Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) Adelphi 2.1

SANNIO

I beseech you, fellow-citizens, do give aid to a miserable and innocent man; do assist the distressed.

155

AESCHINUS

(to the GIRL.)

Be quiet, and now then stand here just where you are. Why do you look back? There’s no danger; he shall never touch you while I am here.

SANNIO

I’ll have her, in spite of all.

AESCHINUS

Though he is a villain, he’ll not risk, to-day, getting a second beating.

SANNIO

Hear me, Aeschinus, that you may not say that you were in ignorance of my calling; I am a Procurer. ¹

160

AESCHINUS

I know it.

SANNIO

And of as high a character as any one ever was. When you shall be excusing yourself by-and-by, how that you wish this injury had not been done me, I shall not value it this (snapping his fingers). Depend upon it, I’ll prosecute my rights; and you shall never pay with words for the evil that you have done me in deed.

I know those ways of yours: I wish it hadn’t happened; I’ll take my oath that you did not deserve this injustice; while I myself have been treated in a disgraceful manner.

165

AESCHINUS

(to PARMENO.)

Go first with all dispatch and open the door.

(PARMENO opens the door.)

SANNIO

But you will avail nothing by this.

AESCHINUS

(To the GIRL.)

Now then, step in.

SANNIO

(coming between.)

But I’ll not let her.

AESCHINUS

Step this way, Parmeno; you are gone too far that way; here (pointing), stand close by him; there, that’s what I want.

Now then, take care you don’t move your eyes in any direction from mine, that there may be no delay if I give you the sign, to your fist being instantly planted in his jaws.

170

SANNIO

I’d have him then try that.

AESCHINUS

(to PARMENO.)

Now then, observe me. ²

PARMENO

(to SANNIO.)

Let go the woman.

(Strikes him.)

SANNIO

Oh! scandalous deed!

AESCHINUS

He shall repeat it, if you don’t take care.

(PARMENO strikes him again.)

SANNIO

Oh shocking!

AESCHINUS

(to PARMENO.)

I didn’t give the sign; but still make your mistakes on that side in preference.

Now then, go.

175

(PARMENO goes with the MUSIC-GIRL into MICIO’S house.)

SANNIO

What is the meaning of this? Have you the sway here, Aeschinus?

AESCHINUS

If I had it, you should be exalted for your deserts.

SANNIO

What business have you with me?

AESCHINUS

None.

SANNIO

How then, do you know who I am?

AESCHINUS

I don’t want to.

SANNIO

Have I touched any thing of yours?

AESCHINUS

If you had touched it, you’d have got a drubbing.

SANNIO

What greater right then have you to take my property, for which I paid my money?

Answer me that.

180

AESCHINUS

It were better for you not to be making a disturbance here before the house; for if you persist in being impertinent, you shall be dragged in at once, and there you shall be lashed to death with whips.

SANNIO

A free man, with whips?

AESCHINUS

So it shall be.

SANNIO

Oh, you shameless fellow! Is this the place where they say there is equal liberty for all?

AESCHINUS

If you have now raved enough, Procurer, now then listen, if you please.

SANNIO

Why, is it I that have been raving, or you against me?

185

AESCHINUS

Leave alone all that, and come to the point.

SANNIO

What point? Where am I to come to?

AESCHINUS

Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?

SANNIO

With all my heart, only so it be something that’s fair.

AESCHINUS

Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what’s unfair.

SANNIO

I am a Procurer, ³ I confess it—the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.

AESCHINUS

Why, faith, that remains to come—

190

SANNIO

Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.

AESCHINUS

You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.

SANNIO

What if I don’t choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?

AESCHINUS

By no means.

SANNIO

I was afraid you would.

AESCHINUS

Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom. ⁴

Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return. ⁵

195

(He goes into the house of MICIO.)

SANNIO

(to himself.)

O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows.

In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he’ll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her. ⁶ As to getting the money, it’s all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow.

200

I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it’s in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.

205