(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 contendthan 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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
TOXILUS:Who’s this that’s standing opposite to me?
Toxilvs:Quís illic est qui cóntra me astat?
SAGARISTIO:Who’s that that’s standing opposite to me?
Sagaristio:Quís hic est qui sic cóntra me astat?
TOXILUS:It’s like Sagaristio.
Toxilvs:Similis est Sagaristionis.
SAGARISTIO:Surely this is my friend Toxilus.
Sagaristio:Toxilus híc quidem meus amicust.
TOXILUS:Certainly it is he.
Toxilvs:Ís est profecto.
SAGARISTIO:I think it is he.
Sagaristio:Eum esse opinor.
TOXILUS:I’ll go meet him.
Toxilvs:Congrediar.
SAGARISTIO:I’ll go up and accost him.TOXILUS: (meeting him.)
Sagaristio:Contra adgredibor.
O Sagaristio, may the Gods bless you.SAGARISTIO:O Sagaristio, the Gods grant you what you may desire. How fare you?
Toxilvs:O Sagaristio, di ament te.Sagaristio:O Toxilé, dabunt di quae exoptes.út vales?
TOXILUS:Just as I can.
Toxilvs:Út queo.
SAGARISTIO:What’s the matter?
Sagaristio:Quíd agitur?
TOXILUS:I still live.
Toxilvs:Vívitur.
SAGARISTIO:Quite then to your satisfaction?
Sagaristio:Sátin ergo ex sententia?
TOXILUS:If the things come to pass which I desire, quite.
Toxilvs:Si eveniunt quae exopto, satis.
SAGARISTIO:You deal with your friends in a very silly fashion.
Sagaristio:Nimis stúlte amicis utere.
TOXILUS:How so?
Toxilvs:Quid iam?
SAGARISTIO:Because you ought to give them your commands.
Sagaristio:Imperare oportet.
TOXILUS:As for myself, you were already dead to me, because I haven’t seen you.
Toxilvs:Mihi quidem tu iám eras mortuos, quia non te visitabam.
SAGARISTIO:Business, upon my faith—
Sagaristio:Negotium edepol—
TOXILUS:In the iron chain line, perhaps.
Toxilvs:Ferreum fortasse?
SAGARISTIO:For more than a twelvemonth I’ve been promoted in chains to be commanding officer in the basting line at the mill.
Sagaristio:Plusculum annumfui praéferratus apud molas tribunus vapularis.
TOXILUS:Why, that’s your old line of service.
Toxilvs:Vetus iam ístaec militiast tua.
SAGARISTIO:Have you been quite well all along?
Sagaristio:Satin tu úsque valuisti?
TOXILUS:Not very.
Toxilvs:Hau probe.
SAGARISTIO:I’ faith, it’s with reason then you are so pale.
Sagaristio:Ergo edepol palles.
TOXILUS:I’ve been wounded in the battles of Venus;
Toxilvs:Saucius factus sum in Veneris proelio:
Cupid has pierced my heart with his arrow.SAGARISTIO:Do servants then fall in love here?
sagittá Cupido cor meum transfixit.Sagaristio:Iam servi hic amant?
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?
Toxilvs:Quíd ego faciam? disne advorser? quasi Titani cum eis belligeremquibus sat esse non queam?
SAGARISTIO:Do you only take care that “catapultae” made of elm don’t pierce your sides.
Sagaristio:Vide modo, ulmeae catapultae tuom ne transfigant latus.
TOXILUS:In right royal manner I’m celebrating the feast of Freedom.
Toxilvs:Básilice ágito eleútheria.
SAGARISTIO:How so?
Sagaristio:Quíd iam?
TOXILUS:Because my master’s gone abroad.
Toxilvs:Quia erus peregri est.
SAGARISTIO:Do you say so?Is he gone abroad?
Sagaristio:Ain tu,péregri est?
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.
Toxilvs:Si tu tibi bene essepóte pati, veni: víves mecum,básilico accipiere victu.
SAGARISTIO:Out upon it (rubbing himself.) my shoulder-blades are quite itching now, because I’ve heard you mention these things.
Sagaristio:Váh, iam scapulae pruriunt, quia te ístaec audivi loqui.
TOXILUS:But this one thing is torturing me.
Toxilvs:Sed hoc me únum excruciat.
SAGARISTIO:Why, what is it?
Sagaristio:Quidnam id est?
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.
Toxilvs:Haéc dies summa hódie est, mea amíca sitne líbera,an sémpiternam sérvitutem sérviat.
SAGARISTIO:What, then, do you now desire?
Sagaristio:Quid núnc vis ergo?
TOXILUS:You have it in your power to make me your friend for ever.
Toxilvs:⟨Fácere ami⟩cum tibi me potis es sempiternum.
SAGARISTIO:In what way?
Sagaristio:Quem ad modum?
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.
Toxilvs:Út mihi des nummos sescentos, quós pro capite illius pendam,quós continuo tibi reponam in hoc tríduo, aut quadriduo.age fí benignus, subveni.
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.
Sagaristio:Qua cónfidentia rogare tu á med argentum tantum audes,ímpudens? quin si egomet totus véneam, vix recipi potis estquód tu me rogas; nam tú aquam a púmice nunc póstulas,qui ípsus sitiat.
TOXILUS:Ought you to be treating me in this fashion?
Toxilvs:Sicine hoc te mihi fácere?
SAGARISTIO:What am I to do?
Sagaristio:Quid faciam?
TOXILUS:Do you ask the question? Beg it on loan from somebody.
Toxilvs:Rogas?
SAGARISTIO:You do the same as you are asking me.
alicúnde exora mutuom.Sagaristio:Tu fác idem quod rogas me.
TOXILUS:I’ve been trying; I’ve found it nowhere.
Toxilvs:Quaesivi, nusquam repperi.
SAGARISTIO:I really will try, if any one will trust me.
Sagaristio:Quaeram equidem, si quis credat.
TOXILUS:Am I then to consider it as a thing in possibility?
Toxilvs:Nempe habeo in mundo.
SAGARISTIO:If I had had it at home, I’d promise it at once. This is in my power, to use my best endeavours.
Sagaristio:Si id domi esset mihi, iam pollicerer:hoc meumst ut faciam sedulo.
TOXILUS:Whatever it is, come you home to me.
Toxilvs:Quidquid erit, recipe te ad me.quaeré tamen, ego item sedulo.
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.
Sagaristio:Si quid erit, ⟨te fac⟩iam ut scias.
TOXILUS:I entreat you, and entreat over and over again, do give me your stanch help in this.
Toxilvs:… obsecro te resecro⟨que⟩, operam da hánc mihifidélem.
SAGARISTIO:O dear! you are worrying me to death by your importunity.
Sagaristio:Ah, odio me énicas.
TOXILUS:It’s through the fault of love, and not my own, that I’m now become a silly prater to you.
Toxilvs:Amóris vitio, non meo, nunc tibi morologus fio.
SAGARISTIO:Then, i’ troth, I’ll now be taking my leave of you.(Moving.)
Sagaristio:At pol ego aps te concessero.—
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.)
Toxilvs:Iamne ábis? bene ambulato.sed recipe quam primum potes, cave fúas mi in quaestione.usque ero domi, dum excoxero lenoni malam ⟨rem magnam⟩.—
SATURIO: (to himself.)The old and ancient calling of my forefathers do I follow, and hold, and cultivate with great care.
Satvrio:Veterem atque antiquom quaestum maio⟨rum meum⟩servo atque obtineo et magna cum cura colo.
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.
nam numquam quisquam meorum maiorum fuit,quin parasitando paverint ventres suos:patér, avos, proavos, abavos, atavos, tritavosquasi mures semper edere alienum cibum,neque edacitate eos quisquam poterat vincere;
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.
atque eis cognómentum erat durís Capitonibus.unde égo hunc quaestum optineo et maiorum locum.neque quadrupulari me volo, neque enim decetsine meo periclo ire aliena ereptum bona,neque illí qui faciunt mihi placent. planen loquor?
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;
nam publicae rei causa quicumque id facitmagis quám sui quaesti, animus induci potest,eum esse civem ét fidelem ét bonum.sed …si legirupam qui damnet, det in publicumdimidium; atque etiam in ea lege adscribier:
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.
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.
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.
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.
But the door is opening; I must pause in my steps.(Enter TOXILUS, from the house of his MASTER.)TOXILUS: (to himself.)
sed aperiuntur aedes, remorandust gradus.
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.
Toxilvs:Omnem rem inveni, ut sua sibi pecuniahodie illam faciat leno libertam suam.sed eccúm parasitum, quoius mi auxilio est opus.simulabo quasi non videam: ita alliciam virum.
(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.)
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.
He’s meaning me—bravo!TOXILUS:I think that he’ll be here just now from the baths when he has bathed.
Satvrio:Me dicit, euge.Toxilvs:Lautum credo e balineisiam hic adfuturum.
SATURIO: (apart.)How he does keep everything in its due order.
Satvrio:Vt ordine omnem rem tenet.
TOXILUS:Take you care that the gravy-cakes and the cheese-biscuits are hot; don’t be giving them to me unbaked.
Toxilvs:Collyrae facite ut madeant et colyphia,ne mihi incócta detis.
SATURIO: (apart.)He’s speaking the very fact; they are worth nothing raw, only if you swallow them warm.
Satvrio:Rem loquitur meram.nihili sunt crudae, nisi quas madidas gluttias;
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.)
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.
Some one, I know not who, is talking near me here.SATURIO: (accosting him.)O my earthly Jupiter, your fellow-feaster addresses you.
Toxilvs:Prope me hic nescio quis loquitur.Satvrio:O mi Iuppiterterrestris, te coepulonus compellat tuos.
TOXILUS:O Saturio, you’ve come opportunely for me.
Toxilvs:O Saturio, opportune advenisti mihi.
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.
Satvrio:Mendacium edepol dicis, atque haud te decet:nam essurio venio, non advenio saturio.
TOXILUS:But you shall have something to eat; for now the creature-comforts for the stomach are smoking away in-doors.
Toxilvs:At edes, nam iam intus ventris fumant focula.
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.
calefieri iussi reliquias.Satvrio:Pernam quidemius est adponi frigidam postridie.
TOXILUS:I’ve ordered it so to be done.
Toxilvs:Ita fieri iussi.
SATURIO:Any caviare?
Satvrio:Ecquid hallecis?
TOXILUS:Get out—do you ask the question?
Toxilvs:Vah, rogas?
SATURIO:You have a capital notion of what’s good.
Satvrio:Sapis múltum ad genium.
TOXILUS:But do you at all remember the matter about which I was making mention to you yesterday?
Toxilvs:Sed ⟨tu⟩, ecquid meministi, herequa de re ego tecum mentionem feceram?
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.
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.
TOXILUS:It’s almost too early in the morning.
Toxilvs:Nimis paéne manest.
SATURIO:The business that you begin to do in the morning, that same lasts on throughout the day.
Satvrio:Mane quod tu occeperisnegotium agere, id totum procedit diem.
TOXILUS:Prithee, do give your attention to this. For yesterday I mentioned it to you, and entreated you to lend me six hundred didrachms.
Toxilvs:Quaeso animum advorte hoc. iám heri narravi tibitecumque oravi, ut nummos sescentos mihidares utendos mutuos.
SATURIO:I recollect it and am aware, both that you did ask me, and that I hadn’t any to lend.
Satvrio:Memini et scio,et te me orare et mihi non esse quod darem.
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.
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.
TOXILUS:I don’t want money now; lend me your daughter.
Toxilvs:Iam nolo argentum: filiam utendam tuammihi da.
SATURIO:By my troth, never to any person whatsoever have I lent her as yet.
Satvrio:Numquam edepol cuiquam etiam utendam dedi.
TOXILUS:Not for that purpose which you are insinuating.
Toxilvs:Non ad istuc quod tu insimulas.
SATURIO:Why do you want her then?
Satvrio:Quid eam vis?
TOXILUS:You shall know;
Toxilvs:Scies.
because she’s of a pretty and genteel figure.SATURIO:Such is the fact.
quia forma lepida et liberali est.Satvrio:Res itast.
TOXILUS:This Procurer (pointing to the house of DORDALUS.) neither knows yourself nor your daughter.
Toxilvs:Hic leno neque te novit neque gnatam tuam.
SATURIO:How should any one know me, except him who finds me food?
Satvrio:Me ut quisquam norit, nisi ille qui praebet cibum?
TOXILUS:Such is the fact. This way you can find some money for me.
Toxilvs:Ita est. hoc tu mihi reperire argentum potes.
SATURIO:I’ faith, I wish I could.
Satvrio:Cupio hercle.
TOXILUS:Then do you allow me to sell her.
Toxilvs:Tum tu me sine illam vendere.
SATURIO:You to sell her?
Satvrio:Tun illam vendas?
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.
Toxilvs:Immo alium adlegaveroqui vendat, qui esse se peregrinum praedicet.sicut istic leno non sex menses Megaribushuc est cum commigravit.
SATURIO:The remnants are spoiling; this, however, can be done afterwards.
Satvrio:Pereunt reliquiae.posterius istuc tamen potest.
TOXILUS:Do you understand on what terms it can?
Toxilvs:Scin quam potest?
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?
numquam hercle hodie hic prius edes, ne frustra sis,quam te hoc facturum quod rogo adfirmas mihi;atqué nisi gnatam tecum huc iam quantum potestadducis, exigam hercle ego te ex hac decuria.quid nunc? quid est? quin dicis quid facturus sis?
SATURIO:I’ troth, prithee sell even myself as well, if you like, so long as you sell me with my stomach full.
Satvrio:Quaeso hercle me quoque etiam vende, si lubet,dum saturum vendas.
TOXILUS:If you are going to do this, do it.
Toxilvs:Hoc, si facturu's facturus es, face.
SATURIO:For my part, I’ll do what you desire,
Satvrio:Faciam equidem quae vis.
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.
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.
SATURIO:Now won’t you hold your tongue? Three times more artful is she than you would have her be.
Satvrio:Etiam tu taces?ter tanto peior ipsa est quam illam tu esse vis.
TOXILUS:I’ troth, you say what’s excellent. But do you know what you are to do? Geta 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—
Toxilvs:Lepide hercle dicis. sed scin quid facias? capetunicam atque zonam, et chlamydem adferto et causeam,quam ille habeat qui hanc lenoni huic vendat.
SATURIO:Well-capital!
Satvrio:Eu, probe.
TOXILUS:As though he were a foreigner.
Toxilvs:Quasi sit peregrinus.
SATURIO:I approve of it—
Satvrio:Laudo.
TOXILUS:And do you bring your daughter cleverly drest up after a foreign fashion.
Toxilvs:Et tu gnatam tuamornatam adduce lepide in peregrinum modum.
SAGARISTIO:“Où sont ” the dresses?TOXILUS:Borrow them of the chorus-leader.
Satvrio:πόθεν ornamenta?Toxilvs:Abs chorago sumito;
He ought to lend them; the Aediles have contracted for them to be found.
dare debet: praebenda aediles locaverunt.
SATURIO:I’ll have them here just now. But I’m to be acquainted with nothing of these matters?
Satvrio:Iam faxo hic aderunt. sed ego nihil horunc scio.
TOXILUS:I’ faith, nothing, in fact. But, when I’ve got the money, do you at once claim her of the Procurer.
Toxilvs:Nihil hercle vero. nam ubi ego argentum accepero,continuo tu illam a lenone adserito manu.
SATURIO:Let him keep her for himself, if I don’t immediately carry her off from him.
Satvrio:Sibi habeat, si non extemplo ab eo abduxero.—
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.)
Toxilvs:Abi et istuc cura. interibi egó puerum volomittere ad amicam meam, út habeat animum bonum,me esse effecturum ⟨hoc⟩ hodie. nimis longum loquor.—
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.
Sophoclidisca:Satis fúit índoctae, ímmemori, insípienti dicére totiens.nimis tándem me quidem pró barda et pro rústica reor habitam ésse aps te.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
TOXILUS:Are these things quite clear and certain to you—do you quite remember and understand them?
Toxilvs:Sátin haec tibi sunt plána et certa? sátin haec meministi ét tenes?
PAEGNIUM:Better than you who have instructed me.
Paegnivm:Melius quam tu qui docuisti.
TOXILUS:Say you so, you whip-rascal?
Toxilvs:Ain véro, verbereum caput?
PAEGNIUM:I really do say so.
Paegnivm:Aio enim véro.
TOXILUS:What did I say then P
Toxilvs:Quid ergo dixi?
PAEGNIUM:I’ll tell it to her all correctly.
Paegnivm:Ego recte apud illam dixero.
TOXILUS:I’ faith, you don’t know it.
Toxilvs:Non edepol scis.
PAEGNIUM:Troth now, lay me a wager that I don’t remember and know it all.
Paegnivm:Da hercle pignus, ni omnia memini et scio,et quidem sí scis tute, quot hodie habeas digitos in manu.
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.
Toxilvs:Egon dem pignus tecum?
PAEGNIUM:Without hesitation—if you are desirous to lose.
Paegnivm:Audacter, si lubido est perdere.
TOXILUS:A fair truce rather let there be.
Toxilvs:Bona pax sit potius.
PAEGNIUM:For that reason, then, do you let me go.
Paegnivm:Tum tu igitur sine me ire.
TOXILUS:I both bid and permit you.
Toxilvs:Et iubeo et sino;
But I wish you so to attend to it, that you are back home while I’m thinking that you are there.
sed ita volo te ire, ut domí sis, cum ego te esse illi censeam.
PAEGNIUM:I’ll do so.(Moves towards their own house.)
Paegnivm:Faciam.
TOXILUS:Whither are you now going?
Toxilvs:Quo ergo is nunc?
PAEGNIUM:Home; that I may be at home while you are thinking that I am there.
Paegnivm:Domum: uti domi sim, quom illi censeas.
TOXILUS:You are a rascal of a boy, and—for this service I’ll give you something to add to your savings.
Toxilvs:Scelus tu pueri es, atque ob istánc rem ego aliqui te peculiabo.
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.
Paegnivm:Scio fide hercle erili ut soleat impudicitia opprobrarinec subigi queantur umquam, ut pro éa fide habeant iudicem.
TOXILUS:Be off now.
Toxilvs:Abi modo.
PAEGNIUM:I’ll give you reason to command me.
Paegnivm:Ego laudabis faxo.
TOXILUS:But, Paegnium, take you care and give that letter to Lemniselene herself, and tell her what I bade you.SOPHOCLIDISCA: (apart.)
Toxilvs:Sed has tabellas, Paegnium,ipsi Lemniseleni fac des et quae iussi nuntiato.
Do I delay to go whither I was sent?
Sophoclidisca:Cesso ire ego quo missa sum?
PAEGNIUM:I’m off.
Paegnivm:Eo ego.
TOXILUS:Then do be off; I’ll off home. Take care and manage this business with attention. Fly post haste.(Goes into the house.)
Toxilvs:I sane. ego domum ibo. face rem hanc cum cura geras.vola curriculo.—
PAEGNIUM:That’s what the ostrich is wont to do in the Circus.
Paegnivm:Istuc marinus passer per circum solet.
He’s off from here in-doors there. But who’s this woman that’s coming towards me?SOPHOCLIDISCA: (advancing.)
illic hinc abiit intro huc. sed quis haec ést quae med advorsum incedit?
Surely this is Paegnium.PAEGNIUM:This is Sophoclidisca, the private servant of her to whom I’m sent.
Sophoclidisca:Paegnium hic quidem est.Paegnivm:Sophoclidisca haéc peculiarest eiusquo ego sum missus.
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (aside.)There’s not a person this day that’s reported to be more artful than this boy. I’ll accost him.
Sophoclidisca:Nullus esse hodie hóc puero peior perhibetur.
PAEGNIUM:At this barI must come to a stop.
Paegnivm:Compellabo.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Paegnium, my charmer of a boy, save you; how are you? How do you do?
Sophoclidisca:Commorandust.Paegnivm:Apud hanc obieci …Sophoclidisca:Paegnium, deliciae pueri, salve. quid agis? ut vales?
PAEGNIUM:Sophoclidisca, the Gods will favour me.
Paegnivm:Sophoclidisca, di me amabunt.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Why “me?” Which of us?
Sophoclidisca:Quid me?
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.
Paegnivm:Vtrum hercle ⟨di volent⟩;sed si ut digna es faciant, odio hercle habeant et faciant male.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Do leave off your abusive talking.
Sophoclidisca:Mitte male loqui.
PAEGNIUM:Since I’m saying just as you I’m talking to deserve, properly, not abusively.
Paegnivm:Quom ut digna es dico, bene, non male loquor.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:What are you about now?
Sophoclidisca:Quid agis?
PAEGNIUM:Standing opposite to you, looking at a worthless woman.
Paegnivm:Feminam scelestam te astans contra contuor.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:For my own part, assuredly, I do not know any more good-for-nothing boy than yourself.
Sophoclidisca:Certe equidem puerum peiorem quam te novi neminem.
PAEGNIUM:What mischief do I do, or to what person do I speak abusively?
Paegnivm:Quid male facio aut quoi male dico?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I’ faith, to every one that you have the opportunity.
Sophoclidisca:Quoi pol cumque occasio est.
PAEGNIUM:Not an individual has ever thought so.
Paegnivm:Nemo homo umquam ita arbitratust.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:But, i’ faith, full many a one knows that so it is.
Sophoclidisca:At pol multi esse ita sciunt.
PAEGNIUM:Heyday, indeed!
Paegnivm:Heia.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Heyday, indeed!
Sophoclidisca:Beia.
PAEGNIUM:According to your own disposition you judge of the ways of others.
Paegnivm:Tuo ex ingenio mores alienos probas.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I certainly do confess that I’m just as befits one of a Procurer’s household to be.
Sophoclidisca:Fateor ego profecto me esse ut decet lenonis familiae.
PAEGNIUM:I’ve now had enough of your chattering.
Paegnivm:Satis iam dictum habeo.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:What say you? Do you plead guilty to what I take you to be?
Sophoclidisca:Sed quid tu? confitere ut te autumo?
PAEGNIUM:If I were so, I should confess it.
Paegnivm:Fatear, si ita sim.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Be off then; you’ve got the victory.
Sophoclidisca:Iam ábi, vicisti.
PAEGNIUM:Now then be off with you.
Paegnivm:Abi núnciam ergo.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Do you then tell me this—whither are you going?
Sophoclidisca:Hoc mi expedi,quó agis?
PAEGNIUM:Whither are you?
Paegnivm:Quo tu?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Say you.
Sophoclidisca:Dic tu.
PAEGNIUM:Say you.
Paegnivm:⟨Dic tu.⟩
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I was the first to ask.
Sophoclidisca:Prior rogavi.
PAEGNIUM:Then you shall be the last to know.
Paegnivm:At post scies.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I’m going not far hence.
Sophoclidisca:Eo ego hinc haud longe.
PAEGNIUM:And I, indeed, not far.
Paegnivm:Et quidem ego haud longe ⟨hinc eo⟩.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Whither then, you rascal?
Sophoclidisca:Quo ergo ⟨is⟩, scelus?
PAEGNIUM:Unless I know first of you, you shall never know this of me that you are enquiring.
Paegnivm:Nisi scieró prius ex te, tu ex me numquam hoc quod rogitas scies.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:On my honor you shall never this day know before I’ve heard it of you.
Sophoclidisca:Numquam ecastor hodie scibis prius quam ex te audivero.
PAEGNIUM:Is such the fact?
Paegnivm:Itane est?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Is such the fact?
Sophoclidisca:Itane est.
PAEGNIUM:You are a worthless one.
Paegnivm:Mala es.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Rogue.
Sophoclidisca:Scelestu's scelestus es.
PAEGNIUM:That befits me.
Paegnivm:Decet me.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Me then it does not befit.
Sophoclidisca:Me quidem addecet.
PAEGNIUM:What do you say? Are you quite determined, you hussy, to conceal whither you are going?
Paegnivm:Quid ais? certumnest celare, quó iter facias, pessuma?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:And are you quite resolved to hide whither you are betaking yourself, you scoundrel?
Sophoclidisca:Offirmastin occultare quo te immittas, pessume?
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.)
Paegnivm:Par pari respondes dicto. abi iam, quando ita certa res.nihili facio scire. valeas.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Stop!
Sophoclidisca:Asta.
PAEGNIUM:But I’m in a hurry.
Paegnivm:At propero.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:And, i’ faith, I as well.
Sophoclidisca:Et pol ego item.
PAEGNIUM:Have you got anything?(Pointing to her hand.)
Paegnivm:Ecquid habes?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Have you anything?(Pointing likewise.)
Sophoclidisca:Ecquid tú?
PAEGNIUM:Really nothing whatever.
Paegnivm:Nil equidem.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Show me your hand then.
Sophoclidisca:Cedo manum ergo.
PAEGNIUM: (showing his right hand.)Is this the hand?
Paegnivm:Estne haec manus?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Where is that other, the pilfering left hand?
Sophoclidisca:Vbi illa altera ést furtifica laeva?
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.)
Paegnivm:Domi eccam. huc nullam attuli.
You’ve got something, what it is I know not.PAEGNIUM: (pushing her away.)Don’t be mauling me about you she-groper.
Sophoclidisca:Habes nescio quid.Paegnivm:Ne me attrecta, subigitatrix.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:But suppose I’m in love with you.
Sophoclidisca:Sin te amo?
PAEGNIUM:You employ your pains to no purpose.
Paegnivm:Male operam locas.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Why so?
Sophoclidisca:Qui?
PAEGNIUM:Why, because you are in love with nothing at all, when you are in love with one who doesn’t return it.
Paegnivm:Quia enim nihil amas, quom ingratum amas.
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.
Sophoclidisca:Temperi hanc vigilare oportet formulam atque aetatulam,né, ubi versicapillus fias, foede semper servias.tu quidem haud étiam es octoginta pondo.
PAEGNIUM:Still, that warfare is waged much more successfully by spirit than by weight. But I’m losing my pains.
Paegnivm:At confidentiailla militia militatur multo magis quam pondere.atque ego hanc [nunc] operam perdo.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Why so?
Sophoclidisca:Quid iam?
PAEGNIUM:Because I’m teaching those who know it all. But I’m loitering here.(Moves.)
Paegnivm:Quia peritae praedico.sed ego cesso.
SOPHOCLIDISCA: (taking hold of him.)Do stop.
Sophoclidisca:Mane.
PAEGNIUM:You are annoying to me.
Paegnivm:Molesta es.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:And so I shall be then, if I don’t find out whither you are betaking yourself.
Sophoclidisca:Ergo ⟨ero⟩ quoque, nisi scio,quó agas te.
PAEGNIUM:To your house.
Paegnivm:Ad vos.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:And I to your house, i’ faith.
Sophoclidisca:Et pol ego ad vos.
PAEGNIUM:Why thither?
Paegnivm:Quid eo?
SOPHOCLIDISCA:What’s that to you?PAEGNIUM: (standing before her.)
Sophoclidisca:Quid id ad te attinet?
Why, you shan’t go now, unless, in return, I know.SOPHOCLIDISCA:You are teazing.
Paegnivm:Enim non ibis nunc, vicissim nisi scio.Sophoclidisca:Odiosu's odiosus es.
PAEGNIUM:I choose to.
Paegnivm:Lubet.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Never, upon my faith, shall you wring this out of me, so as to prove yourself more artful than I am.
numquam hercle istuc exterebrabis, tu ut sis peior quam ego siem.
PAEGNIUM:It’s a misery to contend with you in artfulness.SOPHOCLIDISCA:You are a mischievous baggage.
Sophoclidisca:Malitia certare tecum miseria est.Paegnivm:Mers tu mala es.
PAEGNIUM:What is there for you to fear?SOPHOCLIDISCA:The very same that there is for you.
Sophoclidisca:Quid est quod metuas?
PAEGNIUM:Say then, what is it?
Paegnivm:Idem istuc quod tu.
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.
Sophoclidisca:Dic ergo …[ne hoc cuiquam homini edicerem, omnes muti ut loquerentur prius.]
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.
Paegnivm:Edictum est magno opere mihi, ne quoiquam hoc homini crederem,omnes muti ut eloquerentur prius hoc quám ego.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Still, do you do so; on giving our words, let’s trust each other.
Sophoclidisca:At tu hoc face:fide data credamus.
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.
Paegnivm:Novi: omnes sunt lenae levifidae,neque tippulae levius pondust, quam fides lenonia.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Tell me, there’s a dear.
Sophoclidisca:Dic amabo.
PAEGNIUM:Tell me, there’s a dear.
Paegnivm:Dic amabo.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I don’t want to be your dear.
Sophoclidisca:Nolo ames.
PAEGNIUM:You’ll easily prevail upon me in that.
Paegnivm:Facile impetras.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Keep it yourself.
Sophoclidisca:Tecum habeto.
PAEGNIUM:And you be mum about this.(Showing her a letter.)
Paegnivm:Et tu hoc taceto.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:It shall be kept a secret.
Sophoclidisca:Tacitum erit.
PAEGNIUM:It shall not be known.(She shows him a letter.)
Paegnivm:Celabitur.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I’m carrying this letter to Toxilus, your master.
Sophoclidisca:Toxilo has fero tabellas tuo ero.
PAEGNIUM:Be off; he’s there at home. And I am carrying this pinewood tablet sealed, to Lemniselene, your mistress.
Paegnivm:Abi, eccillum domi.at ego hánc ad Lemniselenem tuam eram opsignatam abietem.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:What’s written there.
Sophoclidisca:Quid istic scriptum?
PAEGNIUM:If you don’t know, pretty much like yourself, I don’t know,except soft words, perhaps.
Paegnivm:Iuxta tecum, si tu nescis, nescio;nisi fortasse blanda verba.
SOPHOCLIDISCA:I’m off.
Sophoclidisca:Ábeo.
PAEGNIUM:And I’ll be off.
Paegnivm:Et ego ábiero.—
SOPHOCLIDISCA:Move on then.(They go into the respective houses.) (Enter SAGARISTO.)
Sophoclidisca:Ambula.—
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.
Sagaristio:Ióvi opulento, íncluto,Ope gnáto, suprémo, validó, viripoténti,opés, spes bonás, copiás commodánti… lubens vítulorque merito,quiá meo amico amíciter hanc cómmoditatis cópiamdanúnt, 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;
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;
nam erus meus me Eretriam misit, domitos boves ut sibi mercarer,dedit argentum, nam ibi mercatum dixit esse die septumi:
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.
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.
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.)
nunc amico homini boves dómitos mea ex crumina largiar.nam id demum lepidumst, triparcos homines, vetulos, avidos, aridosbéne 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 noviofférre potest, quin sím peritus. sed … Toxilipúerum Paegnium eccum.
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.
Paegnivm:Pensúm meum, quod datumst, cónfeci. nunc dómum propero.Sagaristio:Mane, etsí properas.Paégnium, ausculta.
PAEGNIUM:You ought to buy a person, for you to desire to be obedient to you.(Moves on.)
Paegnivm:Emere oportet, quem tibi oboediré velis.
SAGARISTIO:Stop there, I say.
Sagaristio:Asta.
PAEGNIUM:You’d be giving some trouble, I fancy, if I were to be owing you anything,who are now so troublesome.
Paegnivm:Exhibeas molestiam, ut opínor, si quid debeam,qui nunc sic tamen es molestus.
SAGARISTIO:You rascal, will you look back then?
Sagaristio:Scelerate, etiam respicis?
PAEGNIUM:I am aware of what age I am; for that reason you shall get off for this abuse with impunity.
Paegnivm:Scio ego quid sim aetatis, eo istuc maledictum impune auferes.
SAGARISTIO:Where is Toxilus, your master?
Sagaristio:Vbi Tóxilus est tuus érus?
PAEGNIUM:Wherever he pleases, and he don’t ask your advice.
Paegnivm:Vbi illí libet, néque te consulit.
SAGARISTIO:Won’t you tell me, then, where he is, you villain?
Sagaristio:Etiamdicís ubi sit, venéfice?
PAEGNIUM:I don’t know, I say, you elm-twig spoiler.
Paegnivm:Néscio, inquam, ulmítriba tu.