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808
(Enter STROBILUS, at a distance.)
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE AULULARIA BY CODRUS URCEUS.)
STROBILUS
(to himself.)
Immortal Gods, with what and how great delights do you present me! I’ve got a four pound pot filled with gold; who there is richer than I?
What man is there greater than I at
Athens
now; any one, I mean, to whom the Gods are propitious?
810
Immortal Gods, with what and how great delights do you present me! I’ve got a four pound pot filled with gold; who there is richer than I?
What man is there greater than I at
Athens
now; any one, I mean, to whom the Gods are propitious?
810
LYCONIDES
(to himself.)
Why, surely, I seemed just now to hear the voice of some one speaking here.
Why, surely, I seemed just now to hear the voice of some one speaking here.
STROBILUS
(to himself.)
Ha! do I not see my master?
Ha! do I not see my master?
LYCONIDES
(to himself.)
Do I see Strobilus now, my servant?
Do I see Strobilus now, my servant?
STROBILUS
(to himself.)
’Tis he himself.
’Tis he himself.
LYCONIDES
(to himself.)
’Tis no other.
’Tis no other.
STROBILUS
(to himself.)
I’ll accost him.
I’ll accost him.
LYCONIDES
(to himself.)
I’ll step out
1
towards him. I do think that he has been, as I requested him, to the old woman, the nurse herself of this damsel.
I’ll step out
1
towards him. I do think that he has been, as I requested him, to the old woman, the nurse herself of this damsel.
STROBILUS
(to himself.)
Why don’t I tell him that I’ve found this prize, and speak out? For that reason, I’ll beg of him to make me free. I’ll go and speak to him.
(Addressing him.) I’ve found—
Why don’t I tell him that I’ve found this prize, and speak out? For that reason, I’ll beg of him to make me free. I’ll go and speak to him.
(Addressing him.) I’ve found—
LYCONIDES
What have you found?
What have you found?
STROBILUS
Not that which the boys cry out that they’ve found in the bean
2
.
Not that which the boys cry out that they’ve found in the bean
2
.
LYCONIDES
And are you trifling with me then, as you are in the habit of doing?
(He turns as if to go away.)
And are you trifling with me then, as you are in the habit of doing?
STROBILUS
Master, stop; I’ll speak out then; do listen.
820
Master, stop; I’ll speak out then; do listen.
820
LYCONIDES
Come then, tell me.
Come then, tell me.
STROBILUS
I’ve found to-day, master very great riches.
I’ve found to-day, master very great riches.
LYCONIDES
Where, pray?
Where, pray?
STROBILUS
A four pound pot
3
, I say, full of gold!
A four pound pot
3
, I say, full of gold!
LYCONIDES
What crime is this that I hear of from you?
What crime is this that I hear of from you?
STROBILUS
I’ve stolen it from this old fellow, Euclio.
4
I’ve stolen it from this old fellow, Euclio.
4
LYCONIDES
Where is this gold?
Where is this gold?
STROBILUS
In my box at home; I now wish to be made free.
In my box at home; I now wish to be made free.
LYCONIDES
I, make you free, you fellow,
brimful of wickedness?
825
I, make you free, you fellow,
brimful of wickedness?
825
STROBILUS
Out upon you, master, I know what you would be at. Troth, I’ve cleverly tried your inclination; you were just getting ready to take it away from me; what would you do, if I had found it?
Out upon you, master, I know what you would be at. Troth, I’ve cleverly tried your inclination; you were just getting ready to take it away from me; what would you do, if I had found it?
LYCONIDES
You can’t make good your pretences. Come, give up the gold!
You can’t make good your pretences. Come, give up the gold!
STROBILUS
I, give up the gold?
I, give up the gold?
LYCONIDES
Give it up, I say, that it may be given back to him.
Give it up, I say, that it may be given back to him.
STROBILUS
Where am I to get it from?
Where am I to get it from?
LYCONIDES
That which you confessed just now to be in your box.
830
That which you confessed just now to be in your box.
830
STROBILUS
I’ faith, I’m in the habit of talking nonsense;
’twas in that way I was speaking.
I’ faith, I’m in the habit of talking nonsense;
’twas in that way I was speaking.
LYCONIDES
(seizing him.)
But do you know what?—
But do you know what?—
STROBILUS
Even kill me outright, i’ faith, you never shall get it hence of me
5
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE AULULARIA BY CODRUS URCEUS.)
Even kill me outright, i’ faith, you never shall get it hence of me
STROBILUS
— the pot belonging to the old fellow, which I’ve not got.
— the pot belonging to the old fellow, which I’ve not got.
LYCONIDES
I will have it, whether you will or no; when I’ve tied you up all fours, and torn asunder your body for you tied up to the beam. But why do I delay to rush upon the jaws of this rascal, and why this instant do I not compel his soul to take its journey before its time
6
? Are you going to give it me or not?
I will have it, whether you will or no; when I’ve tied you up all fours, and torn asunder your body for you tied up to the beam. But why do I delay to rush upon the jaws of this rascal, and why this instant do I not compel his soul to take its journey before its time
6
? Are you going to give it me or not?
STROBILUS
I will give it you.
I will give it you.
LYCONIDES
I want you to give it me now, and not at a future time.
I want you to give it me now, and not at a future time.
STROBILUS
I’ll give it now; but I entreat you to allow me to recover breath.
(LYCONIDES lets him go.) Aha! What is it you want me to give you, master?
I’ll give it now; but I entreat you to allow me to recover breath.
(LYCONIDES lets him go.) Aha! What is it you want me to give you, master?
LYCONIDES
Don’t you know, you rascal? And do you dare to refuse me the four pound pot full of gold which you just now said you had stolen?
(Calling at the door.) Hallo there! Where now are the flogging men?
Don’t you know, you rascal? And do you dare to refuse me the four pound pot full of gold which you just now said you had stolen?
(Calling at the door.) Hallo there! Where now are the flogging men?
STROBILUS
Master, do hear a few words. Lyc. I won’t hear; floggers, hallo there—hallo!
Master, do hear a few words. Lyc. I won’t hear; floggers, hallo there—hallo!
Aulularia. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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