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220
(Enter AMPELISCA, at a distance, on the other side of the stage, in a similar condition.)
AMPELISCA
(to herself.)
What is there better for me, what more to my advantage, than to shut out life from my body? So wretched am I in my existence, and so many deadening cares are there in my breast; so despicable is my lot; I care not for my life; I have lost the hope with which I used to comfort myself. All places have I now rambled about, and through each covert spot have I crawled along, to seek my fellow-slave with voice, eyes, ears, that I might trace her out.
220
And still I find her nowhere, nor have I yet determined whither to go, nor where to seek her, nor, in the meantime, do I find any person here to give me an answer, of whom I might make enquiry. No place, too, is there on earth more solitary than are these spots and this locality. And yet, if she lives, never while I exist will I cease before I discover her alive.
225
What is there better for me, what more to my advantage, than to shut out life from my body? So wretched am I in my existence, and so many deadening cares are there in my breast; so despicable is my lot; I care not for my life; I have lost the hope with which I used to comfort myself. All places have I now rambled about, and through each covert spot have I crawled along, to seek my fellow-slave with voice, eyes, ears, that I might trace her out.
220
And still I find her nowhere, nor have I yet determined whither to go, nor where to seek her, nor, in the meantime, do I find any person here to give me an answer, of whom I might make enquiry. No place, too, is there on earth more solitary than are these spots and this locality. And yet, if she lives, never while I exist will I cease before I discover her alive.
225
PALAESTRA
(aloud.)
Whose voice is it that sounds close by me here?
Whose voice is it that sounds close by me here?
AMPELISCA
(starting.)
I am alarmed. Who’s speaking near me?
230
I am alarmed. Who’s speaking near me?
230
PALAESTRA
Prithee, kind Hope, do come to my aid.
Prithee, kind Hope, do come to my aid.
AMPELISCA
It’s a woman: a woman’s voice reaches my ears.
Will you not rescue wretched me from this alarm?
It’s a woman: a woman’s voice reaches my ears.
Will you not rescue wretched me from this alarm?
PALAESTRA
Surely a woman’s voice reached my ears.
Prithee is it Ampelisca?
235
Surely a woman’s voice reached my ears.
Prithee is it Ampelisca?
235
AMPELISCA
Is it you, Palaestra, that I hear?
Is it you, Palaestra, that I hear?
PALAESTRA
But why don’t I call her by her own name, that she may hear me?
(With a loud voice.) Ampelisca!
But why don’t I call her by her own name, that she may hear me?
(With a loud voice.) Ampelisca!
AMPELISCA
Ha! who’s that?
Ha! who’s that?
PALAESTRA
’Tis I.
’Tis I.
AMPELISCA
Is it Palaestra?
1
Is it Palaestra?
1
PALAESTRA
It is.
It is.
AMPELISCA
Tell me where
2
you are.
Tell me where
2
you are.
PALAESTRA
Troth, I’m now in the midst of a multitude of woes.
Troth, I’m now in the midst of a multitude of woes.
AMPELISCA
I am your partner; and no less is my own share than yours.
But I long to see you.
240
I am your partner; and no less is my own share than yours.
But I long to see you.
240
PALAESTRA
In that wish you are my rival.
In that wish you are my rival.
AMPELISCA
Let’s follow our voices with our steps; where are you?
Let’s follow our voices with our steps; where are you?
PALAESTRA
See, here am I. Step onward towards me, and come straight on to meet me.
See, here am I. Step onward towards me, and come straight on to meet me.
AMPELISCA
I’m doing so with care.
(They meet in front of the stage.)
I’m doing so with care.
PALAESTRA
Give me your hand.
Give me your hand.
AMPELISCA
Take it.
Take it.
PALAESTRA
Are you still alive? Prithee, tell me.
Are you still alive? Prithee, tell me.
AMPELISCA
You, indeed, make me now wish to live,
since I’m empowered to touch you. How hardly can I persuade myself of this, that I am holding you. Prithee, do embrace me
(they embrace), my only hope; how you are now easing me of all my woes.
245
You, indeed, make me now wish to live,
since I’m empowered to touch you. How hardly can I persuade myself of this, that I am holding you. Prithee, do embrace me
(they embrace), my only hope; how you are now easing me of all my woes.
245
PALAESTRA
You are beforehand with me in using expressions which belong to me. Now it befits us to be going hence.
You are beforehand with me in using expressions which belong to me. Now it befits us to be going hence.
AMPELISCA
Prithee, whither shall we go?
Prithee, whither shall we go?
PALAESTRA
Let’s keep along this sea-shore.
250
(Pointing to the shore.)
Let’s keep along this sea-shore.
250
AMPELISCA
Wherever you please, I’ll follow.
Wherever you please, I’ll follow.
PALAESTRA
Shall we go along thus with our wet clothing?
Shall we go along thus with our wet clothing?
AMPELISCA
That which exists, the same must of necessity be borne.
(Looking up at the Temple.) But, pray, what’s this?
That which exists, the same must of necessity be borne.
(Looking up at the Temple.) But, pray, what’s this?
PALAESTRA
What is it?
What is it?
AMPELISCA
Prithee, don’t you see this Temple?
(Pointing towards it.)
Prithee, don’t you see this Temple?
PALAESTRA
Where is it?
Where is it?
AMPELISCA
On the right hand.
On the right hand.
PALAESTRA
I seem to be looking at a place becoming the Divinities.
255
I seem to be looking at a place becoming the Divinities.
255
AMPELISCA
There must be people not far hence; it is so delightful a spot. Whoever the God is, I pray him to relieve us from these troubles, and to succour us females, wretched, helpless, and in distress.
(They advance towards the Temple, and kneel down before it.)
There must be people not far hence; it is so delightful a spot. Whoever the God is, I pray him to relieve us from these troubles, and to succour us females, wretched, helpless, and in distress.
Rudens. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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