T. Maccius Plautus Curculio 4.2

CURCULIO

Maiden, do you go before; what is behind me I cannot keep my eye upon. Both the trinkets of gold, and all the clothing that she had, were his own, he said.

CAPPADOX

No one is going to deny it.

CURCULIO

Still, however, it’s somewhat better for me to remind you.

LYCO

Remember that you’ve undertaken, that, if any one should assert in course of law that she’s properly free, all the money is to be returned to me-thirty minae.

490

CAPPADOX

I shall remember; be easy about that; and now I say the same.

CURCULIO

But I wish you to remember this well.

CAPPADOX

I remember, and I shall deliver her to you on warranty ¹ .

CURCULIO

And am I to take anything on warranty from a Procurer, people who have nothing of their own except a tongue only;

who, if anything’s entrusted them, deny it upon oath? You Procurers dispose of what belongs to others, you give liberty to what belongs to others, and what belongs to others your give your commands to; no guarantee of ownership is there in the transfer to yourselves, nor are you yourselves guarantees to another person. The race of Procurers, among mortals, in my way of thinking at least,

are just like flies, gnats, bugs, lice, and fleas—a plague, a mischief, and a nuisance; you are of no serviceable use, and no respectable person dares to stand with you in the Forum; he that does associate with you, they censure him, he’s spat upon and abused; they say that he has lost his property and his honor, although he has done nothing at all.

500

LYCO

Upon my faith, my clever one-eyed friend, in my way of thinking, you are well acquainted with the Procurers.

505

CURCULIO

You bankers, i’ faith, I put and place in the same rank; you are the very counterparts of them. They, at least, are on sale in dark corners, you in the very Forum ² . You tear men to pieces with usury, they by persuading them amiss and by means of their dens. Full many a proposed statute ³ has the public confirmed on your account,

which when confirmed you break; some loophole you find out; just as boiling water becomes cold, so do you deem the laws.

510

LYCO

(aside.)

I’d rather I’d held my tongue.

CAPPADOX

Not wrongfully, and with good reason, are you abusive against them.

CURCULIO

If abuse is uttered against those who deserve it not, that I do hold to be abuse; but if it is uttered against those who are deserving, it is fair censure, in my way of thinking, at least.

I care nothing about your warranty, nor about any other Procurer whatever. Lyco, do you want anything with me?

515

LYCO

Heartily fare you well.

CURCULIO

Farewell. (Going.)

CAPPADOX

Hark you! I say to you—

CURCULIO

Say on; what do you want?

CAPPADOX

Prithee do you take care that all’s well with her (pointing to PLANESIUM); I’ve brought her up in my house carefully and in chastity.

CURCULIO

If you have such compassion for her, pray, what would you give for it to be all well with her?

CAPPADOX

A plaguy mishap for yourself.

CURCULIO

You need take due care on that score about yourself.

CAPPADOX

(to PLANESIUM, who is weeping.)

Why, simpleton, do you cry? Don’t be afraid; upon my faith, I’ve sold you favourably. Take care, will you, and be a good girl; now prettily accompany him, pretty one.

520

LYCO

Summanus, do you want anything with me at present?

CURCULIO

Fare you well, and health attend you. (Aside.) For you’ve kindly given me your services and your money.

LYCO

Give abundant greetings to my patron.

CURCULIO

I’ll give them.

(Exit with PLANESIUM.)

LYCO

Procurer, do you wish for anything?

525

CAPPADOX

Give me those ten minae for me to manage for myself with, until things are better with me.

LYCO

They shall be paid; order them to be fetched to-morrow.

(Exit.)

CAPPADOX

Since I’ve successfully finished the matter, I wish to return thanks here in the Temple. For long since, when a little girl, I bought her for ten minae; but him who sold her to me, never since then have I set eyes upon.

I think he’s dead. What matters that to me? I’ve got the money. The man to whom the Gods are propitious, for him, no doubt, they throw gain in his way. Now will I give my attention to my devotions; it’s clear that he has a kind regard for me.

530

(Goes into the Temple.)