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

# The Rope · Rudens

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A shipwreck, a lost girl and a fisherman’s net.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi017, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi017.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 1–394](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/1.md)
2. [Lines 385–759](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/2.md)
3. [Lines 760–1099](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/3.md)
4. [Lines 1097–1423](https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/4.md)

## 1. Lines 1–394

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

[¶0] TRACHALIO, the servant of Plesidippus. LABRAX, a Procurer. CHARMIDES, a Sicilian, his guest. FISHERMEN of Cyrene. PTOLEMOCRATIA, Priestess of Venus.
ARCTURUS:
WITH him who sways all nations, seas, and lands, I am a fellow-citizen in the realms of the Gods. I am, as you see, a bright and shining star, a Constellation that ever in its season rises
here on earth and in the heavens. Arcturus is my name. By night, I am glittering in the heavens and amid the Gods, passing among mortals in the day. Other Constellations, too, descend from the heavens upon the earth; Jove, who is the ruler of Gods and men—
he disperses us here in various directions among the nations, to observe the actions, manners, piety, and faith of men, just as the means of each avail him. Those who commence villanous suits at law upon false testimony, and those who, in court, upon false oath deny a debt,
their names written down, do we return to Jove. Each day does he learn who here is calling for vengeance. Whatever wicked men seek here to gain their cause through perjury, who succeed before the judge in their unjust demands, the same case adjudged does he judge over again,
and he fines them in a penalty much greater than the results of the judgment they have gained. The good men written down on other tablets does he keep. And still these wicked persons entertain a notion of theirs, that they are able to appease Jupiter with gifts, with sacrifice; both their labour and their cost they lose. This, for this reason, is so,
because no petition of the perjured is acceptable to Him. If any person that is supplicating the Deities is pious, he will more easily procure pardon for himself than he that is wicked. Therefore I do advise you this, you who are good and who pass your lives in piety and in virtue—
still persevere, that one day you may rejoice that so you did. Now, the reason for which I’ve come hither, I will disclose to you. First, then, Diphilus has willed the name of this city to be Cyrene. There (pointing to the cottage) dwells Daemones, in the country and in a cottage very close adjoining to the sea,
an old gentleman who has come hither in exile from Athens, no unworthy man. And still, not for his bad deserts has he left his country, but while he was aiding others, meanwhile himself he embarrassed: a property honorably acquired he lost by his kindly ways. Long since, his daughter, then a little child, was lost;

> Latin: Arctvrvs:
Qui gentes omnes mariaque et terras movet,
eius sum civis civitate caelitum.
ita sum, ut videtis, splendens stella candida,
signum quod semper tempore exoritur suo
hic atque in caelo: nomen Arcturo est mihi.
[noctu sum in caelo clarus atque inter deos,]
[inter mortalis ambuló interdius.]
[at alia signa de caelo ad terram accidunt.]
qui est imperator divom atque hominum Iuppiter,
is nos per gentis alium ália disparat,
qui facta hominum, mores, pietatem et fidem
noscamus, ut quemque adiuvet opulentia.
qui falsas litis falsis testimoniis
petunt quique in iure abiurant pecuniam,
eorúm referimus nomina exscripta ad Iovem;
cotidie ille scit quis hic quaerat malum:
qui hic litem apisci postulant peiurio
mali, res falsas qui impetrant apud iudicem,
iterum ille eam rem iudicatam iudicat;
maiore multa multat quam litem auferunt.
bonos in aliis tabulis exscriptos habet.
atque hoc scelesti in animum inducunt suom,
Iovem sé placare posse donis, hostiis:
et operam et sumptum perdunt; id eo fit quia
nihil éi acceptumst a periuris supplici;
facilius si qui pius est a dis supplicans,
quam qui scelestust, inveniet veniam sibi.
idcirco moneo vos ego haec, qui estis boni
quique aetatem agitis cum pietate et cum fide:
…
retinete porro, post factum ut laetemini.
nunc, huc qua causa veni, argumentum eloquar.
primumdum huic esse nomen urbi Diphilus
Cyrenas voluit. illic habitat Daemones
in agro atque villa proxima propter mare,
senex, qui húc Athenis exul venit, hau malus;
neque is adeo propter malitiam patria caret,
sed dum alios servat se impedivit interim,
rem bene paratam comitate perdidit.
huíc filiola virgo periit parvola.

[¶1] a most villanous fellow bought her of the thief, and this Procurer brought the maiden hither to Cyrene. A certain Athenian youth, a citizen of this city, beheld her as she was going home from the music-school. He begins to love her; to the Procurer he comes;
he purchases the damsel for himself at the price of thirty minae, and gives him earnest, and binds the Procurer with an oath. This Procurer, just as befitted him, did not value at one straw his word, or what, on oath, he had said to the young man. He had a guest, a fit match for himself, an old man of Sicily,
a rascal from Agrigentum, a traitor to his native city; this fellow began to extol the beauty of that maiden, and of the other damsels, too, that were belonging to him. On this he began to persuade the Procurer to go together with himself to Sicily; he said that there the men were given to pleasure;
that there he might be enabled to become a wealthy man; that there was the greatest profit from courtesans. He prevails. A ship is hired by stealth. Whatever he has, by night the Procurer carries it on board ship from his house; the young man who purchased the damsel of him
he has told that he is desirous of performing a vow to Venus. This is the Temple of Venus, here (pointing at it), and here, for that reason, has he invited the youth hither to a breakfast. From there at once did he embark on board ship, and he carried off the courtesans. Some other persons informed the young man what things were going on,
how that the Procurer had departed. When the young man came to the harbour, their ship had got a great way out to sea. When I beheld how that the maiden was being carried off, I brought at the same instant both relief to her and destruction to the Procurer; the storm I rebuked, and the waves of the sea I aroused.

> Latin: eam dé praedone vir mercatur pessumus,
is eam huc Cyrenas leno advexit virginem.
adulescens quidam civis huius Atticus
eam vídit ire e ludo fidicinio domum,
amare occepit: ad lenonem devenit,
minis triginta sibi puellam destinat
datque arrabonem et iure iurando alligat.
is leno, ut se aequom est, flocci non fecit fidem
neque quod iuratus adulescenti dixerat.
eí erat hospes par sui, Siculus senex
scelestus, Agrigentinus, urbis proditor;
is illius laudare infit formam virginis
et aliarum itidem quae eius erant mulierculae.
infit lenoni suadere, ut secum simul
eat in Siciliam: ibi esse homines voluptários
dicit, potesse íbi eum fieri divitem.
[ibi esse quaestum maximum meretricibus.]
persuadet. navis clanculum conducitur,
quidquid erat noctu in navem comportat domo
leno; adulescenti qui puellam ab eo emerat
ait sése Veneri velle votum solvere
(id hic est Veneris fanum) et eo ad prandium
vocavit adulescentem huc. ipse hinc ilico
conscendit navem, ávehit meretriculas.
adulescenti alii narrant ut res gesta sit,
lenonem abiisse. ad portum ádulescens venit:
illorum navis longe in altum abscesserat.
ego quoniam video virginem asportarier,
tetuli éi auxilium et lenoni exitium simul:
increpui hibernum et fluctus movi maritimos.

[¶2] For the most violent Constellation of them all am I, Arcturus; turbulent I am when rising, when I set, more turbulent still. Now, cast ashore there, both the Procurer and his guest are sitting upon a rock; their ship is dashed to pieces. But this maiden, and another as well, her attendant,
affrighted, have leaped from the ship into a boat. At this moment the waves are bringing them from the rocks to land, to the cottage of this old man, who is living here in exile, whose roof and tiles the storm has stript off. And this is his servant who is coming out of doors.

> Latin: nam Arcturus signum sum omniúm acerrimum:
vehemens sum exoriens, cum occido vehementior.
nunc ambo in saxo, leno átque hospes, simul
sedent eiecti: navis confracta est eis.
illa autem virgo atque altera itidem ancillula
de navi timidae desuluerunt in scapham.
nunc eas ab saxo fluctus ad terram ferunt
ad villam illius, exul ubi habitat senex,
cuius déturbavit ventus tectum et tegulas;
et servos illic est éius, qui egreditur foras.

[¶3] The youth will be here just now, and you shall see him, who purchased the maiden of the Procurer. Now, fare ye well, and may your foes distrust themselves.
(Exit.) (Enter SCEPARNIO, with a spade on his shoulder.)
SCEPARNIO: (to himself.)
O ye immortal Gods, what a dreadful tempest has Neptune sent us this last night!

> Latin: adulescens huc iam adveniet, quem videbitis,
qui illam mercatust de lenone virginem.
valete, ut hostes vestri diffidant sibi.—
Sceparnio:
Pro di immortales, tempestatem cuius modi
Neptunus nobis nocte hac misit proxima.

[¶4] The storm has unroofed the cottage. What need of words is there? It was no storm, but what Alcmena met with in Euripides; it has so knocked all the tiles from off the roof; more light has it given us, and has added to our windows.
(Enter PLESIDIPPUS, at a distance, talking with three CITIZENS.)

> Latin: detexit ventus villam—quid verbis opust?
non ventus fuit, verum Álcumena Euripidi,
ita omnís de tecto deturbavit tegulas;
inlustrioris fecit fenestrasque indidit.

[¶5] PLESIDIPPUS:
I have both withdrawn you from your avocations,
and that has not succeeded on account of which I’ve brought you; I could not catch the Procurer down at the harbour. But I have been unwilling to abandon all hope by reason of my remissness; on that account, my friends, have I the longer detained you. Now hither to the Temple of Venus am I come to see,
where he was saying that he was about to perform a sacrifice.
SCEPARNIO: (aloud to himself, at a distance.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Et vos a vestris abduxi negotiis
neque id processit qua vos duxi gratia,
neque quivi ad portum lenonem prehendere.
sed mea desidia spem deserere nolui:
eo vós, amici, detinui diutius.
nunc huc ad Veneris fanum venio visere,
ubi rem divinam se facturum dixerat.

[¶6] If I am wise, I shall be getting ready this clay that is awaiting me.
(Falls to work digging.)
PLESIDIPPUS: (looking round.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Si sapiam, hoc quod me mactat concinnem lutum.

[¶7] Some one, I know not who, is speaking near to me.
(Enter DAEMONES, from his house.)
DAEMONES:
Hallo! Sceparnio!

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Prope me hic nescio quis loquitur.
Daemones:
Heus, Sceparnio.

[¶8] SCEPARNIO:
Who’s calling me by name?

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Qui nominat me?

[¶9] DAEMONES:
He who paid his money for you.
SCEPARNIO: (turning round.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Qui pro te argentum dedit.

[¶10] As though you would say, Daemones, that I am your slave.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quasi me tuom esse servom dicas, Daemones.

[¶11] DAEMONES:
There’s occasion for plenty of clay, therefore dig up plenty of earth. I find that the whole of my cottage must be covered; for now it’s shining through it, more full of holes than a sieve.
PLESIDIPPUS: (advancing.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Luto usust multo, multam terram confode.
villam integundam intellego totam mihi,
nam nunc perlucet ea quam cribrum crebrius.

[¶12] Health to you, good father, and to both of you, indeed.
DAEMONES:
Health to you.
SCEPARNIO: (to PLESIDIPPUS, who is muffled up in a coat.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Pater salveto, ámboque adeo.
Daemones:
Salvos sis.

[¶13] But whether are you male or female, who are calling him father?
PLESIDIPPUS:
Why really, I’m a man.
DAEMONES:
Then, man, go seek a father elsewhere.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Sed utrum tu masne an femina es, qui illum patrem
voces?
Plesidippvs:
Vir sum equidem.
Sceparnio:
Quaere vir porro patrem.

[¶14] I once had an only daughter, that only one I lost. Of the male sex I never had a child.
PLESIDIPPUS:
But the Gods will give—
SCEPARNIO: (going on digging.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Filiolam ego unam hábui, eam unam perdidi.
virile sexus numquam ullum habui.
Plesidippvs:
At di dabunt.

[¶15] A heavy mischance to you indeed, I’ faith, whoever you are, who are occupying us, already occupied, with your prating.
PLESIDIPPUS: (pointing to the cottage.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Tibi quidem hercle, quisquis es, magnum malum,
qui oratione [nos] hic occupatos occupes.

[¶16] Pray are you dwelling there?
SCEPARNIO:
Why do you ask that? Are you reconnoitring the place for you to come and rob there?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Isticine vos habitatis?
Sceparnio:
Quid tu id quaeritas?
quon furatum mox venias, vestigas loca?

[¶17] PLESIDIPPUS:
It befits a slave to be right rich in his savings, whom, in the presence of his master, the conversation cannot escape, or who is to speak rudely to a free man.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Peculiosum esse addecet servom et probum,
quem ero praesente † praetereat oratio
aut qui inclementer dicat homini libero.

[¶18] SCEPARNIO:
And it befits a man to be shameless and impudent, for him to whom there’s nothing owing, of his own accord to come to the house of another person annoying people.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Et impudicum et impudentem hominem addecet
molestum ultro advenire ad alienam domum,
cui debeatur nil.

[¶19] DAEMONES:
Sceparnio, hold your tongue.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tace, Sceparnio.

[¶20] (To PLESIDIPPUS.) What do you want, young man?
PLESIDIPPUS:
A mishap to that fellow, who is in a hurry to be the first to speak when his master’s present.

> Latin: quid opust, adulescens?
Plesidippvs:
Istic infortunium,
qui praefestinet, ubi erus adsit, praeloqui.

[¶21] But, unless it’s troublesome, I wish to make enquiry of you in a few words.
DAEMONES:
My attention shall be given you, even though in the midst of business.
SCEPARNIO: (to PLESIDIPPUS.)

> Latin: sed nisi molestumst, paucis percontarier
volo ego ex te.
Daemones:
Dabitur opera, atque in negotio.

[¶22] Rather, be off with you to the marsh, and cut down some reeds, with which we may cover the cottage, while it is fine weather.
DAEMONES:
Hold your tongue. Do you tell me (to PLESIDIPPUS) if you have need of anything.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quin tu in paludem is exicasque harundinem,
qui pertegamus villam, dum sudumst?
Daemones:
Tace.
tu si quid opus est dice.

[¶23] PLESIDIPPUS:
Inform me on what I ask you;
whether you have seen here any frizzle-headed fellow, with grey hair, a worthless, perjured, fawning knave.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Dic quod te rogo,
ecquem tu hic hominem crispum, incanum videris,
malum, periurum, palpatorem—

[¶24] DAEMONES:
Full many a one; for by reason of fellows of that stamp am I living in misery.

> Latin: Daemones:
Plurimos,
nam ego propter eius modi viros vivo miser.

[¶25] PLESIDIPPUS:
Him, I mean, who brought with him to the Temple of Venus here two young women, and who was to make preparations for himself
to perform a sacrifice either to-day or yesterday.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Hic dico, in fanum Veneris qui mulierculas
duas sécum adduxit, quique adornaret sibi
ut rem divinam faciat, aut hodie aut heri.

[¶26] DAEMONES:
By my faith, young man, for these very many days past I haven’t seen any one sacrificing there; and yet it can’t be unknown to me if any one does sacrifice there. They are always asking here for water, or for fire, or for vessels, or for a knife, or for a spit,
or for a pot for cooking, or something or other. What need is there of words? I procured my vessels and my well, for the use of Venus, and not my own. There has now been a cessation of it for these many days past.

> Latin: Daemones:
Non hercle, adulescens, iam hos dies complusculos
quemquam istic vidi sacruficare, neque potest
clam me esse si qui sacruficat: semper petunt
aquam hinc aut ignem aut vascula aut cultrum aut veru
aut aulam extarem, aut aliquid—quid verbis opust?
Veneri paravi vasa et puteum, non mihi.
nunc intervallum iam hos dies multos fuit.

[¶27] PLESIDIPPUS:
According to the words you utter, you tell me I’m undone.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Vt verba praehibes, me periisse praedicas.

[¶28] DAEMONES:
Really, so far as I’m concerned, I’ faith, you may be safe and sound.
SCEPARNIO: (stopping in his digging.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Mea quidem hercle causa salvos sis licet.

[¶29] Hark you, you that are roaming about Temples for the sake of your stomach,’twere better for you to order a breakfast to be got ready at home.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Heus tu, qui fana ventris causa circumis,
iubere meliust prandium ornari domi.

[¶30] Perhaps you’ve been invited here to breakfast. He that invited you, hasn’t he come at all?
PLESIDIPPUS:’Tis the fact.

> Latin: Daemones:
Fortasse tu huc vocatus es ad prandium,
ille quí vocavit nullus venit?
Plesidippvs:
Admodum.

[¶31] SCEPARNIO:
There’s no risk then in your betaking yourself hence home without your breakfast.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Nullumst periclum te hinc ire inpransum domum:

[¶32] It’s better for you to be a waiter upon Ceres than upon Venus; the latter attends to love, Ceres attends to wheat.
PLESIDIPPUS: (to DAEMONES.)

> Latin: Cererem te meliust quam Venerem sectarier:
amori haec curat; tritico curat Ceres.

[¶33] This fellow has been making sport of me in a digraceful manner.
DAEMONES: (looking out at the side.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Deludificavit me illic homo indignis modis.

[¶34] O ye immortal Gods, Sceparnio, what means those people near the sea-shore?
SCEPARNIO:
According to my notion,
they’ve been invited to a parting breakfast.

> Latin: Daemones:
Pro di immortales, quid illuc est, Sceparnio,
hominum secundum litus?
Sceparnio:
Vt mea est opinio,
propter viam illi sunt vocati ad prandium.

[¶35] DAEMONES:
How so?

> Latin: Daemones:
Qui?

[¶36] SCEPARNIO:
Why, because, after dinner, I fancy, they yesterday washed themselves clean;

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quia post cenam, credo, laverunt heri.

[¶37] their ship has gone to pieces out at sea.
DAEMONES: (looking steadfastly.)
Such is the fact.

> Latin: Daemones:
Confracta navis in mari est illis.
Sceparnio:
Ita est.

[¶38] SCEPARNIO:
But, I’ faith, on dry land our cottage and tiles have done the same.
DAEMONES:
Oh dear! what unfortunate creatures you are; (to SCEPARNIO) how the shipwrecked people are swimming.

> Latin: at hercle nobis villa in terra et tegulae.
Daemones:
Hui,
homunculi quanti estis. eiecti ut natant.

[¶39] PLESIDIPPUS:
Prithee, where are these people?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Vbi sunt i homines, obsecro?

[¶40] DAEMONES: (pointing to the distance.)
This way, to the right; don’t you see them near the shore?

> Latin: Daemones:
Hac ad dexteram
(viden?) secundum litus.

[¶41] PLESIDIPPUS: (looking the same way.)
I see them; (to his FRIENDS) follow me. I only wish it may be he that I’m seeking, that most accursed fellow. (To DAEMONES and SCEPARNIO.) Fare you well.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Video. sequimini.
utinam is sit quém ego quaero, vir sacerrimus.
valete.—

[¶42] SCEPARNIO:
If you hadn’t put us in mind, we should have thought of that ourselves.
(Exeunt PLESIDIPPUS and FRIENDS. SCEPARNIO looks out towards the sea.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Si non moneas, nosmet meminimus.

[¶43] But, O Palaemon, hallowed associate of Neptune, who art said to be the partner of Hercules, what shocking thing do I see?
DAEMONES:
What do you see?

> Latin: sed, o Palaemon, sancte Neptuni comes,
qui Herculis socius esse diceris,†
quod facinus video.
Daemones:
Quid vides?

[¶44] SCEPARNIO:
I see two young women sitting in a boat alone. How the poor things are being tossed about That’s good, that’s good, well done.
The surge is driving the boat away from the rock towards the shore. Not a pilot could have ever done it better. I don’t think that I ever saw billows more huge. They are saved, if they can escape those waves. Now, now’s the danger; it has sent one overboard!
See you that one whom the waves have thrown out of the boat?
Still, she’s in a shallow place; she’ll easily wade through it now. O capital!

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Mulierculas
video sedentis in scapha solas duas.
ut adflictantur miserae. euge euge, perbene,
ab saxo avortit fluctus ad litus scapham,
nequé gubernator umquam potuit ⟨rectius⟩.
non vidisse undas me maioris censeo.
salvae sunt, si illos fluctus devitaverint.
nunc, nunc periclumst. ⟨unda⟩ eiecit alteram.
at in vadost, iam facile enabit. eugepae,
[viden alteram illam ut fluctus eiecit foras?]

[¶45] now she’s safe; she has escaped from the water; she’s now on shore. But that other one has now sprung towards the land from the boat—from her alarm she has fallen into the waves upon her knees.

> Latin: surrexit, horsum se capessit. salva res.
desiluit haec autem altera in terram e scapha.
ut prae timore in genua in undas concidit.

[¶46] She has got up again; if she takes this direction, the matter’s safe; (a pause) but she has taken to the right, to utter destruction. Ah, she will be wandering all the day—
DAEMONES:
What signifies that to you?

> Latin: salvast, evasit ex aqua. iam in litore est.
sed dextrovorsum avorsa it in malam crucem.
hem, errabit illaec hodie.
Daemones:
Quid id refert tua?

[¶47] SCEPARNIO:
If she should fall down from that rock towards which she is wending her way,
she’ll be putting a period to her wandering.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Si ad saxum quo capessit, ea deorsum cadit,
errationis fecerit compendium.

[¶48] DAEMONES:
If you are about to dine this evening at their expense, I think you may then be concerned for them, Sceparnio; if you are going to eat at my house, I wish your services to be devoted to myself.

> Latin: Daemones:
Si tu de illarum cenaturus vesperi es,
illis curandum censeo, Sceparnio,
si apud me essurus, mihi darí operam volo.

[¶49] SCEPARNIO:
You ask what’s good and proper.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Bonum aequomque oras.

[¶50] DAEMONES:
Then follow me this way.

> Latin: Daemones:
Sequere me hac ergo.—

[¶51] SCEPARNIO:
I follow.
(Exeunt.) (Enter PALAESTRA, at a distance, with her clothes torn and drenched.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Sequor.—

[¶52] PALAESTRA: (to herself.)
By heavens, the mishaps of mortals are spoken of as much less bitter than … the sharp pangs that are inflicted in the experience of them … Has this then pleased the Deity, that I, clad in this guise, should, in my terror, be cast upon a spot unknown? Shall I then declare that I have been born to this wretched lot?

> Latin: Palaestra:
Nimio hóminum fortunaé minus miseraé memorantur,
… experiundo iis datur acerbum.
… hoc deo cómplacitumst, me hoc órnatu ornatam ín incertas
regiónes timidam eiéctam.
hancíne ego ad rem natam ⟨ésse me⟩ miserám memorábo?

[¶53] Do I receive this meed in return for my exemplary piety? For to me it would not prove a hardship to endure this laborious lot, if I had conducted myself undutifully towards my parents or the Gods; but if studiously I have exerted myself to beware of that, then, unduly and unjustly,
Deities, you send upon me this. For what henceforth shall the glaringly impious receive, if after this fashion you pay honor to the guiltless? But if I knew that I or my parents had done anything wicked, now should I have grieved the less. But the wickedness of this master of mine is pressing hard upon me, his impiety is causing my woes; everything has he lost in the sea;

> Latin: hancíne ego partem cápio ob píetatem praecípuam?
nam hóc mi haud labórist, labórem hunc potíri,
si érga paréntem aut deós me impiávi;
sed íd si paráte curávi ut cavérem,
tum hóc mi indecóre, iníque, inmodéste
datis, dí; nam quid habebúnt sibi signi ímpii posthac,
si ad húnc modum est innóxiis honór apud vos?
nam mé si sciam ⟨ín vos⟩ fecísse aut paréntis
sceléste, minus me míserer;
sed eríle scelus me sóllicitat, eiús me impietas mále habet.
ís navem atque ómnia pérdidit ín mari:

[¶54] these are the remains (looking at her dress) of his property. Even she, who was carried together with me in the boat, was washed out by the violence of the waves; I am now alone. If she at least had been saved for me, through her aid my affliction here would have been lighter to me. Now, what hope or aid or what counsel shall I receive,
a spot so lonesome here have I lighted upon alone? Here are the rocks, here roars the sea, and not one individual comes across my path. This dress that I am clothed in forms all my riches quite entirely; nor know I with what food or roof I am to be provided. What hope have I through which to desire to live?

> Latin: haéc bonorum éius sunt réliquiae; étiam quae simul
vécta mecum ín scaphast, éxcidit. égo nunc sola sum.
quaé mihi sí foret sálva saltém, labor
lénior ésset hic mi éius opera.
nunc quám spem aut opem aút consilí quid capéssam?
ita híc sola sólis locis compotita sum.
hic sáxa sunt, hic máre sonat,
neque quísquam homo mihi obviám venit.
…
hóc quod indúta sum, summae opes óppido,
néc cibo néc loco técta quo sím scio:
quaé mihist spés, qua me vívere velim?

[¶55] Neither am I acquainted with the place, nor was I ever here before. At least I could have wished for some one who would point out to me either a road or a path from these spots; so much am I now at a loss for advice whether to go this way or that; neither, indeed, do I see anywhere near here a cultivated spot.

> Latin: néc loci gnára sum, néc vidi aut híc fui.
sáltem aliquém velim quí mihi ex hís locis
aút viam aut sémitam mónstret, ita nunc
hác an illác eam, incérta sum cónsili;
néc prope usquam híc quidem cúltum agrum cónspicor.

[¶56] Cold, distraction, and alarm, have taken possession of all my limbs. My parents, you know not of this, that I am now thus wretched; I that was born a woman entirely free, was so to no purpose. Am I at all the less in servitude now, than if I had been born a slave? And never in any way has it been a profit to those who for their own sakes reared me up.
(She advances forward, and rests on one side against the cliff.) (Enter AMPELISCA, at a distance, on the other side of the stage, in a similar condition.)
AMPELISCA: (to herself.)

> Latin: álgor, errór, pavor, me ómnia tenent.
haéc parentés mei haud scítis miseri,
me núnc miseram esse ita utí sum.
líbera ego prognáta fui máxume, nequíquam fui.
nunc quí minus servio, quám si servá forem náta?
neque quícquam umquam illis prófuit qui mé sibi eduxérunt.

[¶57] What is there better for me, what more to my advantage, than to shut out life from my body? So wretched am I in my existence, and so many deadening cares are there in my breast; so despicable is my lot; I care not for my life; I have lost the hope with which I used to comfort myself. All places have I now rambled about, and through each covert spot have I crawled along, to seek my fellow-slave with voice, eyes, ears, that I might trace her out.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quid míhi meliust, quid mágis in remst, quam a córpore vitam ut sécludam?
ita mále vivo atque ita míhi multae in pectóre sunt curae exánimales.
ita rés se habent: vitae haú parco, perdidí spem qua me obléctabam.
omnía iam circumcúrsavi atque omníbus latebris perréptavi
quaerére conservam, vóce oculis auríbus ut pervestígarem.

[¶58] And still I find her nowhere, nor have I yet determined whither to go, nor where to seek her, nor, in the meantime, do I find any person here to give me an answer, of whom I might make enquiry. No place, too, is there on earth more solitary than are these spots and this locality. And yet, if she lives, never while I exist will I cease before I discover her alive.
PALAESTRA: (aloud.)

> Latin: neque eam úsquam invenio néque quo eam neque quá quaeram consúltumst,
neque quém rogitem respónsorem quemquam ínterea convénio,
neque mágis solae terraé solae sunt quam haéc loca atque hae regiónes;
neque sí vivit, eam víva umquam quin ínveniam desístam.

[¶59] Whose voice is it that sounds close by me here?
AMPELISCA: (starting.)

> Latin: Palaestra:
Quóianam vox míhi prope hic sonat?

[¶60] I am alarmed. Who’s speaking near me?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Pértimui, quis híc loquitur prope?

[¶61] PALAESTRA:
Prithee, kind Hope, do come to my aid.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Spés bona, obsecro, súbventa mihi,
éxime ex hóc miseram metu.

[¶62] AMPELISCA:
It’s a woman: a woman’s voice reaches my ears.
Will you not rescue wretched me from this alarm?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cérto vox múliebris aúris tetigít meas.

[¶63] PALAESTRA:
Surely a woman’s voice reached my ears.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Múlier est, múliebris vóx mi ad aurís venit.

[¶64] Prithee is it Ampelisca?
AMPELISCA:
Is it you, Palaestra, that I hear?

> Latin: num Ámpelisca óbsecro est?
Ampelisca:
Tén, Palaestra, aúdio?

[¶65] PALAESTRA:
But why don’t I call her by her own name, that she may hear me? (With a loud voice.) Ampelisca!

> Latin: Palaestra:
Quín voco, ut me aúdiat, nómine illám suo?
Ámpelisca.

[¶66] AMPELISCA:
Ha! who’s that?
PALAESTRA:’Tis I.
AMPELISCA:
Is it Palaestra?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Hém quis est?

[¶67] PALAESTRA:
It is.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ego, Palaestra …

[¶68] AMPELISCA:
Tell me where you are.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Díc ubi es?

[¶69] PALAESTRA:
Troth, I’m now in the midst of a multitude of woes.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Pól ego nunc ín malis plúrimis.

[¶70] AMPELISCA:
I am your partner; and no less is my own share than yours.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Sócia sum, néc minor párs meast quam tua.

[¶71] But I long to see you.
PALAESTRA:
In that wish you are my rival.

> Latin: séd videre éxpeto té.
Palaestra:
Mihi es aémula.

[¶72] AMPELISCA:
Let’s follow our voices with our steps; where are you?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cónsequamúr gradu vócem. ubi es?

[¶73] PALAESTRA:
See, here am I. Step onward towards me, and come straight on to meet me.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Écce me.
áccede ad me átque adi cóntra.

[¶74] AMPELISCA:
I’m doing so with care.
(They meet in front of the stage.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Fit sédulo.

[¶75] PALAESTRA:
Give me your hand.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Cédo manum.

[¶76] AMPELISCA:
Take it.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Áccipe.

[¶77] PALAESTRA:
Are you still alive? Prithee, tell me.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Díc, vivisne? óbsecro.

[¶78] AMPELISCA:
You, indeed, make me now wish to live,
since I’m empowered to touch you. How hardly can I persuade myself of this, that I am holding you. Prithee, do embrace me (they embrace), my only hope; how you are now easing me of all my woes.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Tú facis mé quidem ut vívere núnc velim,
quóm mihi té licet tángere. ut víx mihi
crédo ego hoc, té tenere. óbsecro, ampléctere,
spés mea. ut me ómnium iám laborúm levas.

[¶79] PALAESTRA:
You are beforehand with me in using expressions which belong to me. Now it befits us to be going hence.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Óccupas praéloqui quaé mea orátiost.
núnc abire hínc decet nós.

[¶80] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, whither shall we go?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quo, amabo, íbimus?

[¶81] PALAESTRA:
Let’s keep along this sea-shore.
(Pointing to the shore.)

> Latin: Palaestra:
Lítus hoc pérsequamúr.

[¶82] AMPELISCA:
Wherever you please, I’ll follow.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Sequor quó lubet.

[¶83] PALAESTRA:
Shall we go along thus with our wet clothing?

> Latin: sícine hic cum úvida véste grassábimur?

[¶84] AMPELISCA:
That which exists, the same must of necessity be borne. (Looking up at the Temple.) But, pray, what’s this?

> Latin: Palaestra:
Hóc quod est, íd necessárium est pérpeti.
séd quid hoc, óbsecro, est?
Ampelisca:
Quid?

[¶85] PALAESTRA:
What is it?

> Latin: Palaestra:
Víden, amabo,
fanum [videsne] hóc?

[¶86] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, don’t you see this Temple?
(Pointing towards it.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Vbi est?

[¶87] PALAESTRA:
Where is it?
AMPELISCA:
On the right hand.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ad déxteram.

[¶88] PALAESTRA:
I seem to be looking at a place becoming the Divinities.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Videó decorum dís locum vidérier.

[¶89] AMPELISCA:
There must be people not far hence; it is so delightful a spot. Whoever the God is, I pray him to relieve us from these troubles, and to succour us females, wretched, helpless, and in distress.
(They advance towards the Temple, and kneel down before it.) (Enter PTOLEMOCRATIA, the Priestess, from the Temple of Venus.)

> Latin: Palaestra:
Haud lónge abesse opórtet homines hínc, ita hic lepidúst locus.
⟨quísquis⟩ est deus, véneror ut nos éx hac aerumna éximat,
míseras inopis aérumnosas út aliquo auxilio ádiuvet.

[¶90] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
Who are these, that in their prayers are soliciting aid from my Patroness?

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Qui súnt qui a patróna precés mea expetéssunt?

[¶91] For the voice of suppliants has brought me hither out of doors. They pay suit to a kind and compliant Goddess and a Patroness that makes no difficulties, and one who is very benevolent.

> Latin: nam vóx me precántum huc forás excitávit.
bonam átque obsequéntem deam átque haud gravátam
patrónam exsequontur benígnamque múltum.

[¶92] PALAESTRA:
Mother, we bid you hail.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Iubémus te sálvere, máter.

[¶93] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
Maidens, hail to you. But, prithee, whence
am I to say that you are hither come with your wet garments, thus wofully arrayed?

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Salvéte,
puéllae. sed únde
vos íre [cum uvida veste] dicam, óbsecro, tam maéstiter vestítas?

[¶94] PALAESTRA:
Just now, we came from a place there (pointing towards the shore), not a great way from this spot; but it is a great way off from here, whence we have been brought hither.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ílico hinc ímus, haud lóngule ex hóc loco;
vérum longe hínc abest únde advectae húc sumus.

[¶95] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
Have you been borne, do you mean, by a ship, the wooden steed, over the azure paths?

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Némpe equo lígneo pér vias caérulas
éstis vectae?

[¶96] PALAESTRA:
Even so.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ádmodum.

[¶97] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
Then it were more fitting that you should have come
arrayed in white and provided with victims; it isn’t the practice for people to come to this Temple in that fashion.
(Pointing at their dresses.)

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Ergo aéquius vós erat
cándidatás venire hóstiatásque. ad hoc
fánum ad istúnc modum nón venirí solet.

[¶98] PALAESTRA:
Prithee, whence would you have us, who have been both cast away at sea, to be bringing victims hither? Now, in want of assistance, do we embrace your knees,
we who are of hopes undefined in places unknown, that you may receive us under your roof and shelter us, and that you will pity the miseries of us both, who have neither any place of refuge nor hope at hand, nor have anything whatever of our own beyond that which you see.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Quaéne eiectae é mari símus ambae, óbsecro,
únde nos hóstias agere voluisti huc?
núnc tibi ampléctimur génua egentés opum,
quae ín locis nésciis néscia spé sumus,
út tuo récipias técto servésque nos
míseriarúmque te ambárum uti mísereat,
quibús nec locúst ullus néc spes parata,
neque hóc ampliús, [quam] quod vidés, nobis quícquamst.

[¶99] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
Give me your hands, arise, both of you, from off your knees; no one among women is more compassionate than I. (They arise from the ground.) But, maidens, my circumstances are poor and limited; with difficulty I support my own existence; Venus I serve for my maintenance.

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Manús mihi date, éxurgite á genibus ámbae.
miséricordiór nulla me ést feminárum.
sed haéc pauperés res sunt inopesque, puellae:
egomét ⟨meam⟩ vix vitám colo; Venerí cibo meo sérvio.

[¶100] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, is this a Temple of Venus?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Venerís fanum, obsecro, hóc est?

[¶101] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
I will admit it; I am styled the Priestess of this Temple. But whatever it is, it shall be done by me with a hearty welcome, so far as my means shall suffice. Come with me this way.

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Fateór. ego huius fáni sacérdos clueo.
verúm, quidquid ést, comitér fiet á me,
quo núnc copia valebit.
ite hác mecum.

[¶102] PALAESTRA:
Kindly and attentively, mother, do you show your attentions to us.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Amíce benígneque honórem,
matér, nostrum habés.—

[¶103] PTOLEMOCRATIA:
So I ought to do.
(They go into the Temple.) (Ente some FISHERMEN, with lines and nets.)
A FISHERMAN:
Persons who are poor live wretchedly in every way, especially those who have no calling and have learned no art. Of necessity must that be deemed enough, whatever they have at home. From our garb, then, you pretty well understand how wealthy we are. These hooks and these rods here are as good to us as a calling and as our clothing.

> Latin: Ptolemocratia:
Oportet.—
Piscatores:
Omníbus modis qui paúperes sunt hómines miseri vívont,
praesertim quibus nec quaestus est, nec didicere artem ullam:
necessitate quidquid est domi id sat est habendum.
nos iam de ornatu propemodum ut locupletes simus scitis:
hisce hami atque haec harundines sunt nobis quaestu et cultu.

[¶104] Each day from the city do we come out hither to the sea to seek for forage. Instead of exertion in the wrestling-school and the place for exercise, we have this: sea-urchins, rock-mussels, oysters, limpets, cockles, sea-nettles, sea-mussels and spotted crabs, we catch. After that, we commence our fishing with the hook and among the rocks,
and thus we take our food from out of the sea. If success does not befall us, and not any fish is taken, soaked in salt water and thoroughly drenched, we quietly betake ourselves home, and without dinner go to sleep. And since the sea is now in waves so boisterous, no hopes have we; unless we take some cockles, without a doubt we’ve had our dinners.

> Latin: … ex urbe ad mare huc prodimus pabulatum:
pro exercitu gymnastico et palaestrico hoc habemus;
echinos, lopadas, ostreas, balanos captamus, conchas,
marinam urticam, musculos, plagusias striatas;
post id piscatum hamatilem et saxatilem aggredimur.
cibum captamus e mari: si eventus non evenit
neque quicquam captumst piscium, salsi lautique pure
domum redimus clanculum, dormimus incenati.
atque ut nunc valide fluctuat mare, nulla nobis spes est:
nisi quid conclarum capsimus, incenati sumus profecto.

[¶105] Now let’s adore good Venus here, that she may kindly befriend us to-day.
(They advance towards the door of the Temple.) (Enter TRACHALIO, at a distance, in haste.)
TRACHALIO: (to himself.)

> Latin: nunc Venerem hanc veneremur bonam, ut nos lepide adiuerit hodie.

[¶106] I’ve carefully given all attention that I mightn’t pass my master anywhere; for when some time since he went out of the house, he said that he was going to the harbour, and he ordered me to come here to meet him at the Temple of Venus. But see, opportunely do I espy some people standing here of whom I may enquire; I’ll accost them.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Animum adversavi sedulo, ne erum usquam praeterirem;
nam cum modo exibat foras, ad portum se aibat ire,
me huc obviam iussit sibi venire ad Veneris fanum.
sed quos perconter commode eccos video astare. adibo.

[¶107] (Goes up to the FISHERMEN.) Save you, thieves of the sea, shellfish-gatherers and hook-fishers, hungry race of men, how fare ye? How perish apace?

> Latin: salvete, fures maritimi, conchitae atque hamiotae,
famelica hominum natio. quid agitis? ut peritis?

[¶108] FISHERMEN of Cyrene:
Just as befits a fisherman with hunger, thirst, and expectation.

> Latin: Piscatores:
Vt piscatorem aequomst, fame sitique [speque] …

[¶109] TRACHALIO:
Have you seen to-day, while you’ve been standing here, any young man, of courageous aspect, ruddy, stout, of genteel appearance, come by this way,
who was taking with him three men in scarfs, with swords?

> Latin: Trachalio:
… ecquem adulescentem
huc, dum hic astatis, strenua facie rubicundum fortem,
qui tres secum homines duceret chlamydatos cum machaeris,
vidistis ⟨vos⟩ venire …? …

[¶110] FISHERMEN of Cyrene:
We know of no one coming this way of that appearance which you mention.

> Latin: Piscatores:
Nullum istac facie ut praedicas venisse huc scimus.

[¶111] TRACHALIO:
Have you seen any old fellow, bald on the forehead and snub-nosed, of big stature, pot-bellied, with eyebrows awry, a narrow forehead, a knave, the scorn of Gods and men, a scoundrel, one full of vile dishonesty and of iniquity,
who had along with him two very pretty-looking young women?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ecquem
recalvom ac silanum senem, statutum, ventriosum,
tortis superciliis, contracta fronte, fraudulentum,
deorum ódium atque hominum, málum, mali viti probrique plenum,
qui duceret mulierculas duas sécum satis venustas?

[¶112] FISHERMEN of Cyrene:
One who has been born with qualities and endowments of that sort,’twere really fitter for him to resort to the executioner than to the Temple of Venus.

> Latin: Piscatores:
Cum istius modi virtutibus operisque natus qui sit,
eum quídem ad carnificem est aequius quam ad Venerem commeare.

[¶113] TRACHALIO:
But tell me if you have seen him.

> Latin: Trachalio:
At si vidistis, dicite.

[¶114] FISHERMEN of Cyrene:
Really, no one has passed this way. Fare you well.

> Latin: Piscatores:
Huc profecto nullus venit.
vale.—

[¶115] TRACHALIO:
Fare ye well. (Exeunt FISHERMEN.) (to himself.) I thought so; it has come to pass as I suspected;
my master has been deceived; the cursed Procurer has taken himself off to distant lands. He has embarked on board ship, and carried the women away; I’m a wizard. He invited my master here to breakfast, as well, this very spawn of wickedness. Now what is better for me than to wait here in this spot until my master comes? At the same time, if this Priestess of Venus knows anything more,
if I see her, I’ll make enquiries; she’ll give me the information.
(Enter AMPELISCA, from the Temple.)
AMPELISCA: (to the PRIESTESS, within.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Valete. credidi: factum est quod suspicabar,
data verba ero sunt, leno abit scelestus exulatum,
in navem ascendit, mulieres avexit: hariolus sum.
is huc erum etiam ad prandium vocavit, sceleris semen.
nunc quid mihi meliust, quam ilico hic opperiar erum dum veniat?
eadém, sacerdos Veneria haec sí quid amplius scit,
si videro, exquisivero: faciet me certiorem.

[¶116] I understand; here at this cottage (pointing to it), which is close by the Temple of Venus, you’ve requested me to knock and ask for water.
TRACHALIO:
Whose voice is it that has flown to my ears?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Intellego: hanc quae proxuma est víllam Veneris fano
pulsare iussisti atque aquam rogare.
Trachalio:
Cuia ad auris
vox mi advolavit?

[¶117] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, who’s speaking here? Who is it that I see?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Obsecro, quis hic loquitur? quém ego video?

[¶118] TRACHALIO:
Isn’t this Ampelisca that’s coming out from the Temple?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Estne Ampelisca haec quae foras e fano egreditur?

[¶119] AMPELISCA:
Isn’t this
Trachalio that I see, the servant of Plesidippus?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Estne hic
Trachalio, quem conspicor, calator Plesidippi?

[¶120] TRACHALIO:
It is she.

> Latin: Trachalio:
East.

[¶121] AMPELISCA:
It is he; Trachalio, health to you.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Is est. Trachalio, salve.

[¶122] TRACHALIO:
Health, Ampelisca, to you; how fare you?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Salve, Ampelisca.
quid agis tu?

[¶123] AMPELISCA:
In misery I pass a life not far advanced.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Aétatem haud malam male.

[¶124] TRACHALIO:
Do give some better omen.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Melius ominare.

[¶125] AMPELISCA:
Still it behoves all prudent persons to confer and talk together. But, prithee, where’s your master, Plesidippus?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Verum omnes sapientes decet conferre et fabulari.
sed Plesidippus tuos erus ubi, amabo, est?

[¶126] TRACHALIO:
Marry, well said, indeed; as if he wasn’t within there.
(Pointing to the Temple.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Heia vero,
quasi non sit intus.

[¶127] AMPELISCA:
By my troth, he isn’t, nor, in fact, has he come here at all.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Neque pol est neque huc quidem ullus venit.

[¶128] TRACHALIO:
He hasn’t come?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non venit?

[¶129] AMPELISCA:
You say the truth.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Vera praedicas.

[¶130] TRACHALIO:
That’s not my way, Ampelisca. But how nearly is the breakfast got ready?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non est meum, Ampelisca.
sed quam mox coctum est prandium?

[¶131] AMPELISCA:
What breakfast, I beg of you?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quod prandium, obsecro te?

[¶132] TRACHALIO:
The sacrifice, I mean, that you are performing here.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nempe rém divinam facitis hic.

[¶133] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, what is it you are dreaming about?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quid somnias, amabo?

[¶134] TRACHALIO:
For certain, Labrax invited Plesidippus hither to a breakfast, your master, my master.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Certe huc Labrax ad prandium vocavit Plesidippum
erúm meum erus vestér.

[¶135] AMPELISCA:
By my troth, you’re telling of no wondrous facts: if he has deceived Gods and men, he has only acted after the fashion of Procurers.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Pol haud miranda facta dicis:
si deos decepit et homines, lenonum more fecit.

[¶136] TRACHALIO:
Then neither yourselves nor my master are here performing a sacrifice.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non rem divinam facitis hic vos neque erus?

[¶137] AMPELISCA:
You are a wizard.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Hariolare.

[¶138] TRACHALIO:
What are you doing then?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid tu agis hic igitur?

[¶139] AMPELISCA:
The Priestess of Venus has received here into her abode both myself and Palaestra, after many mishaps and dreadful alarm, and from being in danger of our lives, destitute of aid and of resources.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Ex malis multis metuque summo
capitalique ex periculo orbas auxilique opumque huc
recepit ad se Veneria haec sacerdos me et Palaestram.

[¶140] TRACHALIO:
Prithee, is Palaestra here, the beloved of my master?

> Latin: Trachalio:
An hic Palaestrast, obsecro, erí mei amica?

[¶141] AMPELISCA:
Assuredly.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Certo.

[¶142] TRACHALIO:
Great joyousness is there in your news, my dear Ampelisca. But I greatly long to know what was this danger of yours.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Inest lepos in nuntio tuo mágnus, mea Ampelisca.
sed istúc periclum perlubet quod fuerit vobis scire.

[¶143] AMPELISCA:
Last night our ship was wrecked, my dear Trachalio.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Confracta est, mi Trachalio, hac nocte navis nobis.

[¶144] TRACHALIO:
How, ship? What story’s this?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid navis? quae istaec fabulast?

[¶145] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, have you not heard in what way the Procurer intended secretly to carry us away hence to Sicily, and how, whatever there was at home, he placed on board ship? That has all gone to the bottom now.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Non audivisti, amabo,
quo pacto leno clanculum nos hinc auferre voluit
in Siciliam et quidquid domi fuit in navem imposivit?
ea nunc perierunt omnia.

[¶146] TRACHALIO:
O clever Neptune, hail to thee! Surely, no dicer is more skilful than thyself. Decidedly
a right pleasant throw hast thou made; thou didst break a-villain. But where now is the Procurer Labrax?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Oh, Neptune lepide, salve,
nec te aleator nullus est sapientior; profecto
nimis lépide iecisti bolum: periurum perdidisti.
sed nunc ubi est leno Labrax?

[¶147] AMPELISCA:
Perished through drinking, I suppose; Neptune last night invited him to deep potations.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Periit potando, opinor.
Neptunus magnis poculis hac nocte eum invitavit.

[¶148] TRACHALIO:
By my troth, I fancy it was given him to drink by way of cup of necessity. How much I do love you, my dear Ampelisca; how pleasing you are; what honied words you do utter.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Credo hercle anancaeo datum quod biberet. ut ego amo te,
mea Ampelisca, ut dulcis es, ut mulsa dicta dicis.

[¶149] But you and Palaestra, in what way were you saved?
AMPELISCA:
I’ll let you know. Both in affright, we leapt from the ship into a boat, because we saw that the ship was being borne upon a rock; in haste, I unloosed the rope, while they were in dismay. The storm separated us from them with the boat in a direction to the right. And so, tossed about by winds and waves,
in a multitude of ways, we, wretched creatures, during the livelong night … half dead, the wind this day has scarce borne us to the shore.

> Latin: sed tu et Palaestra quomodo salvae estis?
Ampelisca:
Scibis faxo.
⟨de⟩ navi timidae ambae in scapham insiluimus, quia videmus
ad saxa navem ferrier; properans exsolvi restim,
dum illi timent; nos cum scapha tempestas dextrovorsum
differt ab illis. itaque nos ventisque fluctibusque
iactatae exemplis plurimis miserae perpetuam noctem;
vix hodie ad litus pertulit nos ventus exanimatas.

[¶150] TRACHALIO:
I understand; thus is Neptune wont to do; he is a very dainty Aedile; if any wares are bad, over he throws them all.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Novi, Neptunus ita solet, quamvis fastidiosus
aedilis est: si quae improbae sunt merces, iactat omnis.

[¶151] AMPELISCA:
Woe to your head and life!

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Vae capiti atque aetati tuae.

[¶152] TRACHALIO:
To your own, my dear Ampelisca. I was sure that the Procurer would do that which he has done; I often said so. It were better I should let my hair grow, and set up for a soothsayer.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Tuo, mea Ampelisca.
scivi lenonem facere hóc, quod fecit, saepe dixi;
capillum promittam optimumst occipiamque hariolari.

[¶153] AMPELISCA:
Did you not take care then, you and your master, that he shouldn’t go away, when you knew this?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cavistis ergo tu atque erus ne abiret, cum scibatis.

[¶154] TRACHALIO:
What could he do?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid faceret?

[¶155] AMPELISCA:
If he was in love, do you ask what he could do?
Both night and day he should have kept watch; he should have been always on his guard. But, by my troth, he has done like many others; thus finely has Plesidippus taken care of her.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Sí amabat, rogas, quid faceret? adservaret
dies nóctesque, in custodia esset semper. verum ecastor
ut multi fecit ita probe curavit Plesidippus.

[¶156] TRACHALIO:
For what reason do you say that?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Cur tu istuc dicis?

[¶157] AMPELISCA:
The thing is evident.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Res palam est.

[¶158] TRACHALIO:
Don’t you know this? Even he who goes to the bath to bathe, while there he carefully keeps an eye upon his garments, still they are stolen; inasmuch as some one of those that he is watching is a rogue;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Scin tu? etiam qui it lavatum
in balineas, cum ibi sedulo sua vestimenta servat,
tamen surripiuntur, quippe qui quem illorum observet falsust;

[¶159] the thief easily marks him for whom he’s upon the watch; the keeper knows not which one is the thief. But bring me to her; where is she?
AMPELISCA:
Well then, go here into the Temple of Venus; you’ll find her sitting there, and in tears.

> Latin: fur facile qui observat videt: custos qui fur sit nescit.
sed duce me ad illam ubi est.
Ampelisca:
I sane in Veneris fanum huc intro,
sedentem flentemque opprimes.

[¶160] TRACHALIO:
How disagreable is that to me already. But why is she weeping?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vt iam istuc mihi molestumst.
sed quid flet?

[¶161] AMPELISCA:
I’ll tell you; she’s afflicting herself in mind for this; because the Procurer took away a casket from her which she had,
and in which she kept that by which she might be enabled to recognize her parents; she fears that this has been lost.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Ego dicam tibi: hoc sése excruciat animi,
quia leno ademit cistulam ei, quam habebat ubique habebat
qui suos parentis noscere possét: eam veretur
ne perierit.

[¶162] TRACHALIO:
Where was that little casket, pray?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vbinam ea fuit cistellula?

## 2. Lines 385–759

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

[¶0] AMPELISCA:
There, on board the ship; he himself locked it up in his wallet, that there mightn’t be the means by which she might recognize her parents.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Ibidem in navi.
conclusit ipse in vidulum, ne copia esset eius,
qui suos parentes nosceret.

[¶1] TRACHALIO:
O scandalous deed! to require her to be a slave, who ought to be a free woman.

> Latin: Trachalio:
O facinus impudicum,
quam liberam esse oporteat servire postulare.

[¶2] AMPELISCA:
Therefore she now laments that it has gone to the bottom along with the ship. There, too, was all the gold and silver of the Procurer.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Nunc eam cum navi scilicet abiisse pessum in altum.
et aurum et argentum fuit lenonis omne ibidem.

[¶3] TRACHALIO:
Some one, I trust, has dived and brought it up.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Credo aliquem immersisse atque eum excepisse.

[¶4] AMPELISCA:
For this reason is she sad and disconsolate, that she has met with the loss of them.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Id misera maestast,
sibi eorum evenisse inopiam.

[¶5] TRACHALIO:
Then have I the greater occasion to do this, to go in and console her, that she mayn’t thus distress herself in mind.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Iam istoc magis usus factost,
ut eam intro consolerque eam, ne sic se excruciet animi;

[¶6] For I know that many a lucky thing has happened to many a one beyond their hopes.

> Latin: nam multa praeter spem scio multis bona evenisse.

[¶7] AMPELISCA:
But I know too that hope has deceived many who have hoped.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
At ego étiam, qui speraverint spem decepisse multos.

[¶8] TRACHALIO:
Therefore a patient mind is the best remedy for affliction. I’ll go in, unless you wish for anything.
(Goes into the Temple.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ergo animus aequos optimum est aerumnae condimentum.
ego eo intro, nisi quid vis.—

[¶9] AMPELISCA:
Go. (To herself.) I’ll do that which the Priestess requested me, and I’ll ask for some water here at the neighbour’s;

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Eas. ego quod mihi imperavit
sacerdos, id faciam atque aquam hinc de proximo rogabo;

[¶10] for she said that if I asked for it in her name, they would give it directly. And I do think that I never saw a more worthy old lady, one to whom I should think that it is more befitting for Gods and men to show kindness. How courteously, how heartily, how kindly, how, without the least difficulty, she received us into her home, trembling, in want, drenched, shipwrecked, half dead;
not otherwise, in fact, than if we had been her own offspring. How kindly did she herself, just now, tucking up her garments, make the water warm for us to bathe. Now, that I mayn’t keep her waiting, I’ll fetch some water from the place where she requested me. (Knocking at the door of DAEMONES.) Hallo, there, is there any one in the cottage? is any one going to open this door? Will any one come out?
(Enter SCEPARNIO, from the cottage of DAEMONES.)

> Latin: nam extemplo, si verbis suis peterem, daturos dixit.
neque digniorem censeo vidisse anum me quemquam,
cui deos atque homines censeam bene facere magis decere.
ut lepide, ut liberaliter, ut honeste atque haud gravate
timidas egentes uvidas eiectas exanimatas
accepit ad sese, haud secus quam si ex se simus natae;
ut eapse ⟨sic⟩ succincta aquam calefactat, ut lavemus.
nunc ne morae illi sim, petam hinc aquam, unde mi imperavit.
heus ecquis in víllast? ecquis hoc recludit? ecquis prodit?

[¶11] SCEPARNIO:
Who is it so furiously making an attack upon our door?

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quís est qui nostris tám proterve fóribus facit iniúriam?

[¶12] AMPELISCA:
It’s I.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Égo sum.

[¶13] SCEPARNIO:
Well now, what good news is there? (Aside.) Dear me, a lass of comely appearance, i’ troth.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Hem, quid hoc boni est? eu edepol specie lepida mulierem.

[¶14] AMPELISCA:
Greeting to you, young man.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Salve, adulescens.

[¶15] SCEPARNIO:
And many greetings to you, young woman.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Et tu multum salveto, adulescentula.

[¶16] AMPELISCA:
I’m come to you—

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Ad vos venio.

[¶17] SCEPARNIO:
I’ll receive you with a welcome, if you come in the evening, by-and-by, just such as I could like; for just now I’ve no means to receive you, a damsel, thus early in the morning … But what have you to say, my smiling, pretty one.
(Chucks her under the chin.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Accipiam hospitio, si mox venies …
item ut adfectam; nam nunc nihil est qui te manem …
sed quid ais, meá lepida, hilara?

[¶18] AMPELISCA:
Oh, you’re handling me too familiarly.
(Moves away.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Aha, nimium familiariter
me attrectas.

[¶19] SCEPARNIO:
O ye immortal Gods! she’s the very image of Venus. What joyousness there is in her eyes, and, only do see, what a skin ’tis of the vulture’s tint,—rather, the eagle’s, indeed, I meant to say. Her breasts, too, how beautiful; and then what expression on her lips!
(Takes hold of her.)
AMPELISCA: (struggling.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Pro di immortales, Veneris effigia haec quidem est.
ut in ocellis hilaritudo est, heia, corpus cuius modi,
subvolturium—illud quidem, subaquilum volui dicere.
vel papillae cuius modi, tum quae indoles in saviost.

[¶20] I’m no common commodity for the whole township; can’t you keep your hands off me?
SCEPARNIO: (patting her.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Non ego sum pollucta pago. potin ut me abstineas manum?

[¶21] Won’t you let me touch you, gentle one, in this manner, gently and lovingly? …
AMPELISCA:
When I have leisure, then I’ll be giving my attention to toying and dalliance to please you; for the present, prithee, do either say me “Yes” or “No” to the matter for which I was sent hither.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Non licet saltem sic placide bellam belle tangere?
Ampelisca:
Otium ubi erit, tum tibi operam ludo et deliciae dabo;
nunc quam ob rem huc sum missa, amabo, vel tu mi aias vel neges.

[¶22] SCEPARNIO:
What now is it that you wish?

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quid nunc vis?

[¶23] AMPELISCA: (pointing to her pitcher.)
To a shrewd person, my equipment would give indications of what it is I want.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Sapienti ornatus quid velim indicium facit.

[¶24] SCEPARNIO:
To a shrewd woman, this equipment, too, of mine, would give indication of what it is I want.
AMPELISCA: (pointing to the Temple.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Meus quoque hic sapienti ornatus quid velim indicium facit.

[¶25] The Priestess there of Venus, requested me to fetch some water from your house here. …
SCEPARNIO:
But I’m a lordly sort of person; unless you entreat me, you shan’t have a drop. We dug this well with danger to ourselves, and with tools of iron. Not a drop can be got out of me except by means of plenty of blandishments.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Haec sacerdos Veneris hinc me petere aquam iussit a vobis. †
Sceparnio:
At ego basilicus sum: quem nisi oras, guttam non feres.
nostro illum puteum periclo et ferramentis fodimus.
nisi multis blanditiis a me gutta non ferri potest.

[¶26] AMPELISCA:
Prithee, why do you make so much fuss about the water—a thing that even enemy affords to enemy?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cur tu aquam gravare, amabo, quam hostis hosti commodat?

[¶27] SCEPARNIO:
Why do you make so much fuss about granting a favour to me, that citizen grants to citizen?

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Cur tu operam gravare mihi quam civis civi commodat?

[¶28] AMPELISCA:
On the contrary, my sweet one, I’ll even do everything for you that you wish.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Immo etiam tibi, mea voluptas, quae voles faciam omnia.

[¶29] SCEPARNIO:
O charming! I am favoured; she’s now calling me her sweet one. The water shall be given you, so that you mayn’t be coaxing me in vain. Give me the pitcher.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Eugepae, salvos sum, haec iam me suam voluptatem vocat.
dabitur tibi aqua, ne nequiquam mé ames. cedo mi urnam.

[¶30] AMPELISCA:
Take it (gives it to him): make haste and bring it out, there’s a dear.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cape.
propera, amabo, efferre.

[¶31] SCEPARNIO:
Stay a moment; I’ll be here this instant, my sweet one. (Goes into the cottage.) …

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Manta, iam hic ero, voluptas mea.—

[¶32] AMPELISCA:
What shall I say to the Priestess for having delayed here so long a time? … How, even still, in my wretchedness do I tremble, when with my eyes I look upon the sea. (She looks towards the shore.)
But what, to my sorrow, do I see afar upon the shore? My master, the Procurer, and his Sicilian guest. both of whom wretched I supposed to have perished in the deep. Still does thus much more of evil survive for us than we had imagined. But why do I delay to run off into the Temple, and to tell
Palaestra this, that we may take refuge at the altar before this scoundrel of a Procurer can come hither and seize us here? I’ll betake myself away from this spot; for the necessity suddenly arises for me to do so.
(Runs into the Temple.) (Enter SCEPARNIO, from the cottage.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quid sacerdoti me dicam hic demoratam tam diu?
ut etiam nunc misera timeo, ubi oculis intueor mare.
sed quid ego misera video procul in litore?
meum erum lenonem Siciliensemque hospitem,
quos periisse ambos misera censebam in mari.
iam illud mali plus nobis vivit quam ratae.
sed quid ego cesso fugere in fanum ac dicere haec
Palaestrae, in aram ut confugiamus prius quam huc†
scelestus leno veniat nosque hic opprimat?
confugiam huc, ita res suppetit subit …

[¶33] SCEPARNIO: (to himself.)
O ye immortal Gods, I never did imagine that there was so great delight in water; how heartily I did draw this.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Pro di immortales, in aqua numquam credidi
voluptátem inesse tantam. ut hanc traxi lubens.

[¶34] The well seemed much less deep than formerly. How entirely without exertion did I draw this up. With all deference to myself, am I not a very silly fellow, in having only to-day made a commencement of being in love? (Turning slowly round, he holds out the pitcher.) Here’s the water for you, my pretty one; here now, I would have you carry it with as much pleasure as I carry it, that you may please me.

> Latin: nimio minus altus puteus visust quam prius.
ut sine labore hanc extraxi, praefiscine.
satin néquam sum, ut pote qui hodie amare inceperim?
em tibi aquam, mea tu belliata. em sic volo
te ferre honeste, ut ego fero, ut placeas mihi.

[¶35] (Stares around him.) But where are you, my tit-bit? Do take this water, please; where are you? (Again looks about.) I’ troth, she’s in love with me, as I fancy; the roguish one’s playing bo-peep. Where are you? Are you going now to take this pitcher? Where are you, I say? You’ve carried the joke far enough. Really, do be serious at last. Once more, are you going to take this pitcher? Where in the world are you?

> Latin: sed ubi tu es, delicata? cape aquam hanc sis. ubi es?
amat hercle me, ut ego opinor. delituit mala.
ubi tu es? etiamne hanc urnam acceptura es? ubi es?
commodule ludis. tandem vero serio,
etiam acceptura es urnam hanc? ubi tu es gentium?

[¶36] (Looks about.) I’ troth, I don’t see her anywhere, for my part; she’s making fun of me. I’ faith, I shall now set down this pitcher in the middle of the road. But yet, suppose any person should carry away from here this sacred pitcher of Venus, he would be causing me some trouble. I’ faith, I’m afraid that this woman’s laying a trap for me,
that I may be caught with the sacred pitcher of Venus. In such case, with very good reason, the magistrate will be letting me die in prison, if any one shall see me holding this. For it’s marked with the name; itself tells its own tale, whose property it is. Troth now, I’ll call that Priestess here out of doors,
that she may take this pitcher. I’ll go there to the door. (He knocks.) Hallo there! Ptolemocratia. (Calling aloud.) Take this pitcher of yours, please; some young woman, I don’t know who, brought it here to me. (A pause.) It must then be carried in-doors by me. I’ve found myself a job, if, in fact, of my own accord, water is to be carried by me for these people as well.
(Goes into the Temple with the pitcher.) (Enter LABRAX, dripping wet, followed by CHARMIDES, at a distance, in the same plight.)
LABRAX: (grumbling to himself.)
The person that chooses himself to be wretched and a beggar, let him trust himself and his life to Neptune. For if any one has any dealings at all with him, he sends him back home equipped in this guise.

> Latin: nusquam hercle equidem illam video. ludos me facit.
adponam hercle urnam iám ego hanc in media via.
sed autem, quid si hanc hinc abstulerit quispiam,
sacram urnam Veneris? mi exhibeat negotium.
metuo hercle ne illa mulier mi insidias locet,
ut comprehendar cum sacra urna Veneria.
nempe optimo ⟨me⟩ iure in vinclis enicet
magistrátus si quis me hanc habere viderit.
nam haec litteratast, eapse cantat cuia sit.
iam hercle evocabo hinc hanc sacerdotem foras,
ut hanc accipiat urnam. accedam huc ad fores.
heus exi, Ptolemocratia, cape hanc urnam tibi:
muliercula hanc nescio quae huc ad me detulit.
intro ferundast. repperi negotium,
siquidem hís mihi ultro ádgerunda etiam est aqua.—
Labrax:
Qui homo sese miserum et mendicum volet,†
Neptuno credat sese atque aetatem suam:
nam si quis cúm eo quid rei commiscuit,
ad hoc exemplum amittit ornatum domum.

[¶37] (Surveying himself.) By my troth, Liberty, you were a clever one, who were never willing to put even a foot, I’ faith, on board ship with me.

> Latin: edepol, Libertas, lepida es, quae numquam pedem
voluisti in navem cum Hercule una imponere.

[¶38] But (looking round) where’s this guest of mine that has proved my ruin? Oh, see, here he comes.
CHARMIDES:
Where the plague are you hurrying to, Labrax? For really I cannot follow you so fast.

> Latin: sed ubi ille meus est hospes, qui me perdidit?
atque eccum incedit.
Charmides:
Quo malum properas, Labrax?
nam equidem te nequeo consequi tam strenue.

[¶39] LABRAX:
I only wish that you had perished by direful tornments in Sicily before I had looked upon you with my eyes,
you on whose account this misfortune has befallen me.

> Latin: Labrax:
Vtinam te prius quam óculis vidissem meis,
malo cruciatu in Sicilia perbiteres,
quem propter hoc mihi optigit misero mali.

[¶40] CHARMIDES:
I only wish that on the day on which you admitted me into your house, I had laid me down in a prison sooner. I pray the immortal Gods, that so long as you live,
you may have all your guests just like your own self.

> Latin: Charmides:
Vtinam, quom in aedis me ad te adduxisti ⟨tuas⟩,
in carcere illo potius cubuissem die.
deosque ímmortales quaeso, dum vivas uti
omnes tui símiles hospites habeas tibi.

[¶41] LABRAX:
In your person I admitted misfortune into my house. What business had I to listen to a rogue like you, or what to depart hence? Or why to go on board ship, where I have lost even more wealth than I was possessor of?

> Latin: Labrax:
Malam fortunam in aedis te adduxi meas.
quid mihi scelesto tibi erat auscultatio,
quidve hinc abitio quidve in navem inscensio?
ubi perdidi etiam plus boni quam mihi fuit.

[¶42] CHARMIDES:
Troth, I’m far from being surprised if your ship has been wrecked, which was carrying yourself, a villain, and your property villanously acquired.

> Latin: Charmides:
Pol minime miror, navis si fractast tibi,
scelus te ét sceleste parta quae vexit bona.

[¶43] LABRAX:
You’ve utterly ruined me with your wheedling speeches.

> Latin: Labrax:
Pessum dedisti me blandimentis tuis.

[¶44] CHARMIDES:
A more accursed dinner of yours have I been dining upon than the ones that were set before Thyestes and Tereus.

> Latin: Charmides:
Scelestiorem cenam cenavi tuam,
quam quae Thyestae quondam aut posita est Tereo.

[¶45] LABRAX:
I’m dying; I’m sick at heart. Prithee, do hold up my head.

> Latin: Labrax:
Perii, animo male fit. contine quaeso caput.

[¶46] CHARMIDES:
By my troth, I could very much wish that you would vomit up your lungs.

> Latin: Charmides:
Pulmoneum edepol nimis velim vomitum vomas.

[¶47] LABRAX:
Alas! Palaestra and Ampelisca, where are you now?

> Latin: Labrax:
Eheu, Palaestra atque Ampelisca, ubi estis nunc?

[¶48] CHARMIDES:
Supplying food for the fishes at the bottom, I suppose.

> Latin: Charmides:
Piscibus in alto, credo, praebent pabulum.

[¶49] LABRAX:
You have brought beggary upon me by your means,
while I was listening to your bragging lies.

> Latin: Labrax:
Mendicitatem mi optulisti opera tua,
dum tuis ausculto magnidicis mendaciis.

[¶50] CHARMIDES:
You have reason deservedly to give me many hearty thanks, who from an insipid morsel by my agency have made you salt.

> Latin: Charmides:
Bonam est quod habeas gratiam merito mihi,
qui te ex insulso salsum feci opera mea.

[¶51] LABRAX:
Nay, but do you get out from me to extreme and utter perdition.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quin tu hinc is a me in maxumam malam crucem?

[¶52] CHARMIDES:
You be off; I was just going to do that very thing.

> Latin: Charmides:
Eas. easque res agebam commodum.

[¶53] LABRAX:
Alas! what mortal being is there living more wretched than I?

> Latin: Labrax:
Eheu, quis vivit me mortalis miserior?

[¶54] CHARMIDES:
I am by very far much more wretched, Labrax, than yourself.

> Latin: Charmides:
Ego multo tanto miserior quam tu, Labrax.

[¶55] LABRAX:
How so?

> Latin: Labrax:
Qui?

[¶56] CHARMIDES:
Because I am not deserving of it, whereas you are deserving.

> Latin: Charmides:
Quia ego indignus sum, tu dignus qui sies.

[¶57] LABRAX:
O bulrush, bulrush, I do praise your lot, who always maintain your credit for dryness.
CHARMIDES: (his teeth chattering.)

> Latin: Labrax:
O scirpe, scirpe, laudo fortunas tuas,
qui semper servas gloriam aritudinis.

[¶58] For my part, I’m exercising myself for a skirmishing fight, for, from my shivering, I utter all my words in piecemeal flashes.

> Latin: Charmides:
Equidem me ad velitationem exerceo,
nam omnia corusca prae temore fabulor.

[¶59] LABRAX:
By my troth, Neptune, you are a purveyor of chilly baths; since I got away from you with my clothes, I’ve been freezing.

> Latin: Labrax:
Edepol, Neptune, es balineator frigidus:
cum vestimentis postquam aps té abii, algeo.

[¶60] No hot liquor-shop at all for sure does he provide;
so salt and cold the potions that he prepares.

> Latin: Charmides:
Ne thermipolium quidem ullum ínstruit,
ita salsam praehibet potionem et frigidam.

[¶61] CHARMIDES:
How lucky are the blacksmiths who are always sitting among hot coals; they are always warm.

> Latin: Labrax:
Vt fortunati sunt fabri ferrarii,
qui apud carbones adsident: semper calent.

[¶62] LABRAX:
I only wish that I were now enjoying the lot of the duck, so as, although I had just come from out of the water, still to be dry.

> Latin: Charmides:
Vtinam fortuna nunc anetina úterer,
ut quom exiissem éx aqua, arerem tamen.

[¶63] CHARMIDES:
What if I some way or other let myself out at the games for a hobgoblin?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid si aliquo ad ludos me pro manduco locem?

[¶64] LABRAX:
For what reason?
CHARMIDES:
Because, I’ faith, I’m chattering aloud with my teeth.

> Latin: Charmides:
Quapropter?
Labrax:
Quia pol clare crepito dentibus.

[¶65] But I’m of opinion that, with very good reason, I’ve had this ducking.

> Latin: Charmides:
Iure optumo me élavisse árbitror.

[¶66] LABRAX:
How so?

> Latin: Labrax:
Qui?

[¶67] CHARMIDES:
Why, haven’t I ventured to go on board ship with yourself, who have been stirring up the ocean for me from the very bottom?

> Latin: Charmides:
Qui ⟨un⟩a auderem tecum in navem ascendere,
qui a fundamento mi usque movisti mare.

[¶68] LABRAX:
I listened to you when advising me; you assured me that there in Sicily was very great profit from courtesans; there, you used to say, I should be able to amass wealth.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tibi auscultavi, tu promittebas mihi
illi esse quaestum maximum meretricibus,
ibi me conruere posse aiebas ditias.

[¶69] CHARMIDES:
Did you expect, then, you unclean beast, that you were going to gobble up the whole island of Sicily?

> Latin: Charmides:
Iam postulabas te, impurata belua,
totam Siciliam devoraturum insulam?

[¶70] LABRAX:
What whale, I wonder, has gobbled up my wallet where all my gold and silver was packed up?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quaenam ballaena meum voravit vidulum,
aurum atque argentum ubi omne compactum fuit?

[¶71] CHARMIDES:
That same one, I suppose, that has swallowed my purse, which was full of silver in my travelling-bag.

> Latin: Charmides:
Eadem illa, credo, quae meum marsuppium,
quod plenum argenti fuit in sacciperio.

[¶72] LABRAX:
Alas! I’m reduced even to this one poor tunic (stretching it out)
and to this poor shabby cloak; I’m done for to all intents.

> Latin: Labrax:
Eheu, redactus sum usque ad unam hanc tuniculam
et ad hoc misellum pallium. perii oppido.

[¶73] CHARMIDES:
Then you may even go into partnership with me; we have got equal shares.

> Latin: Charmides:
Vel consociare mihi quidem tecum licet:
aequas habemus partes.

[¶74] LABRAX:
If at least my damsels had been saved, there would have been some hope. Now, if the young man Plesidippus should be seeing me,
from whom I received the earnest for Palaestra, he’ll then be causing me some trouble in consequence.
(He begins to cry.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Saltem si mihi
mulierculae essent salvae, spes aliquae forent.
nunc si me adulescens Plesidippus viderit,
quo ab arrabonem pro Palaestra acceperam,
iam is exhibebit hic mihi negotium.

[¶75] CHARMIDES:
Why cry, you fool? Really, by my troth, so long as your tongue shall exist, you have abundance with which to make payment to everybody.
(Enter SCEPARNIO, from the Temple.)
SCEPARNIO: (to himself, aloud.)

> Latin: Charmides:
Quid, stulte, ploras? tibi quidem edepol copiast,
dum lingua vivet, qui rem solvas omnibus.

[¶76] What to-do is this, I’d like to know, that two young women
here in the Temple, in tears, are holding in their embrace the statue of Venus, dreading I know not what in their wretchedness? But they say that this last night they have been tossed about, and to-day cast on shore from the waves.
LABRAX: (overhearing.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Quíd illuc, opsecro, negotist quod duae mulierculae
hic in fano Veneris signum flentes amplexae tenent,
nescio quém metuentes miserae? nocte hac aiunt proxuma
se iactatas, atque eiectas hodie esse aiunt e mari.

[¶77] Troth now, young man, prithee, where are these young women that you are talking of?

> Latin: Labrax:
Opsecro hercle, adulescens, ubi istaec sunt quas memoras mulieres?

[¶78] SCEPARNIO:
Here (pointing) in the Temple of Venus.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Hic in fano Veneris.

[¶79] LABRAX:
How many are there?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quot sunt?

[¶80] SCEPARNIO:
Just as many as you and I make.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Totidem quot ego et tu sumus.

[¶81] LABRAX:
Surely, they are mine.

> Latin: Labrax:
Nempe meae?

[¶82] SCEPARNIO:
Surely, I know nothing about that.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Nempe néscio istuc.

[¶83] LABRAX:
Of what appearance are they?

> Latin: Labrax:
Qua sunt facie?

[¶84] SCEPARNIO:
Good-looking; I could even fall in love with either of them, if I were well liquored.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Scitula.
vel ego amare utramvis possum, si probe adpotus siem.

[¶85] LABRAX:
Surely, they are the damsels.

> Latin: Labrax:
Nempe puellae?

[¶86] SCEPARNIO:
Surely, you are a nuisance; be off, go in and see, if you like.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Nempe moléstus es. i vise, si lubet.

[¶87] LABRAX:
These must be my wenches in here, my dear Charmides.

> Latin: Labrax:
Meas oportet intus esse hic mulieres, mi Charmides.

[¶88] CHARMIDES:
Jupiter confound you, both if they are and still if they are not.

> Latin: Charmides:
Iuppiter te perdat, et si sunt, et si non sunt tamen.

[¶89] LABRAX:
I’ll straightway burst into this Temple of Venus here.

> Latin: Labrax:
Intro rumpam iam huc in Veneris fanum.—

[¶90] CHARMIDES:
Into the bottomless pit, I would rather. (LABRAX rushes into the Temple, and shuts the door.) Prithee, stranger, show me some spot where I may go to sleep.

> Latin: Charmides:
In barathrum mavelim.
opsecro, hospes, da mihi aliquid ubi condormiscam loci.

[¶91] SCEPARNIO:
Go to sleep there, wherever you please (points to the ground); no one hinders, it’s free to the public.
CHARMIDES: (pointing to his clothes.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Istic ubi vis condormisce; nemo prohibet, publicum est.

[¶92] But do you see me, in what wet clothes I’m dressed? Do take me under shelter; lend me some dry clothes,
while my own are drying; on some occasion I’ll return you the favour.

> Latin: Charmides:
At vides me ornatus ut sim vestimentis uvidis:
recipe me in tectum, da mihi vestimenti aliquid aridi,
dum arescunt mea; ín aliquo tibi gratiam referam loco.

[¶93] SCEPARNIO:
See, here’s my outer coat, which alone is dry; that, if you like, I’ll lend you. (Takes it off and holds it out to him.) In that same I’m wont to be clothed, by that same protected, when it rains. Do you give me those clothes of yours; I’ll soon have them dried.

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Tegillum eccillud, mihi unum id aret; id si vis, dabo:
eodem amictus, eodem tectus esse soleo, si pluit.
tu istaec mihi dato: exarescent faxo.

[¶94] CHARMIDES:
How now, are you afraid that, as I’ve been washed bare last night at sea, I mayn’t be made bare again here upon shore?

> Latin: Charmides:
Eho an te paenitet,
in mari quod elavi, ni híc in terra iterum eluam?

[¶95] SCEPARNIO:
Wash you bare, or anoint you well, I don’t care one fig. I shall never entrust anything to you unless upon a pledge being taken. Do you either sweat away or perish with cold, be you either sick or well. I’ll put up with no stranger-guest in my house; I’ve had disagreements enough.
(Puts on his coat again, and goes into the house of DAEMONES.)

> Latin: Sceparnio:
Eluas tu an exunguare, ciccum non interduim.
tibi ego numquam quicquam credam, nisi si accepto pignore.
tu vel suda vel peri algu, vel tu aegrota vel vale.
barbarum hospitem mi in aedis nil moror. sat litiumst.—

[¶96] CHARMIDES:
What, are you off? (A pause.) He’s a trafficker in slaves for money; whoever he is,
he has no bowels of compassion. But why in my wretchedness am I standing here, soaking? Why don’t I rather go away from here into the Temple of Venus, that I may sleep off this debauch which I got with drinking last night against the bent of my inclination? Neptune has been drenching us with salt water as though we were Greek wines, and so he hoped that our stomachs might be vomited up with his salt draughts.

> Latin: Charmides:
Iamne abis? venalis illic ductitavit, quisquis est;
non est misericors. sed quid ego hic asto infelix uvidus?
quin abeo huc in Veneris fanum, ut edormiscam hanc crapulam,
quam potavi praeter animi quam libuit sententiam?
quasi vinis Graecis Neptunus nobis suffudit mare,
itaque alvom prodi speravit nobis salsis poculis;

[¶97] What need of words? If he had persisted in inviting us a little longer, we should have gone fast asleep there; as it is, hardly alive has he sent us off home. Now I’ll go see the Procurer, my boon companion, what he’s doing within.
(Goes into the Temple.) (Enter DAEMONES, from his house.)
DAEMONES: (to himnself.)
In wondrous ways do the Gods make sport of men, in wondrous fashions do they send dreams in sleep.
Not the sleeping, even, do they allow to rest. As, for example, I, this last night which has gone by, dreamed a wonderful and a curious dream. A she-ape seemed to be endeavouring to climb up to a swallow’s nest;
and she was not able thence to take them out. After that, the ape seemed to come to me to beg me to lend a ladder to her. I in these terms gave answer to the ape, that swallows are the descendants of Philomela and of Progne.

> Latin: quid opust verbis? si invitare nos paulisper pergeret,
ibidem obdormissemus: nunc vix vivos amisit domum.
nunc lenonem quid agat intus visam, convivam meum.—
Daemones:
Miris modis di ludos faciunt hominibus:
[mirisque exemplis somnia in somnis danunt]
ne dormientis quidem sinunt quiescere.
velut ego hac nocte quae praecessit proxima
mirum atque inscitum somniavi somnium.
ad hirundininum nidum visa est simia
ascensionem ut faceret admolirier
…
neque eas eripere quibat inde. postibi
videtur ad me simia adgredirier,
rogare scalas ut darem utendas sibi.
ego ad hoc exemplum simiae respondeo,
…
natas ex Philomela † atque ex Progne esse hirundines.

[¶98] I expostulated with her, that she might not hurt those of my country. But then she began to be much more violent, and seemed gratuitously to be threatening me with vengeance. She summoned me to a court of justice. Then, in my anger, I seemed to seize hold of the ape by the middle, in what fashion I know not;

> Latin: ago cum ílla, ne quid noceat meis popularibus.
atque illa ánimo iam fieri ferocior;
videtur ultro mihi malum minitarier.
in ius vocat med. ibi ego nescio quo modo
iratus videor mediam arripere simiam;

[¶99] and I fastened up with chains this most worthless beast. Now to what purpose I shall say that this dream tends, never have I this day been able to come to any conclusion. (A loud noise is heard in the Temple.) But what’s this noise that arises in this Temple of Venus, my neighbour? My mind’s in wonder about it.
(Enter TRACHALIO, in haste, from the Temple.)
TRACHALIO: (aloud.)

> Latin: concludo in vincla bestiam nequissimam.
nunc quam ad rem dicam hoc attinere somnium,
numquam hodie quivi ad coniecturam evadere.
sed quid hic in Veneris fano meae viciniae
clamoris oritur? animus mirat⟨ur meus.⟩

[¶100] O citizens of Cyrene, I implore your aid, countrymen, you who are near neighbours to these spots, bring aid to helplessness, and utterly crush a most vile attempt. Inflict vengeance, that the power of the wicked, who wish themselves to be distinguished by crimes, may not be stronger than of the guiltless.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Pró Cyrenenses populares, vostram ego imploro fidem,
agricolae, accolae propinqui qui estis his regionibus,
ferte opem inopiae atque exemplum pessumum pessum date.
vindicate, ne impiorum potior sit pollentia
quam innocentum, qui se scelere fieri nolunt nobiles.

[¶101] Make an example for the shameless man, give its reward to modest virtue; cause that one may be allowed to live here rather under the control of the laws than of brute force. Hasten hither into the Temple of Venus; again do I implore your aid, you who are here at hand and who hear my cries.
Bring assistance to those who, after the recognized usage, have entrusted their lives to Venus and to the Priestess of Venus, under their protection.
Wring ye the neck of iniquity before it reaches yourselves.

> Latin: statuite exemplum impudenti, date pudori praemium,
facite hic lege potius liceat quam vi victo vivere.
currite huc in Veneris fanum, vostram iterum imploro fidem,
qui prope hic adestis quique auditis clamorem meum,
ferte suppetias qui Veneri Veneriaeque antistitae
more antiquo in custodelam suom commiserunt caput,
praetorquete iniuriae prius cóllum quam ad vos pervenat.

[¶102] DAEMONES:
What’s all this to-do?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid istuc est negoti?

[¶103] TRACHALIO: (embracing his knees.)
By these knees of yours, I do entreat you, old gentleman, whoever you are—

> Latin: Trachalio:
Per ego haec genua te optestor, senex,
quisquis es—

[¶104] DAEMONES:
Nay, but do you let go my knees, then, and tell me why it is that you are making a noise?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quin tu ergo omitte genua et quid sit mi expedi
⟨quod tu⟩multues.

[¶105] TRACHALIO:
I do beg and entreat you, that if you hope
this year that you will have abundance of laserwort and silphium, and that that export will arrive at Capua safe and sound, and that you may ever enjoy freedom from diseased eyes—

> Latin: Trachalio:
Teque oro et quaeso, si speras tibi
hoc anno multum futurum sirpe et laserpicium
eamque eventuram exagogam Capuam salvam et sospitem,
atque ab lippitudine usque siccitas ut sit tibi,

[¶106] DAEMONES:
Are you in your senses?

> Latin: Daemones:
[Sanun es?]

[¶107] TRACHALIO:
—Or whether you trust that you will have plenty of juice of silphium, that you will not hesitate to give me the aid which I shall entreat of you, aged sir.

> Latin: Trachalio:
[Seu tibi confidis fore multam magudarim]
ut te ne pigeat dare operam mihi quod te orabo, senex.

[¶108] DAEMONES:
And I, by your legs, and ancles, and back, do entreat you that, if you hope that you will have a crop of elm-twigs, and that a fruitful harvest of beatings will this year be your lot, you will tell me what’s the matter here, by reason of which you are making this uproar.

> Latin: Daemones:
At ego te per crura et talos tergumque obtestor tuom,
ut, tibi ulmeam ni deesse speres virgidemiam
et tibi eventuram hoc anno úberem messem mali,
ut mi istuc dicas negoti quid sit, quod tumultues.

[¶109] TRACHALIO:
Why do you choose to speak me ill? For my part, I wished you everything that’s good.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Qui lubet maledicere? equidem tibi bona optavi omnia.

[¶110] DAEMONES:
And for my part, I’m speaking you well, in praying that things which you deserve may befall you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Bene equidem tibi dico, qui te digna ut eveniant precor.

[¶111] TRACHALIO:
Prithee, do prevent this.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Obsecro, hoc praevortere ergo.

[¶112] DAEMONES:
What’s the matter, then?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid negotist?

[¶113] TRACHALIO: (pointing to the Temple.)
Two innocent women are inside here, in need of your aid, on whom, against law and justice, an injury has been, is being, glaringly committed here in the Temple of Venus. Besides, the Priestess of Venus
is being disgracefully insulted.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Mulieres
duae innocentes intus hic sunt, tui indigentes auxili,
quibus advorsum ius legesque ínsignite iniuria hic
facta est fitque in Veneris fano; tum sacerdos Veneria
indigne adflictatur.

[¶114] DAEMONES:
What person is there of effrontery so great as to dare to injure the Priestess? But these women, who are they? Or what injury is being done to them?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quis homo est tanta confidentia,
qui sacerdotem violare aúdet? sed eae mulieres
quae sunt? aut quid is iniqui fit?

[¶115] TRACHALIO:
If you give me your attention, I’ll tell you. They have clung to the statue of Venus; a most audacious fellow is now trying to tear them away. They ought, by rights, both of them to be free.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Si das operam, eloquar.
Veneris signum sunt amplexae. nunc ⟨homo audacissimus⟩
eas deripere volt. eas ámbas esse oportet ⟨liberas⟩.

[¶116] DAEMONES:
What fellow is it that so lightly holds the Gods? In a few words tell me.

> Latin: Daemones:
Quis istic est qui deos tam parvi pendit? ⟨paucis expedi⟩.

[¶117] TRACHALIO:
One most full of fraud, villany, parricide, and perjury; a lawbreaker, an immodest, unclean, most shameless fellow; to sum up all in one word, he is a Procurer; why need I say more about him?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Fraudis sceleris parricidi periuri plenis⟨simus⟩,
legirupa impudens impurus inverecundissimus,
uno verbo absolvam, lenost: quid illum porro praedicem?

[¶118] DAEMONES:
Troth now, you tell of a man that ought to be handed over to retribution.

> Latin: Daemones:
Edepol infortunio hominem praedicas donabilem.

[¶119] TRACHALIO:
A villain, to seize the Priestess by the throat.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Qui sacerdoti scelestus faucis interpresserit.

[¶120] DAEMONES:
By my troth, but he has done it at his own great peril. (Calls aloud at his door.) Come you out of doors here, Turbalio and Sparax; where are you?

> Latin: Daemones:
At malo cum magno suo fecít hercle. ite istinc foras,
Turbalio, Sparax. ubi estis?

[¶121] TRACHALIO:
Prithee, do go in, and hasten to their rescue.

> Latin: Trachalio:
I obsecro intro, subveni
illis.

[¶122] DAEMONES: (impatiently.)
And am I to call for them once more?
(from the cottage.)
DAEMONES:
Follow me this way.

> Latin: Daemones:
Iterum haud imperabo. sequimini hac.

[¶123] TRACHALIO:
Come on now this instant, bid them tear his eyes out, just in the way that cooks do cuttle-fish.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Age nunciam,
iube oculos elidere, itidem ut sepiis faciunt coqui.

[¶124] DAEMONES:
Drag the fellow out here by his legs, just like a slaughtered pig.
(DAEMONES and his SERVANTS go into the Temple.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Proripite hominem pedibus huc itidem quasi occisam suem.—

[¶125] TRACHALIO: (listening at the door.)
I hear a scuffling; the Procurer, I guess, is being belaboured with their fists; I’d very much like them to knock the teeth out of the jaws of the most villanous fellow. But see, here are the women themselves coming out of the Temple in consternation.
(Enter PALAESTRA and AMPELISCA, in haste, from the Temple, with dishevelled locks.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Audio tumultum. opinor, leno pugnis pectitur.
nimis velim improbissimo homini malas edentaverint.
sed eccas ipsae huc egrediuntur timidae e fano mulieres.

[¶126] PALAESTRA:
Now is that time arrived when destitution of all resources and aid,
succour and defence, overtakes us. Neither hope nor means is there to bring us aid, nor know we in what direction we should commence to proceed. In exceeding terror now are we both, in this our wretchedness. Such cruelty and such outrage
have been committed towards us just now in-doors here by our master, who, in his villany, pushed down the old lady, the Priestess, headlong, and struck her in a very disgraceful manner, and with his violence tore us away from the inner side of the statue. But as our lot and fortunes are now showing themselves,’twere best to die, nor in our miseries is there anything better than death.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Núnc id est cum ómnium cópiarum átque opum,
aúxili, praésidi víduitas nós tenet.
⟨núlla nunc⟩ spéculast quaé salutem áfferat,
⟨néc quam in⟩ partem íngredi pérsequamur
⟨scímus: tanto⟩ ín metu núnc sumus ambae,
⟨tánta⟩ importúnitas tántaque iniúria
⟨fácta in⟩ nos ést modo hic íntus ab nóstro ero,
quí scelestús sacerdótem anum praécipes
réppulit própulit pérquam indignís modis
nósque ab signo íntimo ví deripuít sua.
séd nunc sese út ferunt rés fortunaéque nostrae,
pár moriri ést. neque est mélius morte ín malis,
rébus miserís.

[¶127] TRACHALIO: (behind.)
What’s this? Whose words are those? Why do I delay to console them? (Aloud.) Harkye, Palaestra,
Ampelisca, harkye!

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid est? quae íllaec orátiost?
césso ego has cónsolari? heús, Palaestra!

[¶128] PALAESTRA:
Prithee, who is it that calls us?

> Latin: Palaestra:
Quí vocat?
Trachalio:
Ámpelisca.
Ampelisca:
Óbsecro, quis est qui vocat?

[¶129] AMPELISCA:
Who is it that calls me by name?
TRACHALIO:
If you turn round and look, you’ll know.
PALAESTRA: (turning round.)

> Latin: Palaestra:
Quís is est qui nóminat?
Trachalio:
Sí respexís, scies.

[¶130] O hope of my safety!
TRACHALIO:
Be silent and of good courage; trust me.
PALAESTRA:
If only it can be so, let not violence overwhelm us.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ó salutís meae spés.

[¶131] TRACHALIO:
What violence?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Tace ac bóno animo es.
mé vide.

[¶132] PALAESTRA:
That same which is driving me to commit violence on myself.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Sí modo id líceat, vis ne ópprimat,
quaé vis vim mi áfferam ipsa ádigit.

[¶133] TRACHALIO:
Oh, do leave off; you are very silly.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ah, désine, nímis inepta es.

[¶134] PALAESTRA:
Then do you leave off at once your consoling me in my misery with words.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Desíste dictis núnciam miserám me consolári;

[¶135] AMPELISCA:
Unless you afford us protection in reality, Trachalio, it’s all over with us.

> Latin: nisi quid re praesidium apparas, Trachalio, acta haec res est.

[¶136] PALAESTRA:
I’m resolved to die sooner than suffer this Procurer to get me in his power. But still I am of woman’s heart; when, in my misery, death comes into my mind, fear takes possession of my limbs.
TRACHALIO:
By my troth, although this is a bitter affliction,
do have a good heart.

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Certumst moriri quam hunc pati ⟨saevire⟩ lenonem in me.
sed muliebri animo sum tamen: miserae ⟨quom venit⟩ in mentem
mihi mortis, metus membra occupat. edepol … hunc acerbum.
Trachalio:
Bonum animum habete.

[¶137] PALAESTRA:
Why where, pray, is a good heart to be found for me?

> Latin: Palaestra:
Nam, obsecro, unde ⟨áni⟩mus mi invenitur?

[¶138] TRACHALIO:
Don’t you fear, I tell you; sit you down here by the altar.
(Points to it.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ne, inquam, timete; adsidite hic in ara.

[¶139] AMPELISCA:
What can this altar possibly avail us more than the statue here within the Temple
of Venus, from which just now, embracing it, in our wretchedness, we were torn by force?

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Quid istaec ara
prodesse nobis ⟨plus⟩ potest quam signum in fano hic intus
Veneris, quod amplexae modo, unde abreptae per vim miserae?

[¶140] TRACHALIO:
Only you be seated here; then I’ll protect you in this spot. This altar you possess as though your bulwarks; these your fortifications; from this spot will I defend you. With the aid of Venus, I’ll march against the wickedness of the Procurer.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Sedete hic modo, ego hinc vós tamen tutabor. aram habete hanc
vobis pro castris, moenia hinc égo vos defensabo;
praesidio Veneris malitiae lenonis contra incedam.

[¶141] PALAESTRA:
We follow your instructions (they advance to the altar and kneel); and genial Venus, we both of us, in tears, implore thee,
embracing this thy altar, bending upon our knees, that thou wilt receive us into thy guardianship, and be our protector; that thou wilt punish those wretches who have set at nought thy Temple, and that thou wilt suffer us to occupy this thy altar with thy permission, we who last night were by the might of Neptune cast away;
hold us not in scorn, and do not for that reason impute it to us as a fault, if there is anything that thou shouldst think is not so well attended to by us as it ought to have been.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Tibi auscultamus et, Venús alma, ambae te obsecramus,
aram amplexantes hanc tuam lacrumantes, genibus nixae,
in custodelam nos tuam ut recipias et tutere;
illos scelestos, qui tuom fecerunt fanum parvi,
fac ut ulciscare nosque ut hanc tua páce aram obsidere
patiare: elautae ambae sumus opera Neptuni noctu,
ne ⟨invisas⟩ habeas neve idcirco nobis vitio vortas,
si quippiamst, minus quód bene esse lautum tu arbitrare.

[¶142] TRACHALIO:
I think they ask what’s just; it ought, Venus, by thee to be granted. Thou oughtst to pardon them;’tis terror forces them to do this. They say that thou wast born from a shell; take thou care that thou dost not despise the shells of these.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Venus, aequom has petere intellego: decet abs te id impetrari;
ignoscere his te convenit: metus has id ut fáciant subigit.
te ex concha natam esse autumant, cave tu hárum conchas spernas.

[¶143] But see, most opportunely the old gentleman is coming out, both my protector and your own.
(He goes to the altar.) (Enter DAEMONES, from the Temple, with his two SERVANTS dragging out LABRAX.)
DAEMONES:
Come out of the Temple, you most sacrilegious of men, as many as have ever been born. Do you go (calling to the WOMEN) and sit by the altar. (Not seeing them near the door.) But where are they?

> Latin: sed optume eccum exit senex, patronus mihique et vobis.
Daemones:
Éxi e fano, natum quantum est hominum sacrilegissime.
vos in aram abite sessum. sed ubi sunt?

[¶144] TRACHALIO:
Look round here.
DAEMONES: (looking round.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Huc respice.

[¶145] Very good; I wanted that. Now bid him come this way. (To LABRAX.) Are you attempting here among us to commit a violation of the laws against the Deities?

> Latin: Daemones:
Optume, istuc volueramus. iube modo accedat prope.
tun legirupionem hic nobis cum dis facere postulas?

[¶146] (To the SERVANTS, who obey with alacrity.) Punch his face with your fists.
LABRAX:
I’m suffering these indignities at your own cost.

> Latin: pugnum in os impinge.
Labrax:
Iniqua haec patior cum pretio tuo.

[¶147] DAEMONES:
Why, the insolent fellow’s threatening even.

> Latin: Daemones:
At etiam minitatur audax?

[¶148] LABRAX:
I’ve been robbed of my rights; you are robbing me of my female slaves against my will.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ius meum ereptum est mihi,
meas mihi ancillas invito me eripis.

[¶149] TRACHALIO:
Do you then find some wealthy man of the Senate of Cyrene as judge, whether these women ought to be yours, or whether they oughtn’t to be free,
or whether it isn’t right that you should be clapped into prison, and there spend your life, until you have worn the whole gaol out with your feet.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Cedo ⟨iudicem⟩
de senatu Cyrenensi quemvis opulentum virum,
si tuas ésse oportet nive eas ésse oportet liberas
nive in carcerem compingi ⟨te⟩ est aequom aetatemque ibi
te usque habitare, donec totum carcerem contriveris.

[¶150] LABRAX:
I wasn’t prepared to prophesy for this day that I should be talking with a hang-gallows like yourself. (Turning to DAEMONES.) You do I summon to judgment.

> Latin: Labrax:
Non hodie isti rei auspicavi, ut cum furcifero fabuler.
té ego appello.

[¶151] DAEMONES: (pointing to TRACHALIO.)
In the first place, try it with him who knows you.
LABRAX: (to DAEMONES.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Cum istoc primum, qui te novit, disputa.

[¶152] My suit is with yourself.
TRACHALIO:
But it must be with myself. (Pointing to the WOMEN.) Are these your female slaves?

> Latin: Labrax:
Tecum ago.
Trachalio:
At qui mecum agendumst. suntne illae ancillae tuae?

[¶153] LABRAX:
They are.

> Latin: Labrax:
Sunt.

[¶154] TRACHALIO:
Just come then, touch either of them with your little finger only.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Agedum ergo, tange utramvis digitulo minimo modo.

[¶155] LABRAX:
What if I do touch them?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid si attigero?

[¶156] TRACHALIO:
That very instant, upon my faith, I’ll make a hand-ball of you, and while you’re in the air I’ll belabour you with my fists, you most perjured villain.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Extemplo hercle ego te follem pugilatorium
faciam et pendentem incursabo pugnis, periurissime.

[¶157] LABRAX:
Am I not to be allowed to take away my female slaves from the altar of Venus?

> Latin: Labrax:
Mihi non liceat meas ancillas Veneris de ara abducere?

[¶158] DAEMONES:
You may not; such is the law with us.

> Latin: Daemones:
Non licet: est lex apud nos—

[¶159] LABRAX:
I’ve no concern with your laws; for my part, I shall at once carry them both away from here.

> Latin: Labrax:
Mihi cum vestris legibus
⟨nil quicquamst⟩ commerci. equidem istas iam ambas educam foras.

[¶160] If you are in love with them, old gentleman (holding out his hand), you must down here with the ready cash.

> Latin: tu, senex, si istas amas, huc arido argentost opus;

[¶161] DAEMONES:
But these women have proved pleasing to Venus.
LABRAX:
She may have them, if she pays the money.

> Latin: si autem Veneri complacuerunt, habeat, si argentum dabit.

[¶162] DAEMONES:
A Goddess, pay you money? Now then, that you may understand my determination, only do you commence in mere joke to offer them the very slightest violence;
I’ll send you away from here with such a dressing, that you won’t know your own self. You, therefore (turning to his SERVANTS), when I give you the signal, if you don’t beat his eyes out of his head, I’ll trim you round about with rods just like beds of myrtle with bulrushes.

> Latin: Daemones:
Det tibi argentum? nunc adeo meam ut scias sententiam,
occipito modo illís adferre vim ioculo pausillulum,
ita ego te hinc ornatum amittam, tu ipsus te ut non noveris.
vos adeo, ubi ego innuero vobis, ni ei caput exoculassitis,
quasi murteta iunci, item ego vos virgis circumvinciam.

[¶163] LABRAX:
You are treating me with violence.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ví agis mecum.

[¶164] TRACHALIO:
What, do you even upbraid us with violence, you flagrant specimen of flagitiousness?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Etiam vim †proportas, flagiti flagrantia?

[¶165] LABRAX:
You, you thrice-dotted villain, do you dare to speak abusively to me?

> Latin: Labrax:
Tun, trifurcifer, mihi audes inclementer dicere?

[¶166] TRACHALIO:
I am a thrice-dotted villain; I confess it; you are a strictly honorable man; ought these women a bit the less to be free?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Fateor, ego trifurcifer sum, tu es homo adprime probus:
numqui minus hasce esse oportet liberas?

[¶167] LABRAX:
What—free?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid, liberas?

[¶168] TRACHALIO:
Aye, and your mistresses, too, I’ faith, and from genuine Greece; for one of them was born at Athens of free-born parents.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Atque eras tuas quidem hercle, atque ex germana Graecia;
nam altera haec est nata Athenis ingenuis parentibus.

[¶169] DAEMONES:
What is it I hear from you?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid ego ex te audio?

[¶170] TRACHALIO:
That she (pointing to PALAESTRA) was born at Athens, a free-born woman.
DAEMONES: (to TRACHALIO.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Hanc Athenis esse natam liberam.

[¶171] Prithee is she a countrywoman of mine?
TRACHALIO:
Are you not a Cyrenian?

> Latin: Daemones:
Mea popularis, obsecro, haec est?
Trachalio:
Non tu Cyrenensis es?

[¶172] DAEMONES:
No; born at Athens in Attica, bred and educated there.

> Latin: Daemones:
Immo Athenis natus altusque educatusque Atticis.

[¶173] TRACHALIO:
Prithee, aged sir, do protect your countrywomen.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Opsecro, defende cives tuas, senex.

[¶174] DAEMONES: (aside.)
O daughter, when I look on her, separated from me you remind me of my miseries: (aloud) she who was lost by me when three years old; now, if she is living, she’s just about as tall, I’m sure, as she.
(Pointing to PALAESTRA.)

> Latin: Daemones:
O filia
mea, quom hanc video, mearum me absens miseriarum commones;
trima quae periit mihi, iam tanta esset, si vivit, scio.

[¶175] LABRAX:
I paid the money down for these two, to their owners, of whatever country they were. What matters it to me whether they were born at Athens or at Thebes, so long as they are rightfully in servitude as my slaves?

> Latin: Labrax:
Argentum ego pro istisce ambabus cuiae erant domino dedi;
quid mea réfert, haec Athenis natae án Thebis sient,
dum mihi recte servitutem serviant?

[¶176] TRACHALIO:
Is it so, you impudent fellow? What, are you, a cat prowling after maidens, to be keeping children here kidnapped from their parents and destroying them in your disgraceful calling?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Itane, impudens?
tune hic, feles virginalis, liberos parentibus
sublectos habebis atque indigno quaestu conteres?

[¶177] But as for this other one, I really don’t know what her country is; I only know that she’s more deserving than yourself, you most abominable rascal.

> Latin: nam húic alterae quae patria sit profecto nescio,
nisi scio probiorem hanc esse, quam te, impuratissime.

[¶178] LABRAX:
Are these women your property?

> Latin: Labrax:
†Tuae istae sunt.

[¶179] TRACHALIO:
Come to the trial, then, which of the two according to his back is the more truthful; if you don’t bear more compliments upon your back than any ship of war has nails, then I’m the greatest of liars.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Contende ergo, uter sit tergo—verior:
ni offerumentas habebis pluris in tergo tuo,
quam ulla navis longa clavos, tum ego ero mendacissimus:

[¶180] Afterwards, do you examine mine, when I’ve examined yours; if it shall not prove to be so untouched, that any leather flask maker will say that it is a hide most capital and most sound for the purposes of his business, what reason is there why I shouldn’t mangle you with stripes, even till you have your belly full? Why do you stare at them? If you touch them I’ll tear your eyes out.

> Latin: postea aspicito meum, quando ego tuom inspectavero:
ní erit tam sincerum, ut quivis dicat ampullarius
optimum esse operi faciundo corium et sincerissimum,
quid causae est quin virgis te usque ad saturitatem sauciem?
quid illas spectas? quas si attigeris, oculos eripiam tibi.

## 3. Lines 760–1099

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

[¶0] LABRAX:
Yet notwithstanding, although you forbid me to do so, I’ll at once carry them off both together with me.

> Latin: Labrax:
At qui, quia votas, utramque iam mecum abducam simul.

[¶1] DAEMONES:
What will you do?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid facies?

[¶2] LABRAX:
I’ll bring Vulcan; he is an enemy to Venus.
(Goes towards DAEMONES’ cottage.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Volcanum adducam, is Venerist adversarius.

[¶3] TRACHALIO:
Whither is he going?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quo illic it?

[¶4] LABRAX: (calling at the door.)
Hallo! Is there anybody here? Hallo! I say.

> Latin: Labrax:
Heus, ecquis hic est? heus.

[¶5] DAEMONES:
If you touch the door, that very instant, upon my faith, you shall get a harvest upon your face with fists for your pitchforks.

> Latin: Daemones:
Si attigeris ostium,
iam hercle tibi messis in ore fiet mergis pugneis.

[¶6] SERVANT:
We keep no fire, we live upon dried figs.

> Latin: Lorarivs:
Nullum habemus ignem, ficis victitamus aridis.

[¶7] DAEMONES:
I’ll find the fire, if only I have the opportunity of kindling it upon your head.

> Latin: Daemones:
Ego dabo ignem, siquidem in capite tuo conflandi copiast.

[¶8] LABRAX:
Faith, I’ll go somewhere to look for some fire.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ibo hercle aliquo quaeritatum ígnem.

[¶9] DAEMONES:
What, when you’ve found it?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid quom inveneris?

[¶10] LABRAX:
I’ll be making a great fire here.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ignem magnum hic faciam.

[¶11] DAEMONES:
What, to be burning a mortuary sacrifice for yourself?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quin † inhumanum exuras tibi?

[¶12] LABRAX:
No, but I’ll burn both of these alive here upon the altar.

> Latin: Labrax:
Immo hasce ambas hic in ara ut vivas comburam, id volo.

[¶13] DAEMONES:
I’d like that. For, by my troth, I’ll forthwith seize you by the head and throw you into the fire,
and, half-roasted, I’ll throw you out as food for the great birds. (Aside.) When I come to a consideration of it with myself, this is that ape, that wanted to take away those swallows from the nest against my will, as I was dreaming in my sleep.

> Latin: Daemones:
Iam hercle ego te barba continuo arripiam, in ignem coniciam
teque ambustulatum obiciam magnis avibus pabulum.
quom coniecturam egomet mecum facio, haec illast simia,
quae has hirundines ex nido volt eripere ingratiis,
quod ego in somnis somniavi.

[¶14] TRACHALIO:
Aged sir, do you know what I request of you? That you will protect these females and defend them from violence, until I fetch my master.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Scin quid tecum oro, senex?
ut illas serves, vim defendas, dúm ego erum adduco meum.

[¶15] DAEMONES:
Go look for your master, and fetch him here.

> Latin: Daemones:
Quaere erum atque adduce.

[¶16] TRACHALIO:
But don’t let him—

> Latin: Trachalio:
At hic ne—

[¶17] DAEMONES:
At his own extreme peril, if he touches them, or if he attempts to do so.

> Latin: Daemones:
Maximo malo suo,
si attigerit sive occeptassit.

[¶18] TRACHALIO:
Take care.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Cura.

[¶19] DAEMONES:
Due care is taken; do you be off.

> Latin: Daemones:
Curatumst, abi.

[¶20] TRACHALIO:
And watch him too, that he doesn’t go away anywhere. For we have promised either to give the executioner a great talent, or else to produce this fellow this very day.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Hunc quoque adserva ipsum, ne quo abitat; nam promisimus
carnufici aut talentum magnum aút hunc hodie sistere.

[¶21] DAEMONES:
Do you only be off. I’ll not let him get away, while you are absent.

> Latin: Daemones:
Abi modo, ego dum hoc curabo recte.

[¶22] TRACHALIO:
I’ll be back here soon.
(Exit TRACHALIO.) (DAEMONES, LABRAX, PALAESTRA, AMPELISCA, and SERVANTS.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Iam ego revenero.

[¶23] DAEMONES: (to LABRAX, who is struggling with the SERVANTS.)
Which, you Procurer, had you rather do, be quiet with a thrashing, or e’en as it is, without the thrashing, if you had the choice?

> Latin: Daemones:
Vtrum tu, leno, cum malo lubentius
quiescis an sic sine malo, si copiast?

[¶24] LABRAX:
Old fellow, I don’t care a straw for what you say. My own women, in fact, I shall drag away this instant from the altar by the hair, in spite of yourself, and Venus, and supreme Jove.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ego quae tu loquere flocci non facio, senex.
meas quidem te invito et Venere et summo Iove
de ara capillo iam deripiam.

[¶25] DAEMONES:
Just touch them.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tange dum.

[¶26] LABRAX: (going towards them)
I’ troth, I surely will touch them.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tangam hercle vero.

[¶27] DAEMONES:
Just come then; only approach this way.

> Latin: Daemones:
Agedum ergo, accede huc modo.

[¶28] LABRAX:
Only bid both those fellows, then, to move away from there.

> Latin: Labrax:
Iube dúm recedere istos ambo illuc modo.

[¶29] DAEMONES:
On the contrary, they shall move towards you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Immo ad te accedent.

[¶30] LABRAX:
I’ faith, for my own part, I don’t think so.

> Latin: Labrax:
Non hercle equidem censeo.

[¶31] DAEMONES:
If they do move nearer to you, what will you do?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid ages, si accedent propius?

[¶32] LABRAX:
I’ll retire. But, old fellow, if ever I catch you in the city,
never again, upon my faith, shall any one call me a Procurer, if I don’t give you some most disagreable sport.

> Latin: Labrax:
Ego recessero.
verum, senex, si te umquam in urbe offendero,
numquam hercle quisquam me lenonem dixerit,
si te non ludos pessimos dimisero.

[¶33] DAEMONES:
Do what you threaten. But now, in the meantime, if you do touch them, a heavy punishment shall be inflicted on you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Facito istuc quod minitare; sed nunc interim,
si illas attigeris, dabitur tibi magnum malum.

[¶34] LABRAX:
How heavy, in fact?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quam magnum vero?

[¶35] DAEMONES:
Just as much as is sufficient for a Procurer.

> Latin: Daemones:
Quantum lenoni sat est.

[¶36] LABRAX:
These threats of yours I don’t value one straw; I certainly shall seize them both this instant without your leave.

> Latin: Labrax:
Minacias ego flocci non faciam tuas,
equidem has te invito iam ambas rapiam.

[¶37] DAEMONES:
Just touch them.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tange dum.

[¶38] LABRAX:
By my troth, I surely will touch them.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tangam hercle vero.

[¶39] DAEMONES:
You will touch them, but do you know with what result? Go then, Turbalio, with all haste, and bring hither from out of the house two cudgels.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tanges, at scin quo modo?
i dum, Turbalio, curriculo, adfert⟨o domo⟩
duas clávas.

[¶40] LABRAX:
Cudgels?

> Latin: Labrax:
Clavas?

[¶41] DAEMONES:
Aye, good ones; make haste speedily. (TURBALIO goes in.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Sed probas. propera cito.

[¶42] I’ll let you have a reception this day in proper style, as you are deserving of.
LABRAX: (aside.)

> Latin: ego te hodie faxo recte acceptum, ut dignus es.

[¶43] Alas! cursedly unfortunate. I lost my headpiece in the ship; it would now have been handy for me, if it had been saved. (To DAEMONES.) May I at least address these women?
DAEMONES:
You may not …
(TURBALIO enters bringing two cudgels.) Well now, by my faith, look, the cudgel-man is coming very opportunely here.
LABRAX: (aside.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Eheu, scelestus galeam in navi perdidi;
nunc mi opportuna hic esset, salva si foret.
licet saltem istas mi appellare?
Daemones:
Non licet.
ehem, optime edepol eccum clavator ádvenit.

[¶44] By my troth, this surely is a tingling for my ears.

> Latin: Labrax:
Illud quidem edepol tinnimentum est auribus.

[¶45] DAEMONES:
Come, Sparax, do you take this other cudgel. (Giving him one.) Come, take your stand, one on one side, the other on one other. Take your stations both of you. (They stand with lifted cudgels on each side of he altar.) Just so. Now then attend to me:

> Latin: Daemones:
Age accipe illinc alteram clavam, Sparax.
age, alter istinc, alter hinc adsistite.
adsistite ambo. sic. audite nunciam:

[¶46] if, I’ faith, that fellow there should this day touch these women with his finger against their inclination, if you don’t give him a reception with these cudgels even to that degree that he shan’t know which way he is to get home, you are undone, both of you. If he shall call for any one, do you make answer to this fellow in their stead.

> Latin: si hercle illic illas hodie digito tetigerit
invitas, ni istunc istis invitassitis
usque adeo donec qua domum abeat nesciat,
periistis ambo. si appellabit quempiam,
vos respondetote istinc istarum vicem;

[¶47] But if he himself shall attempt to get away from here, that instant, as hard a you can, lay on to his legs with your sticks.

> Latin: sin ipse abire hínc volet, quantum potest
extemplo amplectitote crura fustibus.

[¶48] LABRAX:
Are they not even to allow me to go away from here?

> Latin: Labrax:
Etiam me abire hinc non sinent?

[¶49] DAEMONES:
I’ve said sufficient. And when that servant comes here with his master, he that has gone to fetch his master, do you at once go home.

> Latin: Daemones:
Dixi satis.
et ubi ille servos cúm ero huc advenerit,
qui erum accersivit, itote extemplo domum.

[¶50] Attend to this with great diligence, will you.
(DAEMONES goes into his house.)
LABRAX:
O rare, by my troth, the Temple here is surely changed all of a sudden; this is now the Temple of Hercules which was that of Venus before; in such fashion has the old fellow planted two statues here with clubs. I’ faith, I don’t know now whither in the world I shall fly from here;
so greatly are they both raging now against me, both land and sea. Palaestra!

> Latin: curate haec sultis magna diligentia.—
Labrax:
Heu hercle, ne istic fana mutantur cito:
iam hoc Herculi est, Veneris fanum quod fuit,
ita duo destituit signa hic cum clavis senex.
non hercle quo hinc nunc gentium aufugiam scio,
ita nunc mi utrumque saevit, et terra et mare.
Palaestra.

[¶51] SERVANT:
What do you want?

> Latin: Lorarius:
Quid vis?

[¶52] LABRAX:
Away with you, there is a misunderstanding between us; that, indeed, is not my Palaestra that answers. Harkye, Ampelisca.
SERVANT:
Beware of a mishap, will you.
LABRAX: (aside.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Apage, controversia est,
haec quidem Palaestra, quae respondit, non mea est.
heus, Ampelisca.
Lorarius alter:
Cave sis infortunio.

[¶53] So far as they can, the worthless fellows advise me rightly enough.

> Latin: Labrax:
Vltro te. signa ut homines satis recte monent.

[¶54] (Aloud.) But, harkye, I ask you, whether it is any harm to you for me to come nearer to these women?
SERVANT:
Why none at all to ourselves.

> Latin: sed vobis dico, heús vos, num molestiaest,
me adire ad illas propius?
Lorarius:
Nil nobis quidem.

[¶55] LABRAX:
Will there be any harm to myself?

> Latin: Labrax:
Numquid molestum mihi erit?

[¶56] SERVANT:
None at all, if you only take care.

> Latin: Lorarius:
Nil, si caveris.

[¶57] LABRAX:
What is it that I’m to take care against?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid est quod caveam?

[¶58] SERVANT:
Why, look you, against a heavy mishap.

> Latin: Lorarius:
Em, a crasso infortunio.

[¶59] LABRAX:
Troth now, prithee, do let me approach them.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quaeso hercle, abire ut liceat.

[¶60] SERVANT:
Approach them, if you like.

> Latin: Lorarius:
Abeas, si velis.

[¶61] LABRAX:
I’ faith, obligingly done; I return you thanks, I’ll go nearer to them.
(Approaches them.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Bene hercle factum. habeo vobis gratiam.
[non] accedam potius.

[¶62] SERVANT:
Do you stand there on the spot, where you are.
(Drags him to his place, with the cudgel over his head.)
LABRAX: (aside.)

> Latin: Lorarius:
Illic astato ilico.

[¶63] By my faith, I’ve come scurvily off in many ways. Still, I’m resolved to get the better of them this day by constantly besieging them.
(Enter PLESIDIPPUS and TRACHALIO, at a distance, on the other side of the stage.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Edepol proveni nequiter multis modis.
certumst hasce hodie usque obsidione vincere.

[¶64] PLESIDIPPUS:
And did the Procurer attempt by force and violence
to drag my mistress away from the altar of Venus?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Meamne ílle amicam leno vi, violentia
de ara deripere Veneris voluit?

[¶65] TRACHALIO:
Even so.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Admodum.

[¶66] PLESIDIPPUS:
Why didn’t you kill him on the instant?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quin occidisti extemplo?

[¶67] TRACHALIO:
I hadn’t a sword.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Gladius non erat.

[¶68] PLESIDIPPUS:
You should have taken either a stick or a stone.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Caperes aut fustem aut lapidem.

[¶69] TRACHALIO:
What! ought I to have pelted this most villanous fellow with stones like a dog? …
LABRAX: (aside, on seeing them.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid? ego quasi canem
hominem insectarer lapidibus nequissimum?

[¶70] By my troth, but I’m undone now; see, here’s Plesidippus;

> Latin: Labrax:
Nunc pol ego perii, Plesidippus eccum adest.

[¶71] he’ll be sweeping me away altogether this moment with the dust.

> Latin: converret iam hic me totum cum pulvisculo.

[¶72] PLESIDIPPUS:
Were the damsels sitting on the altar even then when you set out to come to me?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Etiamne in ara tunc sedebant mulieres,
quom ad me profectu's profectus es ire?

[¶73] TRACHALIO:
Yes, and now they are sitting in the same place.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ibidem nunc sedent.

[¶74] PLESIDIPPUS:
Who is now protecting them there?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quis illás nunc illic servat?

[¶75] TRACHALIO:
Some old gentleman, I don’t know who, a neighbour of the Temple of Venus—he gave very kind assistance;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nescio quis senex,
vicinus Veneris; is dedit operam optumam.

[¶76] he is now protecting them with his servants—I committed them to his charge.

> Latin: is nunc cum servis servat. ego mandaveram.

[¶77] PLESIDIPPUS:
Lead me straight to the Procurer. Where is this fellow?
(They go towards LABRAX.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Duc me ad lenonem recta. ubi illic est homo?

[¶78] LABRAX:
Health to you.

> Latin: Labrax:
Salve.

[¶79] PLESIDIPPUS:
I want none of your healths. Make your choice quickly, whether you lad rather be seized by your throat wrenched, or be dragged along; choose whichever you please, while you may.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Salutem nil moror. opta ocius:
rapi te obtorto collo mavis an trahi?
utrum vis opta, dum licet.

[¶80] LABRAX:
I wish for neither.

> Latin: Labrax:
Neutrum volo.

[¶81] PLESIDIPPUS:
Be off then, Trachalio, with all speed to the sea-shore; bid those persons that I brought with me to hand over this rascal to the executioner, to come from the harbour to the city to meet me; afterwards return hither and keep guard here. I’ll now drag this scoundrelly outcast to justice. (Exit TRACHALIO. Pleusicles addresses LABRAX.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Abi sáne ad litus curriculo, Trachalio,
iube illós in urbem ire obviam ad portum mihi,
quos mecum duxi, hunc qui ad carnificem traderent.
post huc redito atque agitato hic custodiam.
ego hunc scelestum ín ius rapiam éxulem.

[¶82] Come, proceed to a court of justice.
LABRAX:
In what have I offended?

> Latin: age, ambula in ius.
Labrax:
Quid ego deliqui?

[¶83] PLESIDIPPUS:
Do you ask? Didn’t you receive an earnest of me for this woman (pointing to PALAESTRA), and carry her off from here?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Rogas,
quin arrabonem a me accepisti ob mulierem
et eam hinc abduxti?

[¶84] LABRAX:
I didn’t carry her off.

> Latin: Labrax:
Non avexi.

[¶85] PLESIDIPPUS:
Why do you deny it?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Cur negas?

[¶86] LABRAX:
Troth now, because I put her on board ship; carry her off unfortunately, I couldn’t. For my part, I told you that this day I would make my appearance
at the Temple of Venus; have I swerved at all from that? Am I not there?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quia pol provexi: avehere non quivi miser.
equidem tibi me dixeram praesto fore
apud Véneris fanum: ⟨num⟩quid muto? sumne ibi?

[¶87] PLESIDIPPUS:
Plead your cause in the court of justice; here a word is enough. Follow me.
(They lay hold of him.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
In iure causam dicito, hic verbum sat est:
sequere.

[¶88] LABRAX: (calling aloud.)
I entreat you, my dear Charmides, do come to my rescue; I am being seized with my throat wrenched.
(Enter CHARMIDES, from the Temple.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Obsecro te, subveni mi, Charmides.
rapior optorto collo.

[¶89] CHARMIDES: (looking about.)
Who calls my name?

> Latin: Charmides:
Quis me nominat?

[¶90] LABRAX:
Do you see me how I’m being seized?

> Latin: Labrax:
Viden me ut rapior?

[¶91] CHARMIDES:
I see, and view it with pleasure.

> Latin: Charmides:
Video, atque inspecto lubens.

[¶92] LABRAX:
Don’t you venture to assist me?

> Latin: Labrax:
Non subvenire mi audes?

[¶93] CHARMIDES:
What person is seizing you?

> Latin: Charmides:
Quis homo te rapit?

[¶94] LABRAX:
Young Plesidippus.

> Latin: Labrax:
Adulescens Plesidippus.

[¶95] CHARMIDES:
What you’ve got, put up with;’twere better for you, with a cheerful spirit, to slink to gaol; that has befallen you which many greatly wish for for themselves.

> Latin: Charmides:
Vt nanctu's nanctus es, habe.
bono animo meliust te in nervom conrepere.
tibi optigit quod plurimi exoptant sibi.

[¶96] LABRAX:
What’s that?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid id est?

[¶97] CHARMIDES:
To find for themselves that which they are seeking.

> Latin: Charmides:
Vt id quod quaerant inveniant sibi.

[¶98] LABRAX:
I entreat you, do follow me.

> Latin: Labrax:
Sequere, obsecro, me.

[¶99] CHARMIDES:
You try to persuade me, just like what you are: you are being taken off to gaol, for that reason is it you entreat me to follow you?
PLESIDIPPUS: (to LABRAX.)

> Latin: Charmides:
Pariter suades qualis es:
tu in nervom rapere, eo me óbsecras ut te sequar.

[¶100] Do you still resist?
LABRAX:
I’m undone.

> Latin: etiam retentas?
Labrax:
Perii.

[¶101] PLESIDIPPUS:
I trust that may prove the truth. You, my dear Palaestra and Ampelisca, do you remain here in the meanwhile, until I return hither.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Verum sit velim.
tu, mea Palaestra et Ampelisca, ibidem ilico
manete, dúm ego huc redeo.

[¶102] SERVANT:
I would advise them
rather to go to our house, until you return.

> Latin: Lorarius:
Equidem suadeo,
ut ad nos abeant potius, dum recipis.

[¶103] PLESIDIPPUS:
I’m quite agreable; you act obligingly.
(The SERVANTS open the door of the cottage, and PALAESTRA and AMPELISCA go in.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Placet,
bene facitis.

[¶104] LABRAX:
You are thieves to me.

> Latin: Labrax:
Fures mi estis.

[¶105] SERVANT:
How, thieves?
PLESIDIPPUS:
Lead him along.
(The SERVANTS seize him.)
LABRAX: (calling out.)

> Latin: Lorarius:
Quid, fures? rape.

[¶106] I pray and entreat you, Palaestra.
PLESIDIPPUS:
Follow, you hang-dog.

> Latin: Labrax:
Oro obsecro, Palaestra.
Plesidippvs:
Sequere, carnufex.

[¶107] LABRAX:
Guest, Charmides!

> Latin: Labrax:
Hospes—

[¶108] CHARMIDES:
I am no guest of yours; I repudiate your hospitality.

> Latin: Charmides:
Non sum hospes, repudio hospitium tuom.

[¶109] LABRAX:
What, do you slight me in this fashion?

> Latin: Labrax:
Sicine me spernis?

[¶110] CHARMIDES:
I do so; I’ve been drinking with you once already.

> Latin: Charmides:
Sic ago: semel bibo.

[¶111] LABRAX:
May the Deities confound you.

> Latin: Labrax:
Di te infelicent.—

[¶112] CHARMIDES:
To that person of yours, say that. (PLESIDIPPUS leads LABRAX off, followed by the SERVANTS.) I do believe that men are transformed, each into a different beast. That Procurer, I guess, is transformed into a stock-dove; for, before long, his neck will be in the stocks. He’ll to-day be building his nest in the gaol.

> Latin: Charmides:
Isti capiti dicito.
credo alium in aliam beluam hominem vortier:
illic ín columbum, credo, leno vortitur,
nam in collumbari collus haud multo post erit;
in nervom ille hodie nidamenta congeret.

[¶113] Still, however, I’ll go, that I may be his advocate,—if by my aid he may possibly be sentenced any the sooner.
(Enter DAEMONES, from his cottage.
DAEMONES: (to himself.)
’Twas rightly done, and it is a pleasure this day for me to have given aid to these young women; I have now found some dependants, and both of them of comely looks and youthful age.

> Latin: verum tamen ibo, ei advocatus ut siem,
si qui mea opera citius addici potest.—
Daemones:
Bene factum et volup est, mé hodie his mulierculis
tetulisse auxilium. iam clientas repperi,
atque ambas forma scitula atque aetatula.

[¶114] But my plaguy wife is watching me in all ways, lest I should be giving any hint to the young women. But I wonder what in the world my servant Gripus is about, who went last night to the sea to fish. Troth, he had done wiser if he had slept at home;
for now he throws away both his pains and his nets, seeing what a storm there now is and was last night. I’ll thoroughly cook upon my fingers what he has caught to-day; so violently do I see the ocean heaving. (A bell rings.) But my wife’s calling me to breakfast; I’ll return home.

> Latin: sed uxór scelesta me omnibus servat modis,
ne quid significem quippiam mulierculis.
sed Gripus servos noster quid rerum gerat
miror, de nocte qui abiit piscatum ad mare.
pol magis sapisset, si dormivisset domi,
nam nunc et operam ludos facit et retia,
ut tempestas est nunc atque ut noctu fuit.
in digitis hodie percoquam quod ceperit,
ita fluctuare video vehementer mare.
sed ad prándium uxor me vocat. redeo domum.

[¶115] She’ll now be filling my ears with her silly prating.
(Goes into the cottage.) (Enter GRIPUS, dragging a net enclosing a wallet, by a rope.)
GRIPUS: (to himself.)
These thanks do I return to Neptune, my patron, who dwells in the salt retreats, the abode of fishes, inasmuch as he has despatched me finely laden on my return from his retreats, and from his Temples, laden with most abundant booty,
with safety to my boat, which in the stormy sea made me master of a singular and rich haul. In a wondrous and incredible manner has this haul turned out prosperously for me, nor yet have I this day taken a single ounce weight of fish, but only that which I am here bringing with me in my net.
For when I arose in the middle of the night, and without sloth, I preferred profit to sleep and rest; in the raging tempest, I determined to try how I might lighten the poverty of my master and my own servitude, not sparing of my own exertions.

> Latin: iam meas opplebit aures † sua vaniloquentia.—
Gripvs:
Neptúno has agó gratiás meo patróno,
qui sálsis locís incolít pisculéntis,
quom me éx suis locís pulchre ornátum expedívit
†templís reducém, plurimá praeda onústum,
salúte horiaé, quae in marí fluctuóso
piscátu novó me uberí compotívit;
miróque modo atque incrédibili hic piscátus mihi lepide évenit,
neque píscium ullam unciam hodié pondo cepí, nisi hoc quod fero hic ín rete.
nam ut dé nocte múlta impigréque exurréxi,
lucrúm praeposívi sopóri et quiéti:
tempéstate saéva experíri expetívi,
paupértatem erí qui et meám servitútem
tolerárem, opera haud fui párcus mea.

[¶116] Most worthless is the man that is slothful, and most detestably do I hate that kind of men. It behoves him to be vigilant who wishes to do his duty in good time; for it befits him not to be waiting until his master arouses him to his duties. For those who sleep on for the love of it, rest without profit to themselves and to their own cost.

> Latin: nímis homo nihilist quis piger est nímisque id genus odi égo male.
vigiláre decet hominém qui volt sua témperi conficere ófficia.
non énim illum expectare óportet, dum erus se ád suom suscitet ófficium.
nám qui dormiúnt libenter, síne lucro et cum málo quiescunt.

[¶117] But now I, who have not been slothful, have found that for myself through which to be slothful if I should choose.
(Points to the wallet.) This have I found in the sea to-day; whatever’s in it, it’s something heavy that’s in it; I think it’s gold that’s in it. And not a single person is there my confidant in the matter. Now, Gripus, this opportunity has befallen you, that the Praetor might make you a free man from among the multitude. Now, thus shall I do, this is my determination; I’ll come to my master cleverly and cunningly, little by little I’ll promise money for my freedom, that I may be free.

> Latin: nám ego nunc mihi, qui ímpiger fui,
répperi ut piger, sí velim, siem:
hóc ego in mari [quidquid inést] répperi.
quidquíd inest, grave quidem inést; aurum hic ego inésse reor;
nec míhi consciust ullús homo.
nunc haéc tibi occasio, Grípe optigit, ut líber s⟨it⟩
⟨nemo⟩ éx populo praetér te.
nunc síc faciam, sic cónsilium est: ad erúm veniam docte atque astute.
pauxíllatim pollícitabor pro cápite argentum, ut sím liber.

[¶118] Now, when I shall be free, then, in fine, I’ll provide me land and houses and slaves: I’ll carry on merchandize with large ships: among the grandees I shall be considered a grandee. Afterwards, for the sake of pleasing myself, I’ll build me a ship and I’ll imitate Stratonicus, and I’ll be carried about from town to town. When my greatness is far-spread, I shall fortify some great city: to that city I shall give the name of “Gripus,”
a memorial of my fame and exploits, and there I’ll establish a mighty kingdom. I am resolving here in my mind to prepare for mighty matters. At present I’ll hide this booty. But this grandee (pointing to himself) is about to breakfast upon vinegar and salt, without any good substantial meat.
(Gathers up the net, and drags it after him.) (Enter TRACHALIO, in haste.)

> Latin: iam ubi líber ero, igitúr demum instrúam agrum atque aedis, máncipia,
navíbus magnis mercáturam faciam, ápud reges rex pérhibebor.
post ánimi causa míhi navem faciam átque imitabor Strátonicum,
oppída circumvectábor.
ubi nóbilitas mea erít clara,
oppídum magnum commúnibo, ei ego úrbi Gripo indám nomen,
moniméntum meae famae ét factis, ibi quí regnum magnum ínstituam.
magnas res hic agito in mentem instruere. nunc hunc vidulum condam.
sed hic réx cum aceto pránsurust et sále, sine bono pulménto.

[¶119] TRACHALIO:
Hallo there! stop.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Heus, máne.

[¶120] GRIPUS:
Why should I stop?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid maneam?

[¶121] TRACHALIO:
While I coil up this rope for you that you are dragging.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Dum hánc tibi, quam tráhis, rudentem cómplico.

[¶122] GRIPUS:
Now let it alone.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Mitté modo.

[¶123] TRACHALIO:
Troth, but I’ll assist you. What’s kindly done to worthy men, isn’t thrown away.

> Latin: Trachalio:
At pol ego te ádiuvo nam bónis quod bene fit haúd perit.

[¶124] GRIPUS:
… There was a boisterous tempest yesterday; no fish have I, young man; don’t you be supposing I have. Don’t you see that I’m carrying my dripping net without the scaly race?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Turbída tempestas héri fuit,
nil hábeo, adulescens, píscium, ne tú mihi esse póstules;
non vídes referre me úvidum reté, sine squamosó pecu?

[¶125] TRACHALIO:
I’ faith, I’m not wishing for fish so much as I am in need of your conversation.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non édepol piscis éxpeto quam tuí sermonis sum índigens.

[¶126] GRIPUS:
Then, whoever you are, you are worrying me to death with your annoyance.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Enícas iam me odio, quísquis es.

[¶127] TRACHALIO: (takes hold of him.)
I’ll not allow you to go away from here; stop.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non sínam ego abire hinc té. mane.

[¶128] GRIPUS:
Take you care of a mishap, if you please; but why the plague are you dragging me back?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Cave sís malo. quid tú, malum, nám me retrahis?

[¶129] TRACHALIO:
Listen.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Aúdi.

[¶130] GRIPUS:
I won’t listen.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Non aúdio.

[¶131] TRACHALIO:
But, upon my faith, you shall listen.

> Latin: Trachalio:
At pol qui aúdies póst.

[¶132] GRIPUS:
Nay but, another time, tell me what you want.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quin loquere quíd vis.

[¶133] TRACHALIO:
Come now, it’s worth your while at once to hear what I want to tell you.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Eho máne dum, est óperae pretium quod tíbi ego narraré volo.

[¶134] GRIPUS:
Say on, whatever it is.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Elóquere quid id est?

[¶135] TRACHALIO:
See whether any person is following near us.
(Looks back.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Víde num quispíam consequitur própe nos.

[¶136] GRIPUS:
Why, what reason is there that it should matter to me?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Écquid est quód mea réferat?

[¶137] TRACHALIO:
So it is;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Scílicet.

[¶138] but can you give me some good advice?

> Latin: séd boni cónsili écquid in té mihi est?

[¶139] GRIPUS:
What’s the business? Only tell me.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quíd negoti ést, modo díce.

[¶140] TRACHALIO:
I’ll tell you; keep silence; if only you’ll give me your word that you won’t prove treacherous to me.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Dicám, tace,
sí fidem modo dás mihi te nón fore infídum.

[¶141] GRIPUS:
I do give you my word; I’ll be true to you, whoever you are.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Dó fidem tibi, fídus ero, quísquis es.

[¶142] TRACHALIO:
Listen. I saw a person commit a theft;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Aúdi.
furtum égo vidi qui fáciebat;

[¶143] I knew the owner to whom that same property belonged. Afterwards I came myself to the thief, and I made him a proposal in these terms: “I know the person on whom that theft was committed; now if you are ready to give me half, I’ll not make a discovery to the owner.”

> Latin: norám dominum, id cui fíebat,
post ád furem egomet dévenio
feroque eí condicionem hóc pacto:
“ego istúc furtum scio cuí factum est;
nunc míhi si vis dare dímidium, indícium domino nón faciam.”

[¶144] He didn’t even give me an answer. What is it fair should be given me out of it? Half, I trust you will say.
GRIPUS:
Aye, even more; but unless he gives it you, I think it ought to be told to the owner.

> Latin: is míhi nihil etiam réspondit. quid inde aéquom est dari mihi? dímidium
volo ut dícas.
Gripvs:
Immo hercle étiam amplius, nam nísi dat, domino dícundum
censeó.

[¶145] TRACHALIO:
I’ll act on your advice. Now give me your attention; for it is to yourself all this relates.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Tuo consilió faciam. nunc ádvorte animum; námque hoc omne
attinét ad te.

[¶146] GRIPUS:
What has been done by me?
TRACHALIO: (pointing at the wallet.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid fáctumst?

[¶147] I’ve known the person for a long time to whom that wallet belongs.
GRIPUS:
What do you mean?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vídulum istum cúiust novi ego hóminem iam pridem.
Gripvs:
Quid est?

[¶148] TRACHALIO:
And in what manner it was lost.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Et quo pacto periit.

[¶149] GRIPUS:
But I know in what manner it was found;
and I know the person who found it, and who is now the owner. That, I’ faith, is not a bit the more your matter than it is my own. I know the person to whom it now belongs; you, the person to whom it formerly belonged. This shall no individual get away from me; don’t you be expecting to get it in a hurry.

> Latin: Gripvs:
At ego quo pacto inventust scio
et qui invenit hominem novi et dominus qui nunc est scio.
nihilo pol pluris tua hoc quam quanti illud refert mea:
ego illum novi cuius nunc est, tu illum cuius antehac fuit.
hunc homo feret a me nemo, ne tu te speres potis.

[¶150] TRACHALIO:
If the owner comes, shan’t he get it away?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non ferat si dominus veniat?

[¶151] GRIPUS:
That you mayn’t be mistaken, no born person is there that’s owner of this but my own self—who took this in my own fishing.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Dominus huic, ne frustra sis,
nisi ego nemo natust, hunc qui cepi in venatu meo.

[¶152] TRACHALIO:
Was it really so?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Itane vero?

[¶153] GRIPUS:
Which fish in the sea will you say “is my own?” When I catch them, if indeed I do catch them, they are my own; as my own I keep them. They are not claimed as having a right to freedom nor does any person demand a share in them. In the market I sell them all openly as my own wares.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ecquem esse dices in mari piscem meum?
quos cum capio, siquidem cepi, mei sunt; habeo pro meis,
nec manu adseruntur neque illinc partem quisquam postulat.
in foro palam omnes vendo pro meis venalibus.

[¶154] Indeed, the sea is, surely, common to all persons.
TRACHALIO:
I agree to that; prithee, then, why any the less is it proper that this wallet should be common to me? It was found in the sea.

> Latin: mare quidem commune certost omnibus.
Trachalio:
Adsentio:
qui minus hunc communem quaeso mi esse oportet vidulum?
in mari inventust communi.

[¶155] GRIPUS:
Assuredly you are an outrageously impudent fellow; for if this is justice which you are saying, then fishermen would be ruined. Inasmuch as, the moment that the fish were exposed upon the stalls,
no one would buy them; every person would be demanding his own share of the fish for himself; he would be saying that they were caught in the sea that was common to all.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Esne impudenter impudens?
nam si istuc ius sit quod memoras, piscatores perierint.
quippe quom extemplo in macellum pisces prolati sient,
nemo emat, suam quisque partem piscium poscant sibi,
dicant, in mari communi captos.

[¶156] TRACHALIO:
What do you say, you impudent fellow? Do you dare to compare a wallet with fish? Pray, does it appear to be the same thing?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid ais, impudens?
ausu's ausus es etiam comparare vidulum cum piscibus?
eadem tandem res videtur?

[¶157] GRIPUS:
The matter doesn’t lie in my power; when I’ve cast my hook and net into the sea, whatever has adhered I draw out.

> Latin: Gripvs:
In manu non est mea:
ubi demisi rete atque hamum, quidquid haesit extraho.

[¶158] Whatever my net and hooks have got, that in especial is my own.

> Latin: meum quod rete atque hami nancti sunt, meum potissimumst.

[¶159] TRACHALIO:
Nay but, I’ faith, it is not; if, indeed, you’ve fished up any article that’s made

> Latin: Trachalio:
Immo hercle haud est, siquidem quod vas excepisti.

[¶160] GRIPUS:
Philosopher, you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Philosophe.

[¶161] TRACHALIO:
But look now, you conjurer, did you ever see a fisherman who caught a wallet-fish, or exposed one for sale in the market? But, indeed, you shan’t here be taking possession of all the profits that you choose;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Sed tu enumquam piscatorem vidisti, venefice,
vidulum piscem cepisse aut protulisse ullum in forum?
non enim tu híc quidem occupabis omnis quaestus quos voles:

[¶162] you expect, you dirty fellow, to be both a maker of wallets and a fisherman. Either you must show me a fish that is a wallet, or else you shall carry nothing off that wasn’t produced in the sea and has no scales.

> Latin: et vitorem et piscatorem te esse, impure, postulas.
vel te mihi monstrare oportet piscis qui sit vidulus,
vel quod in mari non natum est neque habet squamas ne feras.

[¶163] GRIPUS:
What, did you never hear before to-day that a wallet was a fish?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid, tu numquam audisti esse antehac vidulum piscem?

[¶164] TRACHALIO:
Villain, there is no such fish.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Scelus,
nullus est.

[¶165] GRIPUS:
Yes, there certainly is; I, who am a fisherman, know it.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Immo est profecto; ego, qui sum piscator, scio;

[¶166] But it is seldom caught; no fish more rarely comes near the land.

> Latin: verum raro capitur, nullus minus saepe ad terram venit.

[¶167] TRACHALIO:
It’s to no purpose; you hope that you can be cheating me, you rogue. Of what colour is it?
GRIPUS: (looking at the wallet.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nil agis, dare verba speras mihi te posse, furcifer.

[¶168] Of this colour very few are caught: some are of a purple skin, there are great and black ones also.
TRACHALIO:
I understand; by my troth, you’ll be turning into a wallet-fish I fancy, if you don’t take care;

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quo colore est, hoc colore capiuntur pauxilluli;
sunt alii puniceo corio, magni item; atque atri.
Trachalio:
Scio.
tu hercle, opino, in vidulum te bis convertes, nisi caves:

[¶169] your skin will be purple, and then afterwards black.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: fiet tibi puniceum corium, postea atrum denuo.

[¶170] What a villain this that I have met with to-day!
TRACHALIO:
We are wasting words; the day wears apace. Consider, please, by whose arbitration do you wish us to proceed?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quod scelus hodie hoc inveni.
Trachalio:
Verba facimus, it dies.
vide sis, cuius arbitratu nos vis facere.

[¶171] GRIPUS:
By the arbitration of the wallet.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Viduli
arbitratu. … ita enim vero.

[¶172] TRACHALIO:
Really so, indeed? You are a fool.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Stultus es.

[¶173] GRIPUS:
My respects to you, Mister Thales
(Going.)
TRACHALIO: (holding him.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Salve, Thales.

[¶174] You shan’t carry that off this day, unless you find a place of safe keeping for it, or an umpire,
by whose arbitration this matter may be settled.
GRIPUS:
Prithee, are you in your senses?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Tu istunc hodie non feres, nisi das sequestrum aut arbitrum,
quoius haec res arbitratu fiat.
Gripvs:
Quaeso, sanus es?

[¶175] TRACHALIO:
I’m mad, in need of hellebore.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Elleborosus sum.

[¶176] GRIPUS:
But I’m troubled with sprites; still I shan’t let this go.
(Hugs the wallet.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
At ego cerritus, hunc non amittam tamen.

[¶177] TRACHALIO:
Only add a single word more, that instant I’ll drive my fists smash into your brains. This instant on this spot, just as a new napkin is wont to be wrung, I’ll wring out of you whatever moisture there is, if you don’t let this go.
(Seizes the wallet.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Verbum etiam adde unum, iam in cerebro colaphos apstrudam tuo;
iam ego te hic, itidem quasi peniculus novos exurgeri solet,
ni hunc amittis, exurgebo quidquid umoris tibist.

[¶178] GRIPUS:
Touch me; I’ll dash you down on the ground just in such fashion as I’m in the habit of doing with a polypus fish. Would you like to fight?
(Assumes a boxing attitude.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tange: adfligam ad terram te itidem ut piscem soleo polypum.
vis pugnare?

[¶179] TRACHALIO:
What need is there? Nay, in preference, divide the booty.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid opust? quin tu potius praedam divide.

[¶180] GRIPUS:
You can’t get anything from here but harm to yourself, so don’t expect it. I’m taking myself off.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Hinc tu nisi malum frunisci nil potes, ne postules.
abeo ego hinc.

[¶181] TRACHALIO:
But I’ll turn aside your ship from that direction, that you mayn’t be off anywhere—stop.
(Stands in front of him, and holds the rope.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
At ego hinc offlectam navem, ne quo abeas. mane.

[¶182] GRIPUS:
If you are the helmsman of this ship, I’ll be the pilot.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Si tu proreta isti navi es, ego gubernator ero.

[¶183] Let go of the rope now, you villain.
TRACHALIO:
I will let go; do you let go of the wallet.

> Latin: mitte rudentem, sceleste.
Trachalio:
Mittam: omitte vidulum.

[¶184] GRIPUS:
I’ faith, you shall never this day become a scrap the more wealthy from this.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Numquam hercle hinc hodie ramenta fies fortunatior.

[¶185] TRACHALIO:
You cannot convince me by repeatedly denying, unless either a part is given me, or it is referred to arbitration, or it is placed in safe keeping.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non probare pernegando mihi potes, nisi pars datur
aut ad arbitrum reditur aut sequestro ponitur.

[¶186] GRIPUS:
What, that which I got out of the sea—?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quemne ego excepi in mari—

[¶187] TRACHALIO:
But I spied it out from the shore.

> Latin: Trachalio:
At ego ínspectavi e litore.

[¶188] GRIPUS:
—With my own pains and labour, and net and boat.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Mea opera, labore et rete et horia?

[¶189] TRACHALIO:
If now the owner, whose property it is, were to come, how am I, who espied from afar that you had taken this, a bit the less the thief than yourself?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Numqui minus,
si veniat nunc dominus cuiust, ego qui inspectavi procul
te hunc habere, fur sum quam tu?

[¶190] GRIPUS:
None whatever.
(Going.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Nihilo.

[¶191] TRACHALIO: (seizing the net.)
Stop, you whip-knave; just let me learn of you by what reasoning I am not the sharer, and yet the thief.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Mane, mastigia:
quo argumento socius non sum, et fur sum? fac dum ex te sciam.

[¶192] GRIPUS:
I don’t know; neither do I know these city laws of yours,
only that I affirm that this is mine.
(Looks at the wallet.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Nescio, neque ego istas vestras leges urbanas scio,
nisi quia hunc meum esse dico.

[¶193] TRACHALIO:
And I, too, say that it is mine.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ét ego item esse aio meum.

[¶194] GRIPUS:
Stay now; I’ve discovered by what method you may be neither thief nor sharer.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Mane, iam repperi quo pacto nec fur nec socius sies.

[¶195] TRACHALIO:
By what method?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quo pacto?

[¶196] GRIPUS:
Let me go away from here; you quietly go your own way, and don’t you inform against me to any one, and I won’t give anything to you. You hold your tongue; I’ll be mum. This is the best and the fairest plan.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Sine me hinc abire, tú abi tacitus tuam viam;
nec tu me cuiquam indicassis neque ego tibi quicquam dabo;
tu taceto, ego mussitabo: hoc optimum atque aequissimum est.

[¶197] TRACHALIO:
Well, what proposition do you venture to make?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ecquid condicionis audes ferre?

[¶198] GRIPUS:
I’ve made it already; for you to go away, to let go of the rope, and not to be a nuisance to me.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Iam dudum fero:
ut abeas, rudentem amittas, mihi molestus ne sies.

[¶199] TRACHALIO:
Stop while I propose terms.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Mane, dum refero condicionem.

[¶200] GRIPUS:
I’ faith, do, prithee, dispose of yourself forthwith.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Te, opsecro hercle, aufer modo.

[¶201] TRACHALIO:
Do you know any one in these parts?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ecquem in his locis novisti?

[¶202] GRIPUS:
My own neighbours I must know.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Oportet vicinos meos.

[¶203] TRACHALIO:
Where do you live here?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vbi tu hic habitas?

[¶204] GRIPUS: (pointing.)
At a distance out away yonder, as far off as the farthest fields.
TRACHALIO: (pointing to the cottage of DAEMONES.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Porro illic longe usque in campis ultimis.

[¶205] The person that lives in that cottage, should you like it to be decided by his arbitration?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vin qui in hac villa habitat, eius arbitratu fieri?

[¶206] GRIPUS:
Let go of the rope for a moment while I step aside and consider.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Paulisper remitte restem, dum concedo et consulo.

[¶207] TRACHALIO:
Be it so.
(Lets go of the rope.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Fiat.

[¶208] GRIPUS: (aside.)
Capital, the thing’s all right; the whole of this booty is my own. He’s inviting me here inside of my own abode to my own master as umpire. By my troth, he never this day will award three obols away from his own servant.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Euge, salva res est, praeda haec perpetua est mea;
ad meum erum arbitrum vocat me hic intra praesepis meas:
numquam hercle hodie abiudicabit ab suo triobolum.

[¶209] Assuredly, this fellow doesn’t know what proposal he has been making. (To TRACHALIO.) I’ll go to the arbitrator with you.

> Latin: ne iste haud scit quam condicionem tetulerit. íbo ad arbitrum.

[¶210] TRACHALIO:
What then?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid igitur?

[¶211] GRIPUS:
Although I know for sure that this is my own lawful right, let that be done rather than I should now be fighting with you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quamquam istuc esse ius meum certo scio,
fiat istuc potius, quam nunc pugnem tecum.

[¶212] TRACHALIO:
Now you satisfy me.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nunc places.

[¶213] GRIPUS:
Although you are driving me before an arbitrator whom I don’t know, if he shall administer justice, although he is unknown, he is as good as known to me; if he doesn’t, though known, he is the same as though entirely unknown.
(Enter DAEMONES, from his cottage, with PALAESTRA and AMPELISCA, and SERVANTS.)
DAEMONES: (to the WOMEN.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quamquam ad ignotum arbitrum me appellis, si adhibebit fidem,
etsist ignotus, notus: si non, notus ignotissimust.

[¶214] Seriously, upon my faith, young women, although I wish what you desire, I’m afraid that on your account my wife will be turning me out of doors, who’ll be saying that I’ve brought harlots here before her very eyes. Do you take refuge at the altar rather than I.
THE WOMEN:
We, wretched creatures, are undone.
(They weep.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Serio edepol, quamquam vobis ⟨volo⟩ quae voltis, mulieres,
metuo, propter vos ne uxor mea med extrudat aedibus,
quae me paelices adduxe dicet ante oculos suos.
vos confugite in aram potius quám ego.
Pvellae:
Miserae periimus.

[¶215] DAEMONES:
I’ll place you in safety; don’t you fear. But why (turning to the SERVANTS) are you following me out of doors?
Since I’m here, no one shall do them harm.

> Latin: Daemones:
Ego vos salvas sistam, ne timete. sed quid vos foras
prosequimini? quoniam ego adsum, faciet nemo iniuriam;

[¶216] Now then, be off, I say, in-doors, both of you, you guards from off guard.
(They go in.)

> Latin: ite, inquam, domum ambo nunciam ex praesidio praesides.

[¶217] GRIPUS:
O master, save you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
O ere, salve.

[¶218] DAEMONES:
Save you. How goes it?

> Latin: Daemones:
Salve, Gripe. quid fit?

[¶219] TRACHALIO: (pointing to GRIPUS.)
Is he your servant?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Túosne hic servos est?

[¶220] GRIPUS:
I’m not ashamed to say yes.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Haud pudet.

[¶221] TRACHALIO:
I’ve nothing to do with you.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Níl ago tecum.

[¶222] GRIPUS:
Then get you gone hence, will you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ergo ábi hinc sis.

[¶223] TRACHALIO:
Prithee, do answer me, aged sir; is he your servant?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quaeso responde, senex:
tuos hic servost?

[¶224] DAEMONES:
He is mine.

> Latin: Daemones:
Meus est.

[¶225] TRACHALIO:
Oh then, that is very good, since he is yours.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Em istuc optime, quando tuost.

[¶226] Again I salute you.
DAEMONES:
And I you. Are you he who, not long since, went away from here to fetch his master?

> Latin: iterum te saluto.
Daemones:
Et ego te. tune es qui haud multo prius
abiisti hinc erum accersitum?

[¶227] TRACHALIO:
I am he.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ego is sum.

[¶228] DAEMONES:
What now is it that you want?
TRACHALIO: (pointing to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid nunc vis tibi?

[¶229] This is your servant, you say?
DAEMONES:
He is mine.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nempe hic tuos est?
Daemones:
Meus est.

[¶230] TRACHALIO:
That is very good, since he is yours.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Istuc optime, quando tuost.

[¶231] DAEMONES:
What’s the matter?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid negotist?

[¶232] TRACHALIO: (pointing to GRIPUS.)
That’s a rascally fellow there.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vir scelestus íllic est.

[¶233] DAEMONES:
What has the rascally fellow done to you?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quíd fecit tibi
vir scelestus?

[¶234] TRACHALIO:
I wish the ancles of that fellow were smashed.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Homini ego isti talos subfringi volo.

[¶235] DAEMONES:
What’s the thing about which you are now disputing between yourselves?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid est? qua de re litigatis nunc inter vos?

[¶236] TRACHALIO:
I’ll tell you.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Eloquar.

[¶237] GRIPUS:
No, I’ll tell you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Immo ego eloquar.

[¶238] TRACHALIO:
I fancy I’m to move the matter first.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ego, opinor, rem facesso.

[¶239] GRIPUS:
If indeed you were a decent person, you would be moving yourself off from here.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Si quidem
sis pudicus, hinc facessas.

[¶240] DAEMONES:
Gripus, give attention, and hold your tongue

> Latin: Daemones:
Gripe, animum advorte ac tace.

[¶241] GRIPUS:
In order that that fellow may speak first?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Vtin istic prius dicat?

[¶242] DAEMONES:
Attend, Itell you. (To TRACHALIO.) Do you say on.

> Latin: Daemones:
Audi. loquere tu.

[¶243] GRIPUS:
Will you give the right of speaking to a stranger sooner than to your own servant?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Alienon prius
quam tuo dábis orationem?

[¶244] TRACHALIO:
O dear! how impossible it is for him to be kept quiet.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vt nequitur comprimi.

[¶245] As I was beginning to say, that Procurer, whom some little time since you turned out of the Temple of Venus—see (pointing at the wallet), he has got his wallet.

> Latin: ita ut occepi dicere, illum quem dudum ⟨e fano foras⟩
lenonem extrusisti, hic eius vidulum eccillum ⟨tenet⟩.

[¶246] GRIPUS:
I haven’t got it.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Non habeo.

[¶247] TRACHALIO:
Do you deny that which I see with my own eyes?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Negas quod oculis video?

[¶248] GRIPUS:
But I only wish you couldn’t see. I have got it, and I haven’t got it; why do you trouble yourself about me, what things I do?

> Latin: Gripvs:
At ne videas velim.
habeo, non habeo: quid tu me curas quid rerum geram?

[¶249] TRACHALIO:
In what way you got it does matter, whether rightfully or wrongfully.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quo modó habeas, id refert, iurene anne iniuria.

[¶250] GRIPUS:
If I didn’t take it in the sea, there’s not a reason why you shouldn’t deliver me up to the cross. If I took it in the sea with my net, how is it yours rather than my own?
TRACHALIO: (to DAEMONES.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ni istum cepi, nulla causa est quin me condones cruci;
si in mari reti prehendi, qui tuom pótiust quam meum?

[¶251] He is deceiving you; the matter happened in this way, as I am telling you.
GRIPUS:
What do you say?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Verba dat. hoc modo res gesta est ut ego dico.
Gripvs:
Quid tu ais?

[¶252] TRACHALIO:
So long as the person that has the first right to speak is speaking, do (to DAEMONES) put a check on him, please, if he belongs to you.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quod primarius vir dicat: comprime hunc sis, si tuost.

[¶253] GRIPUS:
What, do you wish the same thing to be done to myself, that your master has been accustomed to do to yourself?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid? tu idem mihi vis fieri quod erus consuevit tibi?

[¶254] If he is in the habit of putting a check upon you, this master of ours isn’t in the habit of doing so with us.
DAEMONES: (to TRACUALIO.)

> Latin: si ille te comprimere solitust, hic noster nos non solet.

[¶255] In that remark only has he got the better of you. What do you want now? Tell me.

> Latin: Daemones:
Verbo illo modo ille vicit. quid nunc tu vis? dic mihi.

[¶256] TRACHALIO:
For my part, I neither ask for a share of that wallet there, nor have I ever said this day that it is my own; but in it there is a little casket that belongs to this female (pointing to PALAESTRA), whom a short time since I averred to be free born.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Equidem ego neque partem posco mi istinc de istoc vidulo
neque meum esse hodie umquam dixi; séd isti inest cistellula
huius mulieris, quam dudum dixi fuisse liberam.

[¶257] DAEMONES:
You are speaking of her, I suppose, whom a short time since you said was my countrywoman?

> Latin: Daemones:
Nempe tu hanc dícis quam esse aiebas dudum popularem meam?

[¶258] TRACHALIO:
Just so; and those trinkets which formerly, when little, she used to wear, are there in that casket, which is in that wallet. This thing is of no service to him, and will be of utility to her, poor creature, if he gives it up, by means of which to seek for her parents.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Admodum; et ea quae olim parva gestavit crepundia
istic ín ista cistula insunt, quae isti inest in vidulo.
hoc neque isti usust, et illi miserae suppetias feret,
si id dederit, qui suos parentis quaerat.

[¶259] DAEMONES:
I’ll make him give it up; hold your tongue.

> Latin: Daemones:
Faciam ut det. tace.

[¶260] GRIPUS:
I’ faith, I’m going to give nothing to that fellow.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Nil hercle ego sum isti daturus.

[¶261] TRACHALIO:
I ask for nothing but the casket and the trinkets.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Nil peto nisi cistulam
et crepundia.

[¶262] GRIPUS:
What if they are made of gold?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid si ea sunt aurea?

[¶263] TRACHALIO:
What’s that to you? Gold shall be paid for gold, silver shall have its weight in silver in return.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quid istuc tua?
aurum auro expendetur, argentum argento exaequabitur.

[¶264] GRIPUS:
Please let me see the gold; after that I’ll let you see the casket.
DAEMONES: (to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Fac sis aurum ut videam, post ego faciam ut videas cistulam.

[¶265] Do you beware of punishment, and hold your tongue. (To TRACHALIO.) As you commenced to speak do you go on.

> Latin: Daemones:
Cave malo ac tace tú. tu perge ut occepisti dicere.

[¶266] TRACHALIO:
This one thing I entreat of you, that you will have compassion on this female, if, indeed, this wallet is that Procurer’s, which I suspect it is. In this matter, I’m saying nothing of certainty to you, but only on conjecture.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vnum te obsecro, ut ted huius commiserescat mulieris,
si quidem hic lenonis eiust vidulus, quem suspicor;
hic, nisi de opinione, certum nil dico tibi.

[¶267] GRIPUS:
Do you see how the rascal’s wheedling him?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Viden? scelestus aucupatur.

[¶268] TRACHALIO:
Allow me to say on as I commenced. If this is the wallet that belongs to that villain whose I say it is,
these women here will be able to recognize it; order him to show it to them.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Sine me ut occepi loqui.
si scelesti illius est hic, cuius dico, vidulus,
haec poterunt novisse: ostendere his iube.

[¶269] GRIPUS:
Say you so? To show it to them?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ain? ostendere?

[¶270] DAEMONES:
He doesn’t say unreasonably, Gripus, that the wallet should be shown.

> Latin: Daemones:
Haud iniquom dicit, Gripe, ut ostendatur vidulus.

[¶271] GRIPUS:
Yes, I’ faith, confoundedly unreasonably.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Immo hercle insignite inique.

[¶272] DAEMONES:
How so?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quidum?

[¶273] GRIPUS:
Because, if I do show it, at once they’ll say, of course, that they recognize it.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quia, si ostendero,
continuo hunc novisse dicent scilicet.

## 4. Lines 1097–1423

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/4/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/4/#p-N

[¶0] TRACHALIO:
Source of villany, do you suppose that all other people are just like yourself, you author of perjury?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Scelerum caput,
ut tute es, item omnis censes esse, periuri caput?

[¶1] GRIPUS:
All this I easily put up with, so long as he (pointing to DAEMONES) is of my way of thinking.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Omnia istaéc ego facile patior, dúm hic hinc a me sentiat.

[¶2] TRACHALIO:
But now he is against you; from this (pointing to the wallet) will he obtain true testimony.

> Latin: Trachalio:
At qui nunc abs te stat, verum hinc … ibi testimonium.

[¶3] DAEMONES:
Gripus, do you pay attention. (To TRACHALIO.) You explain in a few words what it is you want?

> Latin: Daemones:
Gripe, advorte animum. tu paucis expedi, quid postulas.

[¶4] TRACHALIO:
For my part, I have stated it; but if you haven’t understood me, I’ll state it over again. Both of these women (pointing to them), as I said a short time since, ought to be free;

> Latin: Trachalio:
Dixi equidem, sed si parum intellexti, dicam denuo.
hasce ambas, ut dudum dixi, ita esse oportet liberas:

[¶5] (pointing to PALAESTRA) she was stolen at Athens when a little girl.
GRIPUS:
Tell me what that has got to do with the wallet, whether they are slaves or whether free women?

> Latin: haec Athenis parva fúit virgo surpta.
Gripvs:
Dic mihi,
quid id ad vidulum [pertinet], servae sint istae an ⟨fuerint⟩ liberae?

[¶6] TRACHALIO:
You wish it all to be told over again, you rascal, so that the day may fail us.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Omnia iterum vis memorari, scelus, ut defiat dies.

[¶7] DAEMONES:
Leave off your abuse, and explain to me what I’ve been asking.

> Latin: Daemones:
Apstine maledictis et mihi quod rogavi dilue.

[¶8] TRACHALIO:
There ought to be a casket of wicker-work in that wallet,
in which are tokens by means of which she may be enabled to recognize her parents, by whom, when little, she was lost at Athens, as I said before.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Cistellam isti inesse oportet caudeam ín isto vidulo,
ubi sunt signa qui parentes noscere haec possit suos,
quibuscum periit parva Athenis, sicuti dixi prius.

[¶9] GRIPUS:
May Jupiter and the Gods confound you. What do you say, you sorcerer of a fellow? What, are these women dumb, that they are not able to speak for themselves?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Iuppiter te dique perdant. quid ais, vir venefice?
quid, istae mutae sunt, quae pro se fabulari non queant?

[¶10] TRACHALIO:
They are silent for this reason, because a silent woman is always better than a talking one.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Eo tacent, quia tacitast ⟨melior⟩ mulier semper quam loquens.

[¶11] GRIPUS:
Then, I’ faith, by your way of speaking, you are neither a man nor a woman to my notion.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tum pol tu pro portione nec vir nec mulier mihi es.

[¶12] TRACHALIO:
How so?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quidum?

[¶13] GRIPUS:
Why, because neither talking nor silent are you ever good for anything. Prithee (to DAEMONES), shall I ever be allowed to-day to speak?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quia enim neque loquens es neque tacens umquam bonus.
quaeso, enumquam hodie licebit mihi loqui?

[¶14] DAEMONES:
If you utter a single word more this day, I’ll break your head for you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Si praeterhac
⟨unum⟩ verbum faxis hodie, ego tibi comminuam caput.

[¶15] TRACHALIO:
As I had commenced to say it, old gentleman, I beg you
to order him to give up that casket to these young women; if for it he asks any reward for himself, it shall be paid; whatever else is there besides, let him keep for himself.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vt id occepi diceré, senex, eam te quaeso cistulam
ut iubeas hunc reddere illis; ob eam si quid postulat
sibi mercedis, dabitur: aliud quidquid ibi est habeat sibi.

[¶16] GRIPUS:
Now at last you say that, because you are aware it is my right; just now you were asking to go halves.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Nunc demum istuc dicis, quoniam ius meum esse intellegis:
dudum dimidiam petebas partem.

[¶17] TRACHALIO:
Aye, and even still I ask it.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Immo etiam nunc peto.

[¶18] GRIPUS:
I’ve seen a kite making a swoop, even when he got nothing at all however.
DAEMONES: (to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Vidi petere miluom, etiam cum nihil auferret tamen.

[¶19] Can’t I shut your mouth without a drubbing?
GRIPUS: (pointing to TRACHALIO.)
If that fellow is silent, I’ll be silent; if he talks, allow me to talk in my own behalf.

> Latin: Daemones:
Non ego te comprimere possum sine malo?
Gripvs:
Si istic tacet,
ego tacebo; si iste loquitur, sine me pro parte loqui.

[¶20] DAEMONES:
Please now give me this wallet, Gripus.

> Latin: Daemones:
Cedo modó mihi vidulum istum, Gripe.

[¶21] GRIPUS:
I’ll trust it to you; but for you to return it me, if there are none of those things in it.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Concedam tibi,
ac, si istorum nil sit, ut mihi reddas.

[¶22] DAEMONES:
It shall be returned.

> Latin: Daemones:
Reddetur.

[¶23] GRIPUS:
Take it.
(Gives him the wallet.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tene.

[¶24] DAEMONES:
Now then listen, Palaestra and Ampelisca, to this which I say:

> Latin: Daemones:
Audi nunciam, Palaestra atque Ampelisca, hoc quod loquor.

[¶25] is this the wallet, in which this Procurer said that your casket was?
PALAESTRA:
It is the same.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: estne hic vidulus úbi cistellam tuam inesse aiebas?
Palaestra:
Is est.

[¶26] Troth, to my sorrow, I’m undone; how on the instant, before she well saw it, she said that it was it.
PALAESTRA:
I’ll make this matter plain to you, instead of difficult. There ought to be a casket of wicker-work there in that wallet; whatever is in there I’ll state by name; don’t you
show me anything. If I say wrong, I shall then have said this to no purpose; then you shall keep these things, whatever is in there for yourselves. But if the truth, then I entreat you that what is my own may be restored to me.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Perii hercle ego miser, uti, prius quam plane aspexit, ilico
eum esse dixit.
Palaestra:
Faciam ego hanc rem ⟨ex procliva pla⟩nam tibi.
cistellam isti inesse oportet caudeam ín isto vidulo.
ibi ego dicam quidquid inerit nominatim: tu mihi
nullum ostenderis; si falsa dicam, frustra dixero,
vos tamen istaec, quidquid istic inerit, vobis habebitis;
sed si erunt véra, tum opsecro te, ut mea mi reddantur.

[¶27] DAEMONES:
I agree; you ask for bare justice only, in my way of thinking, at least.

> Latin: Daemones:
Placet.
ius merum oras meo quidem animo.

[¶28] GRIPUS:
But, I’ faith, in mine, for extreme injustice; what if she is a witch or a sorceress,
and shall mention exactly everything that’s in it. Is a sorceress to have it?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Át meo hercle ⟨iniuriam⟩.
quid si ista aut superstitiosa aut hariolast atque omnia,
quidquid insit, vera dicet? anne habebit hariola?

[¶29] DAEMONES:
She shan’t get it, unless she tells the truth; in vain will she be conjuring. Unloose the wallet, then (giving it to GRIPUS), that as soon as possible I may know what is the truth.
GRIPUS: (first unfastens the straps of the wallet, and then hands it to his MASTER.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Non feret, nisi vera dicet: nequiquam hariolabitur.
solve vidulum ergo, ut quid sit verum quam primum sciam.

[¶30] Take it, it’s unfastened. (DAEMONES takes out the casket.) Alas, I’m undone; I see the casket.
DAEMONES: (holding it up, and addressing PALAESTRA.)
Is this it?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Hoc habet, solutust.
Daemones:
Aperi. video cistellam. haecinest?

[¶31] PALAESTRA:
That is it. O my parents, here do I keep you locked up;
here have I enclosed both my wealth and my hopes of recognizing you.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Palaestra:
Istaec est. o mei parentes, hic vos conclusos gero,
huc opesque spesque vestrum cognoscendum condidi.

[¶32] Then, by my faith, the Gods must be enraged with you, whoever you are, who fasten up your parents in so narrow a compass.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tum tibi hercle deos iratos esse oportet, quisquis es,
quae parentis tám in angustum tuos locum compegeris.

[¶33] DAEMONES:
Gripus, come hither, your cause is being tried. (To PALAESTRA.) Do you, young woman, away at a distance there say what’s in it, and of what appearance; mention them all.

> Latin: Daemones:
Gripe, accede huc; tua res agitur. tu, puella, istinc procul
dicito quid insit et qua facie, memorato omnia.

[¶34] By my troth, if you make ever so slight a mistake, even if afterwards you wish, madam, to correct yourself, you’ll be making a great mistake.

> Latin: si hercle tantillum peccassis, quod posterius postules
te ad verum convorti, nugas, mulier, magnas egeris.

[¶35] GRIPUS:
You demand what’s real justice.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ius bonum oras.

[¶36] TRACHALIO:
By my troth, then, he doesn’t demand yourself; for you are the opposite of justice.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Edepol haud te órat, nam tu iniuriu's iniurius es.

[¶37] DAEMONES:
Now then, say on, young woman. Gripus, give attention and hold your tongue.

> Latin: Daemones:
Loquere nunciam, puella. Gripe, animum advorte ac tace.

[¶38] PALAESTRA:
There are some trinkets.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Sunt crepundia.

[¶39] DAEMONES: (looking in the casket.)
See, here they are, I espy them.

> Latin: Daemones:
Ecca video.

[¶40] GRIPUS: (aside.)
In the first onset I am worsted;

> Latin: Gripvs:
Perii in primo proelio.

[¶41] (takes hold of the arm of DAEMONES) hold, don’t be showing.
DAEMONES:
Of what description are they? Answer in their order.

> Latin: mane, ne ostenderis.
Daemones:
Qua facie sunt? responde ex ordine.

[¶42] PALAESTRA:
In the first place, there’s a little sword of gold, with an inscription.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Ensiculust aureolus primum litteratus.

[¶43] DAEMONES:
Just tell me, what the characters are upon that little sword.

> Latin: Daemones:
Dice dum,
in eo ensiculo litterarum quid est?

[¶44] PALAESTRA:
The name of my father. Next, on the other side, there’s a little two-edged axe, of gold likewise, with an inscription: there on the axe is the name of my mother.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Mei nomen patris.
post altrinsecust securicula ancipes, itidem aurea
litterata: ibi matris nomen in securiculast.

[¶45] DAEMONES:
Stay;

> Latin: Daemones:
Mane.

[¶46] tell me, what’s the name of your father upon the little sword?
PALAESTRA:
Daemones.

> Latin: dic, in ensiculo quid nomen est paternum?
Palaestra:
Daemones.

[¶47] DAEMONES:
Immortal Gods! where in the world are my hopes?

> Latin: Daemones:
Di immortales, ubi loci sunt spes meae?

[¶48] GRIPUS:
Aye, by my troth, and where are mine?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Immo edepol meae?

[¶49] DAEMONES:
Do proceed forthwith, I entreat you.
GRIPUS:
Cautiously, or else (aside) away to utter perdition.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Pergite, opsecro, continuo.
Gripvs:
Placide, aut i in malam crucem.

[¶50] DAEMONES:
Say, what’s the name of your mother, here upon the little axe?

> Latin: Daemones:
Loquere matris nomen hic quid in securicula siet.

[¶51] PALAESTRA:
Daedalis.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Daedalis.

[¶52] DAEMONES:
The Gods will that I should be preserved.

> Latin: Daemones:
Di me servatum cupiunt.

[¶53] GRIPUS:
But that I should be ruined.

> Latin: Gripvs:
At me perditum.

[¶54] DAEMONES:
This must be my own daughter, Gripus.

> Latin: Daemones:
Filiam meam esse hánc oportet, Gripe.

[¶55] GRIPUS:
She may be for me, indeed. (To TRACHALIO.) May all the Gods confound you who this day saw me with your eyes, and myself as well for a blockhead, who didn’t look about a hundred times first to see that no one was watching me, before I drew the net out of the water.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Sit per me quidem.
qui te di omnes perdant, qui me hodie oculis vidisti tuis,
meque adeo scelestum, qui non circumspexi centiens,
prius me ne quis inspectaret quam rete extraxi ex aqua.

[¶56] PALAESTRA:
Next, there’s a little knife of silver, and two little hands linked together, and
then a little sow.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Post sicilicula argenteola et duae conexae maniculae et
sucula.

[¶57] GRIPUS: (aside.)
Nay, then, go and be hanged, you with your little sow and with your little pigs.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quin tu i díerecta, cum sucula et cum porculis.

[¶58] PALAESTRA:
There’s also a golden drop, which my father presented to me upon my birthday.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Et bulla aurea est, pater quam dedit mi natali die.

[¶59] DAEMONES:
Undoubtedly there is; but I cannot restrain myself any longer from embracing you. My daughter, blessings on you; I am that father who begot you; I am Daemones, and see, your mother Daedalis is in the house here (pointing to his cottage).
AMPELISCA: (embracing him.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Ea est profecto. contineri quin complectar non queo.
filia mea, salve. ego is sum qui te produxi pater,
ego sum Daemones, et mater tua eccam hic intus Daedalis.

[¶60] Blessings on you, my unlooked-for father.
DAEMONES:
Blessings on you; how joyously do I embrace you.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Salve, mi pater insperate.
Daemones:
Salve. ut te amplector libens.

[¶61] TRACHALIO:’Tis a pleasure to me, inasmuch as this falls to your lot from your feelings of affection.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Volup est cum istuc ex pietate vestra vobis contigit.

[¶62] DAEMONES:
Come then, Trachalio, if you can, bring that wallet into the house.
TRACHALIO: (taking the wallet.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Cape dum, hunc si potes fer intro vidulum, age, Trachalio.

[¶63] See the villany of Gripus; inasmuch, Gripus, as this matter has turned out unfortunately for you, I congratulate you.
DAEMONES:
Come, then, let’s go, my daughter, to your mother,
who will be better able to enquire of you into this matter from proofs; who had you more in her hands, and is more thoroughly acquainted with your tokens.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Ecce Gripi scelera. cum istaec res male evenit tibi,
Gripe, gratulor.
Daemones:
Age eamus, mea gnata, ad matrem tuam,
quae ex te poterit argumentis hanc rem magis exquirere,
quae te magis tractavit magisque signa pernovit tua.—

[¶64] TRACHALIO:
Let’s all go hence in-doors, since we are giving our common aid.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Eamus intro ómnes, quando óperam promiscam damus.—

[¶65] PALAESTRA:
Follow me, Ampelisca.

> Latin: Palaestra:
Sequere me, Ampelisca.—

[¶66] AMPELISCA:
That the Gods favour you, it is a pleasure to me.
(They all go into the cottage of DAEMONES, exceptGRIPUS.)

> Latin: Ampelisca:
Cum te di amant, voluptati est mihi.—

[¶67] GRIPUS: (to himself.)
Am I not a blockhead of a fellow, to have this day fished up that wallet?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Sumne ego sceléstus, qui illunc hodie excepi vidulum?

[¶68] Or, when I had fished it up, not to have hidden it somewhere in a secret spot? By my troth, I guessed that it would be a troublesome booty for me, because it fell to me in such troublous weather. I’ faith, I guess that there’s plenty of gold and silver there. What is there better for me than to be off hence in-doors and secretly hang myself—
at least for a little time, until this vexation passes away from me?
(Goes into the cottage.) (Enter DAEMONES, from his cottage.)
DAEMONES: (to himself.)
O ye immortal Gods, what person is there more fortunate than I, who unexpectedly have discovered my daughter? Isn’t it the fact, that if the Gods will a blessing to befall any person, that longed-for pleasure by some means or other, falls to the lot of the virtuous?

> Latin: aut cum excepi, qui non alicubi in solo abstrusi loco?
credebam edepol turbulentam praedam eventuram mihi,
quia illa mihi tam turbulenta tempestate evenerat.
credo edepol ego illic inesse argenti et auri largiter.
quid meliust, quam ut hinc intro abeam et me suspendam clanculum,
saltem tantisper dum abscedat haec a me aegrimonia?—
Daemones:
Pro di immortales, quis me est fortunatior,
qui ex improviso filiam inveni meam?
satin si cui homini dei esse bene factum volunt,
aliquo illud pacto optingit optatum piis?

[¶69] I this day, a thing that I never hoped for nor yet believed, have unexpectedly discovered my daughter, and I shall bestow her upon a respectable young man of noble family, an Athenian, and my kinsman. For that reason I wish him to be fetched hither to me as soon as possible,
and I’ve requested my servant to come out here, that he may go to the Forum. Still, I’m surprised at it that he isn’t yet come out. I think I’ll go to the door. (Opens the door, and looks in.) What do I behold? Embracing her, my wife is clasping my daughter around her neck. Her caressing is really almost too foolish and sickening.
DAEMONES: (Goes to the door again, and calls out.)

> Latin: ego hodie neque speravi neque ⟨illud⟩ credidi:
is improviso filiam inveni tamen;
et eam de genere summo adulescenti dabo
ingenuo, Atheniensi et cognato meo.
ego eum adeo arcessi huc ad me quam primum volo,
iussique exire huc servom éius, ut ad forum
iret; nondum egressum esse eum, id miror tamen.
accedam, opinor, ad fores. quid conspicor?
uxor complexa collo retinet filiam.
nimis paéne inepta atque odiosa eius amatiost.

[¶70] ’Twere better, wife, for an end to be made at last of your kissing; and make all ready that I may perform a sacrifice, when I come in-doors, in honor of the household Gods, inasmuch as they have increased our family. At home I have lambs and swine for sacred use. But why, ladies, are you detaining that Trachalio? Oh, I see he’s coming out of doors, very seasonably.
(Enter TRACHALIO, from the cottage.)
TRACHALIO: (speaking to those within.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Aliquando osculando meliust, uxor, pausam fieri;
atque adorna, ut rem divinam faciam, cum intro advenero,
Laribus familiaribus, cum auxerunt nostram familiam.
sunt domi agni et porci sacres. sed quid istúm remoramini,
mulieres, Trachalionem? atque optime eccum exit foras.

[¶71] Wheresoever he shall be, I’ll seek Plesidippus out at once, and bring him together with me to you.
DAEMONES:
Tell him how this matter has fallen out about my daughter. Request him to leave other occupations and to come here.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Vbi ubi erit, iam investigabo et mecum ad te adducam simul
Plesidippum.
Daemones:
Eloquere ut haec res optigit de filia;
eum roga, ut relinquat alias res et huc veniat.

[¶72] TRACHALIO:
Very well

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.

[¶73] DAEMONES:
Tell him that I’ll give him my daughter for a wife.

> Latin: Daemones:
Dicito daturum meam illi filiam uxorem.

[¶74] TRACHALIO:
Very well.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.

[¶75] DAEMONES:
And that I knew his father, and that he is a relation of my own.

> Latin: Daemones:
Et patrem eius me novisse et mi esse cognatum.

[¶76] TRACHALIO:
Very well.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.

[¶77] DAEMONES:
But do make haste.

> Latin: Daemones:
Sed propera.

[¶78] TRACHALIO:
Very well.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.

[¶79] DAEMONES:
Take care and let a dinner be prepared here at once.

> Latin: Daemones:
Iam hic fac sit, cena ut curetur.

[¶80] TRACHALIO:
Very well.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.

[¶81] DAEMONES:
What, all very well?

> Latin: Daemones:
Omnian licet?

[¶82] TRACHALIO:
Very well. But do you know what it is I want of you? That you’ll remember what you promised, that this day I’m to be free.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet. sed scin quid est quod te volo?
quod promisisti ut memineris, hodie ut liber sim.

[¶83] DAEMONES:
Very well.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.

[¶84] TRACHALIO:
Take care and entreat Plesidippus to give me my freedom.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Fac ut exores Plesidippum, ut me ⟨manu⟩ emittat.

[¶85] DAEMONES:
Very well.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.

[¶86] TRACHALIO:
And let your daughter request it; she’ll easily prevail.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Et tua filiá facito oret: facile exorabit.

[¶87] DAEMONES:
Very well.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.

[¶88] TRACHALIO:
And that Ampelisca may marry me, when I’m a free man.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Atque ut mi Ampelisca nubat, ubi ego sim liber.

[¶89] DAEMONES:
Very well.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.

[¶90] TRACHALIO:
And that I may experience a pleasing return to myself in kindness for my actions.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Atque ut gratum mi beneficium factis experiar.

[¶91] DAEMONES:
Very well.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.

[¶92] TRACHALIO:
What, all very well?

> Latin: Trachalio:
Omnian licet?

[¶93] DAEMONES:
Very well. Again I return you thanks. But do you make haste to proceed to the city forthwith, and betake yourself hither again.

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet: tibi rursum refero gratiam.
sed propera ire in urbem actutum et recipe te huc rursum.

[¶94] TRACHALIO:
Very well. I’ll be here directly. In the meanwhile, do you make the other preparations that are necessary.
(Exit TRACHALIO.)

> Latin: Trachalio:
Licet.
iam hic ero. tu interibi adorna ceterum quod opust.—

[¶95] DAEMONES:
Very well—
may Hercules ill befriend him with his “very-welling;” he has so stuffed my ears with it. Whatever it was I said, “very well” was the answer.
(Enter GRIPUS, from the cottage.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Licet.
Hercules istum infelicet cum sua licentia;
ita meas replevit auris, quidquid memorabam, licet.

[¶96] GRIPUS:
How soon may I have a word with you, Daemones?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quam mox licet te compellare, Daemones?

[¶97] DAEMONES:
What’s your business, Gripus?

> Latin: Daemones:
Quid est negoti, Gripe?

[¶98] GRIPUS:
Touching that wallet, if you are wise, be wise; keep what goods the Gods provide you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
De illo vidulo:
si sapias, sapias; habeas quod di dant boni.

[¶99] DAEMONES:
Does it seem right to you, that, what belongs to another I should assert to be my own?

> Latin: Daemones:
Aequom videtur tibi, ut ego, alienum quod est,
meum esse dicam?

[¶100] GRIPUS:
What, not a thing that I found in the sea?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quodne ego inveni in mari?

[¶101] DAEMONES:
So much the better does it happen for him who lost it; none the more is it necessary that it should be your wallet.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tanto illi melius optigit qui perdidit;
tuom esse nihilo magis oportet vidulum.

[¶102] GRIPUS:
For this reason are you poor because you are too scrupulously righteous.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Isto tu pauper es, quom nimis sancte pius.

[¶103] DAEMONES:
O Gripus, Gripus, in the life of man very many traps there are, in what they are deceived by guile. And, by my troth, full often is a bait placed in them, which bait if any greedy person greedily snaps at, through his own greediness he is caught in the trap.

> Latin: Daemones:
O Gripe, Gripe, in aetate hominum plurimae
fiunt trasennae, ubi decipiuntur dolis.
atque edepol in eas plerumque esca imponitur:
quam si quis avidus poscit escam avariter,
decipitur in trasenna avaritia sua.

[¶104] He who prudently, skilfully, and warily, takes precaution, full long he may enjoy that which is honestly acquired. This booty seems to me to be about to be made a booty of by me, that it may go hence with a greater blessing than it first came. What, ought I to conceal what I know was brought to me as belonging to another?
By no means will my friend Daemones do that.’Tis ever most becoming for prudent men to be on their guard against this, that they be not themselves confederates with their servants in evil-doing. Except only when I’m gaming, I don’t care for any gain.

> Latin: ille quí consulte, docte atque astute cavet,
diutine uti bene licet partum bene.
mihi istaéc videtur praeda praedatum irier,
ut cum maiore dote abeat quam advenerit.
egone ut quod ad me allatum esse alienum sciam,
celem? minime istuc faciet noster Daemones.
semper cavere hoc sapientis aequissimumst,
ne conscii sint ipsi malefici suis.
ego mihi cum † lusi nil moror ullum lucrum.

[¶105] GRIPUS:
At times, I’ve seen the Comedians, when acting, in this fashion
repeat sayings in a wise manner, and be applauded for them, when they pointed out this prudent conduct to the public. But when each person went thence his own way home, there wasn’t one after the fashion which they had recommended.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Spectavi ego pridem comicos ad istúnc modum
sapienter dicta dicere atque eis plaudier,
cum illos sapientis mores monstrabant poplo:
sed cum inde suam quisque ibant divorsi domum,
nullus erat illo pacto ut illi iusserant.

[¶106] DAEMONES:
Go in-doors, don’t be troublesome, moderate your tongue. I’m going to give you nothing, don’t you deceive yourself.
GRIPUS: (apart.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Abi intro, ne molestu's molestus es, linguae tempera.
ego tibi daturus nil sum, ne tu frustra sis.

[¶107] Then I pray the Gods that whatever’s in that wallet, whether it’s gold, or whether silver, it may all become ashes.
(Goes into the cottage.)
DAEMONES:
This is the reason why we have bad servants. For this master, if he had combined with any servant,
would have made both himself and the other guilty of a theft. While he was thinking that he himself had made a capture, in the meantime he himself would have been made a capture: capture would have led to capture. Now will I go in-doors from here and sacrifice; after that, I’ll at once order the dinner to be cooked for us.
(Goes into the cottage.) (Enter PLESIDIPPUS and TRACHALIO, at the further end of the stage.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
At ego deos quaeso, ut quidquid ín illo vidulost,
si aurum si argentum est, omne id ut fiat cinis.—
Daemones:
Illuc est quod nos nequam servis utimur.
nam illic cum † servo si quo congressus foret,
et ipsum sese et illum furti adstringeret;
dum praedam habere se censeret, interim
praeda ipsus esset, praeda praedam duceret.
nunc hinc intro ibo et sacrificabo, postibi
iubebo nobis cenam continuo coqui.—

[¶108] PLESIDIPPUS:
Tell me all these things over again my life, my Trachalio, my freed-man, my patron, aye rather, my father; has Palaestra found her father and mother?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Íterum mihi istaec omnia itera, mi anime, mi Trachalio,
mi liberte, mi patrone potius, immo mi pater.
repperit patrem Palaestra suom atque matrem?

[¶109] TRACHALIO:
She has found them.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Repperit.

[¶110] PLESIDIPPUS:
And is she my countrywoman?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Et popularis est?

[¶111] TRACHALIO:
So I think.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Opino.

[¶112] PLESIDIPPUS:
And is she to marry me?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Et mihi nuptura est?

[¶113] TRACHALIO:
So I suspect.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Suspicor.

[¶114] PLESIDIPPUS:
Prithee, do you reckon that he will betroth her to me?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Censen hodie despondebit eam mihi, quaéso?

[¶115] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶116] PLESIDIPPUS:
Well, shall I congratulate her father too upon his finding her?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid? patri etiam gratulabor cum illam invenit?

[¶117] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶118] PLESIDIPPUS:
Well, her mother too?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid matri eius?

[¶119] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶120] PLESIDIPPUS:
What then do you reckon?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid ergo censes?

[¶121] TRACHALIO:
What you ask me, I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Quod rogas,
censeo.

[¶122] PLESIDIPPUS:
Tell me then how much do you reckon it at?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Dic ergo quanti censes?

[¶123] TRACHALIO:
What I, I reckon—

> Latin: Trachalio:
Egone? censeo.

[¶124] PLESIDIPPUS:
Then really, do carry over. Don’t be always making a reckoning.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Adsum equidem, ne censionem semper facias.

[¶125] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶126] PLESIDIPPUS:
What if I run?
(Pretends to run.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid si curram?

[¶127] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶128] PLESIDIPPUS:
Or rather gently, this way?
(He walks slowly.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
An sic potius placide?

[¶129] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶130] PLESIDIPPUS:
Ought I to salute her as well when I arrive?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Etiamne eam ádveniens salutem?

[¶131] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶132] PLESIDIPPUS:
Her father too?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Etiam patrem?

[¶133] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶134] PLESIDIPPUS:
After that, her mother?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Post eius matrem?

[¶135] TRACHALIO:
So I reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Censeo.

[¶136] PLESIDIPPUS:
And what after that? When I arrive, should I also embrace her father?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid postea?
etiamne adveniens complectar eius patrem?

[¶137] TRACHALIO:
So I don’t reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non censeo.

[¶138] PLESIDIPPUS:
Well, her mother?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid matrem?

[¶139] TRACHALIO:
So I don’t reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non censeo.

[¶140] PLESIDIPPUS:
Well, her own self?

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Quid eampse illam?

[¶141] TRACHALIO:
So I don’t reckon.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Non censeo.

[¶142] PLESIDIPPUS:
Confusion, he has closed his reckoning; now when I wish him, he doesn’t reckon.

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Perii, dilectum dimisit. nunc non censet, cum volo.

[¶143] TRACHALIO:
You are not in your senses; follow me.

> Latin: Trachalio:
Sanus non es. sequere.—

[¶144] PLESIDIPPUS:
Conduct me, my patron, where you please.
(They go into the cottage of DAEMONES.) (Enter LABRAX, at a distance.)

> Latin: Plesidippvs:
Duc me, mi patrone, quo libet. —

[¶145] LABRAX: (to himself.)
What other mortal being is there living this day more wretched than myself, whom before the commissioned judges Plesidippus has just now cast? Palaestra has just been taken from me by award. I’m ruined outright. But I do believe that Procurers were procreated for mere sport;
so much do all persons make sport if any misfortune befalls a Procurer. Now I’ll go look here, in the Temple of Venus, for that other female, that her at least I may take away, the only portion of my property that remains.
(He retires a little distance.) (Enter GRIPUS, from the cottage of DAEMONES, with a spit in his hand.)
GRIPUS: (calling to the PEOPLE within.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Quis me ést mortalis miserior qui vivat alter hodie,
quem ad recuperatores modo damnavit Plesidippus?
abiudicata a me modo est Palaestra. perditus sum.
nam lenones ex Gaudio credo esse procreatos,
ita omnés mortales, si quid est mali lenoni, gaudent.
nunc alteram illam quae mea est visam huc in Veneris fanum,
saltem ut eam abducam, de bonis quod restat reliquiarum.

[¶146] By the powers, you shall never this day at nightfall behold Gripus alive, unless the wallet is restored to me.
LABRAX: (behind.)
I’m ready to die; when I hear mentior made anywhere of a wallet, I’m thumped, as it were with a stake, upon the breast.
GRIPUS: (at the door, continuing.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Numquam edepol hodie ad vesperum Gripum inspicietis vivom,
nisi vidulus mihi redditur.
Labrax:
Perii, cum mentionem
fieri audio usquam viduli … quasi palo pectus tundat.

[¶147] That scoundrel is free; I, the person that held the net in the sea, and drew up the wallet, to him you refuse to give anything.
LABRAX: (behind.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Istic scelestus liber est: ego qui in mari prehendi
reti atque excepi vidulum, ei dáre negatis quicquam.

[¶148] O ye immortal Gods! by his talk this person has made me prick up my ears.
GRIPUS: (continuing.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Pro di immortales, suo mihi hic sermone arrexit aures.

[¶149] By my troth, in letters a cubit long, I’ll immediately post it up in every quarter,
“If any person has lost a wallet with plenty of gold and silver, let him come to Gripus.” You shan’t keep it as you are wishing.
LABRAX: (behind.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Cubitum hercle longis litteris signabo iam usquequaque,
si quis perdiderit vidulum cum auro atque argento multo,
ad Gripum ut veniat. non feretis istum, ut postulatis.

[¶150] I’ faith, this person knows, as I think, who has got the wallet. This person must be accosted by me; ye Gods, aid me, I do entreat you.
(Some one calls GRIPUS, from within.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Meum hercle illic homo vidulum scit quí habet, ut ego opinor.
adeundus mihi illic est homo. di, quaeso, subvenite.

[¶151] GRIPUS:
Why are you calling me back in-doors? (He rubs away at the spit.) I want to clean this here before the door.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid me intro revocas? hoc volo hic ante ostium extergere.

[¶152] But surely this, I’ faith, has been made of rust, and not of iron; so that the more I rub it, it becomes quite red and more slender. Why surely this spit has been drugged; it does waste away so in my hands.
LABRAX: (accosting him.)

> Latin: nam hoc quidem pol e robigine, non est e ferro factum,
ita quanto magis extergeo, rutilum atque tenuius fit.
† nam quidem hoc venenatumst verum: ita in manibus consenescit.

[¶153] Save you, young man.
GRIPUS:
May the Gods prosper you with your shorn pate.

> Latin: Labrax:
Adulescens, salve.
Gripvs:
Di te ament cum inraso capite.

[¶154] LABRAX:
What’s going on?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid fit?

[¶155] GRIPUS:
A spit being cleaned.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Verum extergetur.

[¶156] LABRAX:
How do you do?

> Latin: Labrax:
Vt vales?

[¶157] GRIPUS:
What are you? Prithee, are you a medicant?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid tu? num medicus, quaeso, es?

[¶158] LABRAX:
No, I’ faith, I am more than a medicant by one letter.

> Latin: Labrax:
Immo edepol una littera plus sum quam medicus.

[¶159] GRIPUS:
Then you are a “mendicant.”

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tum tu
mendicus es?

[¶160] LABRAX:
You’ve hit it to a nicety.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tetigisti acu.

[¶161] GRIPUS:
Your appearance seems suitable to it. But what’s the matter with you?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Videtur digna forma.
sed quid tibi est?

[¶162] LABRAX:
Troth, this last night I was shipwrecked at sea the vessel was cast away, and to my misfortune I lost there everything that I had.

> Latin: Labrax:
Hac proxima nocte in marí elavi.
confracta est navis, perdidi quidquid erat miser ibi omne.

[¶163] GRIPUS:
What did you lose?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid perdidisti?

[¶164] LABRAX:
A wallet with plenty of gold and silver.

> Latin: Labrax:
Vidulum cum auro atque argento multo.

[¶165] GRIPUS:
Do you at all remember what there was in the wallet which was lost?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Ecquid meministi, in vidulo qui periit quid ibi infuerit?

[¶166] LABRAX:
What matters for us now to be talking of it, if, in spite of it, it’s lost?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid refert, qui periit tamen? sine hoc, áliud fabulemur.

[¶167] GRIPUS:
What if I know who has found it? I wish to learn from you the tokens.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid si ego sciam qui invenerit? volo ex te scire signa.

[¶168] LABRAX:
Eight hundred golden pieces were there in a purse, besides a hundred Philippean minae in a wash-leather bag apart.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Nummi octingenti aúrei in marsuppio infuerunt,
praeterea centum minaria Philippa ín pasceolo sorsus.

[¶169] Troth, it is a noble prize; I shall be getting a handsome reward. The Gods show respect to mortals; therefore I shall come off bounteously rewarded. No doubt, it is this man’s wallet. (To LABRAX.) Do you proceed to relate the rest.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Magna hercle praedast, largiter mercedis indipiscar;
di homines respiciunt: bené ego hinc praedatus ibo.
profecto húius est vidulus. perge alia tu expedire.

[¶170] LABRAX:
A large talent of silver of full weight was in a purse, besides a bowl, a goblet, a beaker, a boat, and a cup.

> Latin: Labrax:
Talentum argenti commodum magnum inerat in crumina,
praeterea sinus, cantharus, epichysis, gaulus, cyathus.

[¶171] GRIPUS:
Astonishing! you really did have some splendid riches.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Papae, divitias tu quidém habuisti luculentas.

[¶172] LABRAX:
A shocking expression is that, and a most abominable one. “You did have, and now have not.”

> Latin: Labrax:
Miserum istuc verbum et pessimum est, habuisse, et nihil habere.

[¶173] GRIPUS:
What would you be ready to give to one who should find these out for you, and give you information? Say, speedily and at once.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quid dare velis, qui istaec tibi investiget indicetque?
eloquere propere celeriter.

[¶174] LABRAX:
Three hundred didrachms.

> Latin: Labrax:
Nummos trecentos.

[¶175] GRIPUS:
Rubbish.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tricas.

[¶176] LABRAX:
Four hundred.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quadringéntos.

[¶177] GRIPUS:
Old thrums.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tramas putidas.

[¶178] LABRAX:
Five hundred.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quingentos.

[¶179] GRIPUS:
A rotten nut.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Cassam glandem.

[¶180] LABRAX:
Six hundred.

> Latin: Labrax:
Sescentos.

[¶181] GRIPUS:
You are prating about mere tiny weevils.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Curculiunculos minutos fabulare.

[¶182] LABRAX:
I’ll give seven hundred.

> Latin: Labrax:
Dabo séptingentos.

[¶183] GRIPUS:
Your mouth is hot, you are cooling it just now.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Os calet tibi, nunc id frigefactas.

[¶184] LABRAX:
I’ll give a thousand didrachms.

> Latin: Labrax:
Millé dabo nummum.

[¶185] GRIPUS:
You are dreaming.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Somnias.

[¶186] LABRAX:
I add no more;
be off with you.

> Latin: Labrax:
Nihil addo.

[¶187] GRIPUS:
Hear me then; if, I’ faith, I should be off from here, I shan’t be here.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Abi igitur.

[¶188] LABRAX:
Would you like a hundred as well as the thousand?

> Latin: Labrax:
Audi:
si hercle abiero hinc, hic non ero. vin centum et mille?

[¶189] GRIPUS:
You are asleep.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Dormis.

[¶190] LABRAX:
Say how much you ask.

> Latin: Labrax:
Eloquere quantum postules.

[¶191] GRIPUS:
That you mayn’t be adding anything against your inclination,
a great talent; it’s not possible for three obols to be bated thence; then do you say either “yes” or “no” at once.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quo nihil invitus addas:
talentum magnum. non potest triobolum hinc abesse.
proin tú vel aias vel neges.

[¶192] LABRAX: (aside.)
What’s to be done here? It’s a matter of necessity, I see: (to GRIPUS) the talent shall be paid.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid istíc? necessum est, video:
dabitur talentum.

[¶193] GRIPUS: (going towards the altar.)
Just step this way; I wish Venus here to put the question to you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Accede dum huc: Venus haec volo adroget te.

[¶194] LABRAX:
Whatever you please, that command me.

> Latin: Labrax:
Quod tibi libet id mi impera.

[¶195] GRIPUS:
Touch this altar of Venus.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tange aram hanc Veneris.

[¶196] LABRAX: (touching it.)
I am touching it.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tango.

[¶197] GRIPUS:
By Venus here must you swear to me.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Per Venerem hanc iurandum est tibi.

[¶198] LABRAX:
What must I swear?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid iurem?

[¶199] GRIPUS:
What I shall bid you.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quod iubebo.

[¶200] LABRAX:
Dictate in words just as you like. (Aside.) What I’ve got at home, I shall never beg of any one else.

> Latin: Labrax:
Praei vérbis quidvis. íd quod domi est, numquam ulli supplicabo.

[¶201] GRIPUS:
Take hold of this altar.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tene aram hanc.

[¶202] LABRAX: (taking hold of it.)
I am taking hold of it.

> Latin: Labrax:
Teneo.

[¶203] GRIPUS:
Swear that you will pay me the money on that same day on which you shall gain possession of the wallet.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Deiera te mi argentum daturum
eodém die, ⟨tui⟩ viduli ubi sis potitus.

[¶204] LABRAX:
Be it so.
GRIPUS: (speaking, while LABRAX repeats after him.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Fiat.

[¶205] Venus of Cyrene, I invoke thee as my witness, if I shall find that wallet which I lost in the ship,
safe with the gold and silver, and it shall come into my possession—“Then to this Gripus do I promise;” say so and place your hand upon me.
LABRAX:
Then to this Gripus do I promise, Venus, do thou hear me—
GRIPUS: (followed by LABRAX.)
“That I will forthwith give him a great talent of silver.”"

> Latin: Gripvs:
Venus Cýrenensis, testem te testor mihi,
si vidulum illum, quém ego in navi perdidi,
cum auro atque argento salvom investigavero
isque in potestatem meam pervenerit,
tum ego húic Gripo, ínquito, et me tangito—
Labrax:
Tum ego húic Gripo (dico, Venus, ut tu audias)
talentum argenti magnum continuo dabo.

[¶206] GRIPUS:
If you defraud me, say, may Venus utterly destroy your body, and your existence in your calling. (Aside.) As it is, do you have this for yourself, when you’ve once taken the oath.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Si ⟨quid⟩ fraudassis, dic ut te in quaestu tuo
Venus eradicet, caput atque aetatem tuam.
tecum hoc habeto tamen, ubi iuraveris.

[¶207] LABRAX:
If, Venus, I shall do anything amiss against this oath, I supplicate thee that all Procurers may henceforth be wretched.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Illaec advorsum si quid peccasso, Venus,
veneror te ut omnes miseri lenones sient.

[¶208] As it is, it shall be so, even if you do keep your oath. Do you wait here; (going towards the cottage)—I’ll at once make the old gentleman come out; do you forthwith demand of him that wallet.
(Goes in.)
LABRAX: (to himself.)
If ever so much he shall restore to me this wallet, I’m not this day indebted to him three obols even.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Tamen fíet, etsi tu fidem servaveris.
tu hic opperire, iam ego faxo exibit senex;
eum tú continuo vidulum reposcito.—
Labrax:
Si maxime mi illum reddiderit vidulum,
non ego illi hodie debeo triobolum.

[¶209] It’s according to my own intention what my tongue swears. (The door opens.) But I’ll hold my peace; see, here he’s coming out, and bringing the old man.
(Enter GRIPUS, followed by DAEMONES, with the wallet.)

> Latin: meus arbitratust, lingua quod iuret mea.
sed conticiscam: eccum exit et ducit senem.

[¶210] GRIPUS:
Follow this way.
Where is this Procurer?
Hark you (to LABRAX), see now; this person (pointing at DAEMONES) has got your wallet.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Séquere hac.
Daemones:
Vbi istic lenost?
Gripvs:
Heus tu. ém tibi, hic habet vidulum.

[¶211] DAEMONES:
I have got it, and I confess that it is in my possession; and if it’s yours, you may have it. Everything, just as each particular was in it, shall in like manner be given safe to you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Habeo et fateor esse apud me, et, si tuos est, habeas tibi.
omnia, ut quídquid infuit, ita salva sistentur tibi.

[¶212] (Holding it out.) Take it, if it’s yours.
LABRAX:
Immortal Gods, it is mine. (Takes it.) Welcome, dear wallet.

> Latin: tene, si tuost.
Labrax:
O di immortales, meus est. salve, vidule.

[¶213] DAEMONES:
Is it yours?

> Latin: Daemones:
Tuosne est?

[¶214] LABRAX:
Do you ask the question? If indeed, I’ faith, it were in Jove’s possession, still it is my own.

> Latin: Labrax:
Rogitas? si quidem hercle Iovis fuit, meus est tamen.

[¶215] DAEMONES:
Everything in it is safe; there has only been one casket taken out of it, with some trinkets, by means of which this day I have found my daughter.

> Latin: Daemones:
Omnia insunt salva; una istinc cistella excepta est modo
cum crepundiis, quibuscum hódie filiam inveni meam.

[¶216] LABRAX:
What person?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quam?

[¶217] DAEMONES:
Palaestra, who was your property, she has been discovered to be my own daughter.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tua quae fuit Palaestra, ea filia inventast mea.

[¶218] LABRAX:
By my troth, it has happily turned out so; since this matter has happened so fortunately for you according to your wishes, I’m rejoiced.

> Latin: Labrax:
Bene mehercle factum est. cum istaec res tibi ex sententia
pulchre evenit, gaudeo.

[¶219] DAEMONES:
In that I don’t readily believe you.

> Latin: Daemones:
Istuc facile non credo tibi.

[¶220] LABRAX:
Aye, by my faith, that you may be sure that I’m rejoiced, you shan’t give me three obols for her; I excuse you.

> Latin: Labrax:
Immo hercle, ut scias gaudere me, mihi triobolum
ob eam ne duis, condono te.

[¶221] DAEMONES:
I’ faith, you are acting kindly.

> Latin: Daemones:
Benigne edepol facis.

[¶222] LABRAX:
No, troth; it’s really yourself, indeed, that’s doing so.
(Going off with the wallet.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Immo tu quidem hercle vero.

[¶223] GRIPUS:
Hark you, you’ve got the wallet now.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Heus tu, iám habes vidulum.

[¶224] LABRAX:
I have got it.

> Latin: Labrax:
Habeo.

[¶225] GRIPUS:
Make haste.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Propera.

[¶226] LABRAX:
Make haste about what?

> Latin: Labrax:
Quid properabo?

[¶227] GRIPUS:
To pay me the money.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Reddere argentum mihi.

[¶228] LABRAX:
By my troth, I’ll neither give you anything nor do I owe you anything.

> Latin: Labrax:
Neque edepol tibi do, neque quicquam debeo.

[¶229] GRIPUS:
What mode of proceeding is this? Don’t you owe it me?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quae haec factio est?
non debes?

[¶230] LABRAX:
Troth, not I indeed.

> Latin: Labrax:
Non hercle vero.

[¶231] GRIPUS:
Didn’t you promise it me upon your oath?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Non tu iuratus mihi es?

[¶232] LABRAX:
I did take an oath, and now I’ll take an oath, if it is in any way my own pleasure; oaths were invented for preserving property, not for losing it.

> Latin: Labrax:
Iuratus sum, et nunc iurabo, si quid vóluptati est mihi:
ius iurandum rei servandae, non perdendae conditum est.

[¶233] GRIPUS:
Give me, will you, a great talent of silver, you most perjured fellow.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Cedo sis mihi talentum magnum argenti, periurissime.

[¶234] DAEMONES:
Gripus, what talent is it you are asking him for?

> Latin: Daemones:
Gripe, quod tu istum talentum poscis?

[¶235] GRIPUS:
He promised it me on oath.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Iuratust mihi
dare.

[¶236] LABRAX:
I chose to swear; (turning to DAEMONES) are you the priest as to my perjury?
DAEMONES: (to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Libet iurare. tun meo póntifex peiurio es?

[¶237] For what reason did he promise you the money?
GRIPUS:
If I restored this wallet into his hands, he swore that he would give
me a great talent of silver.

> Latin: Daemones:
Qua pro re argentum promisit hic tibi?
Gripvs:
Si vidulum
hunc redegissem in potestatem eius, iuratust dare
mihi talentum magnum argenti.

[¶238] LABRAX:
Find me a person with whom I may go to the judge, to decide whether you did not make the bargain with wicked fraudulence, and whether I am yet five-and-twenty years old.

> Latin: Labrax:
Cedo quicum habeam iudicem,
ni dolo malo instipulatus sis nive etiamdum ⟨haud⟩ siem
quinque et viginti annos natus.

[¶239] GRIPUS: (pointing to DAEMONES.)
Go to the judge with him.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Habe cum hóc.

[¶240] LABRAX:
No; I must have some other person.
DAEMONES: (to LABRAX.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Aliost opus.

[¶241] Then I shan’t allow you to take it away from him, unless I shall have found him guilty. Did you promise him the money?
LABRAX:
I confess it.

> Latin: Daemones:
Iám ab isto auferre haud ⟨potis⟩ sim, si istunc condemnavero.
promisistin huic argentum?
Labrax:
Fateor.

[¶242] DAEMONES:
What you promised my slave
must needs be my own. Don’t you be supposing, Procurer, that you are to be using your pimping honesty here. That can’t be.

> Latin: Daemones:
Quod servo ⟨meo⟩
promisisti, meum esse oportet, ne tu, leno, postules
te hic fide lenonia uti: non potes.

[¶243] GRIPUS: (to LABRAX.)
Did you fancy now that you had got hold of a person whom you might cheat? It must be paid down here (holding his hand), good silver coin; I shall, at once, pay it to him (pointing to DAEMONES), so that he may give me my liberty.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Iam te ratu's ratus es
nactum hominem quem defraudares? dandum huc argentum est probum:
id ego continuo huic dabo adeo, mé ut hic emittat manu.

[¶244] DAEMONES:
Inasmuch, therefore, as I have acted courteously towards you, and by my means these things (pointing to the wallet) have been saved for you—

> Latin: Daemones:
Quando ergo erga te benignus ⟨ego⟩ fui atque opera mea
haec tibi sunt servata—

[¶245] GRIPUS:
I’ faith, by my means, rather; don’t say by yours.
DAEMONES: (to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Immo hercle mea, ne tu dicas tua.

[¶246] If you are prudent you’ll hold your tongue. (To LABRAX.) Then it befits you in a like courteous manner kindly to return the obligation to myself, who so well merit the same.
LABRAX:
You are pleading, of course, for my right?

> Latin: Daemones:
(Si sapies, tacebis) tum te mihi benigne itidem addecet
bene merenti bene referre gratiam.
Labrax:
Nempe pró meo
iure oras?

[¶247] DAEMONES: (ironically.)
It would be a wonder if I didn’t, at a loss to myself, ask you to forego your right.
GRIPUS: (aside.)

> Latin: Daemones:
Mirum quin tuom ius meo periclo aps te expetam.

[¶248] I’m all right; the Procurer’s giving way; my freedom is at hand.
DAEMONES: (pointing to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Salvos sum, leno labascit, libertas portenditur.

[¶249] He found this wallet; he is my slave. I therefore have preserved this for you, together with a large sum of money.

> Latin: Daemones:
Vidulum istunc ille invenit, illud mancipium meum est;
ego tibi hunc porro servavi cum magna pecunia.

[¶250] LABRAX:
I return you thanks, and with regard to the talent that I promised on oath to him, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t receive it.

> Latin: Labrax:
Gratiam habeo, et de talento nulla causa est quin feras,
quod isti sum iuratus.

[¶251] GRIPUS:
Hark you, give it me then, if you are wise.
DAEMONES: (to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Gripvs:
Heus tu, mihi dato ergo, si sapis.

[¶252] Will you hold your tongue, or not?
GRIPUS:
You pretend to be acting on my side: I tell you …
by my troth, you shan’t do me out of that, if I did lose the other booty.

> Latin: Daemones:
Tacen an non?
Gripvs:
Tu meam rem simulas agere, tibi mu ….
non hercle istoc me intervortes, si aliam praedam perdidi.

[¶253] DAEMONES:
You shall have a beating if you add a single word.

> Latin: Daemones:
Vapulabis, verbum si addis istúc unum.

[¶254] GRIPUS:
Troth now, do you kill me even; I’ll never be silent on any terms, unless my mouth is shut with the talent.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Vel hercle énica,
non tacebo umquam alio pacto, nisi talento comprimor.

[¶255] LABRAX:
For yourself, in fact, is he using his exertions; do hold your tongue.

> Latin: Labrax:
Tibi operam hic quidem dát. tace.

[¶256] DAEMONES:
Step this way, Procurer.

> Latin: Daemones:
Concede hoc tu, leno.

[¶257] LABRAX:
Very well.
(They walk on one side.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Licet.

[¶258] GRIPUS:
Proceed openly; I don’t want any whisperings or mumblings to be going on.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Palam age, nolo ego murmurillum neque susurrum fieri.

[¶259] DAEMONES:
Tell me, at what price did you buy that other young woman, Ampelisca?

> Latin: Daemones:
Dic mihi, quanti íllam emisti tuam alteram mulierculam,
Ampeliscam?

[¶260] LABRAX:
I paid down a thousand didrachms.

> Latin: Labrax:
Mille nummum denumeravi.

[¶261] DAEMONES:
Should you like me to make you a handsome offer?

> Latin: Daemones:
Vin tibi
condicionem luculentam ferre me?

[¶262] LABRAX:
I should like it much.

> Latin: Labrax:
Sane volo.

[¶263] DAEMONES:
I’ll divide the talent.

> Latin: Daemones:
Dividuom talentum faciam.

[¶264] LABRAX:
You act fairly.

> Latin: Labrax:
Bene facis.

[¶265] DAEMONES:
For that other woman Ampelisca, that she may be free, take you one half, and give the other half to him.

> Latin: Daemones:
Pro illa altera,
libera ut sit, dimidium tibi sume, dimidium huc cedo.

[¶266] LABRAX:
By all means.

> Latin: Labrax:
Maxime.

[¶267] DAEMONES:
For that half I’ll give his freedom to Gripus, by means of whom you found your wallet, and I my daughter.

> Latin: Daemones:
Pro illo dimidio égo Gripum emittam manu,
quem propter tu vidulum et ego gnatam inveni.

[¶268] LABRAX:
You act fairly; I return you many thanks.
(They return to GRIPUS.)

> Latin: Labrax:
Bene facis,
gratiam habeo magnam.

[¶269] GRIPUS:
How soon then is the money to be returned to me?

> Latin: Gripvs:
Quam mox mi argentum ergo redditur?

[¶270] DAEMONES:
The money’s paid, Gripus; I’ve got it.

> Latin: Daemones:
Res soluta est, Gripe. ego habeo.

[¶271] GRIPUS:
You, faith; but I had rather it were myself.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Át ego me hercle mavolo.

[¶272] DAEMONES:
I’ faith, there’s nothing for you here, so don’t you be expecting it. I wish you to release him from his oath.

> Latin: Daemones:
Nihil hercle hic tibi est, né tu speres. iuris iurandi volo
gratiam facias.

[¶273] GRIPUS: (aside.)
Troth, I’m undone; if I don’t hang myself, I’m utterly done for. (Aloud.) I’ faith, after this day you certainly shall never be cheating me again.

> Latin: Gripvs:
Perii hercle. nisi me suspendo, occidi.
numquam hercle iterum defraudabis me quidem post hunc diem.

[¶274] DAEMONES:
Dine here to-day, Procurer.

> Latin: Daemones:
Hic hodie cenato, leno.

[¶275] LABRAX:
Be it so; the proposal is to my taste.

> Latin: Labrax:
Fiat, condicio placet.

[¶276] DAEMONES:
Do you both follow me in-doors. (He comes forward and addresses the AUDIENCE.) Spectators, I would invite you to dinner as well, were it not that I’m going to give nothing, and that there is no good cheer at all at home;
and if, too, I didn’t believe that you are invited to dinner elsewhere. But if you shall be willing to give hearty applause to this Play, do you all come to make merry at my house some sixteen years hence. Do you (to LABRAX and GRIPUS) both dine here with me to-day.
GRIPUS:
Be it so.
An ACTOR: (To the AUDIENCE)
Now give us your applause.

> Latin: Daemones:
Sequimini intro. spectatores, vos quoque ad cenam vocem,
ni daturus nil sim neque sit quicquam pollucti domi,
nive adeo vocatos credam vos esse ad cenam foras.
verum si voletis plausum fabulae huic clarum dare,
comissatum omnes venitote ad me ad annos sedecim.
vos hic hodie cenatote ambó.
Labrax:
Fiat.
Daemones:
Plausum date.