T. Maccius Plautus Persa 1.1

TOXILUS

(to himself.)

He who, falling in love, destitute of means, has first entered upon the paths of love, has in his own labours exceeded all the labours of Hercules. For with the lion ² , and with the Hydra, with the stag, with the Aetolian boar, with the birds of Stamphalus, with Antaeus, would I rather contend

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than with love. So wretched am I become with hunting after money to borrow; and yet, those whom I ask know of nothing to answer me, except I have got none.

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SAGARISTIO

(apart.)

The servant that is desirous faithfully to serve his master, i’ troth, it surely does behove him to treasure up full many a thing in his breast which he may think will please his master, both present and abroad.

I neither serve with cheerfulness, nor am I quite to my master’s satisfaction; but, as though from a running eye, my master is still unable to keep his hands off me, in giving me his commands, in making me the support of his affairs.

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TOXILUS

Who’s this that’s standing opposite to me?

SAGARISTIO

Who’s that that’s standing opposite to me?

TOXILUS

It’s like Sagaristio.

SAGARISTIO

Surely this is my friend Toxilus.

TOXILUS

Certainly it is he.

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SAGARISTIO

I think it is he.

TOXILUS

I’ll go meet him.

SAGARISTIO

I’ll go up and accost him.

TOXILUS

(meeting him.)

O Sagaristio, may the Gods bless you.

SAGARISTIO

O Sagaristio, the Gods grant you what you may desire. How fare you?

TOXILUS

Just as I can.

SAGARISTIO

What’s the matter?

TOXILUS

I still live.

SAGARISTIO

Quite then to your satisfaction?

TOXILUS

If the things come to pass which I desire, quite.

SAGARISTIO

You deal with your friends in a very silly fashion.

TOXILUS

How so?

SAGARISTIO

Because you ought to give them your commands.

TOXILUS

As for myself, you were already dead to me, because I haven’t seen you.

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SAGARISTIO

Business, upon my faith—

TOXILUS

In the iron chain line, perhaps.

SAGARISTIO

For more than a twelvemonth I’ve been promoted in chains to be commanding officer in the basting line ³ at the mill.

TOXILUS

Why, that’s your old line of service.

SAGARISTIO

Have you been quite well all along?

TOXILUS

Not very.

SAGARISTIO

I’ faith, it’s with reason then you are so pale.

TOXILUS

I’ve been wounded in the battles of Venus;

Cupid has pierced my heart with his arrow.

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SAGARISTIO

Do servants then fall in love here?

TOXILUS

Why, what could I do? Was I to be struggling against the Gods? Was I, like the sons of Titan, to be waging war with the Deities, with whom I am not quite able to cope?

SAGARISTIO

Do you only take care that catapultae made of elm ⁴ don’t pierce your sides.

TOXILUS

In right royal manner I’m celebrating the feast of Freedom ⁵ .

SAGARISTIO

How so?

TOXILUS

Because my master’s gone abroad.

SAGARISTIO

Do you say so?

Is he gone abroad?

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TOXILUS

If you can bear to be enjoying yourself, do you come: you shall live with me; you shall be treated with right royal entertainment.

SAGARISTIO

Out upon it (rubbing himself.) my shoulder-blades are quite itching now, because I’ve heard you mention these things.

TOXILUS

But this one thing is torturing me.

SAGARISTIO

Why, what is it?

TOXILUS

This day is the very last day, to determine whether my mistress is to be free, or whether she is to endure lasting servitude.

SAGARISTIO

What, then, do you now desire?

TOXILUS

You have it in your power to make me your friend for ever.

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SAGARISTIO

In what way?

TOXILUS

In lending me six hundred didrachms, for me to pay the same for her freedom, which I will forthwith refund you in the next three or four days. Come, do be good-natured; give me your help.

SAGARISTIO

With what assurance, you impudent fellow, do you venture to ask so much money of me?

Why, if I myself were to be sold all in one lot, it’s hardly possible for as much to be received as you are asking me for; for now you are asking for water from a pumice-stone, which is all a-dry itself.

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TOXILUS

Ought you to be treating me in this fashion?

SAGARISTIO

What am I to do?

TOXILUS

Do you ask the question? Beg it on loan from somebody.

SAGARISTIO

You do the same as you are asking me.

TOXILUS

I’ve been trying; I’ve found it nowhere.

SAGARISTIO

I really will try, if any one will trust me.

TOXILUS

Am I then to consider it ⁶ as a thing in possibility?

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SAGARISTIO

If I had had it at home, I’d promise it at once. This is in my power, to use my best endeavours.

TOXILUS

Whatever it is, come you home to me.

SAGARISTIO

Still do you try to get it; I’ll carefully do the same. If anything shall turn up, I’ll let you know at once.

TOXILUS

I entreat you, and entreat over and over again, do give me your stanch help in this.

SAGARISTIO

O dear! you are worrying me to death by your importunity.

TOXILUS

It’s through the fault of love, and not my own, that I’m now become a silly prater to you.

SAGARISTIO

Then, i’ troth, I’ll now be taking my leave of you.

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(Moving.)

TOXILUS

Are you going away, then? A good walk to you. But betake yourself back as soon as you can, and do take care that I haven’t to seek you; I shall be close at home until I have cooked up a mishap for the Procurer.

(Exit SAGARISTIO, and TOXILUS goes into the house.)