T. Maccius Plautus Curculio 3.1

LYCO

I seem to be in opulence; I’ve struck my balance, how much money I have, and how much I owe. I’m rich, if I don’t pay ¹ those to whom I’m in debt. If I do pay those to whom I’m in debt, my debts are the greatest.

But really, upon my faith, when I carefully consider, if they press me hard, I’ll resort to the Praetor ² . Most bankers have this habit, for one to borrow of the other, and to pay nobody, and to discharge the debt with their fists, if any one duns in a loudish tone.

375

The person that has ³ in a short time acquired wealth, unless in good time he saves it, in good time comes to starvation. I’d like to buy a servant for myself, who now, however, must be sought by me on hire ⁴ : there’s occasion for my ready money.

380

(within.)

CURCULIO

Don’t you be reminding me now I’m full; I recollect and understand.

I’ll render up to you all this cleverly carried out; do hold your peace. I’ faith, I’ve surely filled myself in-doors right well, and still in my stomach I’ve left room for one corner, in which to stow away the remnants of these remnants.

385

(Seeing LYCO.)

Who’s this that with covered head is saluting Aesculapius? Heyday, the very man I wanted. (To an ATTENDANT.) Follow me.

I’ll make pretence as though I didn’t know him. (Aloud.) Hark you; I want you.

LYCO

(turning round.)

One-eyed man ⁵ , save you.

CURCULIO

Prithee, do you jeer me?

LYCO

I suppose that you are of the family of the Coclites ⁶ ; for they are one-eyed.

CURCULIO

This was knocked out for me by a catapulta,

at Sicyon.

395

LYCO

What matters it to me, pray, if it had been knocked out by a broken pot with cinders in it?

CURCULIO

(aside.)

This fellow’s a wizard, surely ⁷ ; he tells the truth, for such catapultas are often directed at me.

(Aloud.)

Young man, as I bear this mark on my face ⁸ in the service of the public, prithee don’t be uncivil ⁹ to me.

LYCO

May I then inforize ¹⁰ you, if I may not incomitiatize?

CURCULIO

You shan’t be inforizing me, indeed; and really I don’t care at all about your Forum or your Comitia. But if you can point me out this person that I’m seeking,

you will be doing me a real and a great service. I’m looking for Lyco the banker.

405

LYCO

Tell me why you are now seeking for him, or, of what country are you?

CURCULIO

I’ll tell you: I’m come from Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain.

LYCO

I’ faith, I know the name: (aside) for with that same name,

when I wrote, I filled four whole sides ¹¹ . (To CURCULIO.) But why are you seeking for Lyco?

410

CURCULIO

(showing the letter.)

I’ve been ordered to deliver this letter to him.

LYCO

What person are you?

CURCULIO

His freed-man, whom all call Summanus ¹² .

LYCO

Summanus, my greetings. But why Summanus? Let me know.

CURCULIO

Because, when in my drunken fit I’ve gone to sleep, I summane ¹³ the garments; for that reason do all people call me Summanus.

415

LYCO

’Twere better for you to look out for entertainment for you somewhere else; really in my own house I have no room for a Summanus. But I am the person that you are looking for.

CURCULIO

Prithee, are you he,

Lyco the banker?

420

LYCO

I am.

CURCULIO

Therapontigonus requested me to give you a hearty greeting, and to deliver this letter.

LYCO

What, to me?

CURCULIO

Just so. Take it, recognize the seal. Do you know it? (LYCO takes the letter.)

LYCO

Why should I not know it? On which, a man, holding a shield, is cleaving an elephant asunder with a sword.

CURCULIO

What’s written there he bade me request you to do immediately, if you wished for his esteem.

425

LYCO

Step aside; I’ll look what’s written in it.

CURCULIO

(stepping aside.)

By all means, at your pleasure, so long as I receive of you that which I’m come for.

LYCO

(reads.)

Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain, his guest, sends to his host Lyco, at Epidaurus,

right hearty greeting.

CURCULIO

(aside.)

This fellow’s my own; he’s swallowing the hook.

LYCO

(going on.)

I beg and request of you that, the person who delivers this letter to you, to him be given up the girl whom I purchased there (which I did there in your presence, and you being the negotiator),

and the golden trinkets and clothes as well. You know already how it was agreed upon. You give the money to the Procurer, and give the young woman to this person. (To CURCULIO.) Where is he himself? Why doesn’t he come?

435

CURCULIO

I’ll tell you; because it is but four days since we arrived in Caria, from India; there he now intends to order a solid golden statue

to be made of Philippean gold, which is to be seven feet high—a memorial of his exploits.

440

LYCO

For what reason this?

CURCULIO

I’ll tell you; why, because within twenty days he singly has subdued the Persians, Paphlagonians, Sinopians, Arabians, Cretans, Syrians, Rhodia and Lycia, Peredia and Bibesia ¹⁴ ,

Centauromachia and Classia Unomammia ¹⁵ , and all Libya, and all Conterebromia; one half even of all nations has he conquered unaided in twenty days.

445

LYCO

Dear me!

CURCULIO

Why are you surprised?

LYCO

Why, because if all these people were penned up in a cage

as close as chickens, even so they couldn’t be encompassed in a year. Upon my faith, I do believe that you are ¹⁶ come from him; for you do jabber such nonsense.

450

CURCULIO

Aye, and I can tell you still more, if you like.

LYCO

No; I don’t want it. Follow me this way. I’ll pay you that, on account of which you came;

and lo, I see (from his house.) Save you, Procurer.

455

CAPPADOX

May the Gods prosper you.

LYCO

Do you know what this is about which I’m come to you?

CAPPADOX

Say on what you please.

LYCO

You are to receive the money, and to send away the young woman with him. (Pointing to CURCULIO.)

CAPPADOX

But what if I’m bound on oath to another?

LYCO

What matters that to you, so long as you get the money?

CAPPADOX

He who advises is as good as an accomplice. Do you follow.

CURCULIO

Procurer, take care that you don’t cause me any delay.

(They go into the house of CAPPADOX.)