T. Maccius Plautus Cistellaria 1.2

A PROCURESS

(to the AUDIENCE.) It’s the same fault with myself as with a great part of us women who are following this calling; who, as soon as ever we have got our load of food, are forthwith full of talk; more than is enough do we say.

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Why, myself now, inasmuch as I’m filled to my heart’s content, and because I’ve charged myself quite full of the choicest of wine, it pleases me to use my tongue more at freedom; to my misfortune I can’t keep silent on that which it were necessary to be silent upon.

But once upon a time, that girl, who has gone hence in tears, from a lane I carried off a little child exposed.

There is here a certain youth, of the highest rank;

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his father, of a very high family, is living at Sicyon ¹ ;

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he is dying desperately in love for this young woman, who has just. now gone hence in tears; on the other hand, she is smitten with love.

I made a present of her to my friend, this Courtesan: who had often made mention of it to me

that somewhere I must find for her a boy or a girl, just born, that she herself might pass it off as her own. As soon as ever the opportunity befell me, I immediately granted her request in that which she had asked of me.

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After she had received this female child from me, at once

she was brought to bed of the same female child which she had received from me, without the aid of a midwife and without pain, just as other women bring forth, who seek a trouble to themselves; but she said that her lover was a foreigner, and that by reason of that circumstance she was palming it off.

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This, we two alone are aware of, I who gave the child to her, and she who received it from me; (to the AUDIENCE) except yourselves, indeed. Thus was this affair managed; if any occasion should arise, I wish you to remember this circumstance. I’m off home.

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(Exit.)