---
title: "The Rope · Rudens"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 2 of 4
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/2/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, The Rope · Rudens, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-rudens/2/"
---

# 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.

## 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.