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961
(Enter AGORASTOCLES, from his house, followed by MILPHIO.)
AGORASTOCLES
(in a loud voice.)
Do you say, Milphio, that Syncerastus told you that both of these women were freeborn,
and stolen away from Carthage?
Do you say, Milphio, that Syncerastus told you that both of these women were freeborn,
and stolen away from Carthage?
MILPHIO
I do say so; and if you were willing to act wisely, you’d at once assert their liberty by an action on their freedom.
For it’s a disgrace to you for you to allow your own country-people to be slaves before your eyes, who were free women at home.
965
I do say so; and if you were willing to act wisely, you’d at once assert their liberty by an action on their freedom.
For it’s a disgrace to you for you to allow your own country-people to be slaves before your eyes, who were free women at home.
965
HANNO
(overhearing, apart.)
O ye immortal Gods, I do entreat your aid! What speech is this that my ears devour! Surely the words of these persons are
made of chalk;
how have they cleansed away all the dark spots
of woe from me!
970
O ye immortal Gods, I do entreat your aid! What speech is this that my ears devour! Surely the words of these persons are
made of chalk;
how have they cleansed away all the dark spots
of woe from me!
970
AGORASTOCLES
If you’ve got witnesses of this matter, I’ll do as you bid me.
If you’ve got witnesses of this matter, I’ll do as you bid me.
MILPHIO
Why
speak you to me about witnesses? Why don’t you stoutly insist upon it? Some way or other, Fortune will be your assistant.
Why
speak you to me about witnesses? Why don’t you stoutly insist upon it? Some way or other, Fortune will be your assistant.
AGORASTOCLES
It’s much more easy to begin a thing than to bring it about.
It’s much more easy to begin a thing than to bring it about.
MILPHIO
(catching sight of HANNO, attended by his SERVANTS.)
But what bird is this
1
, pray, that’s coming hither with the tunic on? Is he from the baths
2
, I wonder, enveloped in his cloak?
975
I’ faith, the countenance is surely Carthaginian.
The man’s a Gugga
3
. I’ faith, he certainly has got some ancient and antiquated servants.
But what bird is this
1
, pray, that’s coming hither with the tunic on? Is he from the baths
2
, I wonder, enveloped in his cloak?
975
I’ faith, the countenance is surely Carthaginian.
The man’s a Gugga
3
. I’ faith, he certainly has got some ancient and antiquated servants.
AGORASTOCLES
How do you know?
How do you know?
MILPHIO
Don’t you see the fellows following, loaded with luggage?
And, as I fancy, they’ve got no fingers on their hands.
980
Don’t you see the fellows following, loaded with luggage?
And, as I fancy, they’ve got no fingers on their hands.
980
AGORASTOCLES
Why so?
Why so?
MILPHIO
Why, because they go with their rings in their ears
4
.
I’ll approach them, and address them in the Punic language: if they answer, I’ll continue to speak in the Punic tongue if not, then I’ll adapt my language to their usage.
How say you, do you still remember anything of the Punic language?
985
Why, because they go with their rings in their ears
4
.
I’ll approach them, and address them in the Punic language: if they answer, I’ll continue to speak in the Punic tongue if not, then I’ll adapt my language to their usage.
How say you, do you still remember anything of the Punic language?
985
AGORASTOCLES
Nothing at all, i’ faith; for tell me, how could I know, who was but six years old when I was stolen away from Carthage?
Nothing at all, i’ faith; for tell me, how could I know, who was but six years old when I was stolen away from Carthage?
HANNO
(apart.)
O ye immortal Gods! very many freeborn children have been lost from Carthage after this manner.
O ye immortal Gods! very many freeborn children have been lost from Carthage after this manner.
MILPHIO
How say you?
990
How say you?
990
AGORASTOCLES
What do you want?
What do you want?
MILPHIO
Should you like me to address this person in the Punic tongue?
Should you like me to address this person in the Punic tongue?
AGORASTOCLES
Do you understand it?
Do you understand it?
MILPHIO
No Punic man this day is a better Punic than I.
No Punic man this day is a better Punic than I.
AGORASTOCLES
Go and address him, as to what he wants, why he’s come, who he is, of what country,
and whence he comes. Don’t be sparing
of your questions.
Go and address him, as to what he wants, why he’s come, who he is, of what country,
and whence he comes. Don’t be sparing
of your questions.
MILPHIO
(addressing HANNO and his SERVANTS.)
Avo!
5
Of what country are you, or from what city?
Avo!
5
Of what country are you, or from what city?
HANNO
Hanno Muthumballe bachaëdreanech.
995
Hanno Muthumballe bachaëdreanech.
995
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say?
What does he say?
MILPHIO
He says that he is Hanno from Carthage, a Carthaginian, son of Muthumbal.
He says that he is Hanno from Carthage, a Carthaginian, son of Muthumbal.
HANNO
Avo!
Avo!
MILPHIO
He salutes us.
He salutes us.
HANNO
Donni
6
.
Donni
6
.
MILPHIO
He intends to present you with some
donation out of this; what, I don’t know. Don’t you hear him promise?
He intends to present you with some
donation out of this; what, I don’t know. Don’t you hear him promise?
AGORASTOCLES
Salute him again in Punic, in my name.
1000
Salute him again in Punic, in my name.
1000
MILPHIO
(to HANNO.)
Avo donni he tells me
to say to you in his name.
(Pointing to AGORASTOCLES.)
Avo donni he tells me
to say to you in his name.
HANNO
Mehar bocca
7
!
Mehar bocca
7
!
MILPHIO
Be that for yourself rather than me!
Be that for yourself rather than me!
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say?
What does he say?
MILPHIO
He declares that his
box for his teeth is painful. Perhaps he takes us to be doctors.
He declares that his
box for his teeth is painful. Perhaps he takes us to be doctors.
AGORASTOCLES
If it is so, tell him that we are not; I don’t wish a stranger to be mistaken.
1005
If it is so, tell him that we are not; I don’t wish a stranger to be mistaken.
1005
MILPHIO
(to HANNO.)
Hear you.
Rufen nuco istam
8
.
Hear you.
Rufen nuco istam
8
.
AGORASTOCLES
This is my wish, that in fact everything should be explained to him just as it is. Ask him whether he has need of anything.
This is my wish, that in fact everything should be explained to him just as it is. Ask him whether he has need of anything.
MILPHIO
(to HANNO.)
You who have got no girdle
9
, why have you come to this city, or what is it you seek?
You who have got no girdle
9
, why have you come to this city, or what is it you seek?
HANNO
Muphursa
10
.
1010
Muphursa
10
.
1010
AGORASTOCLES
What is it he says?
What is it he says?
HANNO
Moin lechianna
11
.
Moin lechianna
11
.
AGORASTOCLES
Why has he come?
Why has he come?
MILPHIO
Don’t you hear? He declares that he is wishful to give African mice to the Aediles as a show at the games.
Don’t you hear? He declares that he is wishful to give African mice to the Aediles as a show at the games.
HANNO
Lalech lachananim liminichot
12
.
Lalech lachananim liminichot
12
.
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say now?
What does he say now?
MILPHIO
He says he has brought latchets, water-channels
13
, and nuts;
he’s now begging that you’ll lend him your assistance in having them sold.
1015
He says he has brought latchets, water-channels
13
, and nuts;
he’s now begging that you’ll lend him your assistance in having them sold.
1015
AGORASTOCLES
He is a merchant, I suppose?
He is a merchant, I suppose?
HANNO
Is amar binam
14
.
Is amar binam
14
.
AGORASTOCLES
What is it
he says?
What is it
he says?
HANNO
Palum erga dectha
15
.
Palum erga dectha
15
.
AGORASTOCLES
Milphio, what is he saying now?
Milphio, what is he saying now?
MILPHIO
He says that he has got spades and forks
16
given him for sale,
for digging the garden and reaping the corn.
1020
He says that he has got spades and forks
16
given him for sale,
for digging the garden and reaping the corn.
1020
AGORASTOCLES
What
is that to me?
What
is that to me?
MILPHIO
He wishes you to be informed
of it, so that you mayn’t suppose that he has taken anything secretly
and by stealth. He has really, I do believe, been sent here to your harvesting.
He wishes you to be informed
of it, so that you mayn’t suppose that he has taken anything secretly
and by stealth. He has really, I do believe, been sent here to your harvesting.
HANNO
Muphonium sucoraim
17
.
Muphonium sucoraim
17
.
MILPHIO
So there! do take care, please, how you do what he’s begging of you.
So there! do take care, please, how you do what he’s begging of you.
AGORASTOCLES
What is he saying, or what is he begging? Explain it.
What is he saying, or what is he begging? Explain it.
MILPHIO
For you to order him to be placed beneath a hurdle
18
, and for many stones to be heaped upon it, so as to put him to death.
1025
For you to order him to be placed beneath a hurdle
18
, and for many stones to be heaped upon it, so as to put him to death.
1025
HANNO
Gunebel balsamen ierasan!
Gunebel balsamen ierasan!
AGORASTOCLES
Tell me what it is that he’s saying.
Tell me what it is that he’s saying.
MILPHIO
I’ faith, now I really don’t at all know.
I’ faith, now I really don’t at all know.
HANNO
(speaking in their own language.)
But that you may know, now from this moment henceforth will I speak Latin.
(To MILPHIO.) Upon my faith, you must be a worthless and bad servant, to be laughing at a person, a foreigner and a stranger.
1030
But that you may know, now from this moment henceforth will I speak Latin.
(To MILPHIO.) Upon my faith, you must be a worthless and bad servant, to be laughing at a person, a foreigner and a stranger.
1030
MILPHIO
But, i’ faith, at yourself a person that’s both a swindler and a cheat, who have come here to take us in, you half-and-half Lybian, you double-tongue, just like a crawling reptile.
But, i’ faith, at yourself a person that’s both a swindler and a cheat, who have come here to take us in, you half-and-half Lybian, you double-tongue, just like a crawling reptile.
AGORASTOCLES
(to MILPHIO.)
Away hence with your abusiveness! do restrain your tongue. You’ll keep it from uttering abuse, if you are prudent; I don’t want you to be speaking harshly to my kinsmen. I was born at Carthage; do you remember that.
1035
Away hence with your abusiveness! do restrain your tongue. You’ll keep it from uttering abuse, if you are prudent; I don’t want you to be speaking harshly to my kinsmen. I was born at Carthage; do you remember that.
1035
HANNO
O my fellow-countryman, greetings to you!
O my fellow-countryman, greetings to you!
AGORASTOCLES
And you, troth, whoever you are;
and if you have need of anything, pray mention it, and command me for the sake of our common country.
1040
And you, troth, whoever you are;
and if you have need of anything, pray mention it, and command me for the sake of our common country.
1040
HANNO
I return you thanks; but I’ve got a place of entertainment here; I’m in search of the son of Antidamas; do point me out Agorastocles, if you know him. Do you know any young man here
named Agorastocles?
I return you thanks; but I’ve got a place of entertainment here; I’m in search of the son of Antidamas; do point me out Agorastocles, if you know him. Do you know any young man here
named Agorastocles?
AGORASTOCLES
If, indeed, you are in search of the adopted son of Antidamas, I am the very person whom you are in search of.
1045
If, indeed, you are in search of the adopted son of Antidamas, I am the very person whom you are in search of.
1045
HANNO
(starting.)
Hah! what’s that I hear?
Hah! what’s that I hear?
AGORASTOCLES
That I am the son of Antidamas.
That I am the son of Antidamas.
HANNO
If so it is, if you would like to compare the token of hospitality
19
, see here, I’ve brought it.
(Shows him the ticket.)
If so it is, if you would like to compare the token of hospitality
19
, see here, I’ve brought it.
AGORASTOCLES
Come then, show it here.
(He takes it in his hand, and looks at it.) It is exactly true; for I’ve got
the counterpart at home.
Come then, show it here.
(He takes it in his hand, and looks at it.) It is exactly true; for I’ve got
the counterpart at home.
HANNO
O my host, hail to you right earnestly; for it was your father, then, Antidamas, that was my own and my father’s guest; this was my token of hospitality with him.
1050
O my host, hail to you right earnestly; for it was your father, then, Antidamas, that was my own and my father’s guest; this was my token of hospitality with him.
1050
AGORASTOCLES
Then here at my house shall hospitality be shown you; for I don’t reject
either Hospitality or Carthage,
from which I sprang.
1055
Then here at my house shall hospitality be shown you; for I don’t reject
either Hospitality or Carthage,
from which I sprang.
1055
HANNO
May the Gods grant you all you may desire. How say you? How could it happen that you were born at Carthage, but had a father of Aetolia here?
May the Gods grant you all you may desire. How say you? How could it happen that you were born at Carthage, but had a father of Aetolia here?
AGORASTOCLES
I was stolen away from there; this Antidamas, your guest, bought me, and adopted me as his son.
I was stolen away from there; this Antidamas, your guest, bought me, and adopted me as his son.
HANNO
He himself, likewise, was adopted by Demarchus, But about him I say no more, and return to you. Tell me, do you at all remember the names of your parents?
1060
He himself, likewise, was adopted by Demarchus, But about him I say no more, and return to you. Tell me, do you at all remember the names of your parents?
1060
AGORASTOCLES
I remember my father and my mother’s
name.
I remember my father and my mother’s
name.
HANNO
Repeat them, then, to me,
to see if I know them, perchance, or if they are relatives of mine.
Repeat them, then, to me,
to see if I know them, perchance, or if they are relatives of mine.
AGORASTOCLES
Ampsigura was my mother,
and Iachon my father.
1065
Ampsigura was my mother,
and Iachon my father.
1065
HANNO
I could wish that your father and mother were alive.
I could wish that your father and mother were alive.
AGORASTOCLES
Are they dead?
Are they dead?
HANNO
So it is,
a thing which I bore with much grief; for your mother Ampsigura was my cousin-german; your father—he was my uncle’s son,
and when he died he made me his heir; of whom being deprived by death, I am greatly affected. But if it is the fact that you
really are the son of Sachon, there ought to be a mark upon your left hand, a bite which an ape gave you when a child, playing
with it.
1070
Show
it, that I may look at it;
1075
open
your hand.
So it is,
a thing which I bore with much grief; for your mother Ampsigura was my cousin-german; your father—he was my uncle’s son,
and when he died he made me his heir; of whom being deprived by death, I am greatly affected. But if it is the fact that you
really are the son of Sachon, there ought to be a mark upon your left hand, a bite which an ape gave you when a child, playing
with it.
1070
Show
it, that I may look at it;
1075
open
your hand.
AGORASTOCLES
(opening his hand.)
Look, if you like; see, there it is.
My kinsman, welcome to you!
Look, if you like; see, there it is.
My kinsman, welcome to you!
HANNO
And welcome to you, Agorastocles! I seem to myself to be born again, in having found you.
And welcome to you, Agorastocles! I seem to myself to be born again, in having found you.
MILPHIO
By my troth, I’m delighted that this matter has fallen out
so happily for you.
(To HANNO.) And would you decline to take advice?
By my troth, I’m delighted that this matter has fallen out
so happily for you.
(To HANNO.) And would you decline to take advice?
HANNO
Really, I should wish
to be advised.
Really, I should wish
to be advised.
MILPHIO
His father’s property ought to be restored to the son; it’s fair that he should have the property which his father possessed.
1080
His father’s property ought to be restored to the son; it’s fair that he should have the property which his father possessed.
1080
HANNO
I wish no otherwise; everything shall be restored. I’ll give his own property to him all safe, when he comes there.
I wish no otherwise; everything shall be restored. I’ll give his own property to him all safe, when he comes there.
MILPHIO
Take care and restore it, will you, even though he should live here still.
Take care and restore it, will you, even though he should live here still.
HANNO
Nay but, he shall have my own as well, if anything should happen to me
20
.
1085
Nay but, he shall have my own as well, if anything should happen to me
20
.
1085
MILPHIO
A pleasant project has just now come into my mind,
A pleasant project has just now come into my mind,
HANNO
What’s that?
What’s that?
MILPHIO
There’s need of your assistance.
There’s need of your assistance.
HANNO
Tell me what you wish. Really, you shall have my services just as you please. What is the business?
Tell me what you wish. Really, you shall have my services just as you please. What is the business?
MILPHIO
Can you act the cheat?
Can you act the cheat?
HANNO
Towards an enemy, I can; to a friend, it would be
mere folly.
1090
Towards an enemy, I can; to a friend, it would be
mere folly.
1090
MILPHIO
I’ faith, it is an enemy of his.
(Pointing at AGORASTOCLES.)
I’ faith, it is an enemy of his.
HANNO
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
MILPHIO
He’s in love with a person who belongs to a Procurer.
He’s in love with a person who belongs to a Procurer.
HANNO
I deem that he acts discreetly.
I deem that he acts discreetly.
MILPHIO
This Procurer lives close at hand.
This Procurer lives close at hand.
HANNO
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
MILPHIO
He has two slave girls, courtesans,
sisters; one of these he is desperately in love with, nor has he ever taker any liberties with her.
1095
He has two slave girls, courtesans,
sisters; one of these he is desperately in love with, nor has he ever taker any liberties with her.
1095
HANNO
It’s an unhappy kind of passion.
It’s an unhappy kind of passion.
MILPHIO
The Procurer plays upon him.
The Procurer plays upon him.
HANNO
He’s enhancing his own profits thereby.
He’s enhancing his own profits thereby.
MILPHIO
He wishes to do him an evil turn.
He wishes to do him an evil turn.
HANNO
He’s right, if he does do it.
He’s right, if he does do it.
MILPHIO
Now I adopt this plan, and prepare this contrivance,
that we should cite you; you are to affirm that they are your daughters, and that they were stolen when little from Carthage, and to maintain the cause of both in an action on their freedom, as though they were both your own daughters. Do you understand?
1100
Now I adopt this plan, and prepare this contrivance,
that we should cite you; you are to affirm that they are your daughters, and that they were stolen when little from Carthage, and to maintain the cause of both in an action on their freedom, as though they were both your own daughters. Do you understand?
1100
HANNO
On my faith, I do understand; for I likewise did have two daughters
who were stolen away when little children, together with their nurse.
1105
On my faith, I do understand; for I likewise did have two daughters
who were stolen away when little children, together with their nurse.
1105
MILPHIO
Upon my word, you do feign it cleverly. At the very commencement this amuses me.
Upon my word, you do feign it cleverly. At the very commencement this amuses me.
HANNO
(aside, weeping.)
Much more, i’ troth, than I could wish.
Much more, i’ troth, than I could wish.
MILPHIO
(aside to AGORASTOCLES.)
Dear me! a subtle person, upon my word, artful and knowing, both tricky and crafty! How he does whimper, in order that with his gestures he may effect this all the more easily.
Even myself, now, the master-workman, does he excel in skill.
1110
Dear me! a subtle person, upon my word, artful and knowing, both tricky and crafty! How he does whimper, in order that with his gestures he may effect this all the more easily.
Even myself, now, the master-workman, does he excel in skill.
1110
HANNO
But their nurse
21
, of what appearance was she? Tell me.
But their nurse
21
, of what appearance was she? Tell me.
MILPHIO
Of stature not tall, of a dusky complexion
22
.
Of stature not tall, of a dusky complexion
22
.
HANNO
’Tis the very person.
’Tis the very person.
MILPHIO
Of agreable form, with a
small mouth, and very dark eyes.
Of agreable form, with a
small mouth, and very dark eyes.
HANNO
I’ faith, you really have depicted her form exactly in your words.
I’ faith, you really have depicted her form exactly in your words.
MILPHIO
Should you like to see her?
1115
Should you like to see her?
1115
HANNO
I’d rather
see my daughters. Still, go and call her out of doors. If they are my daughters, if she is their nurse, she’ll recognize me at once.
I’d rather
see my daughters. Still, go and call her out of doors. If they are my daughters, if she is their nurse, she’ll recognize me at once.
MILPHIO
(knocking at the door of the PROCURER’S
house .)
Hallo there! is there any one here? Tell Giddeneme to come out of doors; there’s a person wants to see her.
Hallo there! is there any one here? Tell Giddeneme to come out of doors; there’s a person wants to see her.
Poenulus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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