T. Maccius Plautus, Aulularia, ed. Friedrich Leo, 2.1

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Evnomia

Velím te arbitrári med haéc verba, fráter,
120

meai fidei tuaique rei

causa facere, ut aequom est germanam sororem.

quamquam haud falsa sum nos odiosas haberi;

nam multum loquaces merito omnes habemur,

nec mutam profecto repertam ullam esse
125

aut hodie dicunt mulierem aut ullo in saeclo.

verum hoc, frater, unum tamen cogitato,

tibi proximam me mihique esse item te;

ita aequom est quod in rem esse utrique arbitremur

et mihi te et tibi me consulere et monere;
130

neque óccultum id habéri neque pér metúm mussári,

quin participem pariter ego te et tu me ut facias.

eo núnc ego secreto ted huc foras seduxi,

ut tuam rém ego tecum hic loquerer familiarem.

Megadorvs

Da mi, optuma femina, manum.
135

Evnomia

Vbi ea est? quis ea est nam optuma?

Megadorvs

Tu.

Evnomia

Túne ais?

Megadorvs

Si négas, nego.

Evnomia

Decet te équidem vera próloqui;

nam optúma nullá potest eligi:

alia ália peior, fráter, est.
140

Megadorvs

Idem ego árbitror,

néc tibi advorsari certum est de istac ré umquam, soror.

Evnomia

Dá mihí óperam amabó.

Megadorvs

Tuast, útere atque

ímpera, si quíd vis.

Evnomia

Íd quod in rém tuam óptumum esse árbitror,

téd id monitum advénto.
145

Megadorvs

Soror, móre tuo facis.

Evnomia

Fáctum volo.

Megadorvs

Quid ést id, sorór?

Evnomia

Quod tibí sempitérnum

salútare sit: liberís procreándis

(ita dí faxint) volo te úxorem

domum dúcere.
150

Megadorvs

Ei occidí.

Evnomia

Quid ita?

Megadorvs

Quia míhi misero cerebrum éxcutiunt

tua dícta, soror: lapidés loqueris.

Evnomia

Heia, hoc face quod te iubet soror.

Megadorvs

Si lubeat, faciam.

Evnomia

In rem hoc tuam est.

Megadorvs

Vt quidem emoriar prius quam ducam.

sed hís legibús si quam dáre vis dúcam:
155

quae crás veniat, peréndie forás feratur;

his legibús dare vís? cedo: nuptiás adorna.

Evnomia

Cum máxima possúm tibi, fratér, dare dote;

sed ést grandiór natu: média est múlieris aetas.

eam sí iubes, fratér, tibi me póscere, poscam.
160

Megadorvs

Núm non vis me intérrogare te?

Evnomia

Ímmo, si quid vís, roga.

Megadorvs

Post mediam aetatem qui media ducit uxorem domum,

si eam senex anum praegnatem fortuito fecerit,

quid dubitas, quin sit paratum nomen puero Postumus?

nunc ego istúm, soror, laborem demam et deminuam tibi.
165

ego virtute deum et maiorum nostrum dives sum satis.

istas magnas factiones, animos, dotes dapsiles,

clámores, impéria, eburata véhicla, pallas, púrpuram,

nil moror quae in servitutem sumptibus redigunt viros.

Evnomia

Dic mihi, quaeso, quis ea est, quam vis ducere uxorem?
170

Megadorvs

Eloquar.

nostin hunc senem Euclionem ex proximo pauperculum?

Evnomia

Novi, hominem haud malum mecastor.

Megadorvs

Eius cupio filiam

virginem mihi desponderi. verba ne facias, soror.

scio quid dictura es: hanc esse pauperem. haec pauper placet.

Evnomia

Di bene vortant.
175

Megadorvs

Idem ego spero.

Evnomia

Quid me? num quid vis?

Megadorvs

Vale.

Evnomia

Et tu, frater.—

Megadorvs

Ego conveniam Eúclionem, si domi est.

sed eccum video. nescio unde sese homo recipit domum.

Aulularia. T. Maccius Plautus. ed. Friedrich Leo. Berlin. 1895.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Aulularia (Latin) (Plautus. Plauti Comoediae, Volume 1. Leo, Friedrich, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1895.)

Translations (1)

Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure Perseus (Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, Henry Thomas, translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.) — 2.1 focus

(Enter EUNOMIA and MEGADORUS, from their house.)

EUNOMIA

I could wish you, brother, to think that I utter these words by reason of my own regard and your welfare, as is befitting your own sister to do. Although I’m not unaware that we women are accounted troublesome; for we are all of us deservedly considered very talkative,
120

and, in fact, they say at the present day that not a single woman has been found dumb¹ in any age. Still, brother, do you consider this one circumstance, that I am your nearest relation, and you in like manner are mine. How proper it is that I should counsel and advise you,
125

and you me, as to what we may judge for the interest of each of us; and for it not to be kept concealed or kept silence upon through apprehension, but rather that I should make you my confidant, and you me in like manner. For that reason, now, have I brought you here apart out of doors, that I might here discourse with you upon your private concerns.
130

MEGADORUS

Best of women, give me your hand.
135
(Takes her hand.)

EUNOMIA

(looking about.)

Where is she? Who, pray, is this best of women?

MEGADORUS

Yourself.

EUNOMIA

Do you say so?

MEGADORUS

If you say no, I say no.

EUNOMIA

Indeed, it’s right that the truth should be spoken; for the best of women can nowhere be found;

one is only worse than another, brother.
140

MEGADORUS

I think the same, and I’m determined never to contradict you on that point, sister. What do you wish?

EUNOMIA

Give me your attention, I beg of you.

MEGADORUS

’Tis at your service; use and command me, please, if you wish for aught.

EUNOMIA

A thing that I consider very greatly for your advantage

I’m come to recommend you.
145

MEGADORUS

Sister, you are doing after your usual manner.

EUNOMIA

I wish it were done.

MEGADORUS

What is it, sister?

EUNOMIA

That you may enjoy² everlasting blessings in being the father of children.

MEGADORUS

May the Gods so grant it.

EUNOMIA

I wish you to bring home a wife.³

MEGADORUS

Ha! I’m undone.

EUNOMIA

How so?

MEGADORUS

Because, sister, your words are knocking out the brains of unfortunate me; you are speaking stones⁴.

EUNOMIA

Well, well, do this that your sister requests you.

MEGADORUS

If she requests me, I will do it.

EUNOMIA

’Tis for your own interest.

MEGADORUS

Yes, for me to die before I marry.

Let her who comes here to-morrow, be carried out⁵ of the house the day after, sister; on that condition, give me her whom you wish to give; get ready the nuptials.
155

EUNOMIA

I am able, brother, to provide you with a wife with a very large marriage-portion.

But she’s somewhat aged; she’s of the middle-age of woman. If you request me, brother, to ask her for you, I’ll ask her.
160

MEGADORUS

Would you like me to ask you a question?

EUNOMIA

Yes, if you like, ask it.

MEGADORUS

Suppose any old man, past mid-age, brings home a middle-aged wife, if by chance he should have a child by this old woman, do you doubt at all but that the name of that child is Posthumus ⁶, all prepared?

Now, sister, I’ll remove and lessen this labour for you. I, by the merits of the Gods and of my forefathers, am rich enough; these high families, haughty pride⁷, bountiful portions, acclamations, imperiousness, vehicles inlaid with ivory, superb mantles and purple, I can’t abide, things that by their extravagance reduce men to slavery.
165

EUNOMIA

Tell me, pray, who is she whom you would like to take for a wife?
170

MEGADORUS

I’ll tell you. Do you know that Euclio, the poor old man close by?

EUNOMIA

I know him; not a bad sort of man, i’ faith.

MEGADORUS

I’d like his maiden daughter to be promised me in marriage. Don’t make any words⁸ about it, sister; I know what you are going to say; that she’s poor. This poor girl pleases me.

EUNOMIA

May the Gods prosper it.
175

MEGADORUS

I hope the same.

EUNOMIA

What do you want me now for? Do you wish for anything?

MEGADORUS

Farewell.

EUNOMIA

And you the same, brother.

(Goes into the house.)

MEGADORUS

I’ll go meet Euclio, if he’s at home. But, see! the very person is betaking himself home, whence, I know not.

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Megadorvs Da mi, optuma femina, manum. 135

Evnomia Vbi ea est? quis ea est nam optuma?

Megadorvs Tu.

Evnomia Túne ais?

Megadorvs Si négas, nego.

Evnomia Decet te équidem vera próloqui; nam optúma nullá potest eligi: alia ália peior, fráter, est. 140

Megadorvs Idem ego árbitror, néc tibi advorsari certum est de istac ré umquam, soror.

Evnomia Dá mihí óperam amabó.

Megadorvs Tuast, útere atque ímpera, si quíd vis.

Evnomia Íd quod in rém tuam óptumum esse árbitror, téd id monitum advénto. 145

Megadorvs Soror, móre tuo facis.

Evnomia Fáctum volo.

Megadorvs Quid ést id, sorór?

Evnomia Quod tibí sempitérnum salútare sit: liberís procreándis (ita dí faxint) volo te úxorem domum dúcere. 150

Megadorvs Ei occidí.

Evnomia Quid ita?

Megadorvs Quia míhi misero cerebrum éxcutiunt tua dícta, soror: lapidés loqueris.

Evnomia Heia, hoc face quod te iubet soror.

Megadorvs Si lubeat, faciam.

Evnomia In rem hoc tuam est.

Megadorvs Vt quidem emoriar prius quam ducam. sed hís legibús si quam dáre vis dúcam: 155 quae crás veniat, peréndie forás feratur; his legibús dare vís? cedo: nuptiás adorna.

Evnomia Cum máxima possúm tibi, fratér, dare dote; sed ést grandiór natu: média est múlieris aetas. eam sí iubes, fratér, tibi me póscere, poscam. 160

Megadorvs Núm non vis me intérrogare te?

Evnomia Ímmo, si quid vís, roga.

Evnomia Dic mihi, quaeso, quis ea est, quam vis ducere uxorem? 170

Megadorvs Eloquar. nostin hunc senem Euclionem ex proximo pauperculum?

Evnomia Novi, hominem haud malum mecastor.

Megadorvs Eius cupio filiam virginem mihi desponderi. verba ne facias, soror. scio quid dictura es: hanc esse pauperem. haec pauper placet.

Evnomia Di bene vortant. 175

Megadorvs Idem ego spero.

Evnomia Quid me? num quid vis?

Megadorvs Vale.

Evnomia Et tu, frater.—

Megadorvs Ego conveniam Eúclionem, si domi est. sed eccum video. nescio unde sese homo recipit domum.

Current edition Perseus

MEGADORUS Best of women, give me your hand. 135 (Takes her hand.)

EUNOMIA (looking about.) Where is she? Who, pray, is this best of women?

MEGADORUS Yourself.

EUNOMIA Do you say so?

MEGADORUS If you say no, I say no.

EUNOMIA Indeed, it’s right that the truth should be spoken; for the best of women can nowhere be found; one is only worse than another, brother. 140

MEGADORUS I think the same, and I’m determined never to contradict you on that point, sister. What do you wish?

EUNOMIA Give me your attention, I beg of you.

MEGADORUS ’Tis at your service; use and command me, please, if you wish for aught.

EUNOMIA A thing that I consider very greatly for your advantage I’m come to recommend you. 145

MEGADORUS Sister, you are doing after your usual manner.

EUNOMIA I wish it were done.

MEGADORUS What is it, sister?

EUNOMIA That you may enjoy 2 everlasting blessings in being the father of children.

MEGADORUS May the Gods so grant it.

EUNOMIA I wish you to bring home a wife. 3

MEGADORUS Ha! I’m undone.

EUNOMIA How so?

MEGADORUS Because, sister, your words are knocking out the brains of unfortunate me; you are speaking stones 4 .

EUNOMIA Well, well, do this that your sister requests you.

MEGADORUS If she requests me, I will do it.

EUNOMIA ’Tis for your own interest.

MEGADORUS Yes, for me to die before I marry. Let her who comes here to-morrow, be carried out 5 of the house the day after, sister; on that condition, give me her whom you wish to give; get ready the nuptials. 155

EUNOMIA I am able, brother, to provide you with a wife with a very large marriage-portion. But she’s somewhat aged; she’s of the middle-age of woman. If you request me, brother, to ask her for you, I’ll ask her. 160

MEGADORUS Would you like me to ask you a question?

EUNOMIA Yes, if you like, ask it.

EUNOMIA Tell me, pray, who is she whom you would like to take for a wife? 170

MEGADORUS I’ll tell you. Do you know that Euclio, the poor old man close by?

EUNOMIA I know him; not a bad sort of man, i’ faith.

MEGADORUS I’d like his maiden daughter to be promised me in marriage. Don’t make any words 8 about it, sister; I know what you are going to say; that she’s poor. This poor girl pleases me.

EUNOMIA May the Gods prosper it. 175

MEGADORUS I hope the same.

EUNOMIA What do you want me now for? Do you wish for anything?

MEGADORUS Farewell.

EUNOMIA And you the same, brother. (Goes into the house.)

MEGADORUS I’ll go meet Euclio, if he’s at home. But, see! the very person is betaking himself home, whence, I know not.

Stable identifiers

Megadorvs

Da mi, optuma femina, manum.
135

Evnomia

Vbi ea est? quis ea est nam optuma?

Megadorvs

Tu.

Evnomia

Túne ais?

Megadorvs

Si négas, nego.

Evnomia

Decet te équidem vera próloqui;

nam optúma nullá potest eligi:

alia ália peior, fráter, est.
140

Megadorvs

Idem ego árbitror,

néc tibi advorsari certum est de istac ré umquam, soror.

Evnomia

Dá mihí óperam amabó.

Megadorvs

Tuast, útere atque

ímpera, si quíd vis.

Evnomia

Íd quod in rém tuam óptumum esse árbitror,

téd id monitum advénto.
145

Megadorvs

Soror, móre tuo facis.

Evnomia

Fáctum volo.

Megadorvs

Quid ést id, sorór?

Evnomia

Quod tibí sempitérnum

salútare sit: liberís procreándis

(ita dí faxint) volo te úxorem

domum dúcere.
150

Megadorvs

Ei occidí.

Evnomia

Quid ita?

Megadorvs

Quia míhi misero cerebrum éxcutiunt

tua dícta, soror: lapidés loqueris.

Evnomia

Heia, hoc face quod te iubet soror.

Megadorvs

Si lubeat, faciam.

Evnomia

In rem hoc tuam est.

Megadorvs

Vt quidem emoriar prius quam ducam.

sed hís legibús si quam dáre vis dúcam:
155

quae crás veniat, peréndie forás feratur;

his legibús dare vís? cedo: nuptiás adorna.

Evnomia

Cum máxima possúm tibi, fratér, dare dote;

sed ést grandiór natu: média est múlieris aetas.

eam sí iubes, fratér, tibi me póscere, poscam.
160

Megadorvs

Núm non vis me intérrogare te?

Evnomia

Ímmo, si quid vís, roga.

Evnomia

Dic mihi, quaeso, quis ea est, quam vis ducere uxorem?
170

Megadorvs

Eloquar.

nostin hunc senem Euclionem ex proximo pauperculum?

Evnomia

Novi, hominem haud malum mecastor.

Megadorvs

Eius cupio filiam

virginem mihi desponderi. verba ne facias, soror.

scio quid dictura es: hanc esse pauperem. haec pauper placet.

Evnomia

Di bene vortant.
175

Megadorvs

Idem ego spero.

Evnomia

Quid me? num quid vis?

Megadorvs

Vale.

Evnomia

Et tu, frater.—

Megadorvs

Ego conveniam Eúclionem, si domi est.

sed eccum video. nescio unde sese homo recipit domum.

MEGADORUS

Best of women, give me your hand.
135
(Takes her hand.)

EUNOMIA

(looking about.)

Where is she? Who, pray, is this best of women?

MEGADORUS

Yourself.

EUNOMIA

Do you say so?

MEGADORUS

If you say no, I say no.

EUNOMIA

Indeed, it’s right that the truth should be spoken; for the best of women can nowhere be found;

one is only worse than another, brother.
140

MEGADORUS

I think the same, and I’m determined never to contradict you on that point, sister. What do you wish?

EUNOMIA

Give me your attention, I beg of you.

MEGADORUS

’Tis at your service; use and command me, please, if you wish for aught.

EUNOMIA

A thing that I consider very greatly for your advantage

I’m come to recommend you.
145

MEGADORUS

Sister, you are doing after your usual manner.

EUNOMIA

I wish it were done.

MEGADORUS

What is it, sister?

EUNOMIA

That you may enjoy² everlasting blessings in being the father of children.

MEGADORUS

May the Gods so grant it.

EUNOMIA

I wish you to bring home a wife.³

MEGADORUS

Ha! I’m undone.

EUNOMIA

How so?

MEGADORUS

Because, sister, your words are knocking out the brains of unfortunate me; you are speaking stones⁴.

EUNOMIA

Well, well, do this that your sister requests you.

MEGADORUS

If she requests me, I will do it.

EUNOMIA

’Tis for your own interest.

MEGADORUS

Yes, for me to die before I marry.

Let her who comes here to-morrow, be carried out⁵ of the house the day after, sister; on that condition, give me her whom you wish to give; get ready the nuptials.
155

EUNOMIA

I am able, brother, to provide you with a wife with a very large marriage-portion.

But she’s somewhat aged; she’s of the middle-age of woman. If you request me, brother, to ask her for you, I’ll ask her.
160

MEGADORUS

Would you like me to ask you a question?

EUNOMIA

Yes, if you like, ask it.

EUNOMIA

Tell me, pray, who is she whom you would like to take for a wife?
170

MEGADORUS

I’ll tell you. Do you know that Euclio, the poor old man close by?

EUNOMIA

I know him; not a bad sort of man, i’ faith.

MEGADORUS

I’d like his maiden daughter to be promised me in marriage. Don’t make any words⁸ about it, sister; I know what you are going to say; that she’s poor. This poor girl pleases me.

EUNOMIA

May the Gods prosper it.
175

MEGADORUS

I hope the same.

EUNOMIA

What do you want me now for? Do you wish for anything?

MEGADORUS

Farewell.

EUNOMIA

And you the same, brother.

(Goes into the house.)

MEGADORUS

I’ll go meet Euclio, if he’s at home. But, see! the very person is betaking himself home, whence, I know not.