View:
By Line
711
(Enter ASTAPHIUM, from the house of PHRONESIUM.)
ASTAPHIUM
(speaking to her MISTRESS as she comes out.)
I’ll cleverly do my duty, mistress; do you only take care that in-doors you do yours as well; love that which you ought, your own interest; clean that fellow thoroughly out. Now, while it pleases the fellow, while he has got something, adapt the opportunity to that purpose. Display all your charms to your lover that you may heighten his joys.
I meantime will stay here behind and watch at this door so long as he is thus transporting his presents home to you; nor, in the meantime, will I admit any one from there to you who may cause you annoyance. Do you go on, just as you please. Are you not diddling these fellows?
715
I’ll cleverly do my duty, mistress; do you only take care that in-doors you do yours as well; love that which you ought, your own interest; clean that fellow thoroughly out. Now, while it pleases the fellow, while he has got something, adapt the opportunity to that purpose. Display all your charms to your lover that you may heighten his joys.
I meantime will stay here behind and watch at this door so long as he is thus transporting his presents home to you; nor, in the meantime, will I admit any one from there to you who may cause you annoyance. Do you go on, just as you please. Are you not diddling these fellows?
715
DINARCHUS
How now, Astaphium, tell me, who is this fellow that’s on the road to ruin?
How now, Astaphium, tell me, who is this fellow that’s on the road to ruin?
ASTAPHIUM
Prithee, were you here?
Prithee, were you here?
DINARCHUS
What—am I troublesome?
720
What—am I troublesome?
720
ASTAPHIUM
More now than you were; for unless a person is of use to us, he is troublesome to us. But, prithee, do lend me your attention, that I may say what I want.
More now than you were; for unless a person is of use to us, he is troublesome to us. But, prithee, do lend me your attention, that I may say what I want.
DINARCHUS
Why, what is it? Does it concern myself?
Why, what is it? Does it concern myself?
ASTAPHIUM
Not a rap. But what hauls he is making present of in-doors.
Not a rap. But what hauls he is making present of in-doors.
DINARCHUS
How? Some new lover?
How? Some new lover?
ASTAPHIUM
A fresh one, and a brimming treasure she has hit upon.
725
A fresh one, and a brimming treasure she has hit upon.
725
DINARCHUS
Who is he?
Who is he?
ASTAPHIUM
I’ll tell you, but you be mum. Don’t you know this Strabax?
(Pointing to his FATHER’S house.)
I’ll tell you, but you be mum. Don’t you know this Strabax?
DINARCHUS
Why shouldn’t I?
Why shouldn’t I?
ASTAPHIUM
He alone rules the roast here at our house. He just now is a landed estate to us. With right good spirit is he wantonly wasting away his property.
He alone rules the roast here at our house. He just now is a landed estate to us. With right good spirit is he wantonly wasting away his property.
DINARCHUS
He’s on the road to ruin; i’ faith, I, too, have come to ruin.
He’s on the road to ruin; i’ faith, I, too, have come to ruin.
ASTAPHIUM
You are a simpleton, to expect with words to make undone what is done.
730
You are a simpleton, to expect with words to make undone what is done.
730
DINARCHUS
Even Thetis, too, in weeping, made lamentation for her son.
Can I not now be admitted in-doors to your house?
Even Thetis, too, in weeping, made lamentation for her son.
Can I not now be admitted in-doors to your house?
ASTAPHIUM
Why so rather than the Captain?
Why so rather than the Captain?
DINARCHUS
Why, because I’ve given more.
Why, because I’ve given more.
ASTAPHIUM
But you were admitted more, when you were giving more; let those who give, in return for that which they give, enjoy our services.
You’ve learnt your letters; since you know them yourself, let others learn them.
735
But you were admitted more, when you were giving more; let those who give, in return for that which they give, enjoy our services.
You’ve learnt your letters; since you know them yourself, let others learn them.
735
DINARCHUS
Let them learn, so long as it is allowed me to con my lesson, that I may not forget what I have paid for.
Let them learn, so long as it is allowed me to con my lesson, that I may not forget what I have paid for.
ASTAPHIUM
In the meantime, while you, who are a master, shall be conning your lesson, she, as well, is desirous to con hers.
In the meantime, while you, who are a master, shall be conning your lesson, she, as well, is desirous to con hers.
DINARCHUS
How so?
How so?
ASTAPHIUM
In receiving money ever and anon.
In receiving money ever and anon.
DINARCHUS
For my own part, this very day I gave five minae of silver to be carried to her,
besides one for provisions.
740
For my own part, this very day I gave five minae of silver to be carried to her,
besides one for provisions.
740
ASTAPHIUM
I know that the same was brought; with it we are now enjoying ourselves upon your liberality.
I know that the same was brought; with it we are now enjoying ourselves upon your liberality.
DINARCHUS
For these enemies of mine here to be devouring my property! By heavens, I’d rather that I were dead than submit to that!
For these enemies of mine here to be devouring my property! By heavens, I’d rather that I were dead than submit to that!
ASTAPHIUM
You are a simpleton.
You are a simpleton.
DINARCHUS
How’s that?
1
How’s that?
1
ASTAPHIUM
Wait.
2
Wait.
2
DINARCHUS
Why so?
Why so?
ASTAPHIUM
Because, I’ troth, I’d rather
that my enemies should envy me, than I my enemies; for to envy because it goes well with another, and goes badly with yourself, is wretchedness.
Those who are envious, are in want; they who are envied, possess property.
745
Because, I’ troth, I’d rather
that my enemies should envy me, than I my enemies; for to envy because it goes well with another, and goes badly with yourself, is wretchedness.
Those who are envious, are in want; they who are envied, possess property.
745
DINARCHUS
May I not be a partaker of the provisions bought with the mina?
May I not be a partaker of the provisions bought with the mina?
ASTAPHIUM
If you wanted to be a partaker, you should have taken half home. For here an account of the receipts is entered just as at Acheron;
we take in-doors; when it’s got by us, it can’t be carried out of doors.
(Turning on her heel.) Kindly farewell.
750
If you wanted to be a partaker, you should have taken half home. For here an account of the receipts is entered just as at Acheron;
we take in-doors; when it’s got by us, it can’t be carried out of doors.
(Turning on her heel.) Kindly farewell.
750
DINARCHUS
(catching hold of her.)
Do stay.
Do stay.
ASTAPHIUM
(struggling.)
Let me go! Leave off!
Let me go! Leave off!
DINARCHUS
Do let me go in.
Do let me go in.
ASTAPHIUM
Yes, to your own house,
Yes, to your own house,
DINARCHUS
Aye, but here into your house.
Aye, but here into your house.
ASTAPHIUM
You cannot go.
You cannot go.
DINARCHUS
I can, very well. Do let me try.
I can, very well. Do let me try.
ASTAPHIUM
No, wait here; it’s sheer violence to try.
I’d say that you are here, if she wasn’t engaged.
(Runs to the door.)
No, wait here; it’s sheer violence to try.
I’d say that you are here, if she wasn’t engaged.
DINARCHUS
Ha! Do stop!
3
Ha! Do stop!
3
ASTAPHIUM
It’s of no use.
4
It’s of no use.
4
DINARCHUS
Are you going to return or not?
755
Are you going to return or not?
755
ASTAPHIUM
I’d return, but a voice is calling me that has more influence with me than you have.
I’d return, but a voice is calling me that has more influence with me than you have.
DINARCHUS
In one word
I’ll say it.
You’ll receive me?
In one word
I’ll say it.
You’ll receive me?
ASTAPHIUM
You are telling a lie—be off. One word, you said; but now three words have you uttered, and those untrue.
(Goes into the house, and shuts the door.)
You are telling a lie—be off. One word, you said; but now three words have you uttered, and those untrue.
DINARCHUS
(to himself.)
She’s off, and she’s gone hence in-doors That I should endure these things to be done to me. By heavens, enticer, with my cries I’ll be exposing you to ridicule in the street,
you who, contrary to law, have received money from many a one. Upon my faith, I’ll forthwith cause your name to be before every magistrate
5
, and after that I’ll sue you for fourfold
6
, you sorceress, you kidnapper of children. By the powers, I’ll now disclose all your disgraceful deeds. Worthless creature that I am, who have lost everything I had! I’m become desperate,
760
and now I haven’t the slightest bit of concern what shoes I wear
7
. But why am I trying here? What, suppose she were to order me to be let in? I could swear in solemn form that I wouldn’t do it if she wished. It’s nonsense. If you thump a goad with your fists, your hands are hurt the most. It’s no good to be angry at a thing of nothing; a creature that doesn’t value you a straw.
765
(Starting.) But what’s this? O immortal Gods, I see old Callicles, him who was my connexion by marriage
8
, bringing two female slaves in bonds, the one the hair-dresser of this Phronesium, the other his own servant-maid. I’m greatly alarmed! inasmuch as one care has so recently taken possession of my heart, I’m afraid lest all my former misdeeds should be discovered.
770
(Stands aside.)
She’s off, and she’s gone hence in-doors That I should endure these things to be done to me. By heavens, enticer, with my cries I’ll be exposing you to ridicule in the street,
you who, contrary to law, have received money from many a one. Upon my faith, I’ll forthwith cause your name to be before every magistrate
5
, and after that I’ll sue you for fourfold
6
, you sorceress, you kidnapper of children. By the powers, I’ll now disclose all your disgraceful deeds. Worthless creature that I am, who have lost everything I had! I’m become desperate,
760
and now I haven’t the slightest bit of concern what shoes I wear
7
. But why am I trying here? What, suppose she were to order me to be let in? I could swear in solemn form that I wouldn’t do it if she wished. It’s nonsense. If you thump a goad with your fists, your hands are hurt the most. It’s no good to be angry at a thing of nothing; a creature that doesn’t value you a straw.
765
(Starting.) But what’s this? O immortal Gods, I see old Callicles, him who was my connexion by marriage
8
, bringing two female slaves in bonds, the one the hair-dresser of this Phronesium, the other his own servant-maid. I’m greatly alarmed! inasmuch as one care has so recently taken possession of my heart, I’m afraid lest all my former misdeeds should be discovered.
770
Truculentus. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by NSF, NEH: Digital Libraries Initiative, Phase 2.