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799
(Re-enter NICOBULUS, with SLAVES carrying fetters.)
NICOBULUS
Artamo, do you fasten the hands of that fellow this very instant.
(The SLAVES bind him.)
Artamo, do you fasten the hands of that fellow this very instant.
CHRYSALUS
What have I done?
800
What have I done?
800
NICOBULUS
Pitch your fist into him if he mutters a word.
(To CHRYSALUS, pointing at the tablets.) What does this letter say?
Pitch your fist into him if he mutters a word.
(To CHRYSALUS, pointing at the tablets.) What does this letter say?
CHRYSALUS
Why do you ask me? As I received it from him, so I’ve brought it sealed to you.
Why do you ask me? As I received it from him, so I’ve brought it sealed to you.
NICOBULUS
Come now, you rascal, have you not shamefully abused my son in your talk, because he gave me up that gold,
and said that you would still take that gold away from me by some knavish trick?
805
Come now, you rascal, have you not shamefully abused my son in your talk, because he gave me up that gold,
and said that you would still take that gold away from me by some knavish trick?
805
CHRYSALUS
Have I said so?
Have I said so?
NICOBULUS
You have.
You have.
CHRYSALUS
What person is there, who says that I’ve said so?
What person is there, who says that I’ve said so?
NICOBULUS
Hold your tongue. No person says so; this letter which you have brought me accuses you. See, ’tis this that requests you to be chained.
(Points to the open tablets.)
Hold your tongue. No person says so; this letter which you have brought me accuses you. See, ’tis this that requests you to be chained.
CHRYSALUS
Ah! your son has been making a Bellerophon
1
of me; I myself brought this letter, for the purpose that I might be bound. Be it so.
810
Ah! your son has been making a Bellerophon
1
of me; I myself brought this letter, for the purpose that I might be bound. Be it so.
810
NICOBULUS
This I am doing for this reason, because you persuade my son to live like a Greek with you, you thrice-dotted villain.
This I am doing for this reason, because you persuade my son to live like a Greek with you, you thrice-dotted villain.
CHRYSALUS
(aside.)
O fool, fool, you know not that you are at this moment on sale;
and that you are standing on the very stone
2
as the auctioneer puts you up.
815
O fool, fool, you know not that you are at this moment on sale;
and that you are standing on the very stone
2
as the auctioneer puts you up.
815
NICOBULUS
(overhearing him.)
Answer me; who is selling me?
Answer me; who is selling me?
CHRYSALUS
He whom the Gods favour
3
dies in youth, while he is in his health, has his senses and judgment sound. This person
(pointing to NICOBULUS), if any God had favoured him, ought to have been dead more than ten years—aye, more than twenty years ago.
’Tis for long, he has walked, a nuisance, on the earth; so devoid is he of either judgment or sense. He is of as much value as a rotten mushroom is.
820
He whom the Gods favour
3
dies in youth, while he is in his health, has his senses and judgment sound. This person
(pointing to NICOBULUS), if any God had favoured him, ought to have been dead more than ten years—aye, more than twenty years ago.
’Tis for long, he has walked, a nuisance, on the earth; so devoid is he of either judgment or sense. He is of as much value as a rotten mushroom is.
820
NICOBULUS
Do you think that I am a nuisance to the earth? Away with him in-doors, and tie him tightly to the post. You shall never take away any gold from here.
Do you think that I am a nuisance to the earth? Away with him in-doors, and tie him tightly to the post. You shall never take away any gold from here.
CHRYSALUS
No, but you’ll soon be giving it me.
No, but you’ll soon be giving it me.
NICOBULUS
I, give it you?
825
I, give it you?
825
CHRYSALUS
You’ll be entreating me, too, of your own accord to receive it, when you shall come to know this accuser of mine, in how great danger and in what a dreadful situation he is. Then will you be offering his liberty to Chrysalus; but I certainly shan’t accept it.
You’ll be entreating me, too, of your own accord to receive it, when you shall come to know this accuser of mine, in how great danger and in what a dreadful situation he is. Then will you be offering his liberty to Chrysalus; but I certainly shan’t accept it.
NICOBULUS
Tell me, source of mischief,
tell me, in what danger is my son Mnesilochus.
830
Tell me, source of mischief,
tell me, in what danger is my son Mnesilochus.
830
CHRYSALUS
Follow me this way; I’ll soon let you know.
Follow me this way; I’ll soon let you know.
NICOBULUS
Where on earth shall I follow you?
Where on earth shall I follow you?
CHRYSALUS
Only three steps.
Only three steps.
NICOBULUS
Aye, ten even.
Aye, ten even.
CHRYSALUS
Come, then, Artamo, do you open you this door out a very little way; softly, don’t make it creak.
(The door of the house of BACCHIS is opened.) That’s enough. Now, step you hither.
(To NICOBULUS, who looks in.) Do you see the entertainment?
Come, then, Artamo, do you open you this door out a very little way; softly, don’t make it creak.
(The door of the house of BACCHIS is opened.) That’s enough. Now, step you hither.
(To NICOBULUS, who looks in.) Do you see the entertainment?
NICOBULUS
(still looking in.)
I see Pistoclerus and Bacchis right opposite.
835
I see Pistoclerus and Bacchis right opposite.
835
CHRYSALUS
Who are upon that other couch?
Who are upon that other couch?
NICOBULUS
(looking on the other side.)
Wretch that I am, I’m undone.
Wretch that I am, I’m undone.
CHRYSALUS
Do you recognize that person?
Do you recognize that person?
NICOBULUS
I do recognize him.
I do recognize him.
CHRYSALUS
Now tell me, if you please, does that woman seem of handsome appearance?
Now tell me, if you please, does that woman seem of handsome appearance?
NICOBULUS
Very much so.
Very much so.
CHRYSALUS
Well, do you take her to be a courtesan?
Well, do you take her to be a courtesan?
NICOBULUS
Why not?
Why not?
CHRYSALUS
You are mistaken.
840
You are mistaken.
840
NICOBULUS
Who is she then, prithee?
Who is she then, prithee?
CHRYSALUS
You’ll find out from me. indeed, you’ll get no more information to-day.
You’ll find out from me. indeed, you’ll get no more information to-day.
Bacchides. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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