T. Maccius Plautus, Stichus, ed. Friedrich Leo, 4.1

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505

Antipho

Íta me di bene amént measque mihi bene servassint filias,
505

ut mihi volup est, Pamphilippe, quia vos in patriam domum

rediisse video bene gesta re ambos, te et fratrem tuom.

Pamphilippvs

Satis abs te accipiam, nisi videam mihi te amicum esse, Antipho;

nunc quia té amicum mihi experior esse, credetur tibi.

Antipho

Vocem ego te ad me ad cenam, frater tuos ni dixisset mihi,
510

te apud se cenaturum esse hodie, quom me ad se ad cenam vocat.

et magis pár fuerat me vobis dare cenam advenientibus,

quam me ad illúm promittere, nisi nollem ei advorsarier.

nunc me gratiam abs te inire verbis nil desidero:

cras apud me éritis et tu et ille cum vostris uxoribus.
515

Pamphilippvs

At apud mé perendie. nam ille heri me iam vocaverat

in hunc diem. sed satin ego tecum pacificatus sum, Antipho?

Antipho

Quando ita rem gessistis ut vos velle amicosque addecet,

pax commersque est vobis mecum. nam hoc tu facito ut cogites:

ut cuique homini res paratast, périnde amicis utitur:
520

si res firma, item fírmi amici sunt; sin res laxe labat,

itidem amici conlabascunt: res amicos invenit.

Epignomvs

Iam redeo. nimiast voluptas, ubi diu afueris domo,

domum ubi rédieris, sí tibi nullast aegritudo animo obviam.

nam ita me absente familiarem rem uxor curavit meam,
525

omnium me éxilem atque inanem fecit aegritudinum.

sed eccum fratrem Pamphilippum, incedit cum socero suo.

Pamphilippvs

Quid agitur, Epignome?

Epignomvs

Quid tu? quam dudum in portum venis?

Pamphilippvs

Hau longissume.

Epignomvs

Postilla iam iste est tranquillus tibi?

Antipho

Magis quam mare quo ambo estis vecti.
530

Epignomvs

Facis ut alias res soles.

hodiene exoneramus navem, frater?

Pamphilippvs

Clementer volo.

nos potius oneremus nosmet vícissatim voluptátibus.

quam mox coctast cena? inpransus ego sum.

Epignomvs

Abi intro ad me et lava.

Pamphilippvs

Deos salutatum atque uxorem módo intro devortor domum;

haec si ita ut volo conficio, continuo ad te transeo.
535

Epignomvs

Apud nos eccillam festinat cum sorore uxor tua.

Pamphilippvs

Optumest, iam istoc morai minus erit. iam ego apud te ero.

Antipho

Prius quam abis, praesente ted huic apologum agere unum volo.

Pamphilippvs

Maxume.

Antipho

Fuit olim, quasi ego sum, senex; ei filiae

duae erant, quasi nunc meae sunt; eae erant duobus nuptae fratribus,
540

quasi nunc meae sunt vobis.

Epignomvs

Miror quo evasurust apologus.

Antipho

Erant minori illi adulescenti fidicina et tibicina,

peregre advexerat, quasi nunc tu; sed ille erat caeleps senex,

quasi ego nunc sum.

Epignomvs

Perge porro. praesens hic quidem est apologus.

Antipho

Deinde senex ille illi dixit, cuius erat tibicina,
545

quasi ego nunc tibi dico:

Epignomvs

Ausculto atque animum advorto sedulo.

Antipho

“Ego tibi meam filiam, bene quicum cubitares, dedi:

nunc mihi reddi ego aequom esse abs te quicum cubitem censeo.”

Epignomvs

Quis istuc dicit? an ille quasi tu?

Antipho

Quasi ego nunc dico tibi.

Immo duas dabo, inquit ille adulescens “una si parumst;
550

et si duarum paenitebit,” inquit addentur duae.

Epignomvs

Quis istuc quaeso? an ille quasi ego?

Antipho

Is ipse quasi tu. tum senex

ille quasi ego: si vis, inquit “quattuor sane dato,

dúm equidem hercle quod edint addas, meum ne contruncent cibum.”

Epignomvs

Videlicet parcum illum fuisse senem, qui illi istaec dixerit,
555

quóm ille, illi qui pollicetur, eum cibum poposcerit.

Antipho

Videlicet non fuisse illum aequom ádulescentem, qui ilico

ubi ille poscit denegavit dare se granum tritici.

hercle qui aequom postulabat ille senex, quando quidem

filiae illae dederat dotem, accipere pro tibicina.
560

Epignomvs

Hercle ille quidem certo adulescens docte vorsutus fuit,

qui seni illi concubinam dare dotatam noluit.

Antipho

Senex quidem voluit, si posset, indipisci de cibo;

quia nequit, qua lege licuit velle dixit fieri.

fiat ille inquít adulescens. facis benigne inquit senex.
565

habeon rem pactam? inquit. faciam ita inquit ut fieri voles.

sed ego ibo intro et gratulabor vostrum adventum filiis.

poste ibo lautum ín pyelum, ibi fovebo sénectutem meam.

post ubi lavero, otiosus vos opperiar accubans.—

Pamphilippvs

Graphicum mortalem Antiphonem, ut apologum fecit quam fabre.
570

Epignomvs

Etiam nunc scelestus se esse ducit pro adulescentulo.

dabitur homini amica, noctu quae in lecto occentet senem;

namque edepol aliud quidem illi quid amica opus sit nescio.

Pamphilippvs

Sed quid agit parasitus noster Gelasimus? etiam valet?

Epignomvs

Vidi edepol hominem haud perdudum.
575

Pamphilippvs

Quid agit?

Epignomvs

Quod famelicus.

Pamphilippvs

Quin vocavisti hominem ad cenam?

Epignomvs

Ne quid advéniens perderem.

atque eccum tibi lúpum in sermone: praesens esuriens adest.

Pamphilippvs

Ludificemur hominem.

Epignomvs

Capti consili memorem mones.

Stichus. T. Maccius Plautus. ed. Friedrich Leo. Berlin. 1896.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Stichus (Latin) (Plautus. Plauti Comoediae, Volume 2. Leo, Friedrich, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1896.)

Translations (1)

Stichus, or The Parasite Rebuffed Perseus (Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, Henry Thomas, translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.) — 4.1 focus

505 (Enter ANTIPHO and PAMPHILUS.)

ANTIPHO

So may the Gods favour me, and preserve for me my daughters, it is a pleasure to me, Pamphilus, that I see you both return home to your native land, your business prosperously managed, yourself and your brother.
505

PAMPHILUS

I should have heard enough from you, Antipho, did I not see that you are friendly to me; now, since I’ve found that you are my friend, I’ll give you credence.

ANTIPHO

I would invite you to my house to dinner, had not your brother told me that you were going to dine at his house to-day, when he invited myself to his house to dinner. And it would have been more proper for me to give you an entertainment on your arrival, than to engage myself to him, were it not that I didn’t wish to disoblige him. Now I don’t wish with words alone to insinuate myself into your favour;
510

to-morrow you shall be at my house, both you and he, with your wives.
515

PAMPHILUS

Then, the day after, at my house; for it was yesterday he invited me for to-day. But am I quite reconciled to you, Antipho?

ANTIPHO

Since you have thus thrived in your affairs, as it behoves yourselves and persons friendly disposed to wish, let there be good-will and intercourse between us. Take you care to think of this;

according as wealth is obtained by each man, so does he experience his friends. If his fortunes are flourishing, so are his friends true; if his prospects decline, so, too, do his friends decline. Fortune finds friends.
520

(from his house.)

EPIGNOMUS

(to himself.)

I’m now returned. ’Tis a great delight, if you have been long from home, when you return home again, if no anxieties come in contact with your feelings.

But, in my absence, so well has my wife taken care of my private affairs, that she has made me free and unembarrassed by anxieties. But, see, here’s my brother Pamphilus, walking with his father-in-law.
525

PAMPHILUS

How fares it, Epignomus?

EPIGNOMUS

How with you? How long since you came into harbour?

PAMPHILUS

Not very long ago.

EPIGNOMUS

(aside.)

And is it since then that he has become on smooth terms with you?

ANTIPHO

(overhearing.)

More smooth than the sea, on which you have both been borne.
530

EPIGNOMUS

You do as you are wont to do other things. Do we unlade the ship to-day, brother?

PAMPHILUS

I would rather go quietly to work. Let’s rather lade ourselves with delights in their turn. How soon will the dinner be cooked? I haven’t breakfasted to-day.

EPIGNOMUS

Go in-doors to my house and bathe.

PAMPHILUS

I’ll only step home to my own house, to salute the Gods¹ and my wife.

If I do that as I wish, I’ll forthwith return to your house.
535

EPIGNOMUS

But your wife is hastening to come here with her sister.

PAMPHILUS

’Tis very good; there will then be the less delay on that account. I shall be at your house² this instant.

ANTIPHO

(to PAMPHILUS.)

Before you go away, in your presence I wish to relate a single story to him.

EPIGNOMUS

By all means.

ANTIPHO

There was once an old gentleman, just as I now am; he had two daughters, such as mine now are; they were married to two brothers,

just as mine now are to yourselves.

PAMPHILUS

I wonder how the story is to turn out?

ANTIPHO

One of these young men had, as you (to PAMPHILUS) now have, a damsel, a music-girl; he had brought her from abroad, as you have now done. Now, this old gentleman was a widower, just as I now am.

PAMPHILUS

Do proceed; this story is really à propos.

ANTIPHO

Then said this old gentleman to him to whom the music-girl belonged, just as I now say to you—
545

PAMPHILUS

I’m listening³, and carefully giving heed.

ANTIPHO

I gave you my daughter, to be a comfortable bedfellow for you; now, I think it fair that one should be given me in return by you, to be my bed-fellow.

PAMPHILUS

Who says that? Does he say it⁴ just as though you were to say it?

ANTIPHO

Just as I now say it to you.

Aye, I’ll give you two of them, says this young man, if one’s too little; and if you are not satisfied with two, says he, two more shall be added.
550

PAMPHILUS

Prithee, who says that? Does he say it just as though I were to say it?

ANTIPHO

He says it just as though you were to say it. Then says this old gentleman, just as though I were to say it, Well, give me four, if you like, so long only as, i’ faith, you find them something to eat as well, that they mayn’t consume my victuals.

PAMPHILUS

Why surely it must have been a stingy old chap to say that, in asking food as well of him who promised them to him.
555

ANTIPHO

Why surely, this young man must have been a good-for-nothing fellow, who forthwith, when the other asked him, refused to give him a grain of wheat. But, i’ troth, the old gentleman asked what was fair, inasmuch as

the dowry which he had given to his daughter, he wished him to have as an equivalent for the music-girl.
560

PAMPHILUS

I’ faith, for sure I really do think that the young man was well advised, who wouldn’t give a mistress to that old fellow in return for the dower.

ANTIPHO

The old gentleman wished, indeed, if he could, to bargain for their maintenance; because he couldn’t, he said he wished it to be done on what terms it might.

Done, said this young man. You do me a kindness, said the old gentleman. Have I the thing agreed upon? said he. I’ll do even as you wish it to be done, said the other. But I’ll be off in-doors, and congratulate my daughters on your arrival. Then I’ll go wash me at the bath⁵; there will I take all care of my old age; after that, when I’ve bathed, lying down, I’ll await you at my leisure.
565
(Exit.)

PAMPHILUS

A funny mortal, Antipho; how cleverly he did make up his story.
570

Even yet the rogue considers himself a young man. A mistress shall be given to the fellow, to sing to the old chap at night in bed; for, i’ faith, indeed, I know not of what other use a mistress can be to him.

But how fares our Parasite, Gelasimus? Is he well, too?

EPIGNOMUS

I’ faith, I saw the fellow not so very long ago.
575

PAMPHILUS

How fares he?

EPIGNOMUS

Like one half-starved.

PAMPHILUS

Why didn’t you invite the fellow to your house to dinner?

EPIGNOMUS

That on my arrival I mightn’t be wasting anything. But see, here’s the wolf in the Fable⁶; here he is in person with his ravenous fit.

PAMPHILUS

We’ll have some sport with the fellow.

EPIGNOMUS

You put me in mind of a plan I had already resolved on.

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Antipho Íta me di bene amént measque mihi bene servassint filias, 505 ut mihi volup est, Pamphilippe, quia vos in patriam domum rediisse video bene gesta re ambos, te et fratrem tuom.

Pamphilippvs Satis abs te accipiam, nisi videam mihi te amicum esse, Antipho; nunc quia té amicum mihi experior esse, credetur tibi.

Pamphilippvs At apud mé perendie. nam ille heri me iam vocaverat in hunc diem. sed satin ego tecum pacificatus sum, Antipho?

Antipho Quando ita rem gessistis ut vos velle amicosque addecet, pax commersque est vobis mecum. nam hoc tu facito ut cogites: ut cuique homini res paratast, périnde amicis utitur: 520 si res firma, item fírmi amici sunt; sin res laxe labat, itidem amici conlabascunt: res amicos invenit.

Epignomvs Iam redeo. nimiast voluptas, ubi diu afueris domo, domum ubi rédieris, sí tibi nullast aegritudo animo obviam. nam ita me absente familiarem rem uxor curavit meam, 525 omnium me éxilem atque inanem fecit aegritudinum. sed eccum fratrem Pamphilippum, incedit cum socero suo.

Pamphilippvs Quid agitur, Epignome?

Epignomvs Quid tu? quam dudum in portum venis?

Pamphilippvs Hau longissume.

Epignomvs Postilla iam iste est tranquillus tibi?

Antipho Magis quam mare quo ambo estis vecti. 530

Epignomvs Facis ut alias res soles. hodiene exoneramus navem, frater?

Pamphilippvs Clementer volo. nos potius oneremus nosmet vícissatim voluptátibus. quam mox coctast cena? inpransus ego sum.

Epignomvs Abi intro ad me et lava.

Pamphilippvs Deos salutatum atque uxorem módo intro devortor domum; haec si ita ut volo conficio, continuo ad te transeo. 535

Epignomvs Apud nos eccillam festinat cum sorore uxor tua.

Pamphilippvs Optumest, iam istoc morai minus erit. iam ego apud te ero.

Antipho Prius quam abis, praesente ted huic apologum agere unum volo.

Pamphilippvs Maxume.

Antipho Fuit olim, quasi ego sum, senex; ei filiae duae erant, quasi nunc meae sunt; eae erant duobus nuptae fratribus, 540 quasi nunc meae sunt vobis.

Epignomvs Miror quo evasurust apologus.

Antipho Erant minori illi adulescenti fidicina et tibicina, peregre advexerat, quasi nunc tu; sed ille erat caeleps senex, quasi ego nunc sum.

Epignomvs Perge porro. praesens hic quidem est apologus.

Antipho Deinde senex ille illi dixit, cuius erat tibicina, 545 quasi ego nunc tibi dico:

Epignomvs Ausculto atque animum advorto sedulo.

Antipho “Ego tibi meam filiam, bene quicum cubitares, dedi: nunc mihi reddi ego aequom esse abs te quicum cubitem censeo.”

Epignomvs Quis istuc dicit? an ille quasi tu?

Antipho Quasi ego nunc dico tibi. Immo duas dabo, inquit ille adulescens “una si parumst; 550 et si duarum paenitebit,” inquit addentur duae.

Epignomvs Quis istuc quaeso? an ille quasi ego?

Antipho Is ipse quasi tu. tum senex ille quasi ego: si vis, inquit “quattuor sane dato, dúm equidem hercle quod edint addas, meum ne contruncent cibum.”

Epignomvs Videlicet parcum illum fuisse senem, qui illi istaec dixerit, 555 quóm ille, illi qui pollicetur, eum cibum poposcerit.

Antipho Videlicet non fuisse illum aequom ádulescentem, qui ilico ubi ille poscit denegavit dare se granum tritici. hercle qui aequom postulabat ille senex, quando quidem filiae illae dederat dotem, accipere pro tibicina. 560

Epignomvs Hercle ille quidem certo adulescens docte vorsutus fuit, qui seni illi concubinam dare dotatam noluit.

Pamphilippvs Graphicum mortalem Antiphonem, ut apologum fecit quam fabre. 570

Epignomvs Etiam nunc scelestus se esse ducit pro adulescentulo. dabitur homini amica, noctu quae in lecto occentet senem; namque edepol aliud quidem illi quid amica opus sit nescio.

Pamphilippvs Sed quid agit parasitus noster Gelasimus? etiam valet?

Epignomvs Vidi edepol hominem haud perdudum. 575

Pamphilippvs Quid agit?

Epignomvs Quod famelicus.

Pamphilippvs Quin vocavisti hominem ad cenam?

Epignomvs Ne quid advéniens perderem. atque eccum tibi lúpum in sermone: praesens esuriens adest.

Pamphilippvs Ludificemur hominem.

Epignomvs Capti consili memorem mones.

Current edition Perseus

ANTIPHO So may the Gods favour me, and preserve for me my daughters, it is a pleasure to me, Pamphilus, that I see you both return home to your native land, your business prosperously managed, yourself and your brother. 505

PAMPHILUS I should have heard enough from you, Antipho, did I not see that you are friendly to me; now, since I’ve found that you are my friend, I’ll give you credence.

PAMPHILUS Then, the day after, at my house; for it was yesterday he invited me for to-day. But am I quite reconciled to you, Antipho?

PAMPHILUS How fares it, Epignomus?

EPIGNOMUS How with you? How long since you came into harbour?

PAMPHILUS Not very long ago.

EPIGNOMUS (aside.) And is it since then that he has become on smooth terms with you?

ANTIPHO (overhearing.) More smooth than the sea, on which you have both been borne. 530

EPIGNOMUS You do as you are wont to do other things. Do we unlade the ship to-day, brother?

PAMPHILUS I would rather go quietly to work. Let’s rather lade ourselves with delights in their turn. How soon will the dinner be cooked? I haven’t breakfasted to-day.

EPIGNOMUS Go in-doors to my house and bathe.

PAMPHILUS I’ll only step home to my own house, to salute the Gods 1 and my wife. If I do that as I wish, I’ll forthwith return to your house. 535

EPIGNOMUS But your wife is hastening to come here with her sister.

PAMPHILUS ’Tis very good; there will then be the less delay on that account. I shall be at your house 2 this instant.

ANTIPHO (to PAMPHILUS.) Before you go away, in your presence I wish to relate a single story to him.

EPIGNOMUS By all means.

ANTIPHO There was once an old gentleman, just as I now am; he had two daughters, such as mine now are; they were married to two brothers, just as mine now are to yourselves.

PAMPHILUS I wonder how the story is to turn out?

ANTIPHO One of these young men had, as you (to PAMPHILUS) now have, a damsel, a music-girl; he had brought her from abroad, as you have now done. Now, this old gentleman was a widower, just as I now am.

PAMPHILUS Do proceed; this story is really à propos.

ANTIPHO Then said this old gentleman to him to whom the music-girl belonged, just as I now say to you— 545

PAMPHILUS I’m listening 3 , and carefully giving heed.

ANTIPHO I gave you my daughter, to be a comfortable bedfellow for you; now, I think it fair that one should be given me in return by you, to be my bed-fellow.

PAMPHILUS Who says that? Does he say it 4 just as though you were to say it?

ANTIPHO Just as I now say it to you. Aye, I’ll give you two of them, says this young man, if one’s too little; and if you are not satisfied with two, says he, two more shall be added. 550

PAMPHILUS Prithee, who says that? Does he say it just as though I were to say it?

ANTIPHO He says it just as though you were to say it. Then says this old gentleman, just as though I were to say it, Well, give me four, if you like, so long only as, i’ faith, you find them something to eat as well, that they mayn’t consume my victuals.

PAMPHILUS Why surely it must have been a stingy old chap to say that, in asking food as well of him who promised them to him. 555

PAMPHILUS I’ faith, for sure I really do think that the young man was well advised, who wouldn’t give a mistress to that old fellow in return for the dower.

EPIGNOMUS I’ faith, I saw the fellow not so very long ago. 575

PAMPHILUS How fares he?

EPIGNOMUS Like one half-starved.

PAMPHILUS Why didn’t you invite the fellow to your house to dinner?

EPIGNOMUS That on my arrival I mightn’t be wasting anything. But see, here’s the wolf in the Fable 6 ; here he is in person with his ravenous fit.

PAMPHILUS We’ll have some sport with the fellow.

Antipho

Íta me di bene amént measque mihi bene servassint filias,
505

ut mihi volup est, Pamphilippe, quia vos in patriam domum

rediisse video bene gesta re ambos, te et fratrem tuom.

Pamphilippvs

Satis abs te accipiam, nisi videam mihi te amicum esse, Antipho;

nunc quia té amicum mihi experior esse, credetur tibi.

Pamphilippvs

At apud mé perendie. nam ille heri me iam vocaverat

in hunc diem. sed satin ego tecum pacificatus sum, Antipho?

Antipho

Quando ita rem gessistis ut vos velle amicosque addecet,

pax commersque est vobis mecum. nam hoc tu facito ut cogites:

ut cuique homini res paratast, périnde amicis utitur:
520

si res firma, item fírmi amici sunt; sin res laxe labat,

itidem amici conlabascunt: res amicos invenit.

Epignomvs

Iam redeo. nimiast voluptas, ubi diu afueris domo,

domum ubi rédieris, sí tibi nullast aegritudo animo obviam.

nam ita me absente familiarem rem uxor curavit meam,
525

omnium me éxilem atque inanem fecit aegritudinum.

sed eccum fratrem Pamphilippum, incedit cum socero suo.

Pamphilippvs

Quid agitur, Epignome?

Epignomvs

Quid tu? quam dudum in portum venis?

Pamphilippvs

Hau longissume.

Epignomvs

Postilla iam iste est tranquillus tibi?

Antipho

Magis quam mare quo ambo estis vecti.
530

Epignomvs

Facis ut alias res soles.

hodiene exoneramus navem, frater?

Pamphilippvs

Clementer volo.

nos potius oneremus nosmet vícissatim voluptátibus.

quam mox coctast cena? inpransus ego sum.

Epignomvs

Abi intro ad me et lava.

Pamphilippvs

Deos salutatum atque uxorem módo intro devortor domum;

haec si ita ut volo conficio, continuo ad te transeo.
535

Epignomvs

Apud nos eccillam festinat cum sorore uxor tua.

Pamphilippvs

Optumest, iam istoc morai minus erit. iam ego apud te ero.

Antipho

Prius quam abis, praesente ted huic apologum agere unum volo.

Pamphilippvs

Maxume.

Antipho

Fuit olim, quasi ego sum, senex; ei filiae

duae erant, quasi nunc meae sunt; eae erant duobus nuptae fratribus,
540

quasi nunc meae sunt vobis.

Epignomvs

Miror quo evasurust apologus.

Antipho

Erant minori illi adulescenti fidicina et tibicina,

peregre advexerat, quasi nunc tu; sed ille erat caeleps senex,

quasi ego nunc sum.

Epignomvs

Perge porro. praesens hic quidem est apologus.

Antipho

Deinde senex ille illi dixit, cuius erat tibicina,
545

quasi ego nunc tibi dico:

Epignomvs

Ausculto atque animum advorto sedulo.

Antipho

“Ego tibi meam filiam, bene quicum cubitares, dedi:

nunc mihi reddi ego aequom esse abs te quicum cubitem censeo.”

Epignomvs

Quis istuc dicit? an ille quasi tu?

Antipho

Quasi ego nunc dico tibi.

Immo duas dabo, inquit ille adulescens “una si parumst;
550

et si duarum paenitebit,” inquit addentur duae.

Epignomvs

Quis istuc quaeso? an ille quasi ego?

Antipho

Is ipse quasi tu. tum senex

ille quasi ego: si vis, inquit “quattuor sane dato,

dúm equidem hercle quod edint addas, meum ne contruncent cibum.”

Epignomvs

Videlicet parcum illum fuisse senem, qui illi istaec dixerit,
555

quóm ille, illi qui pollicetur, eum cibum poposcerit.

Antipho

Videlicet non fuisse illum aequom ádulescentem, qui ilico

ubi ille poscit denegavit dare se granum tritici.

hercle qui aequom postulabat ille senex, quando quidem

filiae illae dederat dotem, accipere pro tibicina.
560

Epignomvs

Hercle ille quidem certo adulescens docte vorsutus fuit,

qui seni illi concubinam dare dotatam noluit.

Pamphilippvs

Graphicum mortalem Antiphonem, ut apologum fecit quam fabre.
570

Epignomvs

Etiam nunc scelestus se esse ducit pro adulescentulo.

dabitur homini amica, noctu quae in lecto occentet senem;

namque edepol aliud quidem illi quid amica opus sit nescio.

Pamphilippvs

Sed quid agit parasitus noster Gelasimus? etiam valet?

Epignomvs

Vidi edepol hominem haud perdudum.
575

Pamphilippvs

Quid agit?

Epignomvs

Quod famelicus.

Pamphilippvs

Quin vocavisti hominem ad cenam?

Epignomvs

Ne quid advéniens perderem.

atque eccum tibi lúpum in sermone: praesens esuriens adest.

Pamphilippvs

Ludificemur hominem.

Epignomvs

Capti consili memorem mones.

ANTIPHO

So may the Gods favour me, and preserve for me my daughters, it is a pleasure to me, Pamphilus, that I see you both return home to your native land, your business prosperously managed, yourself and your brother.
505

PAMPHILUS

I should have heard enough from you, Antipho, did I not see that you are friendly to me; now, since I’ve found that you are my friend, I’ll give you credence.

PAMPHILUS

Then, the day after, at my house; for it was yesterday he invited me for to-day. But am I quite reconciled to you, Antipho?

PAMPHILUS

How fares it, Epignomus?

EPIGNOMUS

How with you? How long since you came into harbour?

PAMPHILUS

Not very long ago.

EPIGNOMUS

(aside.)

And is it since then that he has become on smooth terms with you?

ANTIPHO

(overhearing.)

More smooth than the sea, on which you have both been borne.
530

EPIGNOMUS

You do as you are wont to do other things. Do we unlade the ship to-day, brother?

PAMPHILUS

I would rather go quietly to work. Let’s rather lade ourselves with delights in their turn. How soon will the dinner be cooked? I haven’t breakfasted to-day.

EPIGNOMUS

Go in-doors to my house and bathe.

PAMPHILUS

I’ll only step home to my own house, to salute the Gods¹ and my wife.

If I do that as I wish, I’ll forthwith return to your house.
535

EPIGNOMUS

But your wife is hastening to come here with her sister.

PAMPHILUS

’Tis very good; there will then be the less delay on that account. I shall be at your house² this instant.

ANTIPHO

(to PAMPHILUS.)

Before you go away, in your presence I wish to relate a single story to him.

EPIGNOMUS

By all means.

ANTIPHO

There was once an old gentleman, just as I now am; he had two daughters, such as mine now are; they were married to two brothers,

just as mine now are to yourselves.

PAMPHILUS

I wonder how the story is to turn out?

ANTIPHO

One of these young men had, as you (to PAMPHILUS) now have, a damsel, a music-girl; he had brought her from abroad, as you have now done. Now, this old gentleman was a widower, just as I now am.

PAMPHILUS

Do proceed; this story is really à propos.

ANTIPHO

Then said this old gentleman to him to whom the music-girl belonged, just as I now say to you—
545

PAMPHILUS

I’m listening³, and carefully giving heed.

ANTIPHO

I gave you my daughter, to be a comfortable bedfellow for you; now, I think it fair that one should be given me in return by you, to be my bed-fellow.

PAMPHILUS

Who says that? Does he say it⁴ just as though you were to say it?

ANTIPHO

Just as I now say it to you.

Aye, I’ll give you two of them, says this young man, if one’s too little; and if you are not satisfied with two, says he, two more shall be added.
550

PAMPHILUS

Prithee, who says that? Does he say it just as though I were to say it?

ANTIPHO

He says it just as though you were to say it. Then says this old gentleman, just as though I were to say it, Well, give me four, if you like, so long only as, i’ faith, you find them something to eat as well, that they mayn’t consume my victuals.

PAMPHILUS

Why surely it must have been a stingy old chap to say that, in asking food as well of him who promised them to him.
555

PAMPHILUS

I’ faith, for sure I really do think that the young man was well advised, who wouldn’t give a mistress to that old fellow in return for the dower.

EPIGNOMUS

I’ faith, I saw the fellow not so very long ago.
575

PAMPHILUS

How fares he?

EPIGNOMUS

Like one half-starved.

PAMPHILUS

Why didn’t you invite the fellow to your house to dinner?

EPIGNOMUS

That on my arrival I mightn’t be wasting anything. But see, here’s the wolf in the Fable⁶; here he is in person with his ravenous fit.

PAMPHILUS

We’ll have some sport with the fellow.

EPIGNOMUS

You put me in mind of a plan I had already resolved on.