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(Enter SATURIO and his DAUGHTER
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, in the habit of a PERSIAN.)
SATURIO
May this same matter turn out well for me, and for yourself, and for my stomach,
and for everlasting victuals for it as well for all time to come; that I may have more than enough, a superfluity, and that it may outlast me. Follow me this way, my daughter, with the Gods’ good leave. The matter to which we are to give our attention, you know, you remember, you understand; to you I have communicated all my designs.
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For that reason have I dressed you out after this fashion; young woman, to-day you are to be sold.
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May this same matter turn out well for me, and for yourself, and for my stomach,
and for everlasting victuals for it as well for all time to come; that I may have more than enough, a superfluity, and that it may outlast me. Follow me this way, my daughter, with the Gods’ good leave. The matter to which we are to give our attention, you know, you remember, you understand; to you I have communicated all my designs.
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For that reason have I dressed you out after this fashion; young woman, to-day you are to be sold.
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DAUGHTER
Prithee, my dear father, although you do eagerly long for victuals at another’s cost, are you for the sake of your appetite going to sell your own daughter?
Prithee, my dear father, although you do eagerly long for victuals at another’s cost, are you for the sake of your appetite going to sell your own daughter?
SATURIO
It is a wonder, indeed, if I don’t sell you, who are my own, for the sake of King Philip or Attalus
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, rather than my own.
It is a wonder, indeed, if I don’t sell you, who are my own, for the sake of King Philip or Attalus
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, rather than my own.
DAUGHTER
Whether do you regard me as your slave or as your daughter?
Whether do you regard me as your slave or as your daughter?
SATURIO
I’ faith, that of the two which shall appear most for the interest of my stomach; it’s my authority over you, I suppose, not yours over me.
I’ faith, that of the two which shall appear most for the interest of my stomach; it’s my authority over you, I suppose, not yours over me.
DAUGHTER
This power is yours, father; but still,
although our circumstances are but very limited, it’s better to pass our lives with frugality and moderation; for if disgrace is added to poverty, poverty will be more unendurable, our character more frail.
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This power is yours, father; but still,
although our circumstances are but very limited, it’s better to pass our lives with frugality and moderation; for if disgrace is added to poverty, poverty will be more unendurable, our character more frail.
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SATURIO
Why really you are impertinent.
Why really you are impertinent.
DAUGHTER
I am not, nor do I think that I am,
when, though of youthful age, I give good advice to my father. For enemies carry about slander not in the form in which it took its rise.
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I am not, nor do I think that I am,
when, though of youthful age, I give good advice to my father. For enemies carry about slander not in the form in which it took its rise.
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SATURIO
Let them carry it about, and let them go to utter and extreme perdition. I don’t value all their enmities any more than if an empty table were now set before me.
Let them carry it about, and let them go to utter and extreme perdition. I don’t value all their enmities any more than if an empty table were now set before me.
DAUGHTER
Father, the scandal of men is everlasting; even then does it survive, when you would suppose it to be dead.
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Father, the scandal of men is everlasting; even then does it survive, when you would suppose it to be dead.
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SATURIO
What? Are you afraid lest I should sell you?
What? Are you afraid lest I should sell you?
DAUGHTER
I am not afraid of that, father; but I wish you not to pretend to do so.
I am not afraid of that, father; but I wish you not to pretend to do so.
SATURIO
Then it’s in vain you wish me not; this shall be done rather after my own fashion than yours.
Then it’s in vain you wish me not; this shall be done rather after my own fashion than yours.
DAUGHTER
Shall be done!
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Shall be done!
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SATURIO
What is the matter, now?
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What is the matter, now?
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DAUGHTER
Father, reflect upon these words: if a master has threatened punishment to a slave, although it is not intended to be, still, when the whip is taken up, while he is taking off his tunics, with what an amount of misery is he afflicted. Now, that which is not to be, I’m still in fear of.
Father, reflect upon these words: if a master has threatened punishment to a slave, although it is not intended to be, still, when the whip is taken up, while he is taking off his tunics, with what an amount of misery is he afflicted. Now, that which is not to be, I’m still in fear of.
SATURIO
Damsel or woman none will there ever be, but what she must be good for nothing, who is too wise to be giving satisfaction to her parents.
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Damsel or woman none will there ever be, but what she must be good for nothing, who is too wise to be giving satisfaction to her parents.
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DAUGHTER
Damsel and woman none can there be, but what she must be good for nothing, who holds her peace if she sees anything going on wrong.
Damsel and woman none can there be, but what she must be good for nothing, who holds her peace if she sees anything going on wrong.
SATURIO
’Twere better for you to beware of a mischief.
’Twere better for you to beware of a mischief.
DAUGHTER
But if I cannot
beware, what am I to do? For it’s as to yourself I wish to beware.
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But if I cannot
beware, what am I to do? For it’s as to yourself I wish to beware.
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SATURIO
What, am I a mischief?
What, am I a mischief?
DAUGHTER
You are not, nor is it becoming for me to say so; but for this purpose am I using my endeavours, that others may not say so who have that liberty.
You are not, nor is it becoming for me to say so; but for this purpose am I using my endeavours, that others may not say so who have that liberty.
SATURIO
Let each one say what he pleases; from this purpose I shall not be moved.
Let each one say what he pleases; from this purpose I shall not be moved.
DAUGHTER
But, could it be after my own way,
you would be acting prudently, rather than foolishly.
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But, could it be after my own way,
you would be acting prudently, rather than foolishly.
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SATURIO
It is my pleasure.
It is my pleasure.
DAUGHTER
I know that I must let it be your pleasure so far as I’m concerned; but it should not please you to be your pleasure, if I had my way.
I know that I must let it be your pleasure so far as I’m concerned; but it should not please you to be your pleasure, if I had my way.
SATURIO
Are you going to be obedient to your father’s orders, or not?
Are you going to be obedient to your father’s orders, or not?
DAUGHTER
To be obedient.
To be obedient.
SATURIO
Do you know then what I instructed you?
Do you know then what I instructed you?
DAUGHTER
Everything.
Everything.
SATURIO
Both this, how you were stolen?
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Both this, how you were stolen?
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DAUGHTER
I understand it perfectly well.
I understand it perfectly well.
SATURIO
And who your parents were?
And who your parents were?
DAUGHTER
I keep it in my memory. You cause me of necessity to be artful; but take you care, when you wish to give me in marriage, that this story doesn’t cause the match to be given up.
I keep it in my memory. You cause me of necessity to be artful; but take you care, when you wish to give me in marriage, that this story doesn’t cause the match to be given up.
SATURIO
Hold your tongue, simpleton. Do you not see the customs of people now-a-days, that marriage is easily effected here with a reputation of any kind? So long as there’s a marriage-portion, no fault is reckoned as a fault.
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Hold your tongue, simpleton. Do you not see the customs of people now-a-days, that marriage is easily effected here with a reputation of any kind? So long as there’s a marriage-portion, no fault is reckoned as a fault.
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DAUGHTER
Then take you care, and let this occur to your thoughts, that I am without a fortune.
Then take you care, and let this occur to your thoughts, that I am without a fortune.
SATURIO
Take you care, please, how you say that.
By my faith, through the merits of the Gods and of my ancestors I’ll say it, you must not say that you are without a fortune, who have a marriage-portion at home. Why look, I’ve got a whole carriage-full
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of books at home. If you carefully give your attention to this matter in which we are exerting ourselves, six hundred bon-mots shall be given you out of them as a fortune,
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Take you care, please, how you say that.
By my faith, through the merits of the Gods and of my ancestors I’ll say it, you must not say that you are without a fortune, who have a marriage-portion at home. Why look, I’ve got a whole carriage-full
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of books at home. If you carefully give your attention to this matter in which we are exerting ourselves, six hundred bon-mots shall be given you out of them as a fortune,
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DAUGHTER
Why, then, don’t you take me, father, if you are going to take me anywhere? Either do you sell me, or do with me what you please.
Why, then, don’t you take me, father, if you are going to take me anywhere? Either do you sell me, or do with me what you please.
SATURIO
You ask what’s fair and right. Follow me this way.
You ask what’s fair and right. Follow me this way.
DAUGHTER
I’m obedient to your command.
(They go into the house, to TOXILUS.)
I’m obedient to your command.
Persa. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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