makes a noise. I wonder who’s coming out of doors?
(Enter TOXILUS, from his MASTER’S house, with a purse in his hand.)
TOXILUS: (speaking at the door to the PERSONS within.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quidnam esse acturum hunc dicam vicinum meum,
qui mihi iuratust sese hodie argentum dare?
quod si non dederit atque hic dies praeterierit,
ego argentum, ille iusiurandum amiserit.
sed ibi concrepuit foris. quisnam egreditur foras?

[¶95] Take you care of that in-doors; I shall betake myself home just now.
DORDALUS:
Toxilus, how are you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Curate isti intus, iam égo domum me recipiam.
Dordalvs:
Oh,
Toxile, quid agitur?

[¶96] TOXILUS:
How now!—pimping filth mixed up with mud! How now!—public dung-heap! dirty, dishonest, lawless, enticer, disgrace to the public; you hawk after money, greedy and envious;
you impudent, rapacious, craving fellow (in three hundred lines no person could run through your villanies), will you take the money? (Holding out the purse.) Take the money, will you, shameless fellow. Take hold of the money, will you. Are you going to take the money, then? Can I make you take the money, filth? (Keeps moving it away.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Oh, lutum lenonium,
commixtum caeno sterculinum publicum,
impure, inhoneste, iniure, inlex, labes popli,
pecuniae accípiter avide atque invide,
procax, rapax, trahax—trecentis versibus
tuas ímpuritias traloqui nemo potest—
accipin argentum? accipe sis argentum, impudens,
tené sis argentum, etiam tu argentum tenes?
possum te facere ut argentum accipias, lutum?

[¶97] You didn’t suppose that I should have had so much money—you, who didn’t venture to trust me at all except upon oath?

> Latin: non mihi censebas copiam argenti fore,
qui nisi iurato mihi nil ausu's ausus es credere?

[¶98] DORDALUS:
Do let me recover breath, so as to give you an answer. Fellow, dregs of the populace, you stable for she-slaves, you liberator of harlots, you surface for the lash,
you wearer-out of the fetters, you citizen of the treadmill, you slave everlastingly, you gormandizer, glutton, pilferer, runaway, give me the money, will you. Give me the money, impudence. Can I get the money out of you? Give me the money, I say. Why don’t you give me the money? Are you ashamed of nothing?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sine respirare me, ut tibi respondeam.
vir summe populi, stabulum servitutium,
scortorum liberator, suduculum flagri,
compedium tritor, pistrinorum civitas,
perenniserve, lurco, edax, furax, fugax,
cedo sis mi argentum, da mihi argentum, impudens,
possum a te exigere argentum? argentum, inquam, cedo,
quin tu mi argentum reddis? nilne te pudet?

[¶99] You impersonation of slavery, a Procurer is asking money of you for the liberation of your mistress, so that all may hear it.

> Latin: leno te argentum poscit, solida servitus,
pro liberanda amica, ut omnes audiant.

[¶100] TOXILUS:
Troth now, prithee, do hold your tongue. For sure your voice is in first-rate strength.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace, obsecro hercle. ne tua vox valide valet.

[¶101] DORDALUS:
I’ve got a tongue made for returning a compliment. Salt is provided for me at the same price as for yourself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Referundae ego habeo linguam natam gratiae.
eodém mihi pretio sal praehibetur quo tibi.

[¶102] Unless this tongue protects me, it shall never lick a bit of salt.

> Latin: nisi me haec defendet, numquam delinget salem.

[¶103] TOXILUS:
I’ll cease to be angry now. It was for this I blamed you, because you refused to trust me for the money.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam omitte iratus esse. id tibi suscensui,
quia te negabas credere argentum mihi.

[¶104] DORDALUS:’Twas a wonder, indeed, that I didn’t trust you, that you might do the same to me that some of the bankers do.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mirum quin tibi ego crederém, ut idem mihi
faceres quod partim faciunt argentarii:

[¶105] When you’ve entrusted them with anything, they immediately run more quickly away from the Forum than a hare, when, at the games, he’s let out of the entrance of his cage.
TOXILUS: (holding out the money.)

> Latin: ubi quid credideris, citius extemplo a foro
fugiunt quam ex porta ludis cum emissust lepus.

[¶106] Take this, will you.
DORDALUS:
Why don’t you give it then?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Cape hoc sis.
Dordalvs:
Quin das?

[¶107] TOXILUS: (giving it.)
There will be here six hundred didrachms, full weight and counted; cause the damsel to be set at liberty, and bring her out here forthwith.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nummi sescenti hic erunt,
probi, numerati. fac sit mulier libera,
atque huc continuo adduce.

[¶108] DORDALUS:
I’ll have her here this moment.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Iam faxo hic erit.

[¶109] I’ faith, I don’t know to whom now to give this money to be tested.

> Latin: non hercle, quoi nunc hoc dem spectandum, scio.

[¶110] TOXILUS:
Perhaps you are afraid to entrust it to any one’s hands?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Fortasse metuis in manum concredere?

[¶111] DORDALUS:
Strange if I wasn’t. More quickly, now-a-days, do bankers abscond from the Forum, than a wheel spins round in a race.
TOXILUS: (pointing.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mirum quin … [citius iam a foro argentarii]
[abeunt, quam in cursu rotula circumvortitur.]

[¶112] Do you go that way, through the alleys, the back way to the Forum;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Abi istác travorsis angiportis ad forum;

[¶113] let this damsel pass through the same way to our house, through the garden.
DORDALUS:
I’ll have her here this moment.

> Latin: eadem ístaec facito mulier ad me transeat
per hortum.
Dordalvs:
Iam hic faxo aderit.

[¶114] TOXILUS:
But not in public view.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At ne propalam.

[¶115] DORDALUS:
Very discreet.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sapienter sane.

[¶116] TOXILUS:
To-morrow she must go to return thanks.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Supplicatum cras eat.

[¶117] DORDALUS:
I’ faith, just so indeed.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ita hercle vero.—

[¶118] TOXILUS:
While you’ve been loitering, you might have got back.
(Exit DORDALUS; TOXILUS goes into the house.) (Enter TOXILUS.)
TOXILUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Dum stas, reditum oportuit.

[¶119] If you give attention to any matter with steadiness or with good management,
that same is wont properly to thrive to your satisfaction. And, by my faith, pretty nearly according as each man gives attention to his business, in the same manner do the results finally ensure him success. If he is knavish or a rogue, the business turns out badly which he has commenced; but if he uses good management, it results profitably.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
si quam rem accures sobrie aut frugaliter,
solet illa recte sub manus succedere.
atque edepol ferme ut quisque rem accurat suam,
sic ei procedit postprincipio, denique
si malus aut nequamst, male res vortunt quas agit,
sin autem frugist, eveniunt frugaliter.

[¶120] Cleverly and skilfully did I commence upon this business; for that reason do I trust that it will turn out well for me. Now, I’ll this day have the Procurer so hampered, that he shan’t know himself which way to extricate himself. (Goes to the door.) Sagaristio, hallo! Come forth, and bring out the young woman,
and that letter which I sealed for you, which you brought me all the way from Persia, from my master.
(Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, from the house, each dressed in Persian costume.)

> Latin: hanc ego rem exorsus sum facete et callide,
igitur proventuram bene confido mihi.
nunc ego lenonem ita hodie intricatum dabo,
ut ipsus sese, qua se expediat, nesciat.
Sagaristio, heus, exi atque educe virginem
et istás tabellas, quas consignavi tibi,
quas tu attulisti mi ab ero meo usque e Persia.

[¶121] SAGARISTIO:
Have I delayed at all?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Numquid moror?

[¶122] TOXILUS:
Bravo! bravo! dressed out in splendid style. (To SAGARISTIO.) The tiara does finely set off your dress. Then, too, how beautifully does the slipper become this stranger damsel!

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Euge, euge, exornatu's exornatus es basilice;
tiara ornatum lepida condecorat schema.
tum hanc hospitam autem crepidula ut graphice decet.

[¶123] But are you thoroughly up in your parts?
SAGARISTIO:
Tragedians and Comedians have never been up so well.

> Latin: sed satin estis meditati?
Sagaristio:
Tragici et comici
numquam aeque sunt meditati.

[¶124] TOXILUS:
Troth, you are giving me kind assistance. Come, be off that way (pointing.) to a distance out of sight, and hold your tongue. When you see me conversing with the Procurer, that will be the time to accost us; now be off, you,—away with you.
(SAGARISTIO and the DAMSEL go aside, out of sight.) (Enter DORDALUS.)
DORDALUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Lepide hercle adiuvas.
[age, illúc abscede procul e conspectu et tace.]
[ubi cum lenone me videbis conloqui]
id erit adeundi tempus. nunc agite ite vos.

[¶125] The man to whom the Deities are propitious, in his way they throw some profit. For I this day have made a saving of two loaves daily; this way, she who this day was my slave is now her own; by his cash he has prevailed; this day then she’ll be dining at the expense of another, she’ll be tasting nothing of mine. Am I not a worthy man, am I not a courteous citizen, who this day have made the extensive state of Attica
still larger, and increased it by a female citizen? But how obliging have I been to-day! To how many have I given credit, and have from no person taken surety; so readily did I give credit to all: and I don’t fear that of those whom I’ve trusted to-day any one will forswear himself against me upon trial. I wish from this day forth to be honest—a thing that never will be and never was.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quoí homini di própitii sunt, áliquid obiciúnt lucri;
nam égo hodie compendi feci binos panes in dies.
íta ancillá mea quae fuit hodie, sua nunc est: argento vicit;
iám hodie alienum cenabit, nil gustabit de meo.
sumne probus, sum lepidus civis, qui Atticam hodie civitatem
maximam maiorem feci atque auxi civi femina?
sed ut ego hodie fui benignus, ut ego multis credidi,
nec satis a quiquam homine accepi: ita prosum credebam omnibus;
nec metuo, quibus credidi hodie, ne quis mi in iure abiurassit:
bonus volo iam ex hoc die esse—quod neque fiet neque fuit.

[¶126] This fellow, this very day, by clever contrivances, I’ll catch in a springe; and so the snare is cunningly laid for him; I’ll accost the fellow. (Aloud.) What are you about?
DORDALUS:
Giving credit.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hunc hominem ego hodie in trasennam doctis deducam dolis,
itaque huic insidiae paratae sunt probe. adgrediar virum.
quid agis?
Dordalvs:
Credo.

[¶127] TOXILUS:
Whence do you betake yourself, Dordalus?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Únde agis te, Dordale?

[¶128] DORDALUS:
I’m going to give you credit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Credo tibi.

[¶129] TOXILUS:
May the Gods grant whatever you may desire.
How now, have you given the damsel her liberty by this?

> Latin: di dent, quae velis.
Toxilvs:
Eho, an iám manu emisisti mulierem?

[¶130] DORDALUS:
I’m going to give you credit, i’ faith, I’m going to give you credit, I repeat.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Crédo edepol, credo, inquam, tibi.

[¶131] TOXILUS:
Are you now increased in number by one freed-woman?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam liberta auctu's auctus es?

[¶132] DORDALUS:
You worry me to death.
Why, I tell you that I’ll give you credit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Enicas.
quin tíbi me dico crédere.

[¶133] TOXILUS:
Tell me in sober truth, is she now at liberty?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Dic bona fíde: iam liberast?

[¶134] DORDALUS:
Go, go to the Forum, to the Praetor; make all enquiries, since you don’t choose to give me credit. She is at liberty, I say. Do you hear me at all?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ólim.
i, i ád forum ad praetorem, éxquire, siquidém mihi credere nón vis.
líbera, inquam, est: ecquid audis?

[¶135] TOXILUS:
May all the Deities bless you then. And never from this time forward, will I wish to you or yours what you don’t wish.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At tibi di bene faciant omnes.
númquam enim pósthac tibi nec tuorum quoiquam quod nolis volam.

[¶136] DORDALUS:
Be off: don’t be swearing that. I quite believe you.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Abi, né iura, satis crédo.

[¶137] TOXILUS:
Where is your freed-woman now?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vbi núnc tua libertást?

[¶138] DORDALUS:
At your house.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Apud te.

[¶139] TOXILUS:
Do you say so? Is she at our house?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ain, apud mést?

[¶140] DORDALUS:
I do say so, I tell you; she is at your house, I say.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Aio, inquam, apud te ést, inquam.

[¶141] TOXILUS:
So may the Deities favour me, for this thing many blessings from me are in store for you: for there’s a certain matter, which I refrained from mentioning to you; now I’ll disclose it, and from it you can make a very large profit. I’ll give you cause to remember me so long as you exist.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ita mé di ament, ut ob ístam rem tibi múlta bona instant á me.
nam est rés quaedam, quam occúltabam tibi dícere: nunc eam nárrabo,
unde tú pergrande lucrúm facias: faciam, út mei memineris, dúm vitam
vivás.

[¶142] DORDALUS:
My ears are wanting some kind deeds by way of assistance to these kind words.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Bene dictis tuís bene facta aurés meae auxilium expóscunt.

[¶143] TOXILUS:
It’s only your deserts, that I should do as you deserve. And that you may know that I will do so, take this letter (showing him a letter.) read it over.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tuom prómeritumst, merito út faciam. et ut mé scias esse ita fácturum,
tabellás tene has, péllege.

[¶144] DORDALUS:
What has this got to do with me?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Istaé quid ad mé?

[¶145] TOXILUS:
Why yes, it bears reference to yourself, and it does relate to you. But it has just now been brought me from Persia, from my master.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Immo ád te attinént et tuá refert.
nam ex Pérsia sunt haec állatae mihi a méo ero.

[¶146] DORDALUS:
When?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quando?

[¶147] TOXILUS:
Not long since.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Haud dúdum.

[¶148] DORDALUS:
What does it say?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid istaé narrant?

[¶149] TOXILUS:
Make enquiry of its own self: it will tell you itself.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Percóntare ex ipsís. ipsae tibi nárrabunt.

[¶150] DORDALUS:
Give it me, then.
(Taking it from TOXILUS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Cedo sáne [mihi].

[¶151] TOXILUS:
But read it aloud.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At clare récitato.

[¶152] DORDALUS:
Be silent while I read it over.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tace, dúm pellego.

[¶153] TOXILUS:
I’ll not utter a word.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hau verbúm faciam

[¶154] DORDALUS: (reading.)
“Timarchides sends health to Toxilus and all the family. If you are well, I am glad; I am quite well, and carrying on my business, and am making money; and I am not able to return home for these eight months,”
“for there is some business which detains me here; the Persians have taken Chrysopolis, a city of Arabia, full of good things, and an ancient town; there the booty is being collected, that a public auction may be made; this matter causes me to be absent from home.”

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Salutem dicit Toxilo Timarchides
et familiae omni. si valetis, gaudeo.
ego valeo recte et rem gero et facio lucrum,
neque istóc redire his octo possum mensibus,
itaque hic est quod me detinet negotium.
Chrysopolim Persae cepere urbem in Arabia,
plenam bonarum rerum atque antiquom oppidum:
ea comportatur praeda, ut fiat auctio
publicitus; ea res me domo expertem facit.

[¶155] “I wish attention and hospitality to be shown to the person who brings this letter to you. Attend to what he wants; for at his own house at home he has shown me the greatest attentions.”

> Latin: operam atque hospitium ego isti praehiberi volo,
qui tibi tabellas adfert. cura quae is volet,
nam is mihi honores suae domi habuit maxumos.

[¶156] What has it to do with me or my welfare, what matters the Persians are about, or what your master is doing?
TOXILUS:
Hold your tongue, silly babbler; you don’t know what blessing awaits you.
It’s in vain that Fortune is ready to light for you her torch that leads to profit.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quíd id ad me aut ad meam rem refert, Persae quid rerum gerant
aut quid erus tuos?
Toxilvs:
Tace, stultiloque; nescis quid te instet boni
neque quam tibi Fortuna faculam lucrifera adlucere volt.

[¶157] DORDALUS:
What Fortune is this that leads to profit?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quae istaec lucrifera est Fortuna?

[¶158] TOXILUS: (pointing to the letter.)
Ask that which knows: I know about as much as yourself, except that I was the first to read it through. But as you’ve begun, learn the matter from the letter.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Istas, quae norunt, roga.
ego tantumdem scio quantum tu, nisi quod pellegi prior.
sed, ut occepisti, ex tabellis nosce rem.

[¶159] DORDALUS:
You counsel me aright. Keep silence.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Bene me mones.
fac silentium.

[¶160] TOXILUS:
Now you’ll come to that which does relate to your interest.
DORDALUS: (reading on.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nunc ad illud venies quod refert tua.

[¶161] “The person that brings this letter, has taken with him a well-bred female of engaging charms, who has been stolen, and brought from the inmost parts of Arabia; I wish you to take charge of her that she may be sold there; but he who makes purchase of her, must buy her at his own risk;”

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Iste quí tabellas adfert adduxit simul
forma expetenda liberalem virginem,
furtivam, abductam ex Arabia penitissuma;
eam te volo accurare ut istic veneat.
ac suo periclo is emat qui eam mercabitur:

[¶162] “nobody will promise or give a warranty. Take you care that he receives money full weight and counted. Pay attention to this, and give attention that the stranger is attended to. Farewell.”

> Latin: mancipio neque promittet neque quisquam dabit.
probum et numeratum argentum ut accipiat face.
haec cura, et hospes cura ut curetur. vale.

[¶163] TOXILUS:
What then? After you have read over what has been committed to the wax, do you believe me now?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quíd igitur? postquam recitasti quod erat cerae creditum,
iam mihi credis?

[¶164] DORDALUS:
Where now is this stranger that brought this letter?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vbi nunc illest hospes, qui hasce huc attulit?

[¶165] TOXILUS:
He’ll be here just now, I believe; he has sent for her from the ship.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam hic credo aderit: arcessivit illam a navi.

[¶166] DORDALUS:
I don’t want any lawsuits or quirks at all. Why should I be laying out so much money at such a distance? Unless I get her on warranty, what need have I of this purchase?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nil mi opust
litibus neque tricis. quam ob rem ego argentum enumerem foras?
nisi mancipio accipio, quid eo mi opus est mercimonio?

[¶167] TOXILUS:
Will you, or will you not, hold your tongue? I never did believe you to be such a blockhead. What are you afraid of?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tacen an non taces? numquam ego te tam esse matulam credidi.
quid metuis?

[¶168] DORDALUS:
I’ faith, I really am afraid; I’ve experienced it now so many times,
and it will not befall me without having already experienced it, to be getting stuck in such a quagmire.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Metuo hercle vero. sensi ego iam compluriens,
neque mi haud imperito eveniet, tali ut in luto haeream.

[¶169] TOXILUS:
There seems to be no risk.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nil pericli mihi videtur.

[¶170] DORDALUS:
I know that; but I’m afraid about myself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Scio istuc, sed metuo mihi.

[¶171] TOXILUS:
It matters nothing whatever to me, so far as I’m concerned; it’s for your sake I mentioned it, that I might at the earliest moment give you an opportunity of advantageously purchasing her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Mea quidem istuc nil refert: tua ego hoc facio gratia,
ut tibi recte conciliandi primo facerem copiam.

[¶172] DORDALUS:
I return you thanks; but it’s a nicer thing for you to become wise through others, than for others through yourself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Gratiam habeo. sed te de aliis, quam alios de te suaviust
fieri doctos.

[¶173] TOXILUS:
Surely no person can follow after her from the inmost parts of Arabia. Will you make purchase of her, then?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ne quis vero ex Arabia penitissuma
persequatur. etiam tu illam destinas?

[¶174] DORDALUS:
Only let me see the commodity.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Videam modo
mercimonium.

[¶175] TOXILUS:
You say what’s fair. But look, most à propos, the stranger is coming himself, who brought this letter hither.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Aequa dicis. séd optume eccum ipse advenit
hospes ille, qui has tabellas attulit.

[¶176] DORDALUS: (pointing down the side-scene.)
Is that he?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Hicinest?

[¶177] TOXILUS:
That’s he.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hic est.

[¶178] DORDALUS:
And is that the girl that was stolen?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Haecine illást furtiva virgo?

[¶179] TOXILUS:
I know just about as well as yourself, except that I have seen her. Upon my faith, she certainly is genteel looking, whoever she is.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iuxta tecum aeque scio,
nisi quia specie quidem edepol liberalist, quisquis est.

[¶180] DORDALUS:
Faith, she has pretty regular features.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sat edepol concinnast facie.

[¶181] TOXILUS: (aside.)
With what contempt the hang-dog does speak of her. (To DORDALUS.) Let’s examine her beauty in silence.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vt contemptim carnufex.
taciti contemplemur formam.

[¶182] DORDALUS:
I approve of your advice.
(They stand aside.) (Enter SAGARISTIO and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO, dressed as PERSIANS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Laudo consilium tuom.

[¶183] SAGARISTIO:
Doesn’t Athens seem to you a rich and opulent place?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Satin Athenae tibi sunt visae fortunatae atque opiparae?

[¶184] DAUGHTER:
I’ve seen the appearance of the city; the customs of the people I’ve observed but little of.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Vrbis speciem vidi, hominum móres perspexi parum.

[¶185] At the very outset has she forborne to make a wise remark.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Numquid in principió cessavit verbum docte dicere?

[¶186] I cannot by her very first words form an estimate of her wisdom.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Hau potui etiam in primo verbo perspiceré sapientiam.

[¶187] SAGARISTIO:
What as to that which you have seen? How does the city seem fortified to you, with its wall?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid id quod vidisti? ut munitum muro tibi visum oppidumst?

[¶188] DAUGHTER:
If the inhabitants have good morals, I think it’s properly fortified.

> Latin: Virgo:
Si incolae bene sunt morati, pulchre munitum arbitror.

[¶189] If Perfidiousness, and Peculation, and Avarice are exiled from the city, Envy in the fourth place, Ambition in the fifth, Scandal in the sixth, Perjury in the seventh.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
Bravo!

> Latin: perfidia et pecúlatus ex urbe et avaritia si exulant,
quarta invidia, quinta ambitio, sexta óbtrectatio,
septimum periurium,
Toxilvs:
Euge.

[¶190] DAUGHTER:
Idleness in the eighth, Injustice in the ninth, Immorality, which is the very worst in its attack, in the tenth.

> Latin: Virgo:
Octava indiligentia,
nona iniuria, decimum, quod pessimum adgressust, scelus:
haec unde aberunt, ea urbs moenita muro sat erit simplici;

[¶191] If these things shall not be away from it, a wall a hundred-fold were too little for preserving its interests.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: ubi ea aderúnt, centumplex murus rebus servandis parumst.

[¶192] What say you?
DORDALUS: (apart.)
What do you mean?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid ais tu?
Dordalvs:
Quid vis?

[¶193] TOXILUS: (apart.)
You are among those ten companions; you must depart in banishment from here.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tu in illis es decem sodalibus:
té in exilium ire hinc oportet.

[¶194] DORDALUS: (apart.)
Why so?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid iam?

[¶195] TOXILUS: (apart.)
Because you are perjured.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quia periurus es.

[¶196] Really she has spoken not without some cleverness.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
That’s to your advantage, I say; you buy her.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Verba quidem haud indocte fecit.
Toxilvs:
Ex tuo, inquam, usust: eme hanc.

[¶197] Upon my faith, the more I look at her, the more she pleases me.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
If you do buy her,
immortal Gods, no other Procurer will be more wealthy than yourself; at your will you’ll be turning people out of their estates and households; you’ll be transacting business with men of the highest rank; they’ll be longing for your favour; they’ll be coming to make merry at your house.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Edepol qui cum hanc magis contemplo, magis placet.
Toxilvs:
Si hanc emeris,
di immortales, nullus leno te alter érit opulentior.
evortes tuo arbitratu hómines fundis, familiis;
cum optimis viris rem habebis, gratiam cupient tuam:
venient ad te comissatum.

[¶198] DORDALUS: (apart.)
But I shan’t allow them to be admitted.
TOXILUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
At ego intro mitti votuero.

[¶199] But then at night they’ll be singing before your threshold, and be burning down your door;

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At enim illi noctu occentabunt ostium, exurent fores:

[¶200] do you at once order your house to be fastened with a door of iron, change for a house of iron, fix in thresholds of iron, a bar of iron and a ring; if you don’t prove sparing of the iron, do you order thick fetters of iron to be rivetted upon yourself.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: proin tu tibi iubeás concludi aédis foribus ferreis,
ferreas aedis commutes, limina indas ferrea,
ferream seram atque anellum; ne sis ferro parseris:
ferreas tute tibi impingi iubeas crassas compedis.

[¶201] Away to utter perdition!
TOXILUS: (pushing him.)
Go then, make purchase of her, and follow my advice.
DORDALUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
I sis in malum cruciatum.
Toxilvs:
I sane tu, [hanc eme atque] ausculta mihi.

[¶202] Only let me know how much he asks for her.
TOXILUS: (apart.)
Should you like me to call him here?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Modo uti sciam, quanti indicet.
Toxilvs:
Vin huc vocem?

[¶203] DORDALUS: (apart.)
I’ll go to him.
TOXILUS: (accosting him.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ego illo accessero.

[¶204] How fare you, guest?
SAGARISTIO:
I’m come; I’ve brought her (pointing to the DAMSEL.) as I just now said I would. For yesterday at night the ship arrived in harbour: I want her to be sold, if she can; if she cannot, I intend to go away from here as soon as I can.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid agis, hospes?
Sagaristio:
Venio, adduco hanc ad te, ut dudum dixeram.
nám heri in portum noctu navis venit. veniri hanc volo,
si potest; si non potest, iri hinc volo quantum potest.

[¶205] DORDALUS:
Greetings to you, young man.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Salvos sis, adulescens.

[¶206] SAGARISTIO:
If indeed I shall dispose of her at her own price—
TOXILUS: (pointing to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Siquidem hanc vendidero pretio suo.

[¶207] Why, you’ll either sell her handsomely with him for your purchaser, or you can to no one.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At qui aut hoc emptore vendes pulchre, aut alio non potis.

[¶208] SAGARISTIO:
Are you a friend of his?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Esne tu huic amicus?

[¶209] TOXILUS:
In the same measure as all the Divinities who inhabit the heavens.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tam quam di omnes qui caelum colunt.

[¶210] DORDALUS:
Then you are an assured enemy to me; for to the race of procurers no God was ever so kind as to prove propitious.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tum tu mi es inimicus certus. nam generi lenonio
numquam ullus deus tám benignus fuit, qui fuerit propitius.

[¶211] SAGARISTIO:
Attend to the business in hand. Have you any need to purchase her?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Hoc age. opusnest hac tibi empta?

[¶212] DORDALUS:
If you have need for her to be sold,
I, too, have need to purchase her; if you have no sudden occasion to sell, just in the same degree have I to buy.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Si tibi venissest opus,
mihi quoque emptast; si tibi subiti nihil est, tantumdemst mihi.

## 3. Lines 586–858

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/3/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-persa/3/#p-N

[¶0] SAGARISTIO:
State a sum; name a price.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Indica, fac pretium.

[¶1] DORDALUS:
The commodity is your own; it’s for you to name a sum.
TOXILUS: (to SAGARISTIO.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tua mers est, tua indicatiost.

[¶2] He asks what’s right.
SAGARISTIO:
Do you wish to buy at a bargain?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Aequom hic orat.
Sagaristio:
Vin bene emere?

[¶3] DORDALUS:
Do you wish to sell at a handsome profit?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vin tu pulchre vendere?

[¶4] TOXILUS:
I’ faith, I’m sure that both of you would like to do so.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ego scio hercle utrumque velle.

[¶5] DORDALUS:
Come, boldly name your price.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Age, indica prognariter.

[¶6] SAGARISTIO:
I tell you beforehand; no one will dispose of her to you on warranty. Do you so understand it, then?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Prius dico: hanc mancupio nemo tibi dabit. iam scis?

[¶7] DORDALUS:
I understand it.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Scio.

[¶8] Declare what’s the lowest price at which you’ll offer her, for which she may be taken by the purchaser.

> Latin: indica, minimo daturus qui sis, qui duci queat.

[¶9] TOXILUS:
Hold your tongue, hold your tongue. Really, upon my faith, you are a very simple man, with your childish ways.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace, tace. nimis tú quidem hercle homo stultus es pueriliter.

[¶10] DORDALUS:
Why so?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid ita?

[¶11] TOXILUS:
Why because I wish you first to make enquiries of the damsel which relate to your interest.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quia enim te ex puella prius percontari volo
quae ad rem referúnt.

[¶12] DORDALUS:
And really, upon my faith, you’ve given me no bad advice. Look at that, will you. I, an experienced Procurer, had almost fallen into the pit,
if you had not been here. How important a point it is to have a person your friend at hand when you are about anything.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Atque hercle tu me monuisti hau male.
vide sis, ego ille doctus leno paene in foveam decidi,
ni hic adesses. quantum est adhibere hominem amicum, ubi quid geras.

[¶13] TOXILUS:
I want you to make enquiry of her, of what family or in what country she was born, or of what parents, so that you mayn’t say that you’ve bought her at hazard by my persuasion or suggestion.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quo genere aut qua in patria nata sit aut quibus parentibus,
ne temere hanc te emisse dicas suasu atque impulsu meo,
volo te percontari.

[¶14] DORDALUS:
On the contrary, I approve of your counsel, I tell you.
TOXILUS: (to SAGARISTIO.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quin laudo, inquam, consilium tuom.

[¶15] Unless it’s troublesome, he’s desirous to make a few enquiries of her.
SAGARISTIO:
By all means;
at his own pleasure.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nisi molestum est, percontari hanc paucis hic volt.
Sagaristio:
Maxime,
suo arbitratu.

[¶16] TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.)
Why do you delay? Go to him yourself; and do you yourself ask him as well, that you may be allowed to make such enquiries as you please; although he has told me that he gives permission to do so of her, still I had rather that you yourself should go to him, that he mayn’t be holding you in contempt.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid stas? adi sis tute atque ipse itidem roga,
ut tibi percontari liceat quae velis; etsi mihi
dixit dare potestatem eius; sed ego te malo tamen,
eumpse adire, ut ne contemnat te ille.

[¶17] DORDALUS:
You give me very proper advice. (Accosting SAGARISTIO.) Stranger, I should like to ask some questions of her.
(Pointing to the YOUNG WOMAN.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Satis recte mones.
hospes, volo ego hanc percontari.

[¶18] SAGARISTIO:
From earth to heaven, whatever you like.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
A terra ad caelum, quid lubet.

[¶19] DORDALUS:
Just bid her to step this way to me.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Iube dum eam hoc accedat ad me.

[¶20] SAGARISTIO: (to the YOUNG WOMAN.)
Go you, then, and humour him. (To DORDALUS.) Make enquiry, question her, just as you please.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
I sane ac morem illi gere.
percontare, exquire quid vis.

[¶21] TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.)
Well, well, get on then; make your preparations. (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Take you care to commence with a good omen.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Age, age nunc tu, in proelium
vide ut ingrediare auspicato.

[¶22] DAUGHTER:
The auspices are favourable.
TOXILUS: (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Liquidumst auspicium, tace.
curabo ut praedati pulchre ad castra convertamini.

[¶23] Hold your tongue. (To DORDALUS.) Step you aside here; I will now conduct her to you.
DORDALUS:
Do what you think is most for my interest.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Concede istuc, ego illam adducam.
Dordalvs:
Age, ut rem esse in nostram putas.

[¶24] TOXILUS: (to the YOUNG WOMAN, who advances with him.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ehodum huc, virgo. vide sis quid agas.
Virgo:
Taceas, curabo ut voles.

[¶25] Follow me. (To DORDALUS.) I’ve brought her, if you are wishful to make any enquiries of her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sequere me. adduco hanc, si quid vis ex hac percontarier.

[¶26] DORDALUS:
But I want you to be present.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Enim volo te adesse.

[¶27] TOXILUS:
I cannot do otherwise than pay attention to this stranger (pointing to SAGARISTIO.) whom my master bade me show courtesy to. What if he doesn’t choose that I should be present together with you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hau possum quin huic operam dem hospiti,
quoí erus iussit. quid si hic non volt mé adesse una?

[¶28] SAGARISTIO:
Yes, but do come.
TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Immo i modo.

[¶29] I’ll lend you my assistance, then.
DORDALUS:
You’re lending it yourself as well when you are assisting your friend.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Do tibi ego operam.
Dordalvs:
Tibi ibidem das, ubi tu tuom amicum adiuvas.

[¶30] TOXILUS:
Examine her. (Aside to the YOUNG WOMAN.) Hark you, be on your guard.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Exquire. heus tu, advigila.

[¶31] DAUGHTER: (aside.)
Enough has been said to me. (Aloud.) Although I am a slave, I know my duty, so that whatever he asks I’ll tell the truth as I have heard it.
TOXILUS: (pointing to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Satis est dictum: quamquam ego serva sum,
scio ego officium meum, ut quae rogiter vera, ut accepi, eloquar.

[¶32] Young woman, this is an honorable man.
DAUGHTER:
I believe you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Virgo, híc homo probus est.
Virgo:
Credo.

[¶33] TOXILUS:
You’ll not be long in servitude with him.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Non diu apud hunc servies.

[¶34] DAUGHTER:
I’ faith, and so I trust, if my parents do their duty.

> Latin: Virgo:
Ita pol spero, si parentes facient officium suom.

[¶35] DORDALUS:
I do not wish you to be surprised, if we make enquiries of you
about either your country or your parents.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nolo ego te mirari, si nos ex te percontabimur
aut patriam tuam aut parentes.

[¶36] DAUGHTER:
Why should I be surprised at that, my dear sir? My state of servitude has forbidden me to be surprised at any misfortune of my own.

> Latin: Virgo:
Quor ego id mirer, mi homo?
servitus mea mi interdixit, ne quid mirer meum malum.
Dordalvs:
Noli flere.

[¶37] TOXILUS: (aside.)
May the Gods confound her! so cunning and crafty is she. She has got shrewd sense: how readily she does say what’s needed.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ah, di istam perdant, ita catast et callida.
ut sapiens habet cór, quam dicit quod opust!

[¶38] DORDALUS:
What’s your name?
TOXILUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid nomen tibist?

[¶39] Now I’m afraid she’ll be tripping.
DAUGHTER:
My name was Lucris in my own country.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nunc metuo ne peccet.
Virgo:
Lucridi nomen in patria fuit.

[¶40] TOXILUS:
The name and the omen are worth any price. Why don’t you make purchase of her? (Aside.) I was greatly afraid that she would be tripping. She has got herself free.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Nomen atque omen quantivis iam est preti. quin tu hanc emis?
nimis pavebam, ne peccaret. expedivit.

[¶41] DORDALUS:
If I make purchase of you, I trust that you’ll prove Lucris to myself as well.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Si te emam,
mihi quoque Lucridem confido fore te.

[¶42] TOXILUS:
If you do make purchase of her, never, on my word, do I think that she’ll remain your slave throughout the month.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tu si hanc emeris,
numquam hercle hunc mensem vortentem, credo, servibit tibi.

[¶43] DORDALUS:
And so indeed I’d hope, i’ faith.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ita velim quidem hercle.

[¶44] TOXILUS:
That what you wish may come to pass, employ your own energies.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Optata ut evenant, operam addito.

[¶45] (Aside.) In nothing even as yet has she made a slip.
DORDALUS:
Where were you born?

> Latin: nihil adhuc peccavit etiam.
Dordalvs:
Vbi tu nata es?

[¶46] DAUGHTER:
According to what my mother told me, in the kitchen, in a corner on the left hand.
TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Vt mihi
mater dixit, in culina, in angulo ad laevam manum.

[¶47] This woman will prove a lucky Courtesan for you; she has been born in a warm spot, where full oft there is an abundance of all good things. (Aside.) The Procurer was taken in when he asked where she was born.
She has played him off nicely.
DORDALUS:
But I ask of you, what is your country?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Haec erit tibi fausta meretrix: natast in calido loco,
ubi rerum omnium bonarum copiast saepissume.
tactust leno; qui rogaret, ubi nata esset diceret,
lepide lusit.
Dordalvs:
At ego patriam te rogo quae sit tua.

[¶48] DAUGHTER:
What should be mine but that where I now am?

> Latin: Virgo:
Quae mihi sít, nisi haec ubi nunc sum?

[¶49] DORDALUS:
But this I’m asking, what was?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
At ego illam quaero quae fuit.

[¶50] DAUGHTER:
Everything that was, do I consider as nothing, since it was, and is not now. Just like a man when he has breathed forth his spirit; why enquire of him who he was?
TOXILUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Omne ego pro nihilo esse duco quod fuit, quando fuit:
tamquam hominem, quando animam ecflavit, quid eum quaeras qui fuit?

[¶51] So may the Deities kindly favour me, right cleverly. And yet I really do pity her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ita me di bene ament, sapienter. atque equidem miseret tamen.

[¶52] DORDALUS:
But still, young woman, come, tell me at once which is your country? Why are you silent?
DAUGHTER:
For my part, I really am telling you my country. Since I’m in servitude here, this is my country.

> Latin: sed tamen, virgo, quae patriast tua, age mi actutum expedi.
quid taces?
Virgo:
Dico equidem: quando hic servio, haec patriast mea.

[¶53] TOXILUS:
Do cease now making enquiries about that. Don’t you see that she’s unwilling to declare, lest you should recall to her the remembrance of her misfortunes?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam de istoc rogare omitte (non vides nolle eloqui?)
ne suarúm se miseriarum in memoriam inducas.

[¶54] DORDALUS:
What’s the matter? Is your father in captivity?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid est?
captusne est pater?

[¶55] DAUGHTER:
Not in captivity; but what he had, he has lost.

> Latin: Virgo:
Non captus, sed quod habuit perdidit.

[¶56] TOXILUS:
She will prove to be born of a good family; she knows how to say nothing but the truth.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Haec erit bono genere nata: nil scit nisi verum loqui.

[¶57] DORDALUS:
Who was he? Tell me his name?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quis fuit? dic nomen.

[¶58] DAUGHTER:
Why should I tell of him, wretched man, who he was? For the present ’twere proper for him to be called Miserable, and me Miserable.

> Latin: Virgo:
Quid illum miserum memorem qui fuit?
nunc et illúm miserum et me miseram aéquom est nominarier.

[¶59] DORDALUS:
What kind of a person was he considered by the public?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quoius modi is ⟨suo⟩ ín populo habitust?

[¶60] DAUGHTER:
Not a person more acceptable; slaves and free persons all liked him.

> Latin: Virgo:
Nemo quisquam acceptior:
servi liberique amabant.

[¶61] TOXILUS:
You do speak of a miserable man,
inasmuch as he’s almost lost himself, and has lost his friends.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hominem miserum praedicas,
quom ét ipsus prorsus perditust et benevolentis perdidit.

[¶62] DORDALUS:
I shall purchase her, I think.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Emam, opinor.

[¶63] TOXILUS:
What, still “I think?”
DORDALUS:
I imagine that she’s of a noble family.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Etiam opinor? summo genere esse arbitror;

[¶64] TOXILUS:
You’ll make riches by her.
DORDALUS:
May the Gods grant it so.

> Latin: divitias tu ex istac facies.
Dordalvs:
Ita di faxint.

[¶65] TOXILUS:
Do you only buy her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Eme modo.

[¶66] DAUGHTER:
Now this I tell you: my father will be here directly, when he knows that I’ve been sold, and will ransom me thus separated from him.

> Latin: Virgo:
Iam hoc tibi dico: [iam] actutum ecastor meus pater, ubi me sciet
veniisse, ipse aderit et me abs te redimet.

[¶67] TOXILUS:
What say you now?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid nunc?

[¶68] DORDALUS:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid est?

[¶69] TOXILUS:
Do you hear what she says?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Audin quid ait?

[¶70] DAUGHTER:
For although his fortunes are broken, he still has friends.
(Pretends to cry.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Nam etsi res sunt fractae, amici sunt tamen.

[¶71] DORDALUS:
Don’t weep, please; you’ll soon be at liberty, if—you have sweethearts enough. Would you like to belong to me?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ne sis plora; libera eris actutum, si crebro cades.
vin mea esse?

[¶72] DAUGHTER:
So long, indeed, as I don’t belong to you too long. I’d like.

> Latin: Virgo:
Dum quidem ne nímis diu tua sim, volo.

[¶73] TOXILUS:
How well she does keep in mind her liberty. She’ll be producing you fine hauls. About it, if you are about it. I’ll go back to him. (To the YOUNG WOMAN.) Do you follow me. (To SAGARISTIO) I’ve brought her back to you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Satin ut meminit libertatis? dabit haec tibi grandis bolos.
age si quid agis. ego ad hunc redeo. sequere. redduco hanc tibi.

[¶74] DORDALUS:
Young man, are you disposed to sell her?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Adulescens, vin vendere istanc?

[¶75] SAGARISTIO:
I’d like it, rather than lose her.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Magis libet quam perdere.

[¶76] DORDALUS:
Do you compress it then into a few words; state the price at which she’s offered.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Tum tu pauca in verba confer: qui datur, tanti indica.

[¶77] SAGARISTIO:
I’ll do so, as I see you wish it. Take her for a hundred minae.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Faciam ita ut te velle video, út emas. habe centum minis.

[¶78] DORDALUS:
That’s too much.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nimiumst.

[¶79] SAGARISTIO:
For eighty.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Octoginta.

[¶80] DORDALUS:
That’s too much.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nimiumst.

[¶81] SAGARISTIO:
There can’t a didrachm be abated from the price which I shall now name.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Nummus abesse hinc non potest,
quod nunc dicam.

[¶82] DORDALUS:
What is it, then? Speak out at once and name it.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid id est ergo? eloquere actutum atque indica.

[¶83] SAGARISTIO:
At your own risk, she’s offered at sixty minae.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Tuo periclo sexaginta haec dabitur argenti minis.

[¶84] DORDALUS:
Toxilus, what am I to do?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Toxilé, quid ago?

[¶85] TOXILUS: (aside to DORDALUS.)
The Gods and Goddesses are pursuing you with their vengeance, you rogue, for not making haste to purchase her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Di deaeque te agitant irati, scelus,
qui hanc non properes destinare.

[¶86] DORDALUS:
Take them, then.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Habeto.

[¶87] TOXILUS:
Well done, you have got a rich prize! Be off, and fetch the money out here. On my faith, she’s not dear at three hundred minae.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Eu, praedatu's praedatus es probe.
non edepol minis trecentis carast. fecisti lucri.

[¶88] SAGARISTIO:
Hark you, for her clothing there’ll be ten minae added to this as well.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Heus tu, etiam pro vestimentis huc decem accedent minae.

[¶89] DORDALUS:
Yes, be deducted, not added.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Abscedent enim, nón accedent.

[¶90] TOXILUS:
Do hold your tongue, will you; don’t you see that he’s seeking an excuse to have the bargain broken? Why don’t you be off and fetch the money?
DORDALUS: (to TOXILUS, as he is going.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace sis, non tu illum vides
quaerere ansam, infectum ut faciat? abin atque argentum petis?
… atque ut dignust perit.

[¶91] Hark you, do you keep an eye upon him.
TOXILUS:
Why don’t you then go in?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Heus tu serva istum.
Toxilvs:
Quin tu is intro?

[¶92] DORDALUS:
I’ll go and fetch the money.
(Goes into his house.) (The DAUGHTER of SATURIO, TOXILUS, and SAGARISTIO.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Abeo atque argentum affero.—

[¶93] TOXILUS:
Upon my word, young lady, you have given us praiseworthy aid, good. and wise, and sensible.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Edepol dedisti, virgo, operam adlaudabilem,
probam et sapientem et sobriam.

[¶94] DAUGHTER:
If for good persons
anything good is done, the same is wont to be both important and pleasing.

> Latin: Virgo:
Si quid bonis
boni fit, esse id et grave et gratum solet.

[¶95] TOXILUS:
Do you hear, you Persian, when you’ve got the money of him, do you pretend as though you are going straight to the ship.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Audin tu, Persa? ubi argentum ab hoc acceperis,
simulato, quasi eas prorsum in navem.

[¶96] SAGARISTIO:
Don’t teach me.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ne doce.

[¶97] TOXILUS:
Betake yourself back again to our house, that way (pointing.) down the lane through the garden.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Per angiportum rursum te ad me recipito
illac per hortum.

[¶98] SAGARISTIO:
You are naming what’s intended to be done.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quod futurum est praedicas.

[¶99] TOXILUS:
But don’t you at once be changing your quarters with the money, I recommend you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At ne cum argento protinam permittas domum,
moneo, te.

[¶100] SAGARISTIO:
What’s worthy of yourself, do you take to be worthy of me?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quod te dignumst, me dignum esse vis?

[¶101] TOXILUS:
Hold your tongue; lower your voice; the spoil is coming out of doors.
(Re-enter DORDALUS, from his house, with a bag of money.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace, párce voci: praeda progreditur foras.

[¶102] DORDALUS:
Sixty minae of assayed silver are here (pointing at the bag.) less two didrachms.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Probae hic argenti sunt sexaginta minae,
duobus nummis minus est.

[¶103] SAGARISTIO:
What’s the meaning of those didrachms?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quid ei nummi sciunt?

[¶104] DORDALUS:
To pay for this bag, or else to cause it to come home again.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Cruminam hanc emere aut facere uti remigret domum.

[¶105] SAGARISTIO:
Lest you mightn’t be enough of a Procurer, did you fear, wretched, filthy, avaricious creature, that you might lose your bag?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ne non sat esses leno, id metuebas miser,
impure, avare, ne crumillam amitteres?

[¶106] TOXILUS:
Pray, let him alone; since he is a Procurer, he isn’t doing anything surprising.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Sine quaeso. quando lenost, nil mirum facit.

[¶107] DORDALUS:
I’ve judged from omens that I should make some profit to-day;

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Lucro faciundo ego auspicavi in hunc diem:

[¶108] nothing is of value so small to me, but that I grudge to lose it. Come, take this, will you?
(Holds out the bag to SAGARISTIO.)
SAGARISTIO:
Place it around my neck, if it is not too much trouble.

> Latin: nil mihi tam parvist, quin me id pigeat perdere.
age, accipe hoc sis.
Sagaristio:
Hunc in collum, nisi piget,
impone.

[¶109] DORDALUS:
Certainly, it shall be done.
(Hangs it round his neck.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vero fiat.

[¶110] SAGARISTIO:
Is there anything else that you wish with me?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Numquid ceterum
me voltis?

[¶111] TOXILUS:
Why are you in such haste?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid tam properas?

[¶112] SAGARISTIO:
My business is of that nature; the letters that have been entrusted me, I want to deliver;

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ita negotiumst:
mandatae quae sunt, volo deferre epistulas;

[¶113] and I’ve heard that my twin-brother’s a slave here; I wish to be off to seek him out, and redeem him.

> Latin: geminum autem fratrem servire audivi hic meum,
eum ego ut requiram átque uti redimam volo.

[¶114] TOXILUS:
And, i’ faith, you’ve not badly put me in mind of it; I think that I’ve seen here one very like you in figure, of just the same size.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Atque edepol tu me commonuisti haú male.
videor vidisse hic forma persimilem tui,
eadém statura.

[¶115] SAGARISTIO:
Why, it must surely be my brother.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quippe qui frater siet.

[¶116] DORDALUS:
But we’d like to know what your name is.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid est tibi nomen?
Toxilvs:
… quod ad te attinet.

[¶117] TOXILUS:
What does it matter to us to know?
SAGARISTIO:
Listen then, that you may know; my name is Lying- speakerus, Virgin-seller-onides, Trifle-great-talker-ides, Silver-screwer-outides, Thee-worthy-to-talk-to-ides, Wheedler-out-of-coin-ides,
What-he-has-once-got-hold-of-ides, Never-again-part-with-it-ides.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid attinet non scire?
Sagaristio:
Ausculta ergo, ut scias:
Vaniloquidorus Virginesvendonides
Nugiepiloquides Argentumexterebronides
[Tedigniloquides Nugides Palponides]
Quodsemelarripides Numquameripides. em tibi.

[¶118] DORDALUS:
Dear me; upon my faith, this name of yours is written in many ways.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Eu hercle, nomen multimodis scriptumst tuom.

[¶119] SAGARISTIO:
Such is the way with the Persians; we have long names of many words twisted together. Do you wish for anything else?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ita sunt Persarum mores, longa nomina,
contortiplicata habemus. numquid ceterum
voltis?

[¶120] DORDALUS:
Farewell!

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vale.

[¶121] SAGARISTIO:
And you farewell; for my mind’s aboard ship already.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Et vos, nam animus iam in navist meus.

[¶122] DORDALUS:
You’d better have gone to-morrow, and dined here to-day.
(SAGARISTIO is going.) Farewell!
(Exit SAGARISTIO.) (TOXILUS, DORDALUS, and the DAUGHTER of SATURIO.)
TOXILUS:
Since that fellow’s gone, I may say here whatever I please. This day has assuredly shone a gainful one for you; for you’ve not been buying her, but making a clear profit of her.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Cras ires potius, hodie hic cenares.
Sagaristio:
Vale.—
Toxilvs:
Postquam illic ⟨hinc⟩ abiit, dicere hic quidvis licet.
ne hic tibi dies inluxit lucrificabilis.
nam non emisti hanc, verum fecisti lucri.

[¶123] DORDALUS:
He indeed quite understands what he has been about,
in having sold me a stolen woman at my own risk; he has got the money, and taken himself off. How do I know now whether she mayn’t be claimed at once? Whither am I to follow him? To the Persians, nonsense.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ille quidem iam scit, quid negoti gesserit,
qui mihi furtivam meo periclo vendidit,
argentum accepit, abiit. quí ego nunc scio,
an iam adseratur haec manu? quo illum sequar?
in Persas? nugas.

[¶124] TOXILUS:
I imagined that my services would be a cause for thankfulness with you.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Credidi gratum fore
beneficium meum apud te.

[¶125] DORDALUS:
Why, yes, indeed, I do return you thanks,
Toxilus, for I found that you zealously gave me your assistance.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Immo equidem gratiam
tibi, Toxile, habeo; nam te sensi sedulo
mihi dare bonam operam.

[¶126] TOXILUS:
What, I, to you?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tibine ego? immo sedulo.

[¶127] DORDALUS:
In seriousness, yes. By-the-bye, I forgot just now to give some directions in-doors, which I intended to be given. Do keep watch on her.
(Pointing to the YOUNG WOMAN.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Attat, oblitus sum intus dudum edicere
quae volui edicta. adserva hanc.—

[¶128] TOXILUS:
She’s all safe, for certain.
(DORDALUS goes into his house.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Salvast haec quidem.

[¶129] DAUGHTER:
My father’s delaying now.

> Latin: Virgo:
Pater nunc cessat.

[¶130] TOXILUS:
What, if I put him in mind?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid si admoneam?

[¶131] DAUGHTER:
It’s full time.
TOXILUS: (going to the side of the stage, and calling aloud.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Tempus est.

[¶132] Hallo! Saturio, come forward; now’s the opportunity for taking vengeance on the enemy.
(SATURIO.)
SAGARISTIO:
See, here I am. Have I delayed at all?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Heus, Saturio, exi. nunc est illa occasio
inimicum ulcisci.
Satvrio:
Ecce me. numquid moror?

[¶133] TOXILUS:
Well, go you off there at a distance out of sight; keep silence. When you see me talking to the Procurer, do you then make a row.
SATURIO:
A word’s enough to the wise.
(He withdraws out of sight.) (Enter DORDALUS, from his house, with a whip in his hand.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Age, illúc abscede procul e conspectu, tace;
ubi cum lenone me videbis conloqui,
tum turbam facito.
Sagaristio:
Dictum sapienti sat est.
Toxilvs:
Tunc, quando abiero—
Sagaristio:
Quin taces? scio quid velis.

[¶134] DORDALUS:
On coming into the house, I lashed them all with the whip; my house and furniture are in such a dirty state.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Transcidi loris omnis adveniens domi,
ita mihi supellex squalet atque aedes meae.

[¶135] TOXILUS:
Are you returned at last?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Redis tu tandem?

[¶136] DORDALUS:
I’m returned.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Redeo.

[¶137] TOXILUS:
Assuredly, I have this day done you many services.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ne ego hodie tibi
bona multa feci.

[¶138] DORDALUS:
I confess it; I give you thanks.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Fateor, habeo gratiam.

[¶139] TOXILUS:
Do you want anything else with me?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Num quippiam aliud me vis?

[¶140] DORDALUS:
That happiness may. attend you.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vt bene sit tibi.

[¶141] TOXILUS:
I’ faith, all that indeed I shall surely enjoy at home now; for I shall now go take my place at table with your freed-woman.
You, when I’m gone—
DORDALUS:
Why don’t you hold your tongue? I know what it is you want.
(TOXILUS goes into the house.) (Enter SATURIO, in a seeming rage.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Pol istúc quidem omen iám ego usurpabo domi,
nam iam inclinabo me cum liberta tua.

[¶142] SATURIO:
If I don’t prove the destruction of that fellow—
DORDALUS:
I’m undone.
SATURIO:
And most luckily there he is, himself, before the door.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Nisi ego illum hominem perdo, perii. atque optume
eccum ipsum ante aedes.

[¶143] DAUGHTER: (running towards him.)
Most welcome, my dear father.
(She embraces him.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Salve multum, mi pater.

[¶144] SATURIO:
Welcome, my child.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Salve, mea gnata.

[¶145] DORDALUS: (aside.)
That Persian has utterly ruined me!
DAUGHTER: (to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ei, Persa me pessum dedit.

[¶146] This is my father.
DORDALUS:
Ha!—what?—father? I’m utterly undone! Why then, in my misery, do I delay to bewail my sixty minae?

> Latin: Virgo:
Pater hic meus est.
Dordalvs:
Hem, quid? pater? perii oppido.
quid ego igitur cesso infelix lamentarier
minas sexaginta?

[¶147] SATURIO:
By my faith, you scoundrel, I’ll give you cause to bewail your own self as well.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Ego pol te faciam, scelus,
te quoque etiam ipsum ut lamenteris.

[¶148] DORDALUS:
I’m undone!

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Occidi.

[¶149] SATURIO:
Come, walk before a magistrate, Procurer.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Age ambula in ius, leno.

[¶150] DORDALUS:
Why do you summon me before a magistrate?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid me in ius vocas?

[¶151] SATURIO:
I’ll tell you there, before the Praetor. But before the magistrate I summon you.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Illi apud praetorem dicam. sed ego in ius voco.

[¶152] DORDALUS:
Don’t you summon a witness?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nonne antestaris?

[¶153] SATURIO:
What, for your sake, hangdog, am I to be touching the ear of any being that’s free—you, who are here trading in persons, free citizens?

> Latin: Satvrio:
Tuan ego causa, carnufex,
cuiquam mortali libero auris atteram,
qui hic commercaris civis homines liberos?

[¶154] DORDALUS:
Let me but speak—

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Sine dicam.

[¶155] SATURIO:
I won’t.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Nolo.

[¶156] DORDALUS:
Hear me.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Aúdi.

[¶157] SATURIO:
I’m deaf. Walk on—follow me this way (dragging him.) you villanous mouser after maidens! Follow after me this way, my daughter, to the Praetor.

> Latin: Satvrio:
Surdus sum. ambula.
sequere hac, sceleste, feles virginaria.
sequere hac, mea gnata, me usque ad praetorem.—

[¶158] DAUGHTER:
I’ll follow.
(Exit SATURIO, dragging DORDALUS, his DAUGHTER following.) (Enter TOXILUS, from the house.)

> Latin: Virgo:
Sequor.—

[¶159] TOXILUS: (to himself.)
The foe subdued, the citizens safe, the state in tranquillity, peace fully ratified, the war finished, our affairs prospering, the army and the garrisons untouched;
inasmuch, Jupiter, and all you other Deities potent in the heavens, you have kindly aided us, for that reason do I return and give you thanks; because I have been fully revenged upon my foe. Now, for this reason, among my partners will I divide and allot the spoil.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hostíbus victis, civíbus salvis, re plácida, pacibus pérfectis,
bello éxstincto, re béne gestá, integró exércitu et praésidiis,
cum béne nos, Iuppiter, iúvisti, dique álii omnes caelípotentes,
eas vóbis habeo grátes atque ago, quía probe sum últus meum ínimicum.
nunc ób eam rem inter párticipes didám praedam et partícipabo.

[¶160] (To the SLAVES in the house, who obey his orders.) Come out of doors; here, before the entrance and the door, I wish to entertain my commates with hospitality. Lay down the couches here; place here the things that are usual.
Here am I determined that my eagle shall be first pitched;
from which spot I’ll cause all to become merry, joyous, and delighted, by the aid of whom those things which I wished to be effected have been rendered for me easy to be done; for worthless is the man who knows how to receive a kindness, and knows not how to return it.
(Enter LEMNISELENE, SAGARISTIO, and PAEGNIUM, from the house.)

> Latin: íte foras: híc volo ante óstium et iánuam
meos párticipes bene accípere.
státuite hic léctulos, pónite hic quae ádsolent.
hic státui volo primum † aliqua mihi,
unde égo omnis hilaros, lúdentis, laetíficantis faciam út fiant,
quorum ópera mihi facilía factu facta haéc sunt, quae volui éffieri.
nam impróbus est homo qui béneficium scit áccipere et reddére nescit.

[¶161] LEMNISELENE:
My Toxilus, why am I without you? And why are you without me?

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Toxíle mi, cur ego síne te sum, cur tu aútem sine me es?

[¶162] TOXILUS:
Come then, my own one, approach me, and embrace me, please.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ágedum ergo,
accéde ad me atque ampléctere sis.

[¶163] LEMNISELENE:
Indeed I will.
(Embraces him.)

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Ego véro.

[¶164] TOXILUS:
O, nothing is there more sweet than this.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Oh, nihil hoc mágis dulcest.

[¶165] But, there’s a dear, apple of my eye, why don’t we at once betake us to the couches?

> Latin: sed, amábo, oculus meus, quín lectis nos áctutum comméndamus?

[¶166] LEMNISELENE:
Everything that you wish, the same do I desire.

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Omnía quae tu vis, éa cupio.

[¶167] TOXILUS:
It’s mutual. Come, come-come then. You, Sagaristio, recline in the upper place.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Mutúa fiunt a me. age, age ergo,
tu Ságaristio, accumbe ín summo.

[¶168] SAGARISTIO:
I don’t at all care for it. Give ne but equal shares in what I’ve earned.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Ego níl moror: cedo parem, quém pepigi.

[¶169] TOXILUS:
All in good time.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Temperí.

[¶170] SAGARISTIO:
For me that “good time” is too late.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Mi istuc temperí serost.

[¶171] TOXILUS:
Attend to the matter in hand. Take your place; this delightful day let’s keep as a joyous birthday of mine. (To the SLAVES.) Bring water for our hands; arrange the table.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Hoc age, accúmbe. hunc diém suavem
meum nátalem agitemús amoenum. date aquám manibus, apponíte mensam.

[¶172] (The SLAVES obey, and the GUESTS take their places.) To you, blooming one (addressing LEMNISELENE.) I give this blooming wreath. (Places a garland on her head.) You shall be our governess here.
Come, lad, commence these games from the top with a round of seven cups.

> Latin: do hanc tíbi florentem flórenti. tu hic éris dictatrix nóbis.
Lemnisilenis:
Age, púere, ab summo séptenis cyathís committe hos lúdos.

[¶173] Bestir your hands; make haste. Paegnium, you are slow in giving me the cups; really, do give them. Here’s luck to me, luck to you, luck to my mistress, luck to us all. This much wished-for day has been sent me by the Gods this day, inasmuch as I am allowed to embrace you a free woman.
(He drinks.)
LEMNISELENE:
By your own agency it was effected.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Move mánus, propera, Paegniúm, tarde cyathós mihi das, cedo sáne.
bene míhi, bene vobis, béne meae amicae, optátus hic míhi dies dátus hodiést.
ab dís, quia te licet líberam med amplécti.
Lemnisilenis:
Tua factum ópera.

[¶174] (Giving him the cup.) This cup my hand presents to you, as it becomes a mistress to her love.
TOXILUS:
Give it me.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Bene omníbus nobis. hoc méa manus tuaé poclúm donat, ut amántem
amantí decet.

[¶175] LEMNISELENE:
Take it.
(Gives him the cup.)

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Cédo.

[¶176] TOXILUS:
Here’s luck to him who envies me, and to him who rejoices in this joy.
(Drinks.) (Enter DORDALUS, at a distance.)
DORDALUS: (to himself.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Accípe.
Toxilvs:
Bene eí qui invidét mi et eí qui hoc gaúdet.

[¶177] Those who are, and those who shall be, and those who have been, and those who are to be hereafter, all of them I singly by far surpass, in being the most wretched of men alive.
I’m undone, ruined quite! This day has shone upon me the most unfortunate of days; that ruiner Toxilus has so outmanœuvred me, and has so laid waste my property! A whole cartload of silver, to my misfortune, have I upset, and lost, and have not that for which I did upset it. May all the Deities utterly confound that Persian, and all Persians, and all persons besides! in such a way has Toxilus, the wretch, conjured this up against me.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Qui súnt † qui erunt quiqué fuerunt quiqué futuri sunt pósthac,
solus ego omnibus antideo facilé, miserrímus hominum út vivam.
perii, ínterii. pessímus hic mi dies hódie inluxit córruptor,
ita mé Toxilus perfábricavit itaqué meam rem divéxavit.
vehiclum árgenti miser éieci [amisi], neque quam ób rem eieci, hábeo.
qui illúm Persam atque omnís Persas atque étiam omnis persónas
male di ómnes perdant, íta misero Toxílus haec mihi concívit.

[¶178] Because I didn’t trust him for the money, for that reason has he contrived this plan against me,—a fellow, that, by my faith, if I only live, I’ll bring to torture and the fetters; if, indeed, his master ever returns here, as I trust he will. (Catching sight of the REVELLERS.) But what is it I see? Do look at that. What play is this? By my troth, they’re carousing here surely. I’ll accost them. (He goes up to them.) O worthy sir (to TOXILUS.) my greetings to you—you, too (to LEMNISELENE.) my worthy freed-woman.
TOXILUS:
Why surely this is Dordalus.

> Latin: quia eí fidem non habui árgenti, eo míhi eas machinas mólitust;
quem pól ego ut non in crúciatum atque in cómpedis cogam, sí vivam,
siquidem húc umquam erus rediérit eius, quod spéro—sed quid ego áspicio?
hoc víde, quae haec fabulast? híc quidem pol potánt. adgrediar. ó bone vir,
salvéto, et tu, bona líberta.
Toxilvs:
Dordálus hic quidemst.

[¶179] SAGARISTIO:
Invite him, then, to come.
TOXILUS: (to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Quin iúbe adire.

[¶180] Come here, if you like.
(Aside.) Come, let’s sing his praises.
(Aloud.) Dordalus, most delightful fellow, welcome, here’s a place for you; take your place here (pointing to a couch.) Bring water for his feet (to the SLAVES.) Are you going to give it, lad?
(Is going to pat DORDALUS on the shoulder.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Adi, sí libet.
Sagaristio:
Agite, adplaúdamus.
Toxilvs:
Dordále, homo lepidissúme, salve.
locus híc tuos est, hic accumbe. férte aquam pédibus. praeben tú puere?

[¶181] DORDALUS:
Don’t you, please, be touching me with a single finger, lest I should fell you to the ground, you villain.
PAEGNIUM: (holding up a cup.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ne sís me uno digito áttigeris, ne te ád terram, scelus, ádfligam.

[¶182] And I this very instant will be striking out your eye with this tankard.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
At tíbi ego hoc continuó cyatho oculum éxcutiam † tuum.

[¶183] DORDALUS:
What do you say, gallows, you wearer-away of the whip? How have you imposed upon me to-day? Into what embarrassments have you thrown me? How have I been baulked about the Persian?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quid aís, crux, stimulorúm tritor? quo módo me hodie versávisti,
ut me ín tricas coniécisti, quo módo de Persa mánus mi aditast?

[¶184] TOXILUS:
You’ll be off with your abuse from here, if you are wise.
DORDALUS: (to LEMNISELENE.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iurgium hínc auféras, si sápias.

[¶185] But, my worthy freed-woman, you knew of this, and concealed it from me.
LEMNISELENE:
It’s folly
for a person who can enjoy himself to turn to brawling in preference.’Twere more proper for you to arrange about those matters another time.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
At, bóna liberta, haec scívisti et me célavisti?
Lemnisilenis:
Stúltitiast,
cui béne esse licet, eum praévorti litíbus. posterius ístaec te
magis pár agerest.

[¶186] DORDALUS:
My heart’s in flames.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Vrítur cor mi.

[¶187] TOXILUS:
Give him a goblet, then; put out the fire, if his heart’s in flames, that his head mayn’t be burnt.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Da illí cantharum, extingue ígnem, si
cor úritur, caput ne ardéscat.

[¶188] DORDALUS:
You’re making sport of me, I find.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Lúdos me fácitis, intéllego.

[¶189] TOXILUS:
Would you like a new playfellow for you, Paegnium? (Pointing at DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Vín cinaedúm novom tíbi dari, Paégnium?

[¶190] But sport on as you are wont, as this is a place of freedom. (PAEGNIUM struts about round DORDALUS.) O rare! you do stalk in a princely style and right merrily.

> Latin: quín elude, út soles, quándo libér locust hic.
huí, babae, básilice te íntulisti ét facete.

[¶191] PAEGNIUM:
It befits me to be merry, and I’ve a longing to play this Procurer some pranks, since he’s deserving of it.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Decét me facétum esse, et húnc inridére
lenónem lubídost, quandó dignus ést.

[¶192] TOXILUS:
As you commenced, proceed.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Perge út coeperás.

[¶193] PAEGNIUM: (striking him.)
Take that, Procurer!

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Hoc, léno, tibí.

[¶194] DORDALUS:
I’m undone! he has almost knocked me down!

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Perií perculít me prope.

[¶195] PAEGNIUM:
Hey—be on your guard again.
(Strikes at him.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Em, serva rúsum.

[¶196] DORDALUS:
Sport on just as you please, while your master’s away from here.
PAEGNIUM: (skipping around him.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Delúde, ut lubet, erus dum hínc abest.

[¶197] Don’t you see how obedient I am to your request? But why, on the other hand, are not you obedient to my request as well, and why don’t you do that which I advise you?
DORDALUS:
What’s that?

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Viden út tuis dictis páreo?
sed quín tu meís contra itém dictis sérvis
atque hóc, quod tibí suadeó, facis?
Dordalvs:
Quid ést id?

[¶198] PAEGNIUM:
Do you take a stout rope for yourself, and go hang yourself.
DORDALUS: (shaking his stick.)

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Restím tu tibí cápe crassam ac suspende te.

[¶199] Take you care, will you, that you don’t touch me, lest I give you a heavy return with this walking-stick.
PAEGNIUM:
Make use of it; I give you leave.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Cave sís me attigás, ne tibi hóc scipióne
malúm magnum dém.
Paegnivm:
Vteré, te condóno.

[¶200] TOXILUS:
Come, come, Paegnium, put an end to it.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Iam iám, Paegnium, da paúsam.

[¶201] DORDALUS:
By my faith, I’ll utterly destroy you all.
TOXILUS:
But he, who dwells above us,
wishes you all ill, and will do you all ill. It’s not they that tell you so, but I.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Égo pol vos erádicabo.
Paegnivm:
At te ílle, qui suprá nos habitat,
qui tibi male volt maleque faciet. non hi dicunt, verum ego.

[¶202] TOXILUS:
Come (to the SLAVES.) carry round the honied wine; give us drink in goblets quite full: it’s a long time now since we last drank; we’ve been athirst too long.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Age, circumfer mulsum, bibere da usque plenis cantharis.
iam diu fáctum est, postquam bibimus; nimis diu sicci sumus.

[¶203] DORDALUS:
May the Gods grant that you may drink that which may never pass through you.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Di faciant ut id bibatis quod vos numquam transeat.

[¶204] PAEGNIUM:
I cannot forbear, Procurer, from at least dancing a hornpipe for you, which Hegea formerly
composed. But just look if it quite pleases you.
(He dances.)
SAGARISTIO: (rising.)
I’d like also to repeat that one which Diodorus formerly composed in Ionia.
(Goes close to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Nequeo, leno, quin tibi saltem staticulum, olim quem Hegea
faciebat. vide vero, si tibi satis placet.
Toxilvs:
Me quoque volo
reddere, Diodorus quem olim faciebat in Ionia.

[¶205] DORDALUS:
I’ll be doing you a mischief, if you are not off!

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Malum ego vobis dabo, ni abitis.

[¶206] SAGARISTIO:
Still muttering, impudence? If you provoke me, I’ll just now be bringing you the Persian again.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Etiam muttis, impudens?
iam ego tibi, si me inritassis, Persam adducam denuo.

[¶207] DORDALUS:
I’ faith, I’m silenced now. Why, you are the Persian that has been fleecing me to the quick!

> Latin: Dordalvs:
[iam taceo hercle] Atque tu Persa es, qui me usque ádmutilavisti ad cutem.

[¶208] TOXILUS:
Hold your tongue, simpleton; this is his twin-brother.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Tace, stulte: hic eius geminust frater.

[¶209] DORDALUS:
Is it he?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Hicinest?

[¶210] TOXILUS:
Aye, and a very twin of twins.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ac geminissumus.

[¶211] DORDALUS:
May the Gods and Goddesses rack both yourself and your twin-brother.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Di deaeque et te et geminum fratrem excrucient.

[¶212] SAGARISTIO:
Him, you mean, who has been ruining you; for I don’t deserve anything.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Qui te perdidit:
nám ego nil merui.

[¶213] DORDALUS:
But still, what he deserves, I hope that that may prove to your undoing.
TOXILUS: (to SAGARISTIO.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
At enim quod ille meruit, tibi id obsit volo.

[¶214] Come, if you like, let’s have some sport with this fellow,
unless he isn’t deemed worthy of it.
SAGARISTIO:
Just now it’s right.
LEMNISELENE: (aside.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Agite sultis, hunc lúdificemus.
Lemnisilenis:
Nisi si dignust, non opust.

[¶215] But it isn’t proper for me.
TOXILUS: (aside.)
For the reason, I suppose, that he made no difficulties when I purchased you.
LEMNISELENE: (aside.)

> Latin: et me haud par est.
Toxilvs:
Credo eo, quia non ínconciliavit, cúm te emo.

[¶216] But still—
TOXILUS: (aside.)
No “still.” Beware, then, of a mishap, will you, and obey me. It becomes you to be heedful of my orders; for, i’ faith, had it not been for me and my protection, he would before long have made a street-walker of you. But such are some of those who have gained their freedom, unless they thwart their patron, they don’t appear to themselves free enough, or wise enough, or honest enough,
unless they oppose him, unless they abuse him, unless they are found ungrateful to him who has been kind.
LEMNISELENE: (aside.)

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
At tamen non—tamen—
Toxilvs:
Cave ergo sis maló, et sequere me.
te mihí dicto audientem esse addecet, nam hercle absque me
foret et meo praesidio, hic faceret te prostibilem propediem.
sed ita pars libertinorum est: nisi patrono qui adversatust,
nec satis liber sibi videtur nec satis frugi nec sat honestus,
ní id effecit, ni ei male dixit, ni grato ingratus repertust.

[¶217] I’ troth, your kindnesses command me to pay obedience to your commands.
TOXILUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Pol bene facta tua me hortantur, tuo ut imperio paream.

[¶218] I clearly am your patron, who paid the money for you to that man (pointing to DORDALUS.) in return for that, I choose that he shall be made sport of.
LEMNISELENE: (aside.)
For my part, I’ll do my utmost.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Ego sum tibi patronus plane, qui huic pro te argentum dedi.
… gráphice hunc volo ludíficari.
Lemnisilenis:
Meo ego ín loco sedulo cúrabo.

[¶219] DORDALUS:
For sure, these persons are consulting to do something, I know not what, to injure me.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Certo ílli homines mihi néscio quid mali cónsulunt, quod faciánt.

[¶220] SAGARISTIO:
Hark you.

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Heus vos.

[¶221] TOXILUS:
What do you say?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quid aís?

[¶222] SAGARISTIO:
Is this person here, Dordalus the Procurer, who deals in free women? Is this he who was formerly st stalwart?

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Hicin Dordalus ést leno, qui hic liberas virgines mércatur?
hicinést, qui fuit quondám fortis?

[¶223] DORDALUS:
What means this? (PAEGNIUM strikes him.) Oh, oh! he has given me a slap in the face! I’ll do you a mischief.
(Shakes his fist at him.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Quae haec rés est? ei, colaphó me icit.
malum vóbis dabo.

[¶224] TOXILUS:
But we have done you one, and shall do it again too.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
At tibi nós dedimus dabimúsque etiam.

[¶225] DORDALUS: (PAEGNIUM pinching him.)
Oh, oh! he’s pinching my behind.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Ei, natis pérvellit.

[¶226] PAEGNIUM:
Of course; it has been many a time twitched before this.

> Latin: Paegnivm:
Licet: iám diu saepe sunt éxpunctae.

[¶227] DORDALUS:
Are you still prating, you bit of a boy?
LEMNISELENE: (to DORDALUS.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Loqueré tu etiam, frustúm pueri?

[¶228] My patron, do, there’s a dear, come in-doors to dinner.

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Patróne mi, i intro, amábo, ad cenam.

[¶229] DORDALUS:
My lump of laziness, are you now scoffing at me?

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mea Ignávia, tu nunc me ínrides?

[¶230] LEMNISELENE:
What, because I invite you to enjoy yourself?

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Quíane te vocó, bene ut tíbi sit?

[¶231] DORDALUS:
I don’t want to enjoy myself.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Nólo mihi bene ésse.

[¶232] LEMNISELENE:
Then don’t.

> Latin: Lemnisilenis:
Ne sit.

[¶233] TOXILUS:
How then? The six hundred didrachms, how are they? What disturbances they do cause.
DORDALUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Quíd igitur? sescénti nummi quíd agunt, quas turbás danunt?

[¶234] I’m utterly undone! They understand full well how to return the compliment to an enemy.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Mále disperii, scíunt referre próbe inimico grátiam.

[¶235] TOXILUS:
Have we now had satisfaction enough?

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Satis súmpsimus súpplici iam.

[¶236] DORDALUS:
I confess it; I hold up my hands to you.

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Fateór, manus vobís do.

[¶237] TOXILUS:
And, ere long, you shall be holding them beneath the bilboes. Be off in-doors.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Et póst dabis sub fúrcis.

[¶238] SAGARISTIO:
To perdition!

> Latin: Sagaristio:
Abi íntro—in crucem.

[¶239] DORDALUS: (to the AUDIENCE.)
Have these fellows here worked me in too slight a degree?
(Goes into his house.)

> Latin: Dordalvs:
Án me hic parum éxercitum hísce
habént?

[¶240] TOXILUS: (calling after him.)
Keep in mind that you met with a Toxilus. (To the AUDIENCE.) Spectators, kindly fare you well. The Procurer is demolished. Grant us your applause.

> Latin: Toxilvs:
Convenísse te Tóxilum me …
spéctatores, bene valete. leno periit. plaudite.