---
title: "Three Bob Day · Trinummus"
author: "Plautus"
translator: "Henry Thomas Riley"
languages: [la, en]
shelf: "Classical Latin"
section: 1 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-trinummus/1/
cite: "Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley, Three Bob Day · Trinummus, section 1. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/plautus-trinummus/1/"
---

# Three Bob Day · Trinummus

*Plautus, tr. Henry Thomas Riley*

A friend guards a hidden treasure while the spendthrift son runs through the family fortune.

> Latin: ed. Friedrich Leo, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-latinLit, phi0119.phi019, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: Henry Thomas Riley, from the Perseus Digital Library (phi0119.phi019.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.

## 1. Lines 1–434

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

[¶0] (Enter LUXURY and POVERTY.
LUXURY.:
Follow me this way, daughter, that you may perform your office.

> Latin: Lvxvria:
Sequere hac me, gnata, ut munus fungaris tuom.

[¶1] POVERTY.:
I am following, but I know not what to say will be the end of our journey.

> Latin: Inopia:
Sequor, sed finem fore quem dicam nescio.

[¶2] LUXURY.:’Tis here. See, this is the house. Now go you in.((Exit POVERTY, who enters the house of CHARMIDES.))
(to the AUDIENCE.) Now, that no one of you may be mistaken, in a few words
I will conduct you into the right path, if, indeed, you promise to listen to me. First, then, I will now tell you who I am, and who she is who has gone in here (pointing to the house), if you give your attention. In the first place, Plautus has given me the name of Luxury, and then he has willed that this Poverty should be my daughter.

> Latin: Lvxvria:
Adest. em illaé sunt aedes, i intro nunciam.—
nunc, ne quis erret vostrum, paucis in viam
deducam, si quidem operam dare promittitis.
nunc igitur primum quaé ego sim et quae illaec siet,
huc quae abiit intro, dicam, si animum advortitis.
primum mihi Plautus nomen Luxuriae indidit;
tum hánc mihi gnatam esse voluit Inopiam.

[¶3] But why, at my suggestion, she has just entered here, listen and give attentive ear while I inform you. There is a certain young man who is living in this house; by my assistance he has squandered away his paternal estate. Since I see that there is nothing left for him to support me,
I have given him my daughter, together with whom to pass his life. But expect nothing about the plot of this play: the old men who will come hither will disclose the matter to you. The name of this play in the Greek is “The Treasure” [Thesaurus]; Philemon wrote it: Plautus translated it into Latin,
and gave it the name of “The Three Pieces of Money” [Trinummus]. Now, he begs this of you, that it may be allowed the play to keep that name. Thus much have I to say. Farewell. Attend in silence.
(Exit.) (Enter MEGARONIDES.)
MEGARONIDES:
To reprove one’s friend for a fault that deserves it, is a thankless task; but sometimes ’tis useful
and ’tis profitable. Therefore, this day will I soundly reprove my friend for a fault that much deserves it. Unwilling am I, did not my friendship bid me do it. For this faultiness has encroached too much upon good morals, so drooping now are nearly all of them.

> Latin: sed ea huc quid introierit impulsu meo
accipite et date vocivas aures dum eloquor.
adulescens quidam est, quí in hisce habitat aedibus;
is rem paternam me adiutrice perdidit.
quoniam ei, qui me aleret, nil video esse relicui,
dedi ei meam gnatam, quicum aétatem exigat.
sed de argumento ne exspectetis fabulae:
senes qui huc venient, ei rem vobis aperient.
huic Graece nomen est Thensauro fabulae:
Philemo scripsit, Plautus vertit barbare,
nomen Trinummo fecit, nunc hoc vos rogat
ut liceat possidere hanc nomen fabulam.
tantum est. valete, adeste cum silentio.—
Megaronides:
Amicum castigare ob meritam noxiam
immoene est facinus, verum in aetate utile
et conducibile. nám ego amicum hodie meum
concastigabo pro commerita noxia,
invitus, ni id me invitet ut faciam fides.
nam hic nimium morbus mores invasit bonos;
ita plerique omnes iam sunt intermortui.

[¶4] But while they are in this distempered state, bad morals, in the mean time, have sprung up most plenteously, like well-watered plants; nor is there now anything abundant here but these same bad morals. Of them you may now reap a most plenteous harvest:
and here a set of men are making the favour of a few of much more value than that in which they may benefit the many. Thus private interests outdo that which is to the public advantage—interests which in many points are a hindrance, and a nuisance, and cause an obstruction both to private and to public welfare.
(Enter CALLICLES.)
CALLICLES: (as he enters.)

> Latin: sed dum illi aegrotant, interim mores mali
quasi herba inrigua succrevere uberrime:
eorúm licet iam metere messem maxumam,
neque quicquam hic nunc est vile nisi mores mali.
nimioque hic pluris pauciorum gratiam
faciunt pars hominum quam id quod prosint pluribus.
ita vincunt illud conducibile gratiae,
quae in rebus multis opstant odiosaeque sunt
remoramque faciunt rei privatae et publicae.

[¶5] I wish our household God to be graced with a chaplet.

> Latin: Callicles:
Larem corona nostrum decorari volo.

[¶6] Wife (addressing her within), pay him due respect, that this dwelling may turn out for us prosperous, lucky, happy, and fortunate; and (in a lower voice) that, as soon as I possibly may, I may see you dead and gone.

> Latin: uxor, venerare ut nobis haec habitatio
bona fausta felix fortunataque evenat—
teque ut quam primum possim videam emortuam.

[¶7] MEGARONIDES:
This is he who in his old age has become a child —who has been guilty of a fault that deserves correction.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Hic ille ést, senecta aetate qui factust puer,
qui admisit in se culpam castigabilem.

[¶8] I will accost the man.
CALLICLES: (looking around.)
Whose voice is it that sounds near me?

> Latin: adgrediar hominem.
Callicles:
Quoia hic vox prope me sonat?

[¶9] MEGARONIDES:
Of one who wishes you well, if you are as I desire you to be; but, if you are otherwise, of one who is your enemy, and is angry with you.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Tui benevolentis, sí ita es ut ego te volo,
sin aliter es, inimici atque irati tibi.

[¶10] CALLICLES:
Health to you, O my friend and years’-mate! How are you, Megaronides?

> Latin: Callicles:
O amice, salve, átque aequalis. ut vales,
Megaronides?

[¶11] MEGARONIDES:
And, i’ faith health to you, Callicles!

> Latin: Megaronides:
Et tu edepol salve, Callicles.

[¶12] Are you well? Have you been well?
CALLICLES:
I am well, and I have been still better.

> Latin: Callicles:
Valen? valuistin?
Megaronides:
Valeo, et valui rectius.

[¶13] MEGARONIDES:
And how does your wife do? How is she?
CALLICLES:
Better than I wish.

> Latin: Callicles:
Quid tua agit uxor? ut valet?
Megaronides:
Plus quam ego volo.

[¶14] MEGARONIDES:’Tis well, i’ faith, for you, that she is alive and well
CALLICLES:
Troth, I believe that you are glad if I have any misfortune.

> Latin: Callicles:
Bene hercle est illam tibi valere et vivere.
Megaronides:
Credo hercle te gaudere, si quid mihi mali est.

[¶15] MEGARONIDES:
That which I have, I wish for all my friends as well.

> Latin: Callicles:
Omnibus amicis quod mihi est cupio esse idem.

[¶16] CALLICLES:
Harkye, how does your wife do?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Eho tu, tua uxor quid agit?
Callicles:
Immortalis est,
vivit victuraque est.

[¶17] MEGARONIDES:
She is immortal; she lives, and is likely to live.
CALLICLES:
I’ faith, you tell me good news; and I pray the Gods that, surviving you, she may last out your life.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Bene hercle nuntias,
deosque óro ut vitae tuae superstes suppetat.

[¶18] MEGARONIDES:
By my troth! if indeed she were only married to yourself, I could wish it sincerely.

> Latin: Callicles:
Dum quidem hercle tecum nupta sit, sane velim.

[¶19] CALLICLES:
Do you wish that we should exchange?—that I should take yours, and you mine?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Vin commutemus, tuam ego ducam et tu meam?

[¶20] I’d be making you not to get a bit the better of the bargain of me.

> Latin: faxo haud tantillum dederis verborum mihi.

[¶21] MEGARONIDES:
Indeed, I fancy you would not be surprising me unawares.

> Latin: Callicles:
Namque enim tu, credo, me imprudentem obrepseris.

[¶22] CALLICLES:
Aye, faith, I should cause you not to be knowing the thing you were about.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Ne tu hercle faxo haud nescias quam rem egeris.

[¶23] MEGARONIDES:
Keep what you’ve got; the evil that we know is the best. But if I were now to take one that I know not, I should not know what to do.

> Latin: Callicles:
Habeas ut nanctu's nanctus es: nota mala res optumast.
nam ego nunc si ignotam capiam, quid agam nesciam.

[¶24] CALLICLES:
In good sooth, just as one lives a long life, one lives a happy life.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Edepol proinde ut diu vivitur, bene vivitur.

[¶25] MEGARONIDES:
But give your attention to this, and have done with your joking, for I am come hither to you for a given purpose.
CALLICLES:
Why have you come?

> Latin: sed hoc ánimum advorte atque aufer ridicularia;
nam ego dedita opera huc ad te advenio.
Callicles:
Quid venis?

[¶26] MEGARONIDES:
That I may rebuke you soundly with many harsh words.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Malis te ut verbis multis multum obiurigem.

[¶27] CALLICLES:
Me, do you say?

> Latin: Callicles:
Men?

[¶28] MEGARONIDES:
Is there any one else here besides you and me?
CALLICLES: (looking about.)

> Latin: Megaronides:
Numquis est hic alius praeter me atque te?

[¶29] There is no one.
MEGARONIDES:
Why, then, do you ask if ’tis you I mean to rebuke? Unless, indeed, you think that I am about to reprove my own self. For if your former principles now flag in you, or if the manners of the age are working a change in your disposition, and if you preserve not those of the olden time, but are catching up these new ones,
you will strike all your friends with a malady so direful, that they will turn sick at seeing and hearing you.

> Latin: Callicles:
Nemost.
Megaronides:
Quid tu igitur rogitas, tene obiurigem?
nisi tu me mihimet censes dicturum male.
nam si in te aegrotant artes antiquae tuae,
[sin immutare vis ingenium moribus]
[aut si demutant mores ingenium tuom]
[neque eos antiquos servas, ast captas novos]
omnibus amicis morbum tu incuties gravem,
ut te videre audireque aegroti sient.

[¶30] CALLICLES:
How comes it into your mind to utter these expressions?

> Latin: Callicles:
Qui in mentem venit tibi istaec dicta dicere?

[¶31] MEGARONIDES:
Because it becomes all good men and all good women to have a care to keep suspicion and guilt away from themselves.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Quia omnís bonos bonasque adcurare addecet,
suspicionem et culpam ut ab se segregent.

[¶32] CALLICLES:
Both cannot be done.

> Latin: Callicles:
Non potest utrumque fieri.

[¶33] MEGARONIDES:
Why so?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Quapropter?

[¶34] CALLICLES:
Do you ask? I am the keeper of my own heart so as not to admit guilt there; suspicion is centred in the heart of another. For if now I should suspect that you had stolen the crown from the head of Jupiter in the Capitol,
the statue which stands on the highest summit of the temple; if you had not done so, and still it should please me to suspect you, how could you prevent me from suspecting you? But I am anxious to know what this matter is.

> Latin: Callicles:
Rogas?
ne admittam culpam, ego meo sum promus pectori:
suspicio est in pectore alieno sita.
nam nunc ego si te surrupuisse suspicer
Iovi coronam de capite ex Capitolio,
qui in columine astat summo: si id non feceris
atque id tamen mihi lubeat suspicarier,
qui tu id prohibere me potes ne suspicer?
sed istúc negoti cupio scire quid siet.

[¶35] MEGARONIDES:
Have you any friend or intimate acquaintance
whose judgment is correct?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Haben tu amicum aut familiarem quempiam,
quoi pectus sapiat?

[¶36] CALLICLES:
Troth, I’ll tell you without reserve. There are some whom I know to be friends; there are some whom I suspect to be so, but whose dispositions and feelings I am unable to discover, whether they incline to the side of a friend or an enemy; but of my assured friends, you are the most assured.

> Latin: Callicles:
Edepol haud dicam dolo:
sunt quos scio esse amicos, sunt quos suspicor,
sunt quorum ingenia atque animos nequeo noscere,
ad amici partem an ad inimici pervenant;
sed tu ex amicis mi es certis certissimus.

[¶37] If you know that I have done anything unwittingly or wrongfully, and if you do not accuse me of it, then you yourself will be to blame.
MEGARONIDES:
I know it; and if I had come hither to you for any other purpose, you request what is right.

> Latin: si quid scis me fecisse inscite aut improbe,
†si id me non accusas, tute ipse obiurgandus es.
Megaronides:
Scio;
et, si alia huc causa ad te adveni, aequom postulas.

[¶38] CALLICLES:
If you have anything to say, I am waiting for it.

> Latin: Callicles:
Expecto si quid dicas.

[¶39] MEGARONIDES:
Then, first of all, you are badly spoken of in general conversation by the public.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Primumdum omnium,
male dictitatur tibi volgo in sermonibus:

[¶40] Your fellow-citizens are calling you greedy of grovelling gain; and then, again, there are others who nickname you a vulture, and say that you care but little whether you devour enemies or fellow-citizens. Since I have heard these things said against you, I have, to my misery, been sadly agitated.

> Latin: turpilucricupidum te vocant cives tui;
tum autem sunt alii, qui te volturium vocant:
hostisne an civis comedis, parvi pendere.
haec cum audio in te dici, discrucior miser.

[¶41] CALLICLES:
It is, and it is not, in my power, Megaronides:

> Latin: Callicles:
Est atque non est mi in manu, Megaronides:

[¶42] as to their saying this, that is not in my power; as to their saying this deservedly, that is in my power.

> Latin: quin dicant, non est; merito ut ne dicant, id est.

[¶43] MEGARONIDES:
Was this Charmides a friend of yours?
(He points to the house of CHARMIDES.)

> Latin: Megaronides:
Fuitne híc tibi amicus Charmides?

[¶44] CALLICLES:
He both is and he was. That you may believe it to be so, I will tell you a circumstance as a proof. For after this son of his had squandered away his fortune, and he saw himself being reduced to poverty,
and that his daughter was grown up a young woman, and that she who was both her mother and his own wife was dead; as he himself was about to go hence to Seleueia he committed to my charge the maiden his daughter, and all his property, and that profligate son.

> Latin: Callicles:
Est et fuit.
id ita esse ut credas, rem tibi auctorem dabo.
nam postquam hic eius rem confregit filius
videtque ípse ad paupertatem protractum esse se
suamque filiam esse adultam virginem,
simul eius matrem suamque uxorem mortuam,
quoniam hinc iturust ipsus in Seleuciam,
mihi conmendavit virginem gnatam suam
et rem suam omnem et illúm corruptum filium.

[¶45] These, I think, he would not have entrusted to me if he had been unfriendly to me.

> Latin: haec, si mihi inimicus esset, credo haud crederet.

[¶46] MEGARONIDES:
What say you as to the young man, who you see to be thus profligate, and who has been entrusted to your care and confidence? Why do you not reform him? Why do you not train him to frugal habits? It would have been somewhat more just for you to give attention to that matter,
if you could have somehow made him a better man, and not for you yourself to be a party to the same disreputable conduct, and share your dishonour with his disgrace?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Quid tu, adulescentem, quem esse corruptum vides,
qui tuae mandatus est fide et fiduciae,
quin eum restituis, quin ad frugem conrigis?
ei rei óperam dare te fuerat aliquanto aequius,
si qui probiorem facere posses, non uti
in eandem tute accederes infamiam
malumque ut eius cum tuo mísceres malo.

[¶47] CALLICLES:
What have I done?

> Latin: Callicles:
Quid feci?

[¶48] MEGARONIDES:
That which a bad man would do.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Quod homo nequam.

[¶49] CALLICLES:
That is no name of mine.

> Latin: Callicles:
Non istuc meumst.

[¶50] MEGARONIDES:
Have you not bought this house from that young man? (A pause.) Why are you silent?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Emistin de adulescente has aedes (quid taces?)

[¶51] This, where you yourself are now living.
(He points to the house of CHARMIDES.)
CALLICLES:
I did buy it, and I gave the money for it,—forty minae, to the young man himself, into his own hand.

> Latin: ubi nunc tute habitas?
Callicles:
Emi atque argentum dedi,
minas quadraginta, adulescenti ipsi in manum.

[¶52] MEGARONIDES:
You gave the money, do you say?
CALLICLES:’Twas done; and I am not sorry ’twas done.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Dedistín argentum?
Callicles:
Factum, neque facti piget.

[¶53] MEGARONIDES:
I’ faith—a young man committed to untrusty keeping. Have you not by these means given him a sword with which to slay himself?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Edepol fide adulescentem mandatum malae.
dedistíne hoc facto ei gladium, qui se occideret?

[¶54] For, prithee, what else is it, your giving ready money to a young man who loves women, and weak in intellect, with which to complete his edifice of folly which he had already commenced?

> Latin: quid secus est aut quid interest dare te in manus
argentum amanti homini adulescenti, animi impoti,
qui exaedificaret suam incohatam ignaviam?

[¶55] CALLICLES:
Ought I not to have paid him the money?

> Latin: Callicles:
Non ego illi argentum redderem?

[¶56] MEGARONIDES:
You ought not to have paid him; nor ought you either to have bought anything of or sold anything to him;
nor should you have provided him with the means of becoming worse. Have you not taken in the person who was entrusted to you? Have you not driven out of his house the man who entrusted him to you? By my faith, a pretty trust, and a faithful guardianship! Leave him to take care of himself; he would manage his own affairs much better.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Non redderes,
neque de illo quicquam neque emeres neque venderes,
nec qui deterior esset faceres copiam.
inconciliastin eum qui mandatust tibi,
ille quí mandavit, eum exturbasti ex aedibus?
edepol mandatum pulchre et curatum probe;
crede huic tutelam: suam melius rem gesserit.

[¶57] CALLICLES:
You overpower me, Megaronides, with your accusations, in a manner so strange, that what was privately entrusted to my secrecy, fidelity, and constancy, for me to tell it to no one, nor make it public, the same I am now compelled to entrust to you.

> Latin: Callicles:
Subigis maledictis me tuis, Megaronides,
novo modo adeo, ut quod meae concreditumst
taciturnitati clam, fide et fiduciae,
ne enuntiarem quoiquam neu facerem palam,
ut mihi necesse sit iam id tibi concredere.

[¶58] MEGARONIDES:
Whatever you shall entrust to me, you shall take up the same where you have laid it down.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Mihi quod credideris sumes ubi posiveris.

[¶59] CALLICLES:
Look round you, then, that no overlooker may be near us (MEGARONIDES looks on every side); and look around every now and then, I beg of you.

> Latin: Callicles:
Circumspicedum te, ne quis adsit arbiter
nobis, et quaeso identidem circumspice.

[¶60] MEGARONIDES:
I am listening if you have aught to say.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Ausculto si quid dicas.

[¶61] CALLICLES:
If you will be silent, I will speak. At the time when Charmides set out hence for foreign parts,
he showed me a treasure in this house, here in a certain closet— (He starts as if he hears a noise.) But do look around.

> Latin: Callicles:
Si taceas, loquar.
quoniam hinc est profecturus peregre Charmides,
thensaurum demonstravit mihi in hisce aedibus,
hic in conclavi quodam—sed circumspice.

[¶62] MEGARONIDES:
There is no one.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Nemost.

[¶63] CALLICLES:
Of Philippean pieces to the number of three thousand. Alone with myself, in tears, he entreated me, by our friendship and by my honour, not to entrust this to his son, nor yet to any one, from whom that might come to his knowledge.
Now, if he comes back hither safe, I will restore to him his own. But if anything should happen to him, at all events I have a stock from which to give a marriage-portion to his daughter, who has been entrusted to me, that I may settle her in a condition of life that befits her.

> Latin: Callicles:
Nummorum Philippeum ad tria milia.
id solus solum per amicitiam et per fidem
flens me obsecravit suo ne gnato crederem
neu quoiquam unde ad eum id posset permanascere.
nunc si ille huc salvos revenit, reddam suom sibi;
si quid eo fuerit, certe illius filiae,
quae mihi mandatast, habeo dotem únde dem,
ut eam in se dignam condicionem conlocem.

[¶64] MEGARONIDES:
O ye immortal gods! how soon, in a few words, you have made another man of me; I came to you quite a different person. But, as you have begun, proceed further to inform me.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Pro di immortales, verbis paucis quam cito
alium fecisti me, alius ad te veneram.
sed ut occepisti, perge porro proloqui.

[¶65] CALLICLES:
What shall I tell you? How that this worthless fellow had almost utterly ruined his caution and my own trustiness and all the secret.

> Latin: Callicles:
Quid tibi ego dicam, qui illius sapientiam
et meam fidelitatem et celata omnia
paene ille ignavos funditus pessum dedit.

[¶66] MEGARONIDES:
How so?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Quidum?

[¶67] CALLICLES:
Because, while I was in the country for only six days, in my absence and without my knowledge, without consulting me, he advertised with bills this house for sale.

> Latin: Callicles:
Quia, ruri dum sum ego unos sex dies,
me apsente atque insciente, inconsultu meo,
aedis venalis hasce inscripsit litteris.

[¶68] MEGARONIDES:
The wolf hungered the more, and opened his mouth the wider;
he watched till the dog went to sleep; and intended to carry off the whole entire flock.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Adesurivit magis et ínhiavit acrius
lupus, observavit dum dormitarent canes:
gregem universum voluit totum avortere.

[¶69] CALLICLES:
I’ faith, he would have done it, if the dogs had not perceived this in time. But now, in my turn, I wish to ask you this: let me know what it was my duty for me to do.

> Latin: Callicles:
Fecisset edepol, ni haec praesensisset canes.
sed nunc rogare ego vicissim te volo:
quid fuit officium meum me facere? face sciam;

[¶70] Whether was it right for me to discover the treasure to him, against which very thing his father had cautioned me, or should I have permitted another person to become the owner of this house? Ought that money to have belonged to him who bought the house? In preference, I myself bought the house; I gave the money
for the sake of the treasure, that I might deliver it safe to my friend. I have not, then, bought this house either for myself or for my own use; for Charmides have I bought it back again; from my own store have I paid the money. This, whether it has been done rightfully or wrongfully, I own, Megaronides, that I have done.

> Latin: utrum indicare me ei thensaurum aequom fuit,
adversum quam eius me opsecravisset pater,
an ego alium dominum paterer fieri hisce aedibus?
qui emisset, eius essetne ea pecunia?
emi egomet potius aedis, argentum dedi
thensauri causa, ut salvom amico traderem.
neque adeo hasce emi mihi nec usurae meae:
illi redemi rusum, a me argentum dedi.
haec sunt: si recte seu pervorse facta sunt,
ego me fecisse confiteor, Megaronides.

[¶71] Here, then, are my misdeeds; here, then, is my avarice. Is it for these things that they spread false reports against me?

> Latin: em mea malefacta, em meam aváritiam tibi;
hascine propter res maledicas famas ferunt.

[¶72] MEGARONIDES:
Stay—you have overcome your corrector. You have tied my tongue; there is nothing for me to say in answer.

> Latin: Megaronides:
παῦσαι, vicisti castigatorem tuom:
occlusti linguam, nihil est quod respondeam.

[¶73] CALLICLES:
Now I entreat you to aid me with your assistance and counsel,
and to share this duty of mine in common with me.

> Latin: Callicles:
Nunc ego te quaeso ut me opera et consilio iuves
communicesque hanc mecum meam provinciam.

[¶74] MEGARONIDES:
I promise you my assistance.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Polliceor operam.

[¶75] CALLICLES:
Where, then, will you be a short time hence?

> Latin: Callicles:
Ergo ubi eris paulo post?

[¶76] MEGARONIDES:
At home.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Domi.

[¶77] CALLICLES:
Do you wish anything else?

> Latin: Callicles:
Numquid vis?

[¶78] MEGARONIDES:
Attend to the trust reposed in you.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Cures tuam fidem.

[¶79] CALLICLES:
That is being carefully done.

> Latin: Callicles:
Fíet sedulo.

[¶80] MEGARONIDES:
But how say you—?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Sed quid ais?

[¶81] CALLICLES:
What do you want?

> Latin: Callicles:
Quid vis?

[¶82] MEGARONIDES:
Where is the young man living now?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Vbi nunc adulescens habet?

[¶83] CALLICLES:
This back part of the building he retained when he sold the house.

> Latin: Callicles:
Posticulum hoc recepit, quom aedis vendidit.

[¶84] MEGARONIDES:
That I wanted to know. Now, then, go at once. But what say you, where is the damsel now? She is at your house, I suppose?

> Latin: Megaronides:
Istuc volebam scire. i sane nunciam.
sed quid ais? quid nunc virgo? nempe apud te ést?

[¶85] CALLICLES:
She is so; I take care of her almost as much as of my own daughter.

> Latin: Callicles:
Itast,
iuxtaque eam cúro cum mea.

[¶86] MEGARONIDES:
You act properly.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Recte facis.

[¶87] CALLICLES:
Before I go away, are you going to ask me anything else?

> Latin: Callicles:
Numquid, prius quam abeo, me rogaturu's rogaturus es?—

[¶88] MEGARONIDES:
Farewell. (Exit CALLICLES.) Really, there is nothing more foolish or more stupid,
nothing more lying or indeed more tattling, more self-conceited or more forsworn, than those men of this city everlastingly gossiping about, whom they call Busybodies. And thus have I enlisted myself in their ranks together with them; who have been the swallower of the false tales
of those who pretend that they know everything, and yet know nothing. They know, forsooth, what each person either has in his mind, or is likely to have; they know what the king whispered in the ear of the queen; they know what Juno talked about in conversation with Jupiter; that which neither is nor is likely to be, do these fellows know.

> Latin: Megaronides:
Vale.
nihil est profecto stultius neque stolidius
neque mendaciloquius neque argutum magis,
neque confidentiloquius neque peiurius,
quam urbani assidui cives, quos scurras vocant.
atque egomet me adeo cum illis una ibidem traho,
qui illorum verbis falsis acceptor fui,
qui omnia se simulant scire neque quicquam sciunt.
quod quísque in animo habet aut habiturust sciunt,
sciunt íd quod in aurem rex reginae dixerit,
sciunt quod Iuno fabulatast cum Iove;
quae neque futura neque sunt, tamen illi sciunt.

[¶89] Whether they praise or dispraise any one they please, falsely or truly, they care not a straw, so they know that which they choose to know. All people were in the habit of saying that this Callicles was unworthy of this state, and, himself, to exist, who had despoiled this young man of his property.

> Latin: falson an vero laudent, culpent quem velint,
non flocci faciunt, dum illud quod lubeat sciant.
omnes mortales hunc aiebant Calliclem
indignum civitate hac esse et vivere,
bonis qui hunc adulescentem evortisset suis.

[¶90] From the reports of these tale-bearers, in my ignorance I rushed forward to rebuke my guiltless friend. But if the authority was always required from the foundation, upon which they speak of anything they have heard, unless that clearly appeared, the matter ought to be to the peril and loss of the tale-bearer.
If this were so, it would be for the public benefit. I would cause those to be but few, who now that which they do not know, and I would make them have their silly chattering more restricted.
(Exit.) (Enter LYSITELES.)
LYSITELES:
I am revolving many things in my mind at once, and much uneasiness do I find in thinking upon them.

> Latin: ego de eórum verbis famigeratorum insciens
prosilui amicum castigatum innoxium.
quod si exquiratur usque ab stirpe auctoritas,
unde quídquid auditum dicant, nisi id appareat,
famigeratori res sit cum damno et malo,
hoc ita si fiat, publico fiat bono,
pauci sint faxim qui sciant quod nesciunt,
occlusioremque habeant stultiloquentiam.—
Lysiteles:
Multás res simítu in meó corde vórso,
multum ín cogitándo dolórem indipíscor:

[¶91] I tease, and fret, and wear myself out; a mind that enjoins a hard task is now my master. But this thing is not clear to me, nor has it been enough studied by me, which pursuit of these two I should rather follow for myself; which of the two I should think of the greater stability for passing my life therein:

> Latin: egomét me coquo ét macero ét defetígo,
magíster mihi éxercitór animus núnc est.
sed hóc non liquét neque satís cogitátumst,
utrám potius hárum mihi ártem expetéssam,
utram aétati agúndae arbitrér firmiórem:

[¶92] whether it were preferable for me to devote myself to love or to aggrandisement; in which alternative there is more enjoyment of life in passing one’s days. On this point I am not fully satisfied. But this I think I’ll do, that I may weigh both the points together, I must be both judge and culprit in this trial:

> Latin: amórin med án rei opsequí potius pár sit,
utra ín parte plús sit volúptatis vítae
ad aetatem agundam.
de hac ré mihi satis haú liquet; nisi hóc sic faciam, opínor,
ut utrámque rem simul éxputem, iudéx sim reusque ad eám rem.

[¶93] I’ll do so—I like it much. First of all, I will enlarge upon the pursuits of love, how they conduce to one’s welfare. Love never expects any but the willing man to throw himself in his toils; these he seeks for, these he follows up, and craftily counsels against their interests. He is a fawning flatterer, a rapacious grappler, a deceiver,
a sweet-tooth, a spoiler, a corrupter of men who court retirement, a pryer into secrets. For he that is in love, soon as ever he has been smitten with the kisses of the object that he loves, forthwith his substance vanishes out of doors and melts away. “Give me this thing, my honey, if you love me, if you possibly can.”

> Latin: ita fáciam, ita placet; omniúm primum
Amóris artis eloquar quem ad modum expediant.
numquam Ámor quemquam nisi cúpidum hominem
postulát se in plagas conícere:
eos cúpit, eos consectátur;
súbdole [blanditur] ab re cónsulit,
blandíloquentulus, harpagó, mendax,
cuppés, avarus, élegans, despoliator,
latebrícolarum hominum córruptor,
[blandus] inops célatum indagátor.
nam quí amat quod amat quom éxtemplo
saviís sagittatis pérculsust,
ílico rés foras lábitur, líquitur.
“dá mihi hoc, mél meum, sí me amas, si aúdes”.

[¶94] And then this gudgeon says: “O apple of my eye, be it so: both that shall be given you, and still more, if you wish it to be given.” Then does she strike while he is wavering; and now she begs for more. Not enough is this evil, unless there is still something more—what to eat, what to drink. A thing that creates a further expense,
the favour of a night is granted; a whole family is then introduced for her—a wardrobe-woman a perfume-keeper, a cofferer, fan-bearers, sandal-bearers, singing-girls, casket-keepers, messengers, news-carriers, so many wasters of his bread and substance. The lover himself, while to them he is complaisant, becomes a beggar.

> Latin: ibi ille cuculus: “ocelle mi, fiat:
ét istuc et si ámplius vís dari, dábitur.”
ibi ílla pendentém ferit: iam amplius orat;
nón satis id ést mali, ni ámplius étiam,
quód ecbibit, quód comest, quód facit súmpti.
nóx datur: dúcitur fámilia tóta,
véstiplica, unctor, auri custos, flabelliferae, sandaligerulae,
cantrices, cistellatrices, nuntii, renuntii,
raptóres panis et peni;
fit ípse, dum illis comis est, inóps amator.

[¶95] When I revolve these things in my mind, and when I reflect how little one is valued when he is in need; away with you, Love—I like you not—no converse do I hold with you. Although ’tis sweet to feast and to carouse, Love still gives bitters enough to be distasteful.

> Latin: haec égo quom ago cúm meo animo ét recolo,
ubi quí eget, quam preti sít parvi:
apagé te, Amor, nón places níl te utor;
quamquam íllud est dúlce, esse ét bibere,
Amór amara dát tamen, satis quod aegre sit:

[¶96] He avoids the Courts of justice, he drives away your relations, and drives yourself away from your own contemplation. Nor do men wish that he should be called their friend. In a thousand ways is Love to be held a stranger, to be kept at a distance, and to be wholly abstained from.
For he who plunges into love, perishes more dreadfully than if he leapt from a rock. Away with you, Love, if you please; keep your owns property to yourself. Love, never be you a friend of mine; some there are, however, whom, in their misery, you may keep miserable and wretched—
those whom you have easily rendered submissive to yourself. My fixed determination is to apply my mind to my advancement in life, although, in that, great labour is undergone by the mind. Good men wish these things for themselves, gain, credit, and honour, glory, and esteem; these are the rewards of the upright.

> Latin: fugit fórum, fugitat suos cógnatos,
fugat ípsus se ab suo cóntutu,
neque eúm sibi amicum vólunt dici.
millé modis, Amor, ignórandu's ignorandus es,
procul abhibendu's abhibendus es atque abstandu's abstandus es,
nam qui ín amorem praecípitavit,
peiús perit quasi saxó saliat:
apagé te, Amor, tuas res tíbi habeto,
Amor, míhi amicus ne fúas umquam;
sunt támen quos miseros máleque habeas,
quos tíbi obnoxios fecísti.
certúmst ad frugem adplicáre animum,
quamquam íbi labos grandis cápitur.
boni síbi haec expetúnt, rem, fídem, honorem,
gloriam ét gratiam: hoc probis prétiumst.

[¶97] It delights me, then, the more, to live together with the upright rather than with the deceitful promulgators of lies.
(Enter PHILTO.)
PHILTO: (looking about.)

> Latin: eo míhi magis lubet cum próbis potius
quam cum ímprobis vivere vánidicis.

[¶98] Where has this man betaken himself out of doors from the house?
LYSITELES: (coming up to him.)
I am here, father; command me what you will, and I shall cause no delay to you, nor will I hide myself in any skulking-place out of your sight.

> Latin: Philto:
Quo illíc homo foras se pénetravit ex
aedíbus?
Lysiteles:
Pater, adsum, imperá quidvis,
neque tíbi ero in mora neque látebrose
me abs tuó conspectu occúltabo.

[¶99] PHILTO:
You will be doing what is consonant to the rest of your conduct if you reverence your father. By your duty to me, my son, I wish you, for my sake, not to hold any converse with profligate men, either in the street or in the Forum. I know this age—what its manners are.

> Latin: Philto:
Féceris pár tuis ceteris fáctis,
patrém tuom si pércoles per pietatem.
nólo ego cum ímprobis té viris, gnáte mi,
neque ín via, neque ín foro necúllum sermonem éxsequi
nóvi ego hoc saeculum móribus quíbus siet:

[¶100] The bad man wishes the good man to be bad, that he may be like himself. The wicked, the rapacious, the covetous, and the envious, disorder and confound the morals of the age: a crew gaping for gain, they hold the sacred thing as profane—the public advantage as the private emolument. At these things do I grieve, these are the matters that torment me. These things am I constantly repeating both day and night, that you may use due precaution against them.

> Latin: malús bonum malum ésse volt, ut sít sui similis;
turbánt, miscent morés mali: rapáx avarus ínvidus
sacrúm profanum, públicum privátum habent, hiúlca gens.
haec égo doleo, haec súnt quae me excruciánt, haec dies
noctésque tibi canto út caveas.

[¶101] They only deem it right to keep their hands off that which they cannot touch with their hands; as to the rest, seize it, carry it off, keep it, be off and go hide, that is the word with them. These things, when I behold them, draw tears from me, because I have survived to see such a race of men. Why have I not rather descended to the dead ere this?

> Latin: quod mánu non queunt tangére tantum fas hábent quo manus abstíneant,
cetéra: rape trahe, fuge láte—lacrumas
haec míhi quom video elíciunt,
quia ego ád hoc genus hominum dúravi.
quin príus me ad plures pénetravi?

[¶102] For these men praise the manners of our ancestors, and defile those same persons whom they commend. With regard, then, to these pursuits, I enjoin you not to taint your disposition with them. Live after my fashion, and according to the ancient manners; what I am prescribing to you, the same do you remember and practise. I have no patience with these fashionable manners, upsetting preconceived notions, with which good men are now disgracing themselves.

> Latin: nam hi móres maiorúm laudant, eosdém lutitant quos cónlaudant.
hisce égo de artibus gratiám facio, ne cólas neve imbuas íngenium.
meo módo et moribus vivito ántiquis,
quae ego tíbi praecipio, ea fácito.
nihil égo istos moror faeceós mores, turbidós, quibus boni dedécorant se.

[¶103] If you follow these my injunctions to you, many a good maxim will take root in your breast.

> Latin: haec tíbi si mea imperiá capesses, multá bona in pectore cónsident.

[¶104] LYSITELES:
From my earliest youth, even up to this present age, I have always, father, paid all submission to the injunctions you have given. So far as my nature was concerned, I considered that I was free; so far as your injunctions were concerned, I deemed it proper that my mind should pay all submission to you.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Sémper ego usque ad hanc aetatem ab ineunte adulescentia
tuis servivi servitutem imperiis [et] praeceptis, pater.
pro ingenio ego me liberum esse ratus sum, pro imperio tuo
meum animum tibi servitutem servire aequom censui.

[¶105] PHILTO:
The man who is struggling with his inclination from his earliest age, whether he ought to prefer to be so, as his inclination thinks it proper that he should be, or whether, rather so as his parents and his relations wish him to be—if his inclination conquers that man, it is all over with him; he is the slave of his inclination and not of himself. But if he conquers his inclination, he truly lives and shall be famed as a conqueror of conquerors.

> Latin: Philto:
Quí homo cum animo inde ab ineunte aetate depugnat suo,
utrum itane esse mavelit ut eum animus aequom censeat,
an ita potius ut parentes eum esse et cognati velint:
si animus hominem pepulit, actumst: animo servit, non sibi;
si ipse animum pepulit, dum vivit victor victorum cluet.

[¶106] If you have conquered your inclination rather than your inclination you, you have reason to rejoice.’Tis better by far that you should be such as you ought to be, than such as pleases your inclination. Those who conquer the inclination will ever be esteemed better men than those whom the inclination subdues.

> Latin: tu si animum vicisti potius quam animus te, est quod gaudeas.
nimio satiust, ut opust té ita ésse, quam ut animo lubet:
qui animum vincunt, quam quos animus, semper probiores cluent.

[¶107] LYSITELES:
I have ever esteemed these maxims as the shield of my youthful age; never to betake myself to any place where vice was the order of the day,
never to go to stroll about at night, nor to take from another that which is his. I have taken all precautions, my father, that I might not cause you uneasiness; I have ever kept your precepts in due preservation by my own rule of conduct.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Istaec ego mi semper habui aetati integumentum meae;
ne penetrarem me usquam ubi esset damni conciliabulum
neu noctu irem obambulatum neu suom adimerem alteri
neu tibi aegritudinem, pater, párerem, parsi sedulo:
sarta tecta tua praecepta usque habui mea modestia.

[¶108] PHILTO:
And do you reproach me, because you have acted aright? For yourself have you done so, not for me: my life, indeed, is nearly past; this matter principally concerns your own.

> Latin: Philto:
Quid exprobras? bene quod fecisti tibi fecisti, non mihi;
mihi quidem aetas actast ferme: tua istuc refert maxime.

[¶109] Keep on overlaying good deeds with other good deeds, that the rain may not come through. He is the upright man who is not content with it, however upright and however honest he may chance to be. He who readily gives satisfaction to himself, is not the upright man, nor is he really honest: he who thinks but meanly of himself, in him is there a tendency to well-doing.

> Latin: is probus est quem paenitet quam probus sit et frugi bonae;
qui ipsus sibi satis placet, nec probus est nec frugi bonae:
[qui ipsus se contemnit, in eost indoles industriae.]
bene facta bene factis aliis pertegito, ne perpluant.

[¶110] LYSITELES:
For this reason, father, I have thought that since there is a certain thing that I wish for,
I would request it of you.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Ob eam rem haec, pater, autumavi, quia res quaedamst quam volo
ego me abs te exorare.

[¶111] PHILTO:
What is it? I am already longing to give assent.

> Latin: Philto:
Quid id est? dare iam veniam gestio.

[¶112] LYSITELES:
A young man here, of noble family, my friend and years’ mate, who has managed his own affairs but heedlessly and unthinkingly—I wish, father, to do him a service, if you are not unwilling.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Adulescenti hinc genere summo, amico atque aequali meo,
minus qui caute et cogitate suam rem tractavit, pater,
bene volo ego illi facere, si tu non nevis.

[¶113] PHILTO:
From your own means, I suppose?

> Latin: Philto:
Nempe dé tuo?

[¶114] LYSITELES:
From my own means—for what is yours is mine, and all mine is yours.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
De meo: nam quod tuomst meumst, ómne meumst autem tuom.

[¶115] PHILTO:
What is he doing? Is he in want?

> Latin: Philto:
Quid is? egetne?

[¶116] LYSITELES:
He is in want.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Eget.

[¶117] PHILTO:
Had he property?

> Latin: Philto:
Habuitne rem?

[¶118] LYSITELES:
He had.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Habuit.

[¶119] PHILTO:
How did he lose it? Was he connected with public business, or with commercial matters? Had he merchandise or wares to sell, when he lost his property?

> Latin: Philto:
Quí eam perdidit?
publicisne adfinis fuit an maritumis negotiis?
mercaturan, an venales habuit ubi rem perdidit?

[¶120] LYSITELES:
None of these.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Nihil istorum.

[¶121] PHILTO:
What then?

> Latin: Philto:
Quid igitur?

[¶122] LYSITELES:
I’ faith, my father, by his good-nature. Besides, to indulge his tastes, he wasted some part of it in luxury.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Per comitatem edepol, pater;
praeterea aliquantum animi causa in deliciis disperdidit.

[¶123] PHILTO:
By my troth now! a fellow spoken of boldly, and as on familiar terms;—one, indeed, who has never dissipated his fortune by any good means, and is now in want. I cannot brook that, with qualities of that description, he should be your friend.

> Latin: Philto:
Edepol hominem praemandatum ferme familiariter,
qui quidem núsquam per virtutem rem confregit, atque eget;
nil moror eum tíbi esse amicum cum eius modi virtutibus.

[¶124] LYSITELES:’Tis because he is without any bad disposition that I wish to relieve his wants.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Quia sine omni malitiast, tolerare eius égestatem volo.

[¶125] PHILTO:
He deserves ill of a beggar who gives him what to eat or to drink;

> Latin: Philto:
De mendico male meretur qui ei dat quod edit aut bibat;

[¶126] for he both loses that which he gives and prolongs for the other a life of misery. I do not say this because I am unwilling and would not readily do what you desire; but when I apply these expressions to that same person, I am warning you beforehand, so to have compassion on others, that others may not have to pity you.

> Latin: nam et illud quod dat perdit ét illi prodit vitam ad miseriam.
non eo haec díco, quin quae tu vis ego velim et faciam lubens:
sed ego hoc verbum quom illi quoidam dico, praemonstro tibi,
ut ita te aliorum miserescat, ne tis alios misereat.

[¶127] LYSITELES:
I am ashamed to desert him, and to deny him aid in his adversity.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Deserere illum et deiuvare in rebus advorsis pudet.

[¶128] PHILTO:
I’ troth, shame is preferable to repentance by just as many letters as it consists of.

> Latin: Philto:
Pol pudere quam pigere praestat, totidem litteris.

[¶129] LYSITELES:
In good sooth, father, by the care of the Gods, and of my forefathers, and your own, I may say that we possess much property, honestly obtained. If you do a service to a friend, it ought not to make you repent that you have done so; it ought rather to cause you shame if you do not do it.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Edepol, deum virtute dicam, pater, et maiorum et tua
multa bóna bene parta habemus, bene si amico feceris
ne pigeat fecisse, ut potius pudeat si non feceris.

[¶130] PHILTO:
If from great wealth you subtract something, does it become more or less?

> Latin: Philto:
De magnis divitiis si quid demas, plus fit an minus?

[¶131] LYSITELES:
Less, father. But do you know what is wont to be repeated to the niggardly citizen? “That which thou hast mayst thou not have, and mayst thou have that misfortune which thou hast not; since thou canst neither endure it to be enjoyed by thyself nor by another.”

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Minus, pater; sed civi immuni scin quid cantari solet?
“quod habes né habeas et illúc quod non habes habeas, malum,
quandoquidem nec tibi bene esse pote pati neque alteri.”

[¶132] PHILTO:
I know, indeed, that so it usually is: but, my son, he is the truly niggardly man that has nought with which to pay his dues.

> Latin: Philto:
Scio equidem istuc ita solere fieri; verum, gnate mi,
is est immunis, cui nihil est qui munus fungatur suom.

[¶133] LYSITELES:
By the care of the Gods, we have, father, both enough for us to enjoy ourselves, and with which to do kind offices to kind-hearted men.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Deum virtute habemus et qui nosmet utamur, pater,
et aliis qui comitati simus benevolentibus.

[¶134] PHILTO:
Troth, I am not able to refuse you anything that you; ask of me. Whose poverty do you wish to relieve? Speak out boldly to your father.

> Latin: Philto:
Non edepol tibi pernegare possum quicquam quod velis.
cuí egestatem tolerari vis? eloquere audacter patri.

[¶135] LYSITELES:
That of this young man Lesbonicus, the son of Charmides, who lives there.
(He points to the house of CHARMIDES.)

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Lesbonico huic adulescenti, Charmidai filio,
qui illic habitat.

[¶136] PHILTO:
Why, hasn’t he devoured both what he had, and what he had not?

> Latin: Philto:
Quin comedit quod fuit, quod non fuit?

[¶137] LYSITELES:
Censure him not, my father: many things happen to a man which he likes, many, too, which he does not like.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Ne opprobra, pater; múlta eveniunt homini quae volt, quae nevolt.

[¶138] PHILTO:
Troth, you say falsely, son; and you are doing so now not according to your usual wont. For the prudent man, i’ faith, really frames his own fortunes for himself: many things, therefore, do not happen which he does not like, unless he is a bungling workman.

> Latin: Philto:
Mentire edepol, gnate, atque id nunc facis haud consuetudine.
nam sapiens quidem pol ipsus fingit fortunam sibi:
eo non multa quae nevolt eveniunt, nisi fictor malust.

[¶139] LYSITELES:
Much labour is requisite for this workmanship in him who seeks to be a clever workman in fashioning his life—but he is still very young.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Multa illi opera opust ficturae, qui se fictorem probum
vitae agundae esse expetit: sed hic admodum adulescentulust.

[¶140] PHILTO:
Not by years but by disposition is wisdom acquired. Age is the relish of wisdom—wisdom is the nutriment of old age. However, come, say what you wish now to give him.

> Latin: Philto:
Non aetate, verum ingenio apiscitur sapientia;
sapienti aetas condimentum, sapiens aetati cibust.
agedum eloquere, quid dare illi nunc vis?

[¶141] LYSITELES:
Nothing at all, father.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Nil quicquam, pater;

[¶142] Do you only not hinder me from accepting it if he should give anything to me.

> Latin: tu modo ne me prohibeas accipere, si quid det mihi.

[¶143] PHILTO:
And will you be relieving his poverty by that, if you shall accept anything of him?

> Latin: Philto:
An eo egestatem ei tolerabis, si quid ab illo acceperis?

[¶144] LYSITELES:
By that very means, my father.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Eo, pater.

[¶145] PHILTO:
Faith, I wish that you would instruct me in that method.

> Latin: Philto:
Pol ego istam volo me rationem edoceas.

[¶146] LYSITELES:
Certainly. Do you know of what family he is born?

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Licet.
scin tu illum quo genere natus sit?

[¶147] PHILTO:
I know—of an extremely honourable one.

> Latin: Philto:
Scio, adprime probo.

[¶148] LYSITELES:
He has a sister—a fine young woman now grown up: I wish, father,
to take her without a portion for my wife.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Soror illi est adulta virgo grandis: eam cupio, pater,
ducere uxorem sine dote.

[¶149] PHILTO:
A wife without a portion?

> Latin: Philto:
Sine dote uxorem?

[¶150] LYSITELES:
Just so—your riches saved as well. By these means you will be conferring an extreme favour on him, and in no way could you help him to greater advantage.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Ita;
tua re salva hoc pacto ab illo summam inibis gratiam,
neque commodius ullo pacto ei poteris auxiliarier.

[¶151] PHILTO:
Am I to suffer you to take a wife without a portion?

> Latin: Philto:
Egone indotatam te uxorem ut patiar?

[¶152] LYSITELES:
You must suffer it, father; and by these means you will be giving an estimable character to our family.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Patiundumst, pater;
et eo pacto addideris nostrae lepidam famam familiae.

[¶153] PHILTO:
I could give utterance to many a learned saying, and very fluently too: this old age of mine retains stories of old and ancient times. But, since I see that you are courting friendship and esteem for our family, although I have been opposed to you, I thus give my decision—I will permit you; ask for the girl, and marry her.

> Latin: Philto:
Multa ego possum docta dicta et quamvis facunde loqui,
historiam veterem atque antiquam haec mea senectus sustinet;
verum ego quando te et amicitiam et gratiam in nostram domum
video adlicere, etsi adversatus tibi fui, istac iudico:
tibi permitto; posce, duce.

[¶154] LYSITELES:
May the Gods preserve you to me.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Di te servassint mihi.

[¶155] But, to this favour add one thing.
PHILTO:
But what is this one thing?

> Latin: sed adde ad istam gratiam unum.
Philto:
Quid id est autem unum?

[¶156] LYSITELES:
I will tell you. Do you go to him, do you solicit him, and do you ask for her yourself.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Eloquar.
tute ad eum adeas, tute concilies, tute poscas.

[¶157] PHILTO:
Think of that now.

> Latin: Philto:
Eccere.

[¶158] LYSITELES:
You will transact it much more speedily: all will be made sure of that you do. One word of yours in this matter will be of more consequence than a hundred of mine.

> Latin: Lysiteles:
Nimio citius transiges: firmum omne erit quod tu egeris.
gravius tuom erit unum verbum ad eam rem quam centum mea.

[¶159] PHILTO:
See, now, how, in my kindness, I have undertaken this matter.

> Latin: Philto:
Ecce autem in benignitate hoc repperi, negotium.

[¶160] My assistance shall be given.
LYSITELES:
You really are a kind father. This is the house here he dwells. (He points to the house of CHARMIDES.) Lesbonicus is his name. Mind and attend to the business; I will await you at home.
(Exit.) (PHILTO, alone.)

> Latin: dabitur opera.
Lysiteles:
Lepidus vivis. haec sunt aedes, hic habet;
Lesbonico est nomen. age, rem cura. ego te opperiar domi.—

[¶161] PHILTO:
These things are not for the best, nor as I think they ought to be; but still, they are better than that which is downright bad. But this one circumstance consoles myself and my thoughts-namely,
that he who counsels in respect to a son nothing else but that which pleases himself alone, only plays the fool; he becomes wretched in mind, and yet he is no nearer bringing it about. He is preparing a very inclement winter for his own old age when he arouses that unseasonable storm.

> Latin: Philto:
Non optuma haec sunt, neque ut ego aequom censeo;
verum meliora sunt quam quae deterruma.
sed hoc me únum consolatur atque animum meum,
quia qui nihil aliud nisi quod sibi soli placet
consulit advorsum filium, nugas agit:
miser ex animo fit, factius nihilo facit.
suae senectúti is acriorem hiemem parat,
quom illam importunam tempestatem conciet.

[¶162] (The door of the house of CHARMIDES opens.) But the house is opened to which I was going; most conveniently, Lesbonicus himself is coming out of doors with his servant.
(PHILTO retires to a distance.) (Enter LESBONICUS and STASIMUS.)

> Latin: sed aperiuntur aedes quo ibam: commodum
ipse exit Lesbonicus cum servo foras.

[¶163] LESBONICUS:’Tis less than fifteen days since you received from Callicles forty minae for this house; is it not as I say, Stasimus?
STASIMUS:
When I consider,
I think I remember that it was so.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Minus quíndecim dies sunt, quom pro hisce aedibus
minas quadraginta accepisti a Callicle.
estne hoc quod dico, Stasime?
Stasimvs:
Quom considero,
meminisse videor fieri.

[¶164] LESBONICUS:
What has been done with it?

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Quid factumst eo?

[¶165] STASIMUS:
It has been eaten and drunk up—spent away in unguents, washed away in baths. The fishmonger and the baker have carried it off: butchers, too, and cooks, green-grocers, perfumers, and poulterers;’twas quickly consumed. I’ faith! that money was made away with not less speedily
than if you were to throw a poppy among the ants.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Comessum, expotum; exussum: elotum in balineis,
piscator, pistor apstulit, lanii, coqui,
holitores, myropolae, aucupes: confit cito;
non hercle minus divorse distrahitur cito,
quam si tu obicias formicis papaverem.

[¶166] LESBONICUS:
By my troth, less has been spent on those items than six minae?

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Minus hercle in istis rebus sumptumst sex minis.

[¶167] STASIMUS:
Besides, what have you given to your mistresses?

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Quid quod dedisti scortis?

[¶168] LESBONICUS:
That I am including as well in it.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Ibidem una traho.

[¶169] STASIMUS:
Besides, what have I pilfered of it?

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Quid quod égo defrudavi?

[¶170] LESBONICUS:
Aye, that item is a very heavy one.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Em, istaec ratio maxumast.

[¶171] STASIMUS:
That cannot so appear to you, if you make all due deductions,
unless you think that your money is everlasting.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Non tibi illud apparere, si sumas, potest;
nisi tu immortale rere esse argentum tibi.

[¶172] (Aside.) Too late and unwisely,—a caution that should have been used before,—after he has devoured his substance, he reckons up the account too late.

> Latin: Philto:
Sero atque stulte, prius quod cautum oportuit,
postquam comedit rem, post rationem putat.

[¶173] LESBONICUS:
The account, however, of this money is by no means clear.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Nequaquam argenti ratio comparet tamen.

[¶174] STASIMUS:
I’ faith, the account is very clear: the money’s gone.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Ratio quidem hercle apparet: argentum οἴχεται.

[¶175] Did you not receive forty minae from Callicles, and did he not receive from you the house in possession?
LESBONICUS:
Very good.
PHILTO: (aside.)

> Latin: minas quadraginta accepisti a Callicle,
et ille aédis mancipio abs te accepit?
Lesbonicvs:
Admodum.

[¶176] Troth, I think our neighbour has sold his house. When his father shall come from abroad, his place is in the beggar’s gate, unless, perchance, he should creep into his son’s stomach.

> Latin: Philto:
Pol opino adfinis noster aedis vendidit;
pater quom peregre veniet, in portast locus,
nisi forte in ventrem filio conrepserit.

[¶177] STASIMUS:
There were a thousand Olympic drachmae paid to the banker, which you were owing upon account.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Trapezítae mille drachumarúm Olympico,
quas de ratione dehibuisti, redditae?

[¶178] LESBONICUS:
Those, I suppose, that I was security for?

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Nempe quás spopondi.

[¶179] STASIMUS:
Say, rather, “Those that I paid down”—for that young man whom you used to say was so rich.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Immó “quas dependi” inquito
[†qua sponsione pronuper tu exactus es]
pro illo adulescente, quem tu esse aibas divitem.

[¶180] LESBONICUS:
It was so done.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Factum.

[¶181] STASIMUS:
Yes, just to be squandered away.

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Vt quidem illud perierit.

[¶182] LESBONICUS:
That was done as well.

> Latin: Lesbonicvs:
Factum id quoque est.

[¶183] But I saw him in a pitiable state, and I did have pity on him.

> Latin: nam nunc eum vidi miserum et me eius miseritumst.

[¶184] STASIMUS:
You have pity on others, and you have neither pity nor shame for yourself.
PHILTO: (aside.)

> Latin: Stasimvs:
Miseret te aliorum, tui nec miseret nec pudet.

[¶185] ’Tis time to accost him.
LESBONICUS:
Is this Philto that is coming here? Troth,’tis he himself.

> Latin: Philto:
Tempust adeundi.
Lesbonicvs:
Éstne hic Philto qui advenit?
is herclest ipsus.