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402
(Enter EPIGNOMUS and STICHUS, followed by some SLAVES.)
EPIGNOMUS
Inasmuch as, my business prosperously carried on, I am returned safe home, thanks do I return to Neptune and to his tempests; to Mercury as well
1
, who in my traffic
has aided me, and by my profits has rendered my property fourfold. Those whom formerly I affected with sorrow at my departure, the same shall I now make joyous at my arrival. But already have I met my connexion Antipho, and from bad terms have I returned to friendship with him.
405
See, prithee, what money can effect. Since, my affairs prospering, he sees that I’ve returned, and brought home great wealth, without any mediators, there on board the ship, upon the deck, we have returned to friendship and good feeling.
410
Inasmuch as, my business prosperously carried on, I am returned safe home, thanks do I return to Neptune and to his tempests; to Mercury as well
1
, who in my traffic
has aided me, and by my profits has rendered my property fourfold. Those whom formerly I affected with sorrow at my departure, the same shall I now make joyous at my arrival. But already have I met my connexion Antipho, and from bad terms have I returned to friendship with him.
405
See, prithee, what money can effect. Since, my affairs prospering, he sees that I’ve returned, and brought home great wealth, without any mediators, there on board the ship, upon the deck, we have returned to friendship and good feeling.
410
STICHUS
Master, whether I’m silent or speak, I’m sure you know
how many hardships I’ve endured in your service; now, on my arrival home, I wish to spend in freedom
4
this one day after these many hardships.
420
Master, whether I’m silent or speak, I’m sure you know
how many hardships I’ve endured in your service; now, on my arrival home, I wish to spend in freedom
4
this one day after these many hardships.
420
EPIGNOMUS
You ask what’s just and right. Stlchus, you may take this day for yourself; I don’t object to it. Go where you like.
A cask, too, of old wine, I give you to drink.
425
You ask what’s just and right. Stlchus, you may take this day for yourself; I don’t object to it. Go where you like.
A cask, too, of old wine, I give you to drink.
425
STICHUS
O, grand! I’ll have my mistress this day.
O, grand! I’ll have my mistress this day.
EPIGNOMUS
Even ten, so long as it is at your own expense.
Even ten, so long as it is at your own expense.
STICHUS
What
?
What
?
EPIGNOMUS
What
?
What
?
STICHUS
I’ll go and dine
’Tis thus it pleases me
I’ll go and dine
’Tis thus it pleases me
EPIGNOMUS
Where do you dine to-day?
430
Where do you dine to-day?
430
STICHUS
This plan have I thus resolved upon. I have a mistress here in the neighbourhood, Stephanium, the servantmaid of your brother. I’m going to invite her; I’ll take her to a pic-nic entertainment
5
at her fellow-servant’s, Sagarinus We both have the same mistress; we are rivals.
This plan have I thus resolved upon. I have a mistress here in the neighbourhood, Stephanium, the servantmaid of your brother. I’m going to invite her; I’ll take her to a pic-nic entertainment
5
at her fellow-servant’s, Sagarinus We both have the same mistress; we are rivals.
EPIGNOMUS
Come then, conduct them in. I grant you this day.
435
Come then, conduct them in. I grant you this day.
435
STICHUS
Hold me to blame if I don’t make the most of it
6
. Troth now, I’ll pass through the garden to my mistress, to engage her beforehand for me this evening; at the same time I’ll give my contribution, and bid the dinner to be cooked at Sagarinus’s,
or else I’ll go myself and make my marketing as caterer. Sagarinus,
a servant
for my
with stripes
to take him home well thrashed,
440
I’ll make all things to be in readiness here; but I’m delaying myself. And don’t you be surprised
7
(to the AUDIENCE) that men, who are slaves, drink, court, and give invitations to dinner? This is allowed us at
Athens
. But when I think of it, rather than meet with censure, there’s here, too,
445
another door to the back buildings of our house. I’ll go that way to market; by that way I’ll bring back the provisions—through the garden there’s a passage that communicates with both houses.
(To the SLAVES.) Do you follow me this way. I surely will pull this day to bits
8
.
450
(Goes into the house of EPIGNOMUS.)
Hold me to blame if I don’t make the most of it
6
. Troth now, I’ll pass through the garden to my mistress, to engage her beforehand for me this evening; at the same time I’ll give my contribution, and bid the dinner to be cooked at Sagarinus’s,
or else I’ll go myself and make my marketing as caterer. Sagarinus,
a servant
for my
with stripes
to take him home well thrashed,
440
I’ll make all things to be in readiness here; but I’m delaying myself. And don’t you be surprised
7
(to the AUDIENCE) that men, who are slaves, drink, court, and give invitations to dinner? This is allowed us at
Athens
. But when I think of it, rather than meet with censure, there’s here, too,
445
another door to the back buildings of our house. I’ll go that way to market; by that way I’ll bring back the provisions—through the garden there’s a passage that communicates with both houses.
(To the SLAVES.) Do you follow me this way. I surely will pull this day to bits
8
.
450
Stichus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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