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(Enter PISTOCLERUS.)
2nd BACCHIS
1st BACCHIS
And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?
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And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?
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2nd BACCHIS
With pleasure; you may proceed.
With pleasure; you may proceed.
1st BACCHIS
When my memory shall fail me, then do you take care to aid me, sister.
When my memory shall fail me, then do you take care to aid me, sister.
2nd BACCHIS
I’ faith, I’m more afraid that I shan’t have the choice of prompting you.
I’ faith, I’m more afraid that I shan’t have the choice of prompting you.
1st BACCHIS
Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers
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of song. Follow this way.
(They move.)
(Enter PISTOCLERUS.)
Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers
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of song. Follow this way.
PISTOCLERUS
What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?
What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?
1st BACCHIS
Nothing is there more wretched than a woman.
Nothing is there more wretched than a woman.
PISTOCLERUS
What, say you, is there more worthy of it?
What have you been planning in your consultation?
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What, say you, is there more worthy of it?
What have you been planning in your consultation?
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1st BACCHIS
What’s proper?
What’s proper?
PISTOCLERUS
I’ faith, that doesn’t belong to the Courtesan.
I’ faith, that doesn’t belong to the Courtesan.
1st BACCHIS
This sister of mine entreats me so to find some person to protect her against this Captain; that when she as served her time
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he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.
This sister of mine entreats me so to find some person to protect her against this Captain; that when she as served her time
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he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.
PISTOCLERUS
Why should I protect her?
Why should I protect her?
1st BACCHIS
That she may be brought home again,
when she has fulfilled her engagement to him, so that he may not take her as a servant
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for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so.
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That she may be brought home again,
when she has fulfilled her engagement to him, so that he may not take her as a servant
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for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so.
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PISTOCLERUS
Where now is this person?
Where now is this person?
1st BACCHIS
I expect that he’ll be here just now. But this you’ll be able to arrange better among ourselves; and sitting there, you shall wait until he comes. So you will drink some wine, and so, I’ll give you a kiss when you have drunk it.
I expect that he’ll be here just now. But this you’ll be able to arrange better among ourselves; and sitting there, you shall wait until he comes. So you will drink some wine, and so, I’ll give you a kiss when you have drunk it.
PISTOCLERUS
Your coaxing is mere birdlime.
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Your coaxing is mere birdlime.
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1st BACCHIS
How so?
How so?
PISTOCLERUS
Because, in fact, I understand how you two are aiming at one poor pigeon, myself;
(aside) very nearly is the limed reed
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breaking my feathers. Madam, I judge that such deeds befit me not.
Because, in fact, I understand how you two are aiming at one poor pigeon, myself;
(aside) very nearly is the limed reed
4
breaking my feathers. Madam, I judge that such deeds befit me not.
1st BACCHIS
Why so, I pray?
Why so, I pray?
PISTOCLERUS
Bacchis, it is, because I dread you Bacchantes, and your Bacchanalian den
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.
Bacchis, it is, because I dread you Bacchantes, and your Bacchanalian den
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.
1st BACCHIS
What is it that you dread? Surely, not that the couch in my house may lead you into mischief?
What is it that you dread? Surely, not that the couch in my house may lead you into mischief?
PISTOCLERUS
1st BACCHIS
Should you wish at my house to do anything that’s unwise, I myself should hinder it. But, when the Captain comes, I wish you to be at my house for this reason; because, when you are present, no one will do her and me any injury.
You will prevent that, and by the same means you will be aiding your friend; this Captain, too, on arriving, will suspect that I am your mistress. Why are you silent, pray?
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Should you wish at my house to do anything that’s unwise, I myself should hinder it. But, when the Captain comes, I wish you to be at my house for this reason; because, when you are present, no one will do her and me any injury.
You will prevent that, and by the same means you will be aiding your friend; this Captain, too, on arriving, will suspect that I am your mistress. Why are you silent, pray?
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PISTOCLERUS
Because these things are pleasant in the talking of; but in the practice, and when you make trial, the same are armed with stings. They pierce the feelings, goad one’s fortune, and wound one’s merits and character.
Because these things are pleasant in the talking of; but in the practice, and when you make trial, the same are armed with stings. They pierce the feelings, goad one’s fortune, and wound one’s merits and character.
2nd BACCHIS
What do you dread from her?
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What do you dread from her?
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PISTOCLERUS
What do I dread, do you ask? Am I a person in my youth to enter a place of exercise
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of such a nature, where people sweat to their undoing?—where for the quoit I rereive a loss, disgrace, too, for my running?
What do I dread, do you ask? Am I a person in my youth to enter a place of exercise
8
of such a nature, where people sweat to their undoing?—where for the quoit I rereive a loss, disgrace, too, for my running?
2nd BACCHIS
How charmingly you do talk.
How charmingly you do talk.
PISTOCLERUS
2nd BACCHIS
O, you’re too fierce.
O, you’re too fierce.
PISTOCLERUS
I am attending to my own interests.
I am attending to my own interests.
2nd BACCHIS
You must be softened down; and, in fact, I offer you my aid in this.
You must be softened down; and, in fact, I offer you my aid in this.
PISTOCLERUS
But you are too expensive an assistant.
But you are too expensive an assistant.
1st BACCHIS
Do pretend that you are in love with me.
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Do pretend that you are in love with me.
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PISTOCLERUS
Whether should I be pretending that in jest, or seriously?
Whether should I be pretending that in jest, or seriously?
1st BACCHIS
Well said! better to do the last. When the Captain comes here, I want you
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to embrace me.
Well said! better to do the last. When the Captain comes here, I want you
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to embrace me.
PISTOCLERUS
What need is there of my doing that?
What need is there of my doing that?
1st BACCHIS
I want him to see you. I know what I’m about?
I want him to see you. I know what I’m about?
PISTOCLERUS
And I, i’ faith, I know not what I’m in fear of. But what say you—?
And I, i’ faith, I know not what I’m in fear of. But what say you—?
1st BACCHIS
What’s the matter now?
What’s the matter now?
PISTOCLERUS
Well, suppose perchance on a sudden a breakfast or a drinking bout,
or else a dinner, should take place at your house, just as is the wont in such places of resort; where, then, should I take my place?
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Well, suppose perchance on a sudden a breakfast or a drinking bout,
or else a dinner, should take place at your house, just as is the wont in such places of resort; where, then, should I take my place?
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1st BACCHIS
Near myself, my life, that with a she wit a he wit may be reclining at the repast. A place here, at our house, should you come late, is always at your service. When you wish right merrily to disport yourself, my rosebud, you say to me,
Do let me enjoy myself to-day, I’ll provide you a delightful place where it may be so.
Near myself, my life, that with a she wit a he wit may be reclining at the repast. A place here, at our house, should you come late, is always at your service. When you wish right merrily to disport yourself, my rosebud, you say to me,
Do let me enjoy myself to-day, I’ll provide you a delightful place where it may be so.
PISTOCLERUS
Here is a rapid stream; not without hazard can this way be passed.
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Here is a rapid stream; not without hazard can this way be passed.
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1st BACCHIS
(aside.)
And, by my troth, something must you lose amid this stream.
(Aloud.) Give me your hand and follow me.
And, by my troth, something must you lose amid this stream.
(Aloud.) Give me your hand and follow me.
PISTOCLERUS
O, by no means.
O, by no means.
1st BACCHIS
Why so?
Why so?
PISTOCLERUS
Because to a man in his youth nothing can be more alluring than these—night, women, wine.
Because to a man in his youth nothing can be more alluring than these—night, women, wine.
1st BACCHIS
Away, then, with you; for my part, I don’t at all care for it, but for your own sake.
The Captain, then, shall take her off; don’t you be present at all if you don’t choose.
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Away, then, with you; for my part, I don’t at all care for it, but for your own sake.
The Captain, then, shall take her off; don’t you be present at all if you don’t choose.
90
PISTOCLERUS
(to himself.)
And am I a thing of nothing, who cannot moderate my own passions?
And am I a thing of nothing, who cannot moderate my own passions?
1st BACCHIS
What’s there for you to fear?
What’s there for you to fear?
PISTOCLERUS
There’s nothing; all nonsense. Madam, I resign myself to you. I’m yours; to you do I devote my services.
There’s nothing; all nonsense. Madam, I resign myself to you. I’m yours; to you do I devote my services.
1st BACCHIS
You are a dear man. Now I wish you to do this. To-day I want to give a welcome entertainment
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to my sister.
For that purpose I shall at once order the money
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to be brought you from in-doors. Do you take care and cater for us a splendid entertainment.
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You are a dear man. Now I wish you to do this. To-day I want to give a welcome entertainment
16
to my sister.
For that purpose I shall at once order the money
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to be brought you from in-doors. Do you take care and cater for us a splendid entertainment.
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PISTOCLERUS
No, I’ll stand treat; for it would be a shame, that on my account you both should take trouble for me, and by reason of that trouble should pay the expense from your own means.
No, I’ll stand treat; for it would be a shame, that on my account you both should take trouble for me, and by reason of that trouble should pay the expense from your own means.
1st BACCHIS
But I can’t allow you to give anything.
But I can’t allow you to give anything.
PISTOCLERUS
Do let me.
Do let me.
1st BACCHIS
Well, I’ll let you, if you choose.
Prithee, do make haste.
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Well, I’ll let you, if you choose.
Prithee, do make haste.
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PISTOCLERUS
I shall be here again, before I cease to love you.
(Exit PISTOCLERUS.)
I shall be here again, before I cease to love you.
2nd BACCHIS
You entertain me pleasantly upon my return, my sister.
You entertain me pleasantly upon my return, my sister.
1st BACCHIS
How so, prithee?
How so, prithee?
2nd BACCHIS
Because, in my way of thinking, this day a lucky haul has fallen to your lot.
Because, in my way of thinking, this day a lucky haul has fallen to your lot.
1st BACCHIS
He’s mine, assuredly. Now, sister, with respect to Mnesilochus, I’ll give you my aid
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, that here at home you may be receiving gold, rather than be going hence together with the Captain.
He’s mine, assuredly. Now, sister, with respect to Mnesilochus, I’ll give you my aid
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, that here at home you may be receiving gold, rather than be going hence together with the Captain.
2nd BACCHIS
That’s my desire.
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That’s my desire.
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1st BACCHIS
My aid shall be given you. The water’s warm; let’s go in, that you may bathe. For, as you have travelled on board ship, you are faint, I think.
My aid shall be given you. The water’s warm; let’s go in, that you may bathe. For, as you have travelled on board ship, you are faint, I think.
2nd BACCHIS
A little so, sister.
(PISTOCLERUS is seen at a distance.) Besides, he’s beginning to cause I don’t know what bustle. Let’s begone hence.
A little so, sister.
(PISTOCLERUS is seen at a distance.) Besides, he’s beginning to cause I don’t know what bustle. Let’s begone hence.
1st BACCHIS
Follow me this way in-doors to bathe, that you may relieve your weariness.
Follow me this way in-doors to bathe, that you may relieve your weariness.
Bacchides. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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