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770
(Enter NICOBULUS, at a distance.)
NICOBULUS
This is a matter of great vexation to me, that Chrysalus has thus escaped me this day.
770
This is a matter of great vexation to me, that Chrysalus has thus escaped me this day.
770
CHRYSALUS
(aside.)
I’m all right: the old fellow is in a passion. Now’s my time for me to accost my man.
I’m all right: the old fellow is in a passion. Now’s my time for me to accost my man.
NICOBULUS
Who speaks hard by?
(Looking round.) Why surely this is Chrysalus, I think.
Who speaks hard by?
(Looking round.) Why surely this is Chrysalus, I think.
CHRYSALUS
(aside.)
I’ll accost him.
I’ll accost him.
NICOBULUS
My honest servant, hail to you. What’s doing now? How soon do I set sail for Ephesus, to bring back the gold home from Theotimus? What—silent? I swear by all the Gods, if I didn’t love my son so much as to wish everything done for him that he desires
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that your sides should be wealed now right well with rods, and that in irons at the mill you should be lingering out your life. I’ve learnt of Mnesilochus all your wicked pranks.
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My honest servant, hail to you. What’s doing now? How soon do I set sail for Ephesus, to bring back the gold home from Theotimus? What—silent? I swear by all the Gods, if I didn’t love my son so much as to wish everything done for him that he desires
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that your sides should be wealed now right well with rods, and that in irons at the mill you should be lingering out your life. I’ve learnt of Mnesilochus all your wicked pranks.
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CHRYSALUS
Has he accused me? ’Tis very good; I am a bad one, I am a cursed one—a wicked one. Only reflect upon the matter. I’ll utter not one word.
Has he accused me? ’Tis very good; I am a bad one, I am a cursed one—a wicked one. Only reflect upon the matter. I’ll utter not one word.
NICOBULUS
What? Hangdog, do you even threaten me
1
?
What? Hangdog, do you even threaten me
1
?
CHRYSALUS
You’ll find out before long what sort of man he is. He ordered me just now to carry this letter to you. He requested that that which is there written may be done.
You’ll find out before long what sort of man he is. He ordered me just now to carry this letter to you. He requested that that which is there written may be done.
NICOBULUS
Give it me.
Give it me.
CHRYSALUS
Take notice of the seal.
(Gives him the tablets.)
Take notice of the seal.
NICOBULUS
I know it. Where is he himself?
I know it. Where is he himself?
CHRYSALUS
I don’t know.
I ought to know nothing now; I’ve forgotten everything. I know that I’m a slave; I know not even that which I do know.
(Aside.) Now from the springe this thrush is catching at the worm; he’ll be finely noosed this day, so well I’ve set the snare.
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I don’t know.
I ought to know nothing now; I’ve forgotten everything. I know that I’m a slave; I know not even that which I do know.
(Aside.) Now from the springe this thrush is catching at the worm; he’ll be finely noosed this day, so well I’ve set the snare.
790
NICOBULUS
Stay here but a moment; I’ll return to you directly, Chrysalus.
(Goes into his house.)
Stay here but a moment; I’ll return to you directly, Chrysalus.
CHRYSALUS
How he does dissemble with me; how ignorant I am of the business he’s about. He has gone to fetch slaves from in-doors to bind me. The ship speeds prosperously on; finely, too, is this craft boarding it
2
. But I’ll hold my tongue, for I hear the door opening.
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How he does dissemble with me; how ignorant I am of the business he’s about. He has gone to fetch slaves from in-doors to bind me. The ship speeds prosperously on; finely, too, is this craft boarding it
2
. But I’ll hold my tongue, for I hear the door opening.
795
Bacchides. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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