T. Maccius Plautus, Bacchides, ed. Friedrich Leo, 1.1

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Scene

← Previous Next →

Bacchis

Quíd si hoc potis est út tu taceas, égo loquar?
35

Soror

Lepidé, licet.

Bacchis

Vbi me fugiet memoria, ibi tu facito ut subvenias, soror.

Soror

Pol magis metuo, ne defuerit mi in monendo oratio.

Bacchis

Pol ego metuo, lusciniolae ne defuerit cantio.

sequere hac.

Pistoclervs

Quid agunt duae germanae meretrices cognomines?

quid in consilio consuluistis?
40

Bacchis

Bene.

Pistoclervs

Pol haud meretricium est.

Bacchis

Miserius nihil est quam mulier.

Pistoclervs

Quid esse dices dignius?

Bacchis

Haec ita me orat, sibi qui caveat aliquem ut hominem reperiam,

ut istunc militem—ut, ubi emeritum sibi sit, se revehat domum.

id, amabo te, huic caveas.

Pistoclervs

Quid isti caveam?

Bacchis

Vt revehatur domum,

ubi ei dediderit operas, ne hanc ille habeat pro ancilla sibi;
45

nam si haec habeat aurum quod illi renumeret, faciat lubens.

Pistoclervs

Vbi nunc is homost?

Bacchis

Iam hic credo aderit. sed hoc idem apud nos rectius

poteris agere; atque is dum veniat, sedens ibi opperibere.

eadem biberis, eadem dedero tibi, ubi biberis, savium.

Pistoclervs

Viscus merus vostrast blanditia.
50

Bacchis

Quid iam?

Pistoclervs

Quia enim intellego,

duae unum éxpetitis palumbem, † perii harundo alas verberat.

non ego istúc facinus mihi, mulier, conducibile esse arbitror.

Bacchis

Quí, amabo?

Pistoclervs

Quia, Bacchis, bacchas metuo et bacchanal tuom.

Bacchis

Quid est? quid metuis? ne tibi lectus malitiam apud me suadeat?

Pistoclervs

Magis illectum tuom quam lectum metuo. mala tu es bestia.
55

nam huic aetati non conducit, mulier, latebrosus locus.

Bacchis

Egomet, apud me si quid stulte facere cupias, prohibeam.

sed ego apud me te esse ob eam rem, miles cum veniat, volo,

quia, cum tu aderis, huic mihique haud faciet quisquam iniuriam:

tu prohibebis, et eadem opera tuo sodali operam dabis;
60

et ille adveniens tuam med esse amicam suspicabitur.

quid, amabo, opticuisti?

Pistoclervs

Quia istaec lepida sunt memoratui:

eadem in usu atque ubi periclum facias, aculeata sunt,

animum fodicant, bona distimulant, facta et famam sauciant.

Soror

Quid ab hac metuis?
65

Pistoclervs

Quid ego metuam rogitas? adulescens homo

penetrem me huius modi in palaestram, ubi damnis desudascitur?

ubi pro disco damnum capiam, pro cursura dedecus?

Bacchis

Lepide memoras.

Pistoclervs

Vbi ego capiam pro machaera turturem,

ubique imponat in manum alius mihi pro cestu cantharum

pro galea scaphium, pro insigni sit corolla plectilis,
70

pro hasta talos, pro lorica malacum capiam pallium,

ubi mihi pró equo lectus detur, scortum pro scuto accubet?

apage a me, apage.

Bacchis

Ah, nimium ferus es.

Pistoclervs

Mihi sum.

Bacchis

Malacissandus es.

equidem tibi do hanc operam.

Pistoclervs

Ah, nimium pretiosa es operaria.

Bacchis

Simulato me amare.
75

Pistoclervs

Vtrum égo istuc iócon adsimulem an serio?

Bacchis

Heia, hoc agere meliust. miles quom huc adveniat, te volo

me amplexari.

Pistoclervs

Quid eo mi opus est?

Bacchis

Vt ille te videat volo.

scio quid ago.

Pistoclervs

Et pol égo scio quid metuo. sed quid ais?

Bacchis

Quid est?

Pistoclervs

Quid si apud te eveniát desubito prandium aut potatio

forte aut cena, ut solet in istis fieri conciliabulis,
80

ubi ego tum accumbam?

Bacchis

Ápud me, mi anime, ut lepidus cum lepida accubet.

locus hic apud nos, quamvis subito venias, semper liber est.

ubi tu lepide vóles esse tibi, méa rosa, mihi dicito

dato qui bene sit: ego ubi bene sit tibi locum lepidum dabo.

Pistoclervs

Rapidus fluvius est hic, non hac temere transiri potest.
85

Bacchis

Atque ecastor apud hunc fluvium áliquid perdundumst tibi.

manum da et sequere.

Pistoclervs

Aha, minime.

Bacchis

Quid ita?

Pistoclervs

Quia istoc in lecebrosius

fieri nil potest: nox mulier vinum homini adulescentulo.

Bacchis

Age igitur, equidem pol nihili facio nisi causa tua.

ille quidem hanc abducet; tú nullus ádfueris, si non lubet.
90

Pistoclervs

Sumne autem nihili, qui nequeam ingenio moderari meo?

Bacchis

Quid est quod metuas?

Pistoclervs

Nihil est, nugae. mulier, tibi me emancupo:

tuos sum, tibi dedo operam.

Bacchis

Lepidu's lepidu s es. nunc ego te facere hoc volo.

ego sorori meae cenam hodie dare volo viaticam:

eo tibi argentum iubebo iam intus ecferri foras;
95

tu facito opsonatum nobis sit opulentum opsonium.

Pistoclervs

Ego opsonabo, nam id flagitium meum sit, mea te gratia

et operam dare mi ét ad eam operam facere sumptum de tuo.

Bacchis

At ego nolo dare te quicquam.

Pistoclervs

Sine.

Bacchis

Sino equidem, si lubet.

propera, amabo.
100

Pistoclervs

Prius hic adero quam te amare desinam.—

Soror

Bene me accipies advenientem, mea soror.

Bacchis

Quid ita, obsecro?

Soror

Quia piscatus meo quidem animo hic tibi hodie evenit bonus.

Bacchis

Meus ille quidemst. tibi nunc operam dabo de Mnesilocho, soror,

ut hic accipias potius aurum, quam hinc eas cum milite.

Soror

Cupio.
105

Bacchis

Dabitur opera. aqua calet: eamus hinc intro, ut laves.

nám uti navi vecta es, credo timida es.

Soror

Aliquantum, soror.

simul huic nescio cui, turbare qui huc it, decedamus

Bacchis

Sequere hac igitur me intro in lectum, ut sedes lassitudinem.

Bacchides. 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

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

Translations (1)

Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters Perseus (Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, Henry Thomas, translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.) — 1.1 focus

2nd BACCHIS

1st BACCHIS

And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?
35

2nd BACCHIS

With pleasure; you may proceed.

1st BACCHIS

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.

1st BACCHIS

Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers¹ of song. Follow this way.

(They move.)

(Enter PISTOCLERUS.)

PISTOCLERUS

What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?

1st BACCHIS

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?
40

1st BACCHIS

What’s proper?

PISTOCLERUS

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 time² he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.

PISTOCLERUS

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 servant³ for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so.
45

PISTOCLERUS

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.

PISTOCLERUS

Your coaxing is mere birdlime.
50

1st BACCHIS

How so?

PISTOCLERUS

Because, in fact, I understand how you two are aiming at one poor pigeon, myself; (aside) very nearly is the limed reed⁴ breaking my feathers. Madam, I judge that such deeds befit me not.

1st BACCHIS

Why so, I pray?

PISTOCLERUS

Bacchis, it is, because I dread you Bacchantes, and your Bacchanalian den⁵.

1st BACCHIS

What is it that you dread? Surely, not that the couch in my house may lead you into mischief?

PISTOCLERUS

Your allurements⁶, more than your couch, do I dread. You’re a mischievous serpent⁷. But, madam, a lurking-place does not befit this youthful age.
55

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?
60

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.

2nd BACCHIS

What do you dread from her?
65

PISTOCLERUS

What do I dread, do you ask? Am I a person in my youth to enter a place of exercise⁸ 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.

PISTOCLERUS

Where I’m to take a turtle-dove⁹ instead of a sword, and where another puts into my hand the goblet¹⁰ instead of the cestus; the drinking-cup¹¹ is in place of the helmet, the wreathed garland instead of the crest¹²,

the dice in place of the lance. For the coat of mail I should have to assume a soft cloak¹³; where, too, in place of a horse a couch must be given me,—for shield, a strumpet¹⁴ may be lying by me. Avaunt from me—avaunt!

2nd BACCHIS

O, you’re too fierce.

PISTOCLERUS

I am attending to my own interests.

2nd BACCHIS

You must be softened down; and, in fact, I offer you my aid in this.

PISTOCLERUS

But you are too expensive an assistant.

1st BACCHIS

Do pretend that you are in love with me.
75

PISTOCLERUS

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 you¹⁵ to embrace me.

PISTOCLERUS

What need is there of my doing that?

1st BACCHIS

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—?

1st BACCHIS

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?
80

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.

PISTOCLERUS

Here is a rapid stream; not without hazard can this way be passed.
85

1st BACCHIS

(aside.)

And, by my troth, something must you lose amid this stream. (Aloud.) Give me your hand and follow me.

PISTOCLERUS

O, by no means.

1st BACCHIS

Why so?

PISTOCLERUS

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.
90

PISTOCLERUS

(to himself.)

And am I a thing of nothing, who cannot moderate my own passions?

1st BACCHIS

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.

1st BACCHIS

You are a dear man. Now I wish you to do this. To-day I want to give a welcome entertainment¹⁶ to my sister.

For that purpose I shall at once order the money¹⁷ to be brought you from in-doors. Do you take care and cater for us a splendid entertainment.
95

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.

1st BACCHIS

But I can’t allow you to give anything.

PISTOCLERUS

Do let me.

1st BACCHIS

Well, I’ll let you, if you choose.

Prithee, do make haste.
100

PISTOCLERUS

I shall be here again, before I cease to love you.

(Exit PISTOCLERUS.)

2nd BACCHIS

You entertain me pleasantly upon my return, my sister.

1st BACCHIS

How so, prithee?

2nd BACCHIS

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 aid¹⁸, that here at home you may be receiving gold, rather than be going hence together with the Captain.

2nd BACCHIS

That’s my desire.
105

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.

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.

1st BACCHIS

Follow me this way in-doors to bathe, that you may relieve your weariness.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Bacchis Quíd si hoc potis est út tu taceas, égo loquar? 35

Soror Lepidé, licet.

Bacchis Vbi me fugiet memoria, ibi tu facito ut subvenias, soror.

Soror Pol magis metuo, ne defuerit mi in monendo oratio.

Bacchis Pol ego metuo, lusciniolae ne defuerit cantio. sequere hac.

Pistoclervs Quid agunt duae germanae meretrices cognomines? quid in consilio consuluistis? 40

Bacchis Bene.

Pistoclervs Pol haud meretricium est.

Bacchis Miserius nihil est quam mulier.

Pistoclervs Quid esse dices dignius?

Bacchis Haec ita me orat, sibi qui caveat aliquem ut hominem reperiam, ut istunc militem—ut, ubi emeritum sibi sit, se revehat domum. id, amabo te, huic caveas.

Pistoclervs Quid isti caveam?

Bacchis Vt revehatur domum, ubi ei dediderit operas, ne hanc ille habeat pro ancilla sibi; 45 nam si haec habeat aurum quod illi renumeret, faciat lubens.

Pistoclervs Vbi nunc is homost?

Bacchis Iam hic credo aderit. sed hoc idem apud nos rectius poteris agere; atque is dum veniat, sedens ibi opperibere. eadem biberis, eadem dedero tibi, ubi biberis, savium.

Pistoclervs Viscus merus vostrast blanditia. 50

Bacchis Quid iam?

Pistoclervs Quia enim intellego, duae unum éxpetitis palumbem, † perii harundo alas verberat. non ego istúc facinus mihi, mulier, conducibile esse arbitror.

Bacchis Quí, amabo?

Pistoclervs Quia, Bacchis, bacchas metuo et bacchanal tuom.

Bacchis Quid est? quid metuis? ne tibi lectus malitiam apud me suadeat?

Pistoclervs Magis illectum tuom quam lectum metuo. mala tu es bestia. 55 nam huic aetati non conducit, mulier, latebrosus locus.

Pistoclervs Quia istaec lepida sunt memoratui: eadem in usu atque ubi periclum facias, aculeata sunt, animum fodicant, bona distimulant, facta et famam sauciant.

Soror Quid ab hac metuis? 65

Pistoclervs Quid ego metuam rogitas? adulescens homo penetrem me huius modi in palaestram, ubi damnis desudascitur? ubi pro disco damnum capiam, pro cursura dedecus?

Bacchis Lepide memoras.

Pistoclervs Vbi ego capiam pro machaera turturem, ubique imponat in manum alius mihi pro cestu cantharum pro galea scaphium, pro insigni sit corolla plectilis, 70 pro hasta talos, pro lorica malacum capiam pallium, ubi mihi pró equo lectus detur, scortum pro scuto accubet? apage a me, apage.

Bacchis Ah, nimium ferus es.

Pistoclervs Mihi sum.

Bacchis Malacissandus es. equidem tibi do hanc operam.

Pistoclervs Ah, nimium pretiosa es operaria.

Bacchis Simulato me amare. 75

Pistoclervs Vtrum égo istuc iócon adsimulem an serio?

Bacchis Heia, hoc agere meliust. miles quom huc adveniat, te volo me amplexari.

Pistoclervs Quid eo mi opus est?

Bacchis Vt ille te videat volo. scio quid ago.

Pistoclervs Et pol égo scio quid metuo. sed quid ais?

Bacchis Quid est?

Pistoclervs Quid si apud te eveniát desubito prandium aut potatio forte aut cena, ut solet in istis fieri conciliabulis, 80 ubi ego tum accumbam?

Bacchis Ápud me, mi anime, ut lepidus cum lepida accubet. locus hic apud nos, quamvis subito venias, semper liber est. ubi tu lepide vóles esse tibi, méa rosa, mihi dicito dato qui bene sit: ego ubi bene sit tibi locum lepidum dabo.

Pistoclervs Rapidus fluvius est hic, non hac temere transiri potest. 85

Bacchis Atque ecastor apud hunc fluvium áliquid perdundumst tibi. manum da et sequere.

Pistoclervs Aha, minime.

Bacchis Quid ita?

Pistoclervs Quia istoc in lecebrosius fieri nil potest: nox mulier vinum homini adulescentulo.

Bacchis Age igitur, equidem pol nihili facio nisi causa tua. ille quidem hanc abducet; tú nullus ádfueris, si non lubet. 90

Pistoclervs Sumne autem nihili, qui nequeam ingenio moderari meo?

Bacchis Quid est quod metuas?

Pistoclervs Nihil est, nugae. mulier, tibi me emancupo: tuos sum, tibi dedo operam.

Bacchis Lepidu's lepidu s es. nunc ego te facere hoc volo. ego sorori meae cenam hodie dare volo viaticam: eo tibi argentum iubebo iam intus ecferri foras; 95 tu facito opsonatum nobis sit opulentum opsonium.

Pistoclervs Ego opsonabo, nam id flagitium meum sit, mea te gratia et operam dare mi ét ad eam operam facere sumptum de tuo.

Bacchis At ego nolo dare te quicquam.

Pistoclervs Sine.

Bacchis Sino equidem, si lubet. propera, amabo. 100

Pistoclervs Prius hic adero quam te amare desinam.—

Soror Bene me accipies advenientem, mea soror.

Bacchis Quid ita, obsecro?

Soror Quia piscatus meo quidem animo hic tibi hodie evenit bonus.

Bacchis Meus ille quidemst. tibi nunc operam dabo de Mnesilocho, soror, ut hic accipias potius aurum, quam hinc eas cum milite.

Soror Cupio. 105

Bacchis Dabitur opera. aqua calet: eamus hinc intro, ut laves. nám uti navi vecta es, credo timida es.

Soror Aliquantum, soror. simul huic nescio cui, turbare qui huc it, decedamus

Bacchis Sequere hac igitur me intro in lectum, ut sedes lassitudinem.

Current edition Perseus

2nd BACCHIS

1st BACCHIS And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak? 35

2nd BACCHIS With pleasure; you may proceed.

1st BACCHIS 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.

1st BACCHIS Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers 1 of song. Follow this way. (They move.)

PISTOCLERUS What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?

1st BACCHIS 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? 40

1st BACCHIS What’s proper?

PISTOCLERUS 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 2 he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.

PISTOCLERUS 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 3 for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so. 45

Bacchis

Quíd si hoc potis est út tu taceas, égo loquar?
35

Soror

Lepidé, licet.

Bacchis

Vbi me fugiet memoria, ibi tu facito ut subvenias, soror.

Soror

Pol magis metuo, ne defuerit mi in monendo oratio.

Bacchis

Pol ego metuo, lusciniolae ne defuerit cantio.

sequere hac.

Pistoclervs

Quid agunt duae germanae meretrices cognomines?

quid in consilio consuluistis?
40

Bacchis

Bene.

Pistoclervs

Pol haud meretricium est.

Bacchis

Miserius nihil est quam mulier.

Pistoclervs

Quid esse dices dignius?

Bacchis

Haec ita me orat, sibi qui caveat aliquem ut hominem reperiam,

ut istunc militem—ut, ubi emeritum sibi sit, se revehat domum.

id, amabo te, huic caveas.

Pistoclervs

Quid isti caveam?

Bacchis

Vt revehatur domum,

ubi ei dediderit operas, ne hanc ille habeat pro ancilla sibi;
45

nam si haec habeat aurum quod illi renumeret, faciat lubens.

Pistoclervs

Vbi nunc is homost?

Bacchis

Iam hic credo aderit. sed hoc idem apud nos rectius

poteris agere; atque is dum veniat, sedens ibi opperibere.

eadem biberis, eadem dedero tibi, ubi biberis, savium.

Pistoclervs

Viscus merus vostrast blanditia.
50

Bacchis

Quid iam?

Pistoclervs

Quia enim intellego,

duae unum éxpetitis palumbem, † perii harundo alas verberat.

non ego istúc facinus mihi, mulier, conducibile esse arbitror.

Bacchis

Quí, amabo?

Pistoclervs

Quia, Bacchis, bacchas metuo et bacchanal tuom.

Bacchis

Quid est? quid metuis? ne tibi lectus malitiam apud me suadeat?

Pistoclervs

Magis illectum tuom quam lectum metuo. mala tu es bestia.
55

nam huic aetati non conducit, mulier, latebrosus locus.

Pistoclervs

Quia istaec lepida sunt memoratui:

eadem in usu atque ubi periclum facias, aculeata sunt,

animum fodicant, bona distimulant, facta et famam sauciant.

Soror

Quid ab hac metuis?
65

Pistoclervs

Quid ego metuam rogitas? adulescens homo

penetrem me huius modi in palaestram, ubi damnis desudascitur?

ubi pro disco damnum capiam, pro cursura dedecus?

Bacchis

Lepide memoras.

Pistoclervs

Vbi ego capiam pro machaera turturem,

ubique imponat in manum alius mihi pro cestu cantharum

pro galea scaphium, pro insigni sit corolla plectilis,
70

pro hasta talos, pro lorica malacum capiam pallium,

ubi mihi pró equo lectus detur, scortum pro scuto accubet?

apage a me, apage.

Bacchis

Ah, nimium ferus es.

Pistoclervs

Mihi sum.

Bacchis

Malacissandus es.

equidem tibi do hanc operam.

Pistoclervs

Ah, nimium pretiosa es operaria.

Bacchis

Simulato me amare.
75

Pistoclervs

Vtrum égo istuc iócon adsimulem an serio?

Bacchis

Heia, hoc agere meliust. miles quom huc adveniat, te volo

me amplexari.

Pistoclervs

Quid eo mi opus est?

Bacchis

Vt ille te videat volo.

scio quid ago.

Pistoclervs

Et pol égo scio quid metuo. sed quid ais?

Bacchis

Quid est?

Pistoclervs

Quid si apud te eveniát desubito prandium aut potatio

forte aut cena, ut solet in istis fieri conciliabulis,
80

ubi ego tum accumbam?

Bacchis

Ápud me, mi anime, ut lepidus cum lepida accubet.

locus hic apud nos, quamvis subito venias, semper liber est.

ubi tu lepide vóles esse tibi, méa rosa, mihi dicito

dato qui bene sit: ego ubi bene sit tibi locum lepidum dabo.

Pistoclervs

Rapidus fluvius est hic, non hac temere transiri potest.
85

Bacchis

Atque ecastor apud hunc fluvium áliquid perdundumst tibi.

manum da et sequere.

Pistoclervs

Aha, minime.

Bacchis

Quid ita?

Pistoclervs

Quia istoc in lecebrosius

fieri nil potest: nox mulier vinum homini adulescentulo.

Bacchis

Age igitur, equidem pol nihili facio nisi causa tua.

ille quidem hanc abducet; tú nullus ádfueris, si non lubet.
90

Pistoclervs

Sumne autem nihili, qui nequeam ingenio moderari meo?

Bacchis

Quid est quod metuas?

Pistoclervs

Nihil est, nugae. mulier, tibi me emancupo:

tuos sum, tibi dedo operam.

Bacchis

Lepidu's lepidu s es. nunc ego te facere hoc volo.

ego sorori meae cenam hodie dare volo viaticam:

eo tibi argentum iubebo iam intus ecferri foras;
95

tu facito opsonatum nobis sit opulentum opsonium.

Pistoclervs

Ego opsonabo, nam id flagitium meum sit, mea te gratia

et operam dare mi ét ad eam operam facere sumptum de tuo.

Bacchis

At ego nolo dare te quicquam.

Pistoclervs

Sine.

Bacchis

Sino equidem, si lubet.

propera, amabo.
100

Pistoclervs

Prius hic adero quam te amare desinam.—

Soror

Bene me accipies advenientem, mea soror.

Bacchis

Quid ita, obsecro?

Soror

Quia piscatus meo quidem animo hic tibi hodie evenit bonus.

Bacchis

Meus ille quidemst. tibi nunc operam dabo de Mnesilocho, soror,

ut hic accipias potius aurum, quam hinc eas cum milite.

Soror

Cupio.
105

Bacchis

Dabitur opera. aqua calet: eamus hinc intro, ut laves.

nám uti navi vecta es, credo timida es.

Soror

Aliquantum, soror.

simul huic nescio cui, turbare qui huc it, decedamus

Bacchis

Sequere hac igitur me intro in lectum, ut sedes lassitudinem.

1st BACCHIS

And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?
35

2nd BACCHIS

With pleasure; you may proceed.

1st BACCHIS

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.

1st BACCHIS

Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers¹ of song. Follow this way.

(They move.)

PISTOCLERUS

What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?

1st BACCHIS

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?
40

1st BACCHIS

What’s proper?

PISTOCLERUS

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 time² he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.

PISTOCLERUS

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 servant³ for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so.
45

PISTOCLERUS

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.

PISTOCLERUS

Your coaxing is mere birdlime.
50

1st BACCHIS

How so?