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1372
(AGORASTOCLES, LYCUS, HANNO, ANTHEMONIDES, ADELPHASIUM, and ANTERASTYLIS.
1
AGORASTOCLES
What is it you are about, Captain? Why does it please you to speak rudely to my relative? Don’t be surprised that the damsels do follow after him; he has just now discovered that both of them are his own daughters.
What is it you are about, Captain? Why does it please you to speak rudely to my relative? Don’t be surprised that the damsels do follow after him; he has just now discovered that both of them are his own daughters.
LYCUS
(starting.)
Hah! what speech was it that reached my ears? Now I am undone!
(To AGORASTOCLES.) From what house were these females lost?
Hah! what speech was it that reached my ears? Now I am undone!
(To AGORASTOCLES.) From what house were these females lost?
AGORASTOCLES
They are Carthaginians.
They are Carthaginians.
LYCUS
Then I am ruined. I was always in dread of that, lest some one should recognize them, a
thing which has now come to pass. Woe unto wretched me!
My eighteen minae are lost, I guess, which I paid for them.
1380
Then I am ruined. I was always in dread of that, lest some one should recognize them, a
thing which has now come to pass. Woe unto wretched me!
My eighteen minae are lost, I guess, which I paid for them.
1380
AGORASTOCLES
And you yourself are lost, Lycus.
And you yourself are lost, Lycus.
HANNO
Who is this?
Who is this?
AGORASTOCLES
Which you please, he’s either the Procurer or Lycus. He has been keeping your daughters in servitude, and from myself he has stolen some gold.
Which you please, he’s either the Procurer or Lycus. He has been keeping your daughters in servitude, and from myself he has stolen some gold.
HANNO
A pretty fellow for you to be acquainted with!
A pretty fellow for you to be acquainted with!
AGORASTOCLES
Procurer, I always deemed you to be avaricious, but they know you to be a thief as well, who know more of you.
1385
Procurer, I always deemed you to be avaricious, but they know you to be a thief as well, who know more of you.
1385
LYCUS
I’ll approach him.
(He falls on the ground before AGORASTOCLES.) By your knees I do beseech you, and by him
(pointing to HANNO.) whom I understand to be your relative; since you are deserving persons, as it befits deserving persons to do,
do
then come to the aid of your suppliant! Indeed, already did I know them to be free women, and was waiting for some one to claim their freedom, for really they are none of mine. Then besides, I’ll restore your gold that I’ve got in my house, and I’ll make oath
1390
that I have done nothing, Agorastocles, with ill intent.
1395
I’ll approach him.
(He falls on the ground before AGORASTOCLES.) By your knees I do beseech you, and by him
(pointing to HANNO.) whom I understand to be your relative; since you are deserving persons, as it befits deserving persons to do,
do
then come to the aid of your suppliant! Indeed, already did I know them to be free women, and was waiting for some one to claim their freedom, for really they are none of mine. Then besides, I’ll restore your gold that I’ve got in my house, and I’ll make oath
1390
that I have done nothing, Agorastocles, with ill intent.
1395
AGORASTOCLES
As it’s right for me to do, I shall still consult my own notions. Let go of my knees.
As it’s right for me to do, I shall still consult my own notions. Let go of my knees.
LYCUS
I’ll let them go, if such is your determination.
(He rises from the ground, and retires to a distance.)
I’ll let them go, if such is your determination.
AGORASTOCLES
Hark you! Procurer.
Hark you! Procurer.
LYCUS
What do you want with a Procurer amid business?
What do you want with a Procurer amid business?
AGORASTOCLES
You to restore me my money before I take you hence to
be laid in fetters.
You to restore me my money before I take you hence to
be laid in fetters.
LYCUS
May the Gods grant better things!
1400
May the Gods grant better things!
1400
AGORASTOCLES
Even so; you’ll be dining away from home. I see Gold, silver,
and your neck, Procurer, the three things are you now owing to me all at once.
Even so; you’ll be dining away from home. I see Gold, silver,
and your neck, Procurer, the three things are you now owing to me all at once.
HANNO
What it befits me to do in this matter, I’m considering with myself. If I should attempt to take vengeance on this
fellow, I shall be engaging in litigation in a strange city. So far as I hear, his disposition and manners, of the nature that they are—
What it befits me to do in this matter, I’m considering with myself. If I should attempt to take vengeance on this
fellow, I shall be engaging in litigation in a strange city. So far as I hear, his disposition and manners, of the nature that they are—
ADELPHASIUM
My father, do have no dealings with this man, I conjure you.
1405
My father, do have no dealings with this man, I conjure you.
1405
ANTERASTYLIS
Do listen to my sister. Come, put an end to your strife with the rascal.
Do listen to my sister. Come, put an end to your strife with the rascal.
HANNO
Attend to this, will you, Procurer. Although I know that you deserve to come to ruin, I’ll not try the matter with you.
Attend to this, will you, Procurer. Although I know that you deserve to come to ruin, I’ll not try the matter with you.
AGORASTOCLES
Nor I, if you restore me my gold; Procurer, when let go from the fetters—you may get thrust into prison.
Nor I, if you restore me my gold; Procurer, when let go from the fetters—you may get thrust into prison.
LYCUS
What, your old habit still?
1410
What, your old habit still?
1410
ANTHEMONIDES
Carthaginian, I wish to excuse myself to you. If I have said anything in my passion against the inclination of your feelings, I beg that you will pardon it; and as you have found these daughters
of yours, so may the Deities bless me, it is a pleasure
to me.
Carthaginian, I wish to excuse myself to you. If I have said anything in my passion against the inclination of your feelings, I beg that you will pardon it; and as you have found these daughters
of yours, so may the Deities bless me, it is a pleasure
to me.
HANNO
I both forgive and believe you.
I both forgive and believe you.
ANTERLASTYIS
Procurer, do you take care either to find me a mistress, or return me the mina of gold.
Procurer, do you take care either to find me a mistress, or return me the mina of gold.
LYCUS
Should you like to have my music-girl?
1415
Should you like to have my music-girl?
1415
ANTHEMONIDES
I don’t care for a music-girl; you don’t know which is the greater, their cheeks or their bosoms.
I don’t care for a music-girl; you don’t know which is the greater, their cheeks or their bosoms.
LYCUS
I’ll find one to please you.
I’ll find one to please you.
ANTHEMONIDES
Mind that.
Mind that.
LYCUS
(to AGORASTOCLES.)
To-morrow I’ll bring back your gold to your house.
To-morrow I’ll bring back your gold to your house.
AGORASTOCLES
Take care that you keep that in memory.
Captain, follow me.
Take care that you keep that in memory.
Captain, follow me.
ANTHEMONIDES
Yes, I’ll follow you.
(LYCUS goes into his house.)
Yes, I’ll follow you.
AGORASTOCLES
(to HANNO.)
How say you, kinsman? When are you thinking of leaving here for Carthage?—
for I’m determined to go together with you.
1420
How say you, kinsman? When are you thinking of leaving here for Carthage?—
for I’m determined to go together with you.
1420
HANNO
As soon as ever I can, that instant I shall go.
As soon as ever I can, that instant I shall go.
AGORASTOCLES
It’s necessary for you to stop here some days, until I’ve had an auction.
It’s necessary for you to stop here some days, until I’ve had an auction.
HANNO
I’ll do just as you wish.
I’ll do just as you wish.
AGORASTOCLES
Come, please, let’s be off; let’s enjoy ourselves.
(To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.]
Come, please, let’s be off; let’s enjoy ourselves.
(To the AUDIENCE.) Grant us your applause.]
Poenulus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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