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711
(Enter AGORASTOCLES, in haste, from his house.)
AGORASTOCLES
What’s the matter? What is it you want, witnesses?
What’s the matter? What is it you want, witnesses?
ADVOCATI
Look to the right hand; your servant is paying gold to the Procurer himself.
Look to the right hand; your servant is paying gold to the Procurer himself.
COLLYBISCUS
(apart to LYCUS.)
Come, take this, will you: here are three hundred gold coins, counted out, which are called Philippeans.
(Gives him the bay.) With these do you provide for me. I wish these to be spent with all speed.
Come, take this, will you: here are three hundred gold coins, counted out, which are called Philippeans.
(Gives him the bay.) With these do you provide for me. I wish these to be spent with all speed.
LYCUS
By my troth, you have found a lavish steward for yourself. Come, let’s away in-doors.
By my troth, you have found a lavish steward for yourself. Come, let’s away in-doors.
COLLYBISCUS
I follow you.
I follow you.
LYCUS
Well, well, walk on; and then we’ll talk together about the other matters that remain.
Well, well, walk on; and then we’ll talk together about the other matters that remain.
COLLYBISCUS
As for me, I’ll tell you about the Spartan affairs.
As for me, I’ll tell you about the Spartan affairs.
LYCUS
Why then follow me.
720
Why then follow me.
720
COLLYBISCUS
Lead me in-doors; lead me in, you have got me made over to you.
(They go into the house of LYCUS.)
Lead me in-doors; lead me in, you have got me made over to you.
AGORASTOCLES
What do you advise me now?
What do you advise me now?
ADVOCATI
To be moderate.
To be moderate.
AGORASTOCLES
What if my feelings will not let me be?
What if my feelings will not let me be?
ADVOCATI
Then be as they will let you.
Then be as they will let you.
AGORASTOCLES
Did you see it, when the Procurer received the money?
Did you see it, when the Procurer received the money?
ADVOCATI
We saw it.
We saw it.
AGORASTOCLES
Did you know that he is my slave?
Did you know that he is my slave?
ADVOCATI
We knew it.
We knew it.
AGORASTOCLES
That it is a thing against the reiterated laws of the people?
725
That it is a thing against the reiterated laws of the people?
725
ADVOCATI
We knew it.
We knew it.
AGORASTOCLES
Well then, all these things I wish you to keep in memory before the Praetor by-and-by, when occasion shall come.
Well then, all these things I wish you to keep in memory before the Praetor by-and-by, when occasion shall come.
ADVOCATI
We remember them.
We remember them.
AGORASTOCLES
What if, while the matter has so recently happened, I knock at the door?
What if, while the matter has so recently happened, I knock at the door?
ADVOCATI
I think
you ought.
I think
you ought.
AGORASTOCLES
If I do knock, he won’t open it
1
.
If I do knock, he won’t open it
1
.
ADVOCATI
Then break the pannel
2
.
Then break the pannel
2
.
AGORASTOCLES
If the Procurer comes out, do you think I ought to enquire of the fellow whether my slave has come to him or not?
730
If the Procurer comes out, do you think I ought to enquire of the fellow whether my slave has come to him or not?
730
ADVOCATI
Why not?
Why not?
AGORASTOCLES
With two hundred golden Philippean pieces?
With two hundred golden Philippean pieces?
ADVOCATI
Why not?
Why not?
AGORASTOCLES
Then the Procurer will be going astray at once.
Then the Procurer will be going astray at once.
ADVOCATI
About what matter?
About what matter?
AGORASTOCLES
Do you ask? Because a less sum will be named by one hundred pieces.
Do you ask? Because a less sum will be named by one hundred pieces.
ADVOCATI
You judge rightly.
You judge rightly.
AGORASTOCLES
He’ll think that some other person is being looked after.
735
He’ll think that some other person is being looked after.
735
ADVOCATI
No doubt.
No doubt.
AGORASTOCLES
He’ll be denying it at once.
He’ll be denying it at once.
ADVOCATI
On his oath even.
On his oath even.
AGORASTOCLES
The fellow will involve himself in the guilt of theft—
The fellow will involve himself in the guilt of theft—
ADVOCATI
Beyond a doubt, it certainly is so.
Beyond a doubt, it certainly is so.
AGORASTOCLES
Of however much it is that shall have been brough to him.
Of however much it is that shall have been brough to him.
ADVOCATI
Why not?
Why not?
AGORASTOCLES
Jupiter confound you
3
!
Jupiter confound you
3
!
ADVOCATI
Why not your own self?
Why not your own self?
AGORASTOCLES
(going towards the door of LYCUS.)
I’ll go and knock at this door.
740
I’ll go and knock at this door.
740
ADVOCATI
Even so. Why not?
Even so. Why not?
AGORASTOCLES
It’s time to be quiet, for the door makes a noise. I see the Procurer Lycus coming out of doors; come this way, pray!
It’s time to be quiet, for the door makes a noise. I see the Procurer Lycus coming out of doors; come this way, pray!
ADVOCATI
Why not? But, if you please, cover up our heads, that the Procurer mayn’t know us,
who have been his decoyers
4
into so great a calamity.
745
(He throws the lappets of their garments over their heads.)
Why not? But, if you please, cover up our heads, that the Procurer mayn’t know us,
who have been his decoyers
4
into so great a calamity.
745
Poenulus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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