# bm ftw.yvv \ m ?\ .nn^fv ^IBh.I \J^li raN'n^' i^\, *m A AAA lii 40* 1 : ' A n A AAA 1 ;. v-df" *A ;. A A Eil;i&M^'il.M'ii# JOHN M. KELLY LIBRARY DONATED 'N fMORY OF DR. GEORGE HEIMAN University of St. Michael's College, Toronto THE COMEDIES OF P L A U T U S LITERALLY TRANSLATED INK) ENGLISH PROSE, WITH NOTES HENRY THOMAS RILEY, B.A. LATE SCHOLAR OF CLARE HALL, CAMBRIDGE. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. 1. CONTAINING THE TRINUMMUS, MILES GLORIOSUS, BACCHIDES, STICHUS, PSEUDOLUS MEN^CHMI, AULULARIA, CAPTIVI, ASINARIA, AND CURCULIO. LONDON : GEORGE BELL & SONS, YORK STREET, CO VENT GARDEN. 1880. LONDON : PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED. STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS PREFACE. The following pages contain a literal translation of all the existing works of Marcus Accius Plautus (or, as lie is called by Eitschel and Fleckeisen, T. Maccius Plautus), the Eoman Comic writer. It is believed that this version will be found strictly faithful, and to convey to the English reader much of that spirit which rendered the Dramas of this rugged but interesting author such especial favourites with a Eoman audience. The text of Eitschel has been adopted in the six plays to which his invaluable labours have as yet extended — the Trinummus, Miles G-loriosus, Bacchides, Stichus, Pseudolus, and Menaechmi. Hildyard's Edition has been used in the Aulularia, with the exception of the Supplement by Codrus Urceus, which has been translated from Eichter's Edition. The text of Lindemann has been adopted in the Captivi; in the Asinaria, that of Eichter ; and in the Curculio, that of "Fleckeisen. Some account of the Translations of Plautus which have previously appeared in the English language will be prefixed to the Second Volume. H. T. E. CONTENTS, PAGJ Trinummus ; the Three Pieces of Money .... 1 Miles Gloriosus : the Braggart C>pt«n ■ . 67 Bacchides ; ok, the Twin-Sisters 145 Stichus ; or, the Parasite Rebuffed 211 Pseudolus ; or, the Cheat 253 Men.echmi ; or, the Twin-Brothers 317 AULULARIA ; OR, THE CONCEALED TREASURE .... 373 CAPTIVI ; THE CAPTIVES . * . 423 ASINARIA ; OR, THE AsS-DeALEB 477 CURCULIO ; OR, THE FORGERY • 535 TRINUMMUS; THE THREE PIECES OF MONKS. Luxury. Poverty. Bramatts persons'. IN THE PROLOGUE. IN THE PLAY. Charmides, an Athenian merchant. Lesbonicus, the son of Charmides. Callicles, a friend of Charmides. Megaronides, a friend of Callicles. Stasimus, the servant of Charmides and Lesbonicus. Philto, a wealthy Athenian, Lysiteles, the son of Philto, and a friend of LesDonicofi. A Sharper. &*mc-— A Street in Athens : the house of Charmides on one side, and that y Philto on the otha-. THE SUBJECT. Jharmides, a wealthy Athenian, his property having been much diminished by the reckless conduct of his son, goes abroad. His dissolute son, Lesbonicus. being left behind at Athens, consumes the little resources left him, and then puts up his father's house for sale. At his departure, Charmides has entrusted his interests and the care of his son and daughter to his friend Callicles, and has also informed him that in his house there is a treasure buried as a re- serve against future contingencies. In order that this may not be lost, Callicles buys the house of Lesbonicus for a small sum. Ignorant cf his reason for doing so, his fellow- citizens censure him for his conduct, and accuse him of a breach of good faith in ministering to the extravagance of Lesbonicus by supplying him with money. For this reason Megaronides ex- postulates with his friend Callicles, and greatly censures him; on which, Callicles, in self-defence, entrusts him with the secret of the treasure. Char- mides having left behind him a grown-up daughter in the care of Callicles, Lysiteles, a young man of rank and character, falls in love with her, and through his father, Pbilto, asks her in marriage. Her brother, Lesbonicus, is not averse to the match, but refuses to let her marry without giving her a portion ; and he offers her to Lysiteles, on condition that he will receive as her marriage-portion a piece of land near the city, the sole remnant of his for- tune. This, however, Lysiteles refuses to accept. In the mean time, Callicles, at the suggestion of Megaronides, determines to give the young woman a dowry out of the treasure buried in the house which he has bought ; but that Les- bonicus may not suspect whence the money really comes, a Sharper is hired, with instructions to pi-etend that he brings letters from Charmides with a thousand gold pieces as a portion for his daughter when she should marry. It happens, that while the Sharper is on his way with his pretended errand til the abode of Callicles, Charmides, having unexpectedly returned to Athens, is going towards his house. He meets the Sharper, who discloses his errand and attempts to impose upon Charmides, who thereupon discovers himself. Charmides then meets his servant Stasimus, who tells him cf the purchase of his house by Callicles. whereon he conceives himself to have been betrayed by his friend. Afterwards, on discovering the truth, he praises the fidelity of Callicles, and bestows his daughter on Lysiteles, with a portion of a thousand gold pieces, and, at the intercession of Lysiteles, he forgives his son Lesbonicus, and informs him that he is to be married to the daughter of Cal- licles. TRINUMMUS; THE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] Jharmides, going abroad, entrusts a treasure (Thesaurum) secretly hidden, and all his property (Bern), to his friend Callicles. He (Istoc) being absent, his son wantonly squanders his estate. For {Nam) he sells even the house : and Callicles makes purchase of it. His sister, a maiden ( Virgo) without a dowry, is asked in marriage. That in a less degree (Minus), with censure, Callicles may bestow on her a dowry, he commissions one (Mandat) to say that lie has brought the gold from her father. When (Ut) the Counterfeit has reached the house, the old man (Senex), Charmides, as he has just returned, disappoints him ; his children then are married. THE PBOLOGUE1. Enter Luxury and Poverty. Lux. Follow me this way, daughter, that you may per- form your office. Pov. I am following, but I know not what to say will be the end of our journey. Lux. 'Tis here. See, this is the house. Now go you in. {Exit Poverty, who enters the house of Charmides. Lux. (to the Audience). Now, that no one of you may he mistaken, in a few words I will conduct you into the right path, if, indeed, you promise to listen to me. Pirst, then, I will now tell you who I am, and who she is who has gone in here (pointing to the house), if you give your attention. In 1 The Prologue) This Prologue is one of the few figurative ones to he found in the Comedies of Plautus. He appropriately represents Luxury as introducing her daughter Poverty to the abode of the dissipated Lesbonicus. Claudian has a somewhat similar passage in his poem to Rutinus : Et Luxus, populator opum, cui, semper adhserens, Infelix humili gressu comitatur Egestas. 44 And Luxury, the waster of wealth, whom, ever attending, wretched Poverty ac- companies with humble step." It has been justly observed, that Plautus her* -voids a fault which he often falls into, of acquainting the audience with too much of the plot. b2 4 TBItfUMHUS ; Act 1. the first place, Plautus has given me the name of Luxury, and then he has willed that this Poverty should be my daughter. "But why, at my suggestion, she has just entered here, listen and give attentive ear while I inform you. There is a certain young man who is living in this house ; by my assistance he has squandered away his paternal estate. Since I see that there is nothing left for him to support me, I have given him my daughter, together with whom to pass his life. But ex- pect nothing about the plot of this play : the old men who will come hither will disclose the matter to you. The name of this play in the Greek is " The Treasure" [Thesaurus] ; Philemon wrote it1 : Plautus translated it into Latin2, and gave it the name of" The Three Pieces of Money" [Trinum- mus], Now, he begs this of you, that it may be allowed the play to keep that name. Thus much have I to say. Eare« well. Attend in silence. {Exit. ACT THE FIKST. Scene I. Enter Megaronedes. Meg. To reprove one's friend for a fault that de- serves it, is a thankless task; but sometimes 'tis useful and 'tis profitable. Therefore, this day will I soundly reprove my friend for a fault that much deserves it. Unwilling am I, did not my friendship bid me do it. .For this faultiness lias encroached too much upon good morals, so drooping now are nearly all of them. But while they are in this distempered state, bad morals, in the mean time, have sprung up most plenteously, like well-watered plants ; nor is there now any- thing abundant here but these same bad. morals. Of them ycu may now reap a most plenteous harvest : and here a set of men are making the favour of a few of much more value than that in which they may benefit the many. Thus private interests outdo that which is to the public advantage — interests which in many points are a hindrance, and a nuisance, and cause an obstruction both to private and to public welfare. 1 Philemon wrote it) — Ver.19. Not only Philemon, but Menander also, wrote a play, entitled the " Treasure." - In Lathi) — Ver. 19. " Barbare." We learn from Festus, and other authors, that the Greeks were in the habit of calling all nations, without exception, but themselves, " barbarians.*' Hence the present expression, which literally means into barbarous language." Sc. II. TJIE THEEE PIECES 01 MONET. 5 Scene II. Enter Callicles. Call, (as he enters) . I wish our household G-od1 to be graced with a chaplet. Wife2 (addressing her within), pay him due respect, that this dwelling may turn out for us prosperous, lucky, happy, and fortunate; and (in a lower voice) that, as soon as I possibly may, I may see you dead and gone. Meg. This is he who in his old age has become a chilu8 — who has been guilty of a fault that deserves correction. I will accost the man. Call, (looking around). Whose voice is it that sounds near me ? Meg. Of one who wishes you well, if you are as I desir ; you to be ; but, if you are otherwise, of one who is your enemy, and is angry with you. Call. Health to you, 0 my friend and years'-mate ! How are you, Megaronides ? Meg. And, i' faith4, health to you, Callicles ! Are you well ? Have you been well ? 1 Household God) — Ver. 39. Literally, " Lar." The Lares were the house- hold Gods, or tutelary Deities of each family. The figures of tb<jm were kept, among the Romans, near the hearth, in the "Lararium," whicli was a recess formed for that purpose, and in which prayers were offered up on rising in the morning. There were both public and private Lares. The latter were by some thought to have been identical with the " Manes," or " shades,'' of* the ancestors of the family occupying the house. The public Lares wore the " Urban i," pre- siding over the cities; "Rustici," over the country ; " Compitales," over cross- roads ; and " Marini," over the sea. Varro tells us that there were 265 stations for the statuss of the Lares at the corner of the streets of Rome. " Lar" was an Etrurian word, signifying " noble," or " lord." The Greeks adorned t heir house- hold Gods with the leaves of the plane-tree, the Romans with ears of corn. This was especially done on entering a new house, on which the wish was expressed that it might turn out prosperous, lucky, happy, and fortunate to the new occu- pants. " Quod bonum, faustum, felix, fortunatumque sit." Callicles here ex- presses this wish on taking possession of the house which he has just bought of Lesbonicus. 2 Wife) — Ver. 40. Being at the door of his house, before shutting it, he calls to his wife within. His kind wish as to the duration of her life he expresses just as he shuts the door. 3 Has become a child) — Ver. 43. He means to say that he has become a bry, from the fact of his being in need of correction. 4 And p faith) — Ver. 49. " Hercle," " by Hercules ;" " Ecastor," " by Caster 6 TMNT7MMUS ; Act 1 Call. I am well, and I have been still better. Meg. And bow does your wife do ? How is sbe ? Call. Better than I wish. Meg. 'Tis well, i' faith, for you, that she is alive and well. Call. Troth, I believe that you are glad if I have any misfortune. Meg. That which I have, I wish for all my friends as well. Call. Harkye, how does your wife do ? Meg. She is immortal ; she lives, and is likely to live. Call. I' faith, you tell me good news ; and I pray the Gods that, surviving you, she may last out your life. Meg. By my troth ! if indeed she were only married to yourself, I could wish it sincerely. Call. Do you wish that we should exchange ? — that I should take yours, and you mine ? I'd be making you not to get a bit the better of the bargain of me. Meg. Indeed, I fancy1 you would not be surprising me unawares. Call. Aye, faith, I should cause you not to be knowing3 the thing you were about. Meg. Keep what you've got; the evil that we know is the best. But if I were now to take one that I know not, I should not know what to do. Call. In good sooth, just as one lives3 a long life, one lives a happy life. Meg. But give your attention to this, and have done witli your joking, for I am come hither to you for a given purpose. " Edepol," " by Pollux," or « by the temple of Pollux," and " Pol," " by Pollux," were the every-day oaths in the mouths of the Romans, and were used for the purpose of adding weight to the asseverations of the speaker. A literal transla- tion of them throughout this work would hardly be in accordance with the euphony required by the English ear. They are therefore rendered throughout by such expressions as " i' faith," " troth," " by my troth," &c. 1 Indeed I fancy)— Ver. 61. " Neque," which implies a negative, seems to be more in accordance with the sense of the passage than the affirmative " nempe," which is the reading of Ritschel ; it has therefore been adopted. 2 Not to be knowing)— Ver. 62. That is, " the risk you would run in taking her far your wife." s Just as one lives) — Ver. 65. The meaning of this passage seems to be somewha obscure, and many of the Editions give this line to Megaronides. It is probable Sj. IL the three pieces or monet. i Call. Why have you come ? Meg. That I may rebuke you soundly witli many harsh words. Call. Me, do you say ? Meg. Is there any one else here besides you and me ? Call, {looking about). There is no one. Meg. Why, then, do you ask if 'tis you I mean to re- buke ? Unless, indeed, you think that I am about to reprove my own self. For if your former principles now flag in you, or if the manners of the age are working a change in your disposition, and if you preserve not those of the olden time, but are catching up these new ones, you will strike all your friends with a malady so direful, that they will turn sick at seeing and hearing you. Call. How comes it into your mind to utter these ex- pressions ? Meg. Because it becomes all good men and all good women to have a care to keep suspicion and guilt away from themselves. Call. Both cannot be done. Meg. Why so ? Call. Do you ask ? I am the keeper of my own heart, so as not to admit guilt there ; suspicion is centred in the heart of another. For if now I should suspect that you had stolen the crown from the head of Jupiter in the Capitol1, the statue which stands on the highest summit of the temple ; if you had not done so, and still it should please me to sus- pect you, how could you prevent me from suspecting you ? But I am anxious to know what this matter is. however, that Callicles intends, as a consolation for them both, to say that life itself is a blessing, and that they ought not by unnecessary anxieties to shorten it, but rather to submit with patience to their domestic grievances. 1 In the Capitol) — Ver. 84. Plautus does not much care about anachronism or dramatic precision ; though the plot of the play is derived from the Greek, and the scene laid at Athens, he makes frequent reference to Roman localities and manners. It is probable that the expression here employed was proverbial at Rome, to signify a deed of daring and unscrupulous character. From ancient writers we learn that there was a statue of Jupiter seated in a chariot, placed or. the roof of the Capitoline Temple. Tarquinius Priscus employed Etrurian artists to make a statue of pottery for this purpose; and the original chariot, with ics four horses, was made of baked clay. In later and more opulent times, the crown placed on the statue was of great value, so much so as to act as a temptation to one Petilius, who attempted to steal It, and being caught in the fact, was after- wards nicknamed " Capitolinus." Mention is again made of this statue in the Mensechnii, act v , sc. 5, 1. 38. S TEINUMMXJ8 ; Act 1. Meg Have you any friend or intimate acquaintance whose judgment is correct ? Call. Troth, I'll tell you without reserve. There are some whom I know to be friends ; there are some whom I suspect to be so, but whose dispositions and feelings I am unable to discover, whether they incline to the side of a friend or an enemy ; but of my assured friends, you are the most assured. If you know that I have done anything un- wittingly or wrongfully, and if you do not accuse me of it, then you yourself will be to blame. Meg. I know it ; and if I had come hither to you for any other purpose, you request what is right. Call. If you have anything to say, I am waiting for it. Meg. Then, first of all, you are badly spoken of in general conversation by the public. Your fellow-citizens are call- ing you greedy of grovelling gain1 ; and then, again, there are others who nickname you a vulture3, and say that you care but little whether you devour enemies or fellow-citizens. Since I have heard these things said against you, I have, to my misery, been sadly agitated. Call. It is, and it is not, in my power, Megaronides : as to their saying this, that is not in my power ; as to their saying this deservedly, that is in my power. Meg. Was this Charmides a friend of yours ? (He points to the house o/'Chaemides.) Call. He both is and he was. That you may believe it to be so, I will tell you a circumstance as a proof. For after this son of his had squandered awray his fortune, and he saw himself being reduced to poverty, and that his daugh- ter was grown up a young woman, and that she who wras both her mother and his own wife was dead ; as he himself was about to go hence to Seleucia3, he committed to my 1 Greedy of grovelling gain) — Ver. 100. Plautus makes this into one word, " turpilucricupidum." Probably it was used as a nickname for avaricious per- sons. It is here attempted to be expressed by an alliteration. Thornton renders it " Gripeall." 2 A vulture) — Ver. 101. Both on account of the sordid and greedy habits of that bird, and because, as is stated in the next line, it cares not which side supplies its maw when it follows the course of contending armies. 3 Hence to Seleucia) — Ver. 112. There were several cities of this name. The one in Syria, a maritime city on the Orontes, near Antioch, is probably here re- ferred to. Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OF MONET. 9 charge the maiden his daughter, and all his property, and that profligate son. These, I think, he would not have en- trusted to me if he had been unfriendly to me. Meg. What say you as to the young man, who you see to be thus profligate, and who has been entrusted to your care and confidence ? Why do you not reform him ? Why do you not train him to frugal habits ? It would have been somewhat more just for you to give attention to that matter, if you could have somehow made him a better man, and not for you yourself to be a party to the same disreputable con- duct, and share your dishonour with his disgrace ? Call. What have I done ? Meg. That which a bad man would do. Call. That is no name of mine. Meg. Have you not bought this house from that young man ? (A paused) Why are you silent ? This, where you yourself are now living. {He points to the house o/'Char- mides.) Call. I did buy it, and I gave the money for it, — forty minae1, to the young man himself, into his own hand. Meg. Tou gave the money, do you say ? Call. 'Twas done ; and I am not sorry 'twas done. Meg. I' faith — a young man committed to untrusty keep- ing. Have you not by these means given him a sword with which to slay himself ? For, prithee, what else is it, your giving ready money to a young man who loves women, and weak in intellect, with which to complete his edifice of folly which he had already commenced ? Call. Ought I not to have paid him the money ? Meg. Tou ought not to have paid him ; nor ought you either to have bought anything of or sold anything to him ; nor should you have provided him with the means of be- coming worse. Have you not taken in the person who was entrusted to you ? Have you not driven out of his house the man who entrusted him to you ? By my faith, a pretty ' Forty mince) — Ver. 126. Unless ke adds the adjective "aurea," "golden," Plautus always means silver " minae." The " mina" was the sixtieth part of th« Attic talent, and contained one hindred " drachmas," of about ninepence three- farthings each. 10 TE1NTJMHUS ; Act L trust, and a faithful guardianship ! Leave him to take care of himself ; he would manage his own affairs much hetter. Call. Tou overpower me, Megaronides, with your accu- sations, in a manner so strange, that what was privately en- trusted to my secrecy, fidelity, and constancy, for me to tell it to no one, nor make it public, the same I am now com pelled to entrust to you. Meg. Whatever you shall entrust to me, you shall take up the same where you have laid it down. Call. Look round you, then, that no overlooker may be near us (Megaeonides looks on every side) ; and look around every now and then, I beg of you. Meg. I am listening if you have aught to say. Call. If you will be silent, I will speak. At the time when Charmides set out hence for foreign parts, he showed me a treasure in this house, here in a certain closet {He starts as. if he hears a noise.') But do look around. Meg. There is no one. Call. Of Philippean pieces1 to the number of three thou- sand. Alone with myself, in tears, he entreated me, by our friendship and by my honour, not to entrust this to his son, nor yet to any one, from whom that might come to his knowledge. Now, if he comes back hither safe, I will restore to him his own. But if anything should happen to him, at all events I have a stock from which to give a marriage- portion to his daughter, who has been entrusted to me, that I may settle her in a condition of life that befits her. Meg. 0 ye immortal gods ! how soon, in a few words, you have made another man of me; I came to you quite a different person. But, as you have begun, proceed further to inform me. Call. What shall I tell you ? How that this worthless fellow had almost utterly ruined his caution and my own trustiness and all the secret. Meg. How so ? Call. Because, while I was in the country for only six days, in my absence and without my knowledge, without 1 Of Philippean pieces) — Ver. 152. These were gold coins much in circulation •throughout Greece, struck bj Philip, King of Macedor. Sc. II. lilE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. 11 consulting me, he advertised with bills1 this house for sale. Meg. The wolf hungered the more, and cpened his moutli the wider; he watched till2 the dog went to sleep; and intended to carry off the whole entire flock. Call. I' faith, he would have done it, if the dogs had not perceived this in time. But now, in my turn, I wish to ask you this : let me know what it was my duty for me to do. Whether was it right for me to discover the treasure to him, against which very thing his father had cautioned me, or should I have permitted another person to become the owner of this house ? Ought that money to have belonged to him who bought the house ? In preference, I myself bought the house ; I gave the money for the sake of the treasure, that I might deliver it safe to my friend. I have not, then, bought this house either for myself or for my own use ; for Char- mides have I bought it back again ; from my own store have I paid the money. This, whether it has been done right- fully or wrongfully, I own, Megaronides, that I have done. Here, then, are my misdeeds ; here, then, is my avarice. Is it for these things that they spread false reports against me ? Meg. Stay — you have overcome your corrector. Tou have tied my tongue ; there is nothing for me to say in answer. Call. Now I entreat you to aid me with your assistance and counsel, and to share this duty of mine in common with me. Meg. I promise you my assistance. Call. Where, then, will you be a short time hence ? Meg. At home. Call. Do you wish anything else ? Meg. Attend to the trust reposed in you. Call. That is being carefully done. Meg. But how say you ? 1 AdveHised with bills) — Ver. 168. The method among the Romans of letting, or selling houses, was similar to ours. A bill was fixed upon the house, or some conspicuous place near it, inscribed with " BAzs locandae," u This house to be let," or " iEdes vendundse," " This house for sale." 2 He watched till) — Ver. 170. He alludes to the conduct of Lesbonicus, who watched for the absence of his guardian, Callicles, that he might sell the house. This he would attempt to do, probably, on the plea that his father, not having been heard of for a long time, must be presumed to be dead, and the house has coa- sequently descended to him, as his heir. 12 TRINUAiAiUS ; Act I. Call. "What do you want ? Meg. Where is the young man living now? Call. This back part1 of the building he retained when he sold the house. Meg. That I wanted *to know. Now, then, go at once. But what say you, where is the damsel now? She is at your house, I suppose ? Gall. She is so ; I take care of her almost as much as of my own daughter. Meg. Yoti act properly. Call. Before I go away, are you going to ask me any- thing else ? Meg. Farewell. {Exit Callicles.) Eealiy, there ie nothing more foolish or more stupid, nothing more lying or indeed more tattling, more self-conceited or more forsworn, than those men of this city everlastingly gossiping about, whom they call Busybodies2. And thus have I enlisted myself in their ranks together with them ; who have been the swallower of the false tales of those who pretend that they know every- thing, and yet know nothing. They know, forsooth, what each person either has in his mind, or is likely to have ; they know what the king whispered in the ear of the queen ; they know what Juno talked about in conversation with Jupiter ; that which neither is nor is likely to be, do these fellows know. Whether they praise or dispraise any one they please, falsely or truly, they care not a straw, so they know that which they 1 The back part) — Ver. 194. " Posticulum" probably means detached buildings at the back of the house, and within the garden walls, which adjoin the " posti- cum" or " posticula," the "back door" or " garden-gate." 2 Call Busybodies) — Ver. 202. The word " Scurra," which is here rendered " busybody," originally meant " a fellow-townsman," well to do in life, and a nleasant companion. In time, however, the word came to have a bad signification attached to it, and to mean an idle fellow, who did nothing but go about cracking his jokes at the expense of others, gossiping, and mischief-making, and at last to signify " a clown," " buffoon," or " mimic " on the stage. These men are most probably termed here " assidui," " everlasting gossipers,"-from a habit which many people have of making frequent calls on their neighbours, sitting down, and never thinking of taking their departure till they have exhausted all their stock of evil- speaking, lying, and slandering. Gossiping was notoriously the propensity of the Athenians. Numbers did nothing but saunter about the city, and go from spot to spot, with the question ti Kaivov, " Any news ?" Few will fail to remem- ber the censure of them in the Seventeenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, v. 21 : w For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time Hi nothing else, but either to tell, or to heax some new thing." Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. 13 choose to know. All people were in the habit of saying that this Callicles was unworthy of this state, and, himself, to exist, who had despoiled this young man of his property. From the reports of these tale-bearers, in my ignorance I rushed forward to rebuke my guiltless friend. But if the authority was always required from the foundation, upon which they speak of anything they have heard, unless that clearly appeared, the matter ought to be to the peril and loss of the tale-bearer. If this were so, it would be for the public benefit. I would cause those to be but few, who know that which they do not know1, and I would make them have their silly chattering more restricted. (Exit. ACT THE SECOND. Scene I. Enter Ltsiteles. Lts. I am revolving many things in my mind at once, and much uneasiness do I find in thinking upon them. I tease, and fret, and wear myself out ; a mind that enjoins a hard task2 is now my master. But this thing is not clear to me, nor has it been enough studied by me, which pursuit of these two I should rather follow for myself; which of the two I should think of the greater stability for passing my life therein : whether it were preferable for me to devote myself to love or to aggrandisement ; in which alternative there is more enjoyment of life in passing one's days. On this point I am not fully satisfied. But this I think I'll do, that I may weigh both the points together, I must be both judge and culprit in this trial : I'll do so — I like it much. Eirst of all, I will enlarge upon the pursuits of love, how they conduce to one's welfare. Love never expects any but the willing man to throw himself in his toils ; these he seeks for, these he follows up, and craftily counsels against their interests. He is a fawning flatterer, a rapacious grapplers, a deceiver, a 1 They do not know) — Ver. 221. That is, " who only pretend to know." 2 That enjoins a hard task) — Ver. 226. " Exercitor " means the " instructor " or " training master " in the Gymnastic exercises. Of course, to beginners, the '• exercitores " would be hard task-masters. 3 A rapacious grappler) — Ver. 239. " Harpago" means either a "grappling- \r jn" or a " flesh-hook." It was often made in the form of a hand, with the 14 TBINUMMUS ; Act H. sweet-tooth, a spoiler, a corrupter of men who court retire- ment, a pryer into secrets. For he that is in love, soon as ever he has been smitten with the kisses of the object that he loves, forthwith his substance vanishes out of doors and melts away. " Give me this thing1, my honey, if you love me, if yon possibly can." And then this gudgeon says : " O apple of my eye, be it so : both that shall be given you, and still more, if you wish it to be given." Then does she strike while he is wavering2 ; and now she begs for more. Not enough is this evil, unless there is still something more — what to eat, what to drink. A thing that creates3 a further expense, the favour of a night is granted ; a whole family is then introduced for her — a wardrobe-woman4, a perfume-keeper5, a cofferer, fan-bearers6, sandal-bearers7, singing-girls, casket- fingers bent inwards. The grappling-iron was used to throw at the enemy's ship, where it seized the rigging and dragged the vessel within reach, so that it might be easily boarde.l and destroyed. Cupid is so called here, figuratively, from his in- sidious approaches, and the difficulty which his victims have in shaking him off 1 Give me this thing) — Ver. 244. This is supposed to be pronounced in a mincing or affected way, to imitate the wheedling manners of the frail tempter. 2 While he is wavering) — Ver. 247. Literally, " she strikes him as he hangs." Lindemann seems to think that there is a play upon the word "pendentem," which would apply either to the slave, who, according to the barbarous custom oi the Romans, was lashed as he hung from the hook to which he was fastened by the hands, or to the lover who is hesitating between assent and refusal; on which she, by her artfulness — " ferit" — " strikes the decisive blow." Terence has the expression " ferior munere," " to strike with a present." 3 A thing that creates) — Ver. 250. This passage is here read with a period after " comest," and not after " sumpti," as Eitschel's edition lias it. This seems more agreeable to the sense of the passage, which is, however, probably in a corrupt state. 4 Wardrobe-woman) — Ver. 252. The duty of the " vcstiplica" would be to fold up and try the clothes of her mistress. These slaves were also called " vestispkae," and servants " a veste." * A perfume-keeper) — Ver. 252. The " unctor " was probably a male slave, whose duty it was to procure and keep the perfumes and unguents for his mistress. 6 Fan-bearers) — Ver. 252. Both male and female slaves, and eunuchs, were employed to fan their mistresses. The fans were of elegant form and beautiful colours, and were frequently made of peacocks' feathers, being of a stiff shape, and not pliable, like ours. They were used both for the purpose of cooling the air and driving away flies and gnats. 7 Sandal-bearers) — Ver. 252. The sandal was often one of the most costly articles of the female dress, being much adorned with embroidery and gold. Originally it was worn by both sexes, and consisted of a wooden sole, fastened with SO- I- 1HI THREE PTEOES OF MONET. 15 keepers1, messengers, news-carriers, so many wasters of his bread and substance. The lover himself, while to them he is complaisant, becomes a beggar. When I revolve these things in my mind, and when I reflect how little one is valued when he is in need ; away with you, Love — I like you not — no converse do I hold with you. Although 'tis sweet to feast and to carouse, Love still gives bitters enough to be distasteful. He avoids the Courts2 of justice, he drives away your relations, and drives yourself away from your own contemplation. Nor do men wish that he should be called their friend. In a thousand ways is Love to be held a stranger, to be kepi at a distance, and to be wholly abstained from. For he who plunges into love, perishes more dreadfully than if he leapt from a rock. Away with you, Love, if you please ; keep your own3 property to yourself. Love, never be you a friend of mine ; some there are, however, whom, in their misery, you may keep miserable and wretched — those whom you have easily rendered submissive to yourself. My fixed determination is to apply my mind to my advancement in life, although, in that, great labour is undergone by the mind. Good men wish these things for themselves, gain, credit, and honour, glory, and esteem; these are the rewards of the up- right. It delights me, then, the more, to live together with the upright rather than with the deceitful promulgators of lies. thongs to the foot. In latter times, its use was confined to females, and a piece of leather covered the toes, while thongs, elegantly decorated, were attached to it. From the present passage it appears that it was the duty of a particular slave to take charge of sandals. 1 CasketJceepers) — Ver. 253. The " cistellatrix " probably had charge of the jewel casket of her mistress. The present passage shows in what affluence and splendour some of the courtesans lived in those days. 2 Avoids the Courts)— ■ V er. 261. Shakspeare has a somewhat similar passage in Ilomeo and Juliet: " But all so soon as the all-cheering sun Should in the furthest East begin to draw The shady curtains from Aurora's bed, Away from light steals home my heavy son, And private in his chamber pens himself, Shuts up his windows, locks fair daylight out, And maKes himself an artificial night." 3 Keep your own)— Yer. 266. This is as much as to say, " I divorce myself from you, and utterly repudiate you." The words " tuas res tibi habeto" were tht formula solemnly pronounced among the Romans by the husband in caseo o< divorce, when he delivered back to the wife her own separate property. 1G TEINUMMUR ; Act IL Scene II. Enter Philto. Phil, {looking abouf). Where has this man betaken himself out of doors from the house ? Lts. (coming up to him). I am here, father; command me what you will, and I shall cause no delay to you, nor wi]l I hide myself in any skulking-place out of your sight. Phil. You will be doing what is consonant to the rest of your conduct if you reverence your father. By your duty to me, my son, I wish you, for my sake, not to hold any con- verse with profligate men, either in the street or in the Forum. I know this age — what its manners are. The bad man wishes the good man to be bad, that he may be like himself. The wicked, the . rapacious, the covetous, and the envious, disorder and confound the morals of the age: a crew gsupingfor gain, they hold the sacred thing as profane — the public advantage as the private emolument. At these things do I grieve, these are the matters that torment me. These things am I constantly repeating both day and night, that you may use due precaution against them. They only deem it right to keep their hands off that which they cannot touch with their hands ; as to the rest, seize it, carry it off, keep it, be off and go hide, that is the word with them. These things, when I behold them, draw tears from me, because I have survived to see such a race of men. "Why have I not rather descended to the dead1 ere this ? For these men praise v.he manners of our ancestors, and defile those same persons whom they commend. With regard, then, to these pursuits, I enjoin you not to taint your disposition with them. Live after my fashion, and according to the ancient manners ; what I am prescribing to you, the same do you remember and practise. I have no patience with these fashionable man- ners, upsetting preconceived notions, with which good men are now disgracing themselves. If you follow these my in- junctions to you, many a good maxim will take root in your breast. 1 To the dead) — Ver. 291. " Ad plures," " to the many," signifies " the dead, inasmuch hs they are more in number than the living. It was probably used as a euphemism, as to make mention of death, was considered ominous of ill. H jtnes in the Odyssey, uses tovs 7rXeiova.s in a similar sense. Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. 17 Lys. From my earliest youth, even up to this present age, I have always, father, paid all submission to the injunc- tions you have given. So far as my nature was concerned, I considered that I was free ; so far as your injunctions were concerned, I deemed it proper that my mind should pay all submission to you. Phil. The man who is struggling with his inclination from his earliest age, whether he ought to prefer to be so, as his inclination thinks it proper that he should be, or whether, rather so as his parents and his relations wish him to be — if his inclination conquers that man, it is all over with him ; he is the slave of his inclination and not of himself. But if he conquers his inclination, he truly lives and shall be famed as a conqueror of conquerors. If you have conquered your in- clination rather than your inclination you, you have reason to rejoice. 'Tis better by far that you should be such as you ought to be, than such as pleases your inclination. Those who conquer the inclination will ever be esteemed better men than those whom the inclination subdues. Lys. I have ever esteemed these maxims as the shield of my youthful age ; never to betake myself to any place where vice was the order of the day1, never to go to stroll about at night, nor to take from another that which is his. I have taken all precautions, my father, that I might not cause you uneasiness ; I have ever kept your precepts in due pre- servation2 by my own rule of conduct. Phil. And do you reproach me, because you have acted aright ? For yourself have you done so, not for me : my life, indeed, is nearly past3 ; this matter principally concerns your own. Keep on overlaying4 good deeds with other good 1 Where vice was the order of the day) — Ver. 314. " Damni conciliabulum." Literally, " the place of counsel for wickedness." 2 In due preservation) — Ver. 317. Buildings were said to be " sarta tecta," " in good repair," when the roof was proof against rain. The expression is here used figuratively, to signify, " I have punctually observed your injunctions." 3 Is nearly past) — Ver. 319. It is worthy of remark that this line is quoted by Cicero in his second Epistle to Brutus : " Sed de hoc tu videris. De me possum dicere idem quod Plautinus pater in Trinummo, ' mihi quidem setas acta ferme est.' " "As for that matter, it is your concern. For my own part, I may say with the father in the Trinummus of Plautus, ' my life is nearly past ' " 4 Keep on overlaying) — Ver. 320. Philto is most probably alluding to the meta- phorical expression, "sarta tecta," used just before by his son; and he tells him C 18 TRItfTJMMUB ; Act IL deeds, that the rain may not come through. He is the up- right man who is not content with it, however upright and however honest he may chance to be. He who readily gives satisfaction to himself, is not the upright man, nor is he really honest : he who thinks but meanly of himself, in him is there a tendency to well-doing. Lts. For this reason, father, I have thought that since there is a certain thing that I wish for, I would request it of you. Phil. "What is it ? I am already longing to give assent. Lts. A young man here, of noble family, my friend and years' mate, who has managed his own affairs but heedlessly and unthinkingly — I wish, father, to do him a service, if you are not unwilling. Phil. From your own means, I suppose ? Lts. From my own means — for what is yours is mine, and all mine is yours. Phil. What is he doing ? Is he in want ? Lts. He is in want. Phil. Had he property ? Lts. He had. Phil. How did he lose it ? "Was he connected with pub- lic business1, or with commercial matters ? Had he merchan- dise or wares to sell, when he lost his property ? Lts. None of these. Phil. What then ? Lts. I' faith, my father, by his good-nature. Besides, to indulge his tastes, he wasted some part of it in luxury. Phil. By my troth now ! a fellow spoken of boldly, and as l on familiar terms ; — one, indeed, who has never dissipated his fortune by any good means, and is now in want. 1 cannot brook that, with qualities of that description, he should be your friend. Lts. "lis because he is without any bad disposition that I wish to relieve his wants. Phil. He deserves ill of a beggar who gives him what Co eat or to drink ; for he both loses that which he gives .hat the only way to keep rain from coming in at the roof (that is, to keep eviJ thoughts out of the mind) is to overlay one good deed with another, just as tile is laid upon tile. 1 With public business) — Ver. 331. He means by this expression, " has he been farming the taxes or the public lands ?" which of course would be a pursuit at- tended with considerable risk. SC. II. THE THKEE PIECES OE MONEY. 19 and prolongs for the other a life of misery. I do not say this because I am unwilling and would not readily do what you desire ; but when I apply these expressions to that same person, I am warning you beforehand, so to have com- passion on others, that others may not have to pity you. Lxs. I am ashamed to desert him, and to deny him aid in his adversity. Phil. I' troth, shame is preferable to repentance by just as many letters1 as it consists of Lts. In good sooth, father, by the care of the Grods, and of my forefathers, and your owrn, I may say that we possess much property, honestly obtained. If you do a service to a friend, it ought not to make you repent that you have done so ; it ought rather to cause you shame if you do not do it. Phil. If from great wealth you subtract something, does it become more or less ? Lts. Less, father. But do you know what is wont to be repeated to the niggardly citizen3 ? " That which thou hast mayst thou not have, and mayst thou have that misfortune which thou hast not ; since thou canst neither endure it to be enjoyed by thyself nor by another." Phil. I know, indeed, that so it usually is : but, my son, he is the truly niggardly man3 that has nought with which to pay his dues. Lts. By the care of the Gods, we have, father, both enough for us to enjoy ourselves, and with which to do kind offices to kind-hearted men. 1 By just as many letters) — Ver. 345. Commentators differ as to the meaning of this passage, which is somewhat obscure. Philto seems to s&y that shame before doing an unwise action is every way preferable to repentance after having done it ; preferable, indeed, by each individual letter it is composed of, or, as we should say in common parlance, ft every inch of it." 2 Niggardly citizen) — Ver. 350. " Immunis" means one that does not bear his share in the taxes and tribute of the state, or, in other words, pay his scot and lot. Hence, with an extended signification, it means one that will not out of his abun- dance assist the distress of others, and who is, consequently, a niggardly and covetous person. 3 Truly niggardly man) — Ver. 354. Philto here alludes to the primary meaning of the word " immunis ;" and hints that it may be more properly applied to Lesbo- nicus, who has reduced himself to poverty by his extravagance, than to himself; inasmuch as he is now perforce • immunis," not having wherewithal to pay tha public dues and taxes. c2 20 teinummtjs ; Act II. Phil. Troth, I am not able to refuse you anything that you ask of me. "Whose poverty do you wish to relieve ? Speak out boldly to your father. Lys. That of this young man Lesbonicus, the son of Charmides, who lives there. {He points to the home of Charmides.) Phil. "Why, hasn't he devoured both what he had, and what he had not1 ? Lys. Censure him not, my father : many things happen to a man which he likes, many, too, which he does not like. Phil. Troth, you say falsely, son ; and you are doing so now not according to your usual wont. For the prudent man, i' faith, really frames his own fortunes for himself: many things, therefore, do not happen which he does not like, unless he is a bungling workman. Lys. Much labour is requisite for this workmanship in him who seeks to be a clever workman in fashioning his life — but he is still very young. Phil. Not by years but by disposition is wisdom acquired. Age is the relish of wisdom — wisdom is the nutriment of old age. However, come, say what you wish now to give him. Lys. Nothing at all, father. Do you only not hinder me from accepting it if he should give anything to me. Phil. And will you be relieving his poverty by that, if you shall accept anything of him P Lys. By that very means, my father. Phil. '.Faith, I wish that you would instruct me in that method. Lys. Certainly. Do you know of what family he is born ? Phil. I know — of an extremely honourable one. Lys. He has a sister — a fine young woman now grown up: I wish, father, to take her without a portion for my wife. Phil. A wife without a portion ? Lys. Just so — your riches saved as well. By these means you will be conferring an extreme favour on him, and in no way could you help him to greater advantage. Phil. Am I to suffer you to take a wife without a portion \ 1 What he had not) — Ver. 360, That is, by the dishonest expedient of running into debt for it. Sc. 111. *HE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. 91 Lts. You must suffer it, father; and by these' means you will be giving an estimable character to our family. Phil. I could give utterance to many a learned saying, and very fluently too : this old age of mine retains stories of old and ancient times. But, since I see that you are courting friendship and esteem for our family, although I have been opposed to you, I thus give my decision— I will permit you ; ask for the girl, and marry her. Lts. May the G-ods preserve you to me. But, to this favour add one thing. Phil. But what is this one thing ? Lys. I will tell you. Do you go to him, do you solicit him, and do you ask for her yourself.. Phil. Think of that now. Lts. Tou will transact it much more speedily : all will be made sure of that you do. One word of yours in this matter will be of more consequence than a hundred of mine. Phil. See, now, how, in my kindness, I have undertaken this matter. My assistance shall be given. Lts. You realty are a kind father. This is the house ; here he dwells. {He points to the house of Chaemides.) Lesbonicus is his name. Mind and attend to the business ; I will await you at home. (Exit. Scene III. Philto, alone. Phil. These things are not for the best, nor as I think they ought to be ; but still, they are better than that which is downright bad. But this one circumstance consoles myself and my thoughts — namely, that he who counsels in respect to a son nothing else but that which pleases himself alone, only plays the fool ; he becomes wretched in mind, and yet he is no nearer bringing it about. He is preparing a very incle- ment winter for his own old age when he arouses that unsea- sonable storm. {The door of the house of Chaemides opens.) But the house is opened to which I was going ; most conve- niently, Lesbonicus himself is coming out of doors with his servant. (Philto retires to a distance.) 22 TBINTJMMlTg ; Act II, Scene IY. JEnter Lesbonicus and Stasimus. Lesb. 'Tis less than fifteen days since yon received from Callicles forty minse for this house ; is it not as I say, Sta- simus ? Stas. When I consider, I think I remember that it was so. Lesb. What has been done with it ? Stas. It has been eaten and drunk up — spent away in unguents, washed away in baths1. The fishmonger and the baker have carried it off": butchers, too, and cooks, green- grocers, perfumers, and poulterers ; 'twas quickly consumed. I' faith ! that money was made away with not less speedily than if you were to throw a poppy among the ants. Lesb. By my troth, less has been spent on those items than six minse ? Stas. Besides, what have you given to your mistresses ? Lesb. That I am including as well in it. Stas. Besides, what have I pilfered of it ? Lesb. Aye, that item is a very heavy one. Stas. That cannot so appear to you, if you make all due deductions2, unless you think that your money is everlasting. {Aside.) Too late and unwisely, — a caution that should have been used before, — after he has devoured his substance, he reckons up the account too late. Lesb. The account, however, of this money is by no means clear. Stas. I' faith, the account is very clear: the money's gone3. Did you not receive forty minse from Callicles, and did he not receive from you the house in possession P 1 Washed away in baths)— Ver. 409. This will probably refer, not to the money paid for mere bathing at the public baths, which was a " quadrans," the smallest Roman coin, but to the expense of erecting private baths, which generally formed a portion of the luxuries of a Roman house. The public baths, however, may have possibly been the scene of much profligacy, and have afforded to the reckless and dissipated ample opportunities for squandering their money. That this may have been the fact, is rendered the more likely when we consider the equivocal sig- nification of the word "bagnio." 2 Make all due deductions)— Ver .414. "Sisumas." Literally, "if you subtract.'' s The money's gone) — Ver. 419. Instead of a Latin word, the Greek oi^era! So. IV. THE THEEE PIECES OF MONET. 23 Lesb. "Very good. Philto (aside). Troth, I think our neighbour has sold his house1. When his father shall come from abroad, his place is in the beggar's gate2, unless, perchance, he should creep into his son's stomach3. Stas. There wsre a thousand Olympic drachmae4 paid to the banker5, which you were owing upon account. is introduced, which means " is gone," or " has vanished." Greek terms were current at Rome, just as French words and sentences are imported into our lan- guage; indeed, the fashions of Rome were very generally set by the Greeks. 1 Has sold his house) — Ver. 422. He feels satisfied now that Lysiteles has been correctly informed, and that Lesbonicus really is in difficulties. 2 The beggar's gate) — Ver. 423. He probably alludes to the " Porta Trigemina" at Rome, which was upon the road to Ostk. It received its name from the three twin-born brothers, the Horatii, who passed beneath it when going to fight the Curiatii. This, being one of the largest and most frequented roads in Rome, was especially the resort of mendicants ; among whom, in the opinion of Philto, the father of Lesbonicus will have to take his place. Some Commentators would read "ponte" instead of " porta," and they think that the allusion is to the Sublician bridge at Rome, where we learn from Seneca and Juvenal that the beggars used to sit and ask alms. 3 His son's stomach) — Ver. 424. He satirically alludes to the reckless conduct of Lesbonicus, who has spent everything to satisfy his love for eating, drinking, and debauchery. 4 Olympic drachma*)— Ver. 425. As already mentioned, the " drachma" was about ninepence three-farthings in value. As one hundred made a " mina," one- fourth of the price received for the house would go to satisfy the banker's claim. 5 To the banker) — Ver. 426. The " Trapezitte" were the same as the " Argen- tarii" at Rome, who were bankers and money-changers on their own account, while the " Mensarii" transacted business on behalf of the state. Their shops, or offices, were situate around the Forum, and were public property. Their principal business was the exchange of Roman for foreign coin, and the keeping of sums of money for other persons, which were deposited with or without interest, according to agree- ment. They acted as agents for the sale of estates, and a part of their duty was to test the genuineness of coin, and, in later times, to circulate it from the mint among the people. Lending money at a profit was also part of their business. It is supposed that among the Romans there was a higher and a lower class of " ar- gentarii." The more respectable of them probably held the position of the banker of modern times ; while those who did business on a paltry scale, or degraded themselves by usury, were not held in any esteem. Their shops, being public pro- perty, were built under the inspection of the Censors, and by them were let to the " argentarii." " Trapezitse," as they are here called, was properly the Greek name for these persons, who were so styled from the rpane^a, or " table," at which they sat. All will remember the " tables of the money-changers" men- tioned in the New Testament. The " mensarii" were employed to lend out th public money to borrowers at i terest. 24 TEINTJHMUS; Act il. Lesb. Those, I suppose, that I was security for1 P Stas. Say, rather2, " Those that I paid down" — for that young man whom you used to say3 was so rich. Lesb. It was so done. Stas. Yes, just to be squandered away. Lesb. That was done as well. But I saw him in a pitiable state, and I did have pity on him. Stas. You have pity on others, and you have neither pity nor shame for yourself. Phil, (aside). 'Tis time to accost him. Lesb. Is this Philto that is coming here ? Troth, 'tis he himself. Stas. I' faith, I could wish he was my slave, together with his savings4. Phil. Philto right heartily wishes health to both master and servant, Lesbonicus and Stasimus. Lesb. May the Gods give you, Philto, whatever you may wish for. How is your son ? Phil. He wishes well to you. Lesb. In good sooth, he does for me what I do for him in return ! Stas. (aside). That phrase, "He wishes well," is worth- less, unless a person does well too. I, too, " wish" to be a free man ; I wish in vain. He, perhaps, might wish to become frugal ; he would wish to no purpose. Phil. My son has sent me to you to propose an alliance and bond of friendship between himself and your family. He 1 7" wag security for) — Ver. 427. " Spondeo," " I promise," was a term used on many occasions among the Komans, derived from the Greek <x7rei>8d/xai, " to pour out a libation ;" the usual mode of ratifying a treaty. Among others, it was pronounced by a person when he became security that another should repay money, as Lesbonicus, to his misfortune, had done in the present instance. 2 Say, rather) — Ver. 427. Stasimus will not allow his master to mince the matter in the slightest degree. " Don't say ' I was security for it,' but ' I paid it down.' " 3 You used to say) — Ver. 428. He probably alludes to some former occasion, on which his master, having been duped into the belief, was telling him of the extra- ordinary wealth of his new acquaintance. * With his savings) — Ver. 434. " Peculium " was the property amassed by a slave out of his savings, which he was permitted to keep as his own. According to the strictness of the law, the " peculium" was the property of the master Sometimes it was agreed that the slave should purchase his freedom with hia u peculium " whera it amounted to a certain sum. Sc. IV. THE THREE PIECES OP MONET. 25 wished to take your sister for his wife ; and I have the same feelings, and I desire it. • Lesb. 1 really don't understand your ways ; amid your prosperity you are laughing at my adversity. Phil. I am a man1 : you are a man. So may Jupiter love me, I have neither come to laugh at you, nor do I think you deserving of it ! But as to what I said, my son begged me to ask for your sister as his wife. Lesb. It is right that I should know the state of my own circumstances. My position is not on an equal footing with yours ; seek some other alliance for yourselves. Stas. (to Lesbonicus). Are you really sound in mind or intellect to refuse this proposal ? For I perceive that he has been found for you a very friend in need2. Lesb. G-et away hence, and go hang yourself3. Stas. Faith, if I should commence to go, you would be forbidding me4. Lesb. Unless you want me, Philto, for anything else, I have given you my answer. Phil. I trust, Lesbonicus, that you will one day be more obliging to me than I now find you to be. For both to act6 unwisely and to talk unwisely, Lesbonicus, are sometimes neither of them profitable. 1 lama man) — Ver. 447. This is somewhat like the celebrated line in Terence : " Homo sum, humani nihil alienum a me puto," "I am a man, nothing that is human do I think unbecoming to me." 2 Friend in need) — Ver. 456. " Ferentarius." The " ferentarii " were the light- armed troops, who, being unencumbered with heavy armour, were ready to come immediately and opportunely to the assistance of those who were in danger of being overpowered by the army. The word is here used figuratively, to signify " a friend in need." 3 And go hang yourself) — Ver. 457. The word ' dierecte" is supposed to com? from an obsolete verb, " dierigo," " to extend out on both sides," and to allude to a punishment inflicted upon slaves, when they were fastened to a stake in the ground, with the arms and legs extended. Applied to a slave, it would be an opprobrious expression, equivalent to " go and be hanged." 4 Be forbidding me) — Ver. 457. He means, that if he should take his master at his word and go away, he would be the first to stop him. s Both to act) — Ver. 461-2. The exact meaning of these lines is some?. hat ob- jure. Thornton's translation is : Or in word Or deed to play the trifler would ill 8iv.t One of my years. 26 TEINUMMUS ; Act II Stas. Troth, he says what's true. Lesb. I will tear out your eye if you add one word. Stas. Troth, but I will talk ; for if I may not be allowed to do so as I am, then I will submit to be called the one-eyed man1. Phil. Do you now say this, that your position and means are not on an equal footing with ours ? Lesb. I do say so. Phil. Well, suppose, now, you were to come to a building to a public banquet, and a wealthy man by chance were to come there as your neighbour2. The banquet is set on table, one that they style a public one3. Suppose that dainties were heaped up before him by his dependents, and suppose any- thing pleased you that was so heaped up before him, would you eat, or would you keep your place next to this wealthy man, going without your dinner ? Lesb. I should eat, unless he were to forbid me doing so. Stas. But I, by my faith, even if he were to forbid me, would eat and cram with both cheeks stuffed out ; and what pleased him, that, in especial, would I lay hold of beforehand ; nor would I yield to him one jot of my very existence. At table it befits no one to be bashful ; for there the decision4 is about things both divine and human. 1 The one-eyed man) — Ver. 465. He means that he is determined to speak out at all risks, even if his master should be as good as his word, and tear his eye out. 2 As your neighbour) — Ver. 469. " Par" here means a close neighbour, as re- clining next to him on the same " triclinium," or " couch," at the entertainment. 3 Style a public one) — Ver. 470. It is not certain what kind of public banquets are here referred to. Public entertainments were given to the people on the oc- casion of any public rejoicing: such, for instance, as a triumph, as we learn from Suetonius in his life of Julius Caesar. They were also given when the tenths were paid to Hercules. The clients, also, of the Patricians were in the habit of giving entertainments to their patrons on festival days, when each client contributed his share in kind ; and numerous invitations were given, abundance and hospitality being the order of the day. Sometimes these feasts were held in a temple, and perhaps they are here referred to. There were also frequent entertainments in the " Curiae," or " Court-houses" of Rome, at which the " curiales," or men of the " curia," or " ward," met together. 4 There the decision) — Ver. 479. Scaliger supposes that Stasimus is making a parody on the transaction of business by the Senate, who were said " to give their decisions on matters sacred and human ;" and that he means to say that the feast is his Senate-house, and the food are the things sacred and human which h* s btf and to discuss, without respect for anybody. Sc. TV. THE THBEE PIECES OF MONET. 27 Phil. You say what is the fact. JStas. I will tell you without any subterfuge: I would make place for him on the highway, on the footpath, in the canvass for public honors; but as to what concerns the stomach — by my troth, not this much (shows the breadth of his finger-nail) , unless he should first have thrashed me with his fists. "With provisions at the present prices, a feast is a fortune without incumbrances1. Phil. Always, Lesbonicus, do you take care and think this, that that is the best, according as you yourself are the most deserving : if that you cannot attain to, at least be as near as possible to the most deserving. And now, Lesboni- cus, I wish you to grant and accept these terms which I propose, and which I ask of you. The G-ods are rich ; wealth and station befit the Grods : but we poor mortal beings are, as it were, the salt-cellar2 for the salt of life. The moment that we have breathed forth this, the beggar is held of equal value at Acheron3 with the most wealthy man when dead. Stas. (aside). It will be a wonder if you don't carry your riches there with you. When you are dead, you may, perhaps, be as good as your name imports4. Phil. Now, that you may understand that position and 1 Without incumbrances) — Ver. 484. Every Roman family of consequence was bound to perform particular sacrifices, which were not only ordained by the pon- tifical laws, but the obligation was also rendered hereditary by the civil law, and ordered to be observed by the law of the Twelve Tables : " Sacra privata perpetua manento," " Let private sacrifices remain perpetual." This law is quoted and commented upon by Cicero in his Second Book on the Laws. He there tells us that " heirs are obliged to continue their sacrifices, be they ever so expensive ; and for this reason, as by the above law these sacrifices were to be maintained, no one was presumed to be better able to supply the place of the deceased person than his heir." A property exempt from this necessity, might be truly said to be one without incumbrances. 2 The salt-cellar) — Ver. 492. By this expression, Plautus seems to mean that life is to the body as salt is to flesh ; it preserves it from corruption. 3 At Acheron) — Ver. 494. Acheron was a river of the Brutii in Campania. There was another river of this name in Epirus. The word usually denotes one of the rivers of Hell ; here it means the Infernal regions themselves. 4 As your name imports) — Ver. 496. The meaning of Stasimus is — " Perhaps when you are dead, in leaving your property to another, you may really prove yourself the amiable man your name would bespeak you to be ;" Philto being derived from the Greek ^iXeco, "to love." 28 TRINUMMUS ; Act II. means have no place here, and that we do not undervalue your alliance ; I ask for your sister without a marriage- portion. May the matter turn out happily. Do I under- stand her to be promised ? Why are you silent ? Stas. O immortal Gods, what a proposal ! Phil. Why don't you say, "May the Gods prosper it. I agree1?" Stas. (aside). Alas! when there was no advantage in the expression, he used to say, " I agree ;" now, when there is ad- vantage in it, he is not able to say so. Lesb. Since you think me, Philto, worthy of an alliance with "you, I return you many thanks. But though this fortune of mine has sadly diminished through my folly, I have, Philto, a piece of land near the city here ; that I will give as a portion to my sister: for, after all my follies, that alone, besides my existence, is left me. Phil. Really I care nothing at all about a portion. Lesb. I am determined to give her one. Stas. {whispers to Lesbonicus). And are you ready, master, to sever that nurse from us which is supporting us ? Take care how you do it. What are we ourselves to eat in future ? Lesb. (to Stasimtjs). Once more, will you hold your tongue ? Am I to be rendered accountable to you ? Stas. (aside). We are evidently done for, unless I devise something or other. Philto, I want you. (He removes to a distance, and beckons to Philto.) Phil. If you wish aught, Stasimus. Stas. Step a little this way. Phil. By all means. Stas. I tell you this in secrecy, that neither he nor any one else may learn it of you. Phil. Trust me boldly with anything you please. 1 7" agree) — Ver. 502. " Spondeo" was a word in general use to denote that the person entered into a promise or engagement. Being the nearest male relation of the damsel, Philto wishes Lesbonicus to close the matter by saying " spondeo,'- "I agree to betroth her," which he hesitates to do; on which, Stasimus, alluding to his having been the security for the thousand drachmae, tells him that he had been ready enough to say " spondeo" when it was not to his advantage; namely, at the time when he said " spondeo," " I promise," and became the security to the banker for his friend. See Note 1 in page 24. SC. IV. THE THREE PIECES OE MONET. 29 Stas. By G-ods and men I warn you, not to allow that piece of land ever to become yours or your son's. I'll tell you my reasons 'for this matter. Phil. Troth, I should like to hear them. Stas. First of all then, when at any time the ground is being ploughed, in every fifth furrow the oxen die. Phil. Preserve me from it. Stas. The gate of Acheron is in that land of ours. Then the grapes, before they are ripe, hang in a putrid state. Lesb. (in a low voice). He is persuading the man to some- thing, I think. Although he is a rogue, still he is not un- faithful to me. Stas. Hear the rest. Besides that, when elsewhere the harvest of wheat is most abundant, there it comes up less by one-fourth than what you have sowed. Phil. Ah ! bad habits ought to be sown on that spot, if in the sowing they can be killed. Stas. And never is there any person to whom that piece of land belongs, but that his affairs turn out most unfor- tunate. Of those to whom it has belonged, some have gone away in banishment ; some are dead outright ; some, again, have hanged themselves. See this man, now, to whom it belongs, how he has been brought to a regular backgammoned state1. Phil. Preserve me from this piece of land. Stas. " Preserve me from it," you would say still more, if you were to hear everything from me. Por there every other tree has been blasted with lightning; the hogs die3 there most shockingly of inflammation in the throat ; the sheep are scabby, as bare of all wool, see, as is this hand of mine. And then, besides, there is not one of the Syrian natives3, 1 Backgammoned state) — Ver. 837. " Ad incitas redactus, " brought to a stand- Jtill," was a term borrowed from the game of " Duodecim Scripta," or " twelve points," and was applied when one of the parties got all his men on the twelfth point, and, being able to move no further, lost the game in consequence. Probably the game partook of the nature of both backgammon and chess. 2 The hogs die) — Ver. 540. From Pliny the Elder we learn that " angina,1' or swelling of the throat, was a common distemper among hogs. 3 The Syrian natives') — Ver. 542. He makes mention of the Syrians, because, living in a hot climate, they would be most likely to be able to endure extreme heat 30 TfllNUHMUS ; Act II a race which is the most hardy of men, who could exist there for six months ; so surely do all die there of the solstitial fever1. Phil. I believe, Stasimus2, that it is so ; but the Campa- nian3 race much outdoes that of the Syrians in hardiness. But, really, that piece of land, as I have heard you describe it, is one to which it were proper for all wicked men to be sent for the public good. Just as they tell of the Islands of the Blest, where all meet together who have passed their lives uprightly : on the other hand, it seems proper that all evil- doers should be packed off there, since it is a 'place of such a character. Stas. ?Tis a very receptacle of calamity. "What need is there of many words ? Look for any bad thing whatsoever, there you may find it. Phil. But, i' faith, you may find it there and elsewhere too. Stas. Please, take care not to say that I told you of this. Phil. You have told it me in perfect secrecy. Stas. Por he, indeed {pointing at Lesbonicus), wishes it to be got rid of from himself, if lie can find any one to im- pose upon4 about it. Phil. I' faith, this land shall never become my property. Stas. Aye, if you keep in your senses. (Aside.) I' faith, I have cleverly frightened5 the old fellow away from this land ; for, if my master had parted with it, there is nothing for us to live upon. 1 The solstitial fever) — Ver. 544. He seems to mean, that if a person went to live there at the beginning of the year, he could not possibly live there beyond six months, being sure to die of fever at the time of the Solstice, or Midsummer. 2 / believe, Stasimus) — Ver. 545. Pbilto only says so for peace sake, as no man in his sense* was likely to believe a word of it. As he does not want the piece of land for his son, he wishes to make no words about it. 3 But the Campanian) — Ver. 545. Pie just makes this remark casually, probably to show Stasimus that he knows about things in general as well as he does. Some think, however, that he intends to correct Stasimus, and to tell him that even the Campanians, who were considered an effeminate race, could boast of more hardi- hood than the Syrians. 4 To impose upon) — Ver. 558. " Os quoi sublinat" — literally, " can besmear his face." This expression alludes to the practical joke of making a fool of a person by painting his face while he is asleep. 5 / have cleverly frightened) — Ver. 560. As before remarked, he is probably ranch mis ;aken in thinking so. Sc. IY. THE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. 31 Phil. Lesbonicus, I now return to you. Lesb. Tell me, if you please, what has he been saying to you? Phil. What do you suppose ? He is a man1 ; he wishes to become a free man, but he has not the money to give. Lesb. And I wish to be rich, but all in vain. Stas. (aside). You might have been, if you had chosen ; now, since you have nothing, you cannot be. Lesb. "What are you talking about to yourself, Stasimus ? Stas. About that which you were saying just now : if you had chosen formerly, you might have been rich; now you are wishing too late. Phil. No terms can be come to with me about the mar- riage-portion ; whatever pleases you, do you transact it your- self with my son. Now, I ask for your sister for my son; and may the matter turn out well. "What now ? are you still considering ? Lesb. What — about that matter ? Since you will have it so — may the Gods prosper it — I promise her. Phil. Never, by my troth, was a son born so ardently longed for by any one, as was that expression " I promise her," when born for me. Stas. The G-ods will prosper all your plans. Phil. So I wish. Come this way with me, Lesbonicus, that a day may be agreed on for the nuptials, in the presence of Lysiteles : this agreement we will ratify on that same day. {Exit Philto. Lesb. Now, Stasimus, go you there {points to the house which he has sold to Callicles) to the house of Callicles, to my sister ; tell her how this matter has been arranged. Stas. I will go. Lesb. And congratulate my sister. Stas. Yery well. Lesb. Tell Callicles to meet me Stas. But rather do you go now Lesb. That he may see what is necessary to be done about the portion. Stas. Do go now. Lesb. For I have determined not to give her without a portion. Stas. But rather do you go now. Lesb. And I will never allow it to be a detriment to her by reason of Stas. Do be off now. Lesb. My recklessness 1 He is a man) — Ver. 5G3. His meaning teems to be, " he is a man, with fee', wigs like ourselves, and naturally wishes for his freedom." 32 trintjmmus ; Act IIL Stas. Do go now1. Lesb. It seems by no means just, but that, since I have done wrong Stas. Do go now. Lesb. It should be chiefly a detriment to myself. Stas. Do go now. Lesb. 0 my father ! and shall I ever see you again ? Stas. Do go now. G-o — go now. Lesb. I am going. Do you take care of that which I have asked you. I shall be here directly. {Exit Lesbonictjs. Scene V. Stasimtjs. Stas. At length I have prevailed on him to go. In the name of the immortal Gods, i' faith, 'tis a matter well ma- naged by wrongful means of performance, inasmuch as our piece of land is safe ; although even now 'tis still a very doubtful matter what may be the result of this affair. But, if the land is parted with, 'tis all over2 with my neck ; I must carry a buckler in foreign lands, a helmet too, and my bag- gage. He will be running away from the city when the nuptials have been celebrated; he will be going hence to extreme and utter ruin, somewhere or other, to serve as a soldier, either to Asia or to Cilicia3. I will go there {looking at the door of the house bought by Callicles), where he has ordered me to go, although I detest this house ever since he has driven us out of our abode. (Exit into the house of Char hides. ACT THE THIED. Scene I. Enter Callicles and Stasimus. Call. To what effect were you speaking about this, Sta- simus ? 1 Do go now") — Ver. 586. Stasimus is continually urging him to follow Philto, and bring the matter to a conclusion, as he fears that so good an opportunity may be lost through his master's habitual carelessness, especially as Philto has agreed Dot to receive the land as a marriage-portion. 2 ' Tis all over) — Ver. 595. He means that he will no longer have any support from his master, and that he will have to turn soldier, and so earn his livelihood. % Aria or to Cilicia) — Ver. 599. Alluding, probably to the wars which were con. Sc. I. THE THREE PIECES OF MONET. 33 Stas. That Lesbonicus, the son of my master, has betrothed his sister ; in those terms. Call. To what person has he betrothed her ? Stas. To Lysiteles, the son of Philto ; without a portion, too. Call. "Without a portion, will he marry her into a family so rich1 ? You are telling me a thing not to be credited. Stas. "Why, faith, you would be for never believing. If you don't believe this, at all events I shall be believing Call. "What ? Stas. That I don't care a fig for your belief. Call. How long since, or where, was this matter agreed to? Stas. On this very spnt — here, before his door {pointing to Philto' s house). This moment-like2, as the man of Prae- neste says. Call. And has Lesbonicus, amid his ruined fortunes, be- come so much more frugal than in his prosperous circum- stances ? Stas. Why, in fact, Philto himself came of his own accord to make the offer for his son. Call, {aside) By my troth, it really will be a disgrace, if a portion is not given to the maiden. In fine, I think, i' faith, that that matter concerns myself. I will go to my corrector, and will ask advice of him. (Exit. Stas. I pretty nearly guess, and I have a strong suspicion, why he makes such speed on this : namely, that he may turn Lesbonicus out of his bit Of land, after he has turned him out of his house. O Charmides, my master! since your pro- perty here is being torn to pieces in your absence, I wish I tinually occurring between the Greeks and the Persian monarchs, or else to the custom of hiring themselves out as mercenary soldiers, as Xenophon and the ten thousand did to the younger Cyrus. 1 Into a family so rich) — Ver. 605. " In tantas divitias," literally, " into so great wealth." 2 This moment-like) — Ver. 609. " Tammodo." He is joking upon the patois of the people of Praeneste, who said "tammodo," instead of "modo,", "this instant," or "just now." Festus also alludes to this expression, as used by the Praenestines. In tne Truculentus, act iii., sc. 2, 1. 23, he again takes them off for cutting: " Ciconia " down to " Conia." Prameste was a town of Lathm, not far from Rome. Its present name is Palestrina. D 34 teinummus ; Act 11 1 . could see you return safe, that you might both take vengeance on your enemies, and give the reward to me according as I have behaved, and do behave towards you. 'Tis an ex- tremely difficult thing for a friend to be found really such as the name imports, to whom, when you have entrusted your interests, you may sleep without any care. But lo ! I per- ceive our son-in-law1 coming, together with his neighbour. Something — what, I know not — is wrong between them. They are walking, each with a hasty step ; the one is catch- ing the other that is before him by the cloak. They have come to a stop in no very courteous fashion. I'll step aside here a little distance. I have a wish to hear the conversation of these two that are to be connected by marriage. (He retires to a distance.} Scene II. Enter Lysiteles and Lesbonictjs. Lts. Stay, this moment ; don't turn away, and don't hide yourself from me. (He catches hold of his cloak.} Lesb. {shaking him off}. Can't you allow me to go whither I was proceeding ? Lts. If, Lesbonicus, it seems to be to your interest, either for your glory or for your honour, I will let you go. Lesb. You are doing a thing that it is very easy to do. Lts. "What is that ? Lesb. An injury to a friend. Lrs. It is no way of mine, and I have not learned so to do. Lesb. Untaught as you are, how cleverly you do it. What would you have done, if any one had taught you to be thus annoying to me ? You, who, when you pretend to be acting kindly to me, use me ill, and are intending evil. Lts. "What! — I? Lesb. Yes — you. Lts. How do I use you ill"? Lesb. Inasmuch as you do that which I do not wish. Lts. I wish to consult your advantage. LrfsB. Are you kinder to me than I am to myself? I 1 Our son-in-law) — Ver. 622. He means Lysiteles, the contemplated son-in- law of his master Charmides, whom he has just been apostrophising. S'C. IL THE THREE PIECES OP MONET. 35 have sense enough ; I see sufficiently well those things that are for my own advantage. Lts. And is it having sense enough to refuse a kindness from a well-wisher ? Lesb. I reckon it to be no kindness, when it does not please him on whom you are conferring it. I know, and I understand myself what I am doing, and my mind forsakes not its duty ; nor will I be driven by your speeches from paying due regard to my own character. Lts. What do you say ? Tor note I cannot be restrained from saying to you the things which you deserve. Have your forefathers, I pray, so handed down this reputation to you, that you, by your excesses, might lose what before was gained by their merit, and that you might become a. bar to the honour of- your own posterity ? Your father and your grandfather made an easy and a level path for you to attain to honour ; whereas you have made it to become a difficult one, by your extreme recklessness and sloth, and your besotted ways. You have made your election, to prefer your passions to virtue. Now, do you suppose that you can cover over your faults by these means ? Alas ! 'tis impossible. "Wel- come virtue to your mind, if you please, and expel slothful- ness from your heart. Give your attention to your he- friends in the Courts of justice1, and not to the couch of your she-friend, as you are wont to do. And earnestly do I now wish this piece of land to be left to you for this reason, that you may have wherewithal to reform yourself; so that those citizens, whom you have for enemies, may not be able altogether to throw your poverty in your teeth. Lesb. All- these things which you have been saying, I know — could even set my seal2 to them : how I have spoiled my patrimonial estate and the fair fame of my forefathers. I knew how it became me to live ; to my misfortune I was not able to act accordingly. Thus, overpowered by the force of passion, inclined to ease, I fell into the snare ; and now to you, quite as you deserve, I do return most hearty thanks. 1 In the Courts of justice)— Y ex. 651. It was the custom of the joung men uf the Patrician class among the Romans to plead gratuitously for their friends and clients, in the Forum or Court of justice. 2 Set my seal) — Ver. 655. Affixing the seal to an instrument was then, as now the most solemn way of ratifying it. D 2 3(5 . TKINTJMMUS : Act I* Lys. Still, I cannot suffer my labour to be thus lost, anc yourself to despise these words ; at the same time, it grieves me that you have so little shame. And, in fine, unless you listen to me, and do this that I mention, you yourself will easily lie concealed behind your own self, so that honour cannot find you ; when you will wish yourself to be especially distinguished, you will be lying in obscurity. I know right well, for my part, Lesbonicus, your highly ingenuous dispo- sition ; I know that of your own accord, you have not done wrong, but that it is Love that has blinded your heart ; and I myself comprehend all the ways of Love. As the charge of the balista1 is hurled, so is Love ; nothing is there so swift, or that so swiftly flies ; he, too, makes the manners of men both foolish and froward2. That which is the most com- mended pleases him the least8 ; that from which he is dissuaded pleases him. When there is a scarcity, then you long for'a thing ; when there is an abundance of it, then you don't care for it. The person that warns him off from a thing, the same invites him ; he that persuades him to it interdicts him. 'Tis a misfortune of insanity for you to fly to Cupid for refuge. But I advise you again and again to think of this, how you should seek to act. If you attempt to do ac- cording as you are now showing signs4, you will cause the 1 Charge of the balista) — Ver. 668. The word "balista" here signifies the charge of the military engine known as the " balista." It was used by the an- cients for the purpose of discharging stones against the higher part of the walls of besieged places, while the " catapult a " was directed against the lower. The charge of the " balista" varied from two pounds to three hundred-weight. 2 Foolish and froward) — Ver. 66*9. "Moros." This word is derived from the Greek fia>p6s, " foolish." It seems to be used in juxtaposition with " morosos," for the sake of the alliteration. 3 Pleases him the least) — Ver. 670. So Shakspeare alludes to the contradictory nature of love in Romeo and Juliet : " Love — heavy lightness ! serious vanity ! Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms." * Are now showing signs)— Ver. 675. The meaning of this passage is extremely obscure. Perhaps, however, it is this, " If you persist in your extravagance, and are resolved to part with this land, the very last of your possessions, you wiL prove the conflagration and ruin of your family. Then you will be seeking a remedy — water with which to quench it. When you have got this remedy, as you cleverly suppose, in going abroad to fight and earn glory, you will ply it with such zeal, that you will overdo it, and, in getting killed yourself, will thereby quench the last spark on which the very existence of your house depended." On Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OE MONEY, 87 conflagration of your family ; and then, in consequence, you will have a desire for water with which to quench this con- flagration of your family. And if you should obtain it, just as lovers are subtle in their devices, you will not leave even one spark with which your family may brighten up. Lesb. 'Tis easy to be found: fire is granted, even though you should ask it of a foe. But you, by your reproof, are urging me from my faults to a viier course. You are per- suading me to give you my sister without a portion. But it does not become me, who have misused so great a patrimony, to be still in affluent circumstances, and to be possessing land, but her to be in want, so as with good reason to detest me. Never will he be respected by others who makes him- self despised by his own relatives. As I said, I will do ; I do not wish you to be in doubt any longer. Lys. And is it so much preferable that for your sister's sake you should incur poverty, and that I should possess that piece of land rather than yourself, who ought to be upholding your own walls ? Less. I do not wish you so much to have regard to myself, in order that you may relieve my poverty, as that in my neediness I may not become disgraced : that people may not spread about this report of me, that I gave my own sister without a portion to you, rather in concubinage1 than ill marriage. Who would be said to be more dishonorable than I ? The spreading of this report might do credit to you, but it would defile me, if you were to marry her without a por- tion. For you it would be a gain of reputation, for me it would be something for people to throw in my teeth. Lys. Why so ? Do you suppose2 that you will become Dictator if I accept the iand of you ? this Lesbonicus says, though not carrying on the metaphor in the same sense, " I will find means, even amid the enemy, to render my name illustrious, for there the fire may be found which is to keep my family from becoming extinguished." 1 Rather in concubinage) — Ver. 690. His pride is hurt at the idea of his sister being married without a portion, and thereby losing one of the distinctive marks between a wife and a mistress. It was considered a disgraceful thing for a female to be given in marriage without a portion, however small. 2 Do you suppose) — Ver. G95. Lysiteles says, satirically, and rather unkindly, it would seem, " What, do yau suppose that, if I accept this piece of land of you, you will attain the Dictatorship as the reward of ycur high spirit?" The Bio. tatorship was the highest honour in the Eoman Republic. 38 TRLNTJMMUS ; Act III. Lesb. I neither wish, nor require, nor do I think so ; but still, to be mindful of his duty;, is true honour to an upright man. Lxs. For my part, I know you, how you are disposed in mind; I see it, I discover it, I apprehend. You are doing this, that when you have formed an alliance between us, and when you have given up this piece of land, and have nothing here with which to support life, in beggary you may fly from the city, in exile you may desert your country, your kin- dred, your connexions, your friends, — the nuptials once over. People would suppose that you were frightened hence by my means, and through my cupidity. Do not fancy in your mind that I will act so as to allow that to happen. Stas. (advancing). "Well, I cannot but exclaim, " "Well done, well done, Lysiteles, encore1." Easily do you win the victory ; the other is conquered : your performance is supe- rior. This one {pointing to Lysiteles) acts better in charac- ter, and composes better lines2. By reason of your folly do you still dispute it ? Stand in awe of the fine. Lesb. "What means this interruption of yours, or your in- trusion here upon our conversation ? Stas. The same way that I came here I'll get me gone. Lesb. Step this way home with me, Lysiteles ; there we will talk at length about these matters. Lys. I am not in the habit of doing anything in secret. Just as my feelings are I will speak out. If your sister, as I think it right, is thus given to me in marriage without a por- tion, and if you are not about to go away hence, that which shall be mine, the same shall be yours. But if you are minded otherwise, may that which you do turn out for you for the best. I will never be your friend on any other terms ; such is my determination. (Exit Lesbonictjs, followed hy Lysiteles. 1 Encwe) — Ver. 705. IIaXtj>. This Greek word was no doubt used by the Romans just as we employ the French word " encore." In a similar manner it was probably used in the theatres, the usage of which is here figuratively referred to. 2 Composes better lines) — Ver. 707. In the line before, he alludes to the contest of the Comic poets for the prize of Comedy, to be decided according to the merits of their respective piays. As the poets were often the actors of their plays, he addresses them in this line in the latter capacity. Then, in the next line, he refers to the custom of the Romans in early times of training slaves as actors, where, if they did not please the spectators, they were taken off the stage and fined or beaten for their carelessnea* Sc. IV. THE THBEE PIECES OF MONET. 39 Scene III. Stasimus. Stas. Faith, he's off. D'ye hear — Lysiteles ? I want you. He's off as well. Stasimus, you remain alone. What am I now to do, but to buckle up my baggage and sling my buckler on my back1, and order soles to be fastened2 beneath my shoes'? There is no staying now. I see that no long time hence I shall be a soldier's drudge. And when my master has thrown himself into the pay3 of some potentate, I guess that among the greatest warriors he will prove a brave4 — hand at running away, and that there he will capture the spoil, who — shall come to attack my master. I myself, the moment that I shall have assumed my bow and quiver and arrows, and the helmet on my head, shall — go to sleep very quietly in my tent. I'll be off to the Forum; I'll ask that talent5 back of the person to whom I lent it six days since, that I may have some provision for the journey to carry with me. {Exit. Scene IV. Enter Megakonides and Calliopes. Meg. According as you relate the matter to me, Callicles, 1 On my back) — Ver. 719. When marching, the " clypeus," or " shield," was slung on the back of the soldier. The " sarcina," or " baggage," probably re- sembled our knapsack. 2 Soles to be fastened) — Ver. 720. The " soccas" was a slipper or low shoe, which did not fit closely, and was not fastened by a tie. These were worn both by men and women, and especially by Comic actors. His meaning probably is, that he will be obliged to have high heels and thick soles put to his shoes, so as to turn them into " caligse," the heavy kind of shoes worn by the Roman soldiers. 3 Into the pay) — Ver. 722. " In saginam," means "for his food;" as what we technically call " the mess" was provided for the soldier by those who hired him The term " sagina" is found especially applied to the victuals of the gladiators, who were trained up and dieted on all kinds of nourishing food for the purpose of adding to their strength, and thereby heightening interest attendant on their combats. 4 Prove a brave) — Ver. 723. In this line and the next he is witty upon the sorry figure which he fancies Lesbonicus will make in the field of battle. 5 Ask that talent) — Ver. 727. Many a trutli is said in jest, and perhaps part of this talent is the fruit of the theft which he seems in joke only to admit in '*. 414 ; as some Commentators have remarked, where was Stasimus, a slave, to get so much money as a talent, more than 200Z. ? As, however, in other respects, he ecems to have been a faithful servant, let us in charity suppose that he came Honestly by his talent, and that it was his fairly acquired " peculium." 40 • TitixmiMrs; Act III. it really can by no means be but that a portion must be given to the girl. Call. Why, troth, it would hardly be honestly done pn my part, if I were to allow her to contract a marriage without a portion, when I have her property in my pos- session at home. * * * * . • Meg. * * * * A portion is ready at your house ; unless you like to wait until her brother has dis- posed of her in marriage without a portion. After that, you might go to Philto yourself, and might say that you present her with a portion,, and that you do it on account of your intimacy with her father. But I dread this, lest that offer might bring you into crimination and disgrace with the public. They would say that you were so kind to the girl not with- out some good reason ; that the dowry which you presented her was given you by her father ; they would think that you were portioning her out of that, and that you had not kept it safe for her just as it was given, and that you had with- held some part. Now, if you wish to await the return of Charmides, the time is very long ; meanwhile, the inclination to marry her may leave this Lysiteles ; this proposal, too, is quite a first-rate one for her. Call. All these very same things suggest themselves to my mind. Meg. Consider if you think this more feasible and more to the purpose : go to the young mian himself, and tell him how the matter really stands. Call. Should I now discover the treasure to a young man, ill-regulated, and brimful of passion and of wantonness ? No, faith, most assuredly, by no means. For I know, beyond a doubt, that he would devour even all that spot where it is buried. I fear to dig for it, lest he should hear the noise ; iest, too, he might trace out the matter itself, if I should say I will give her a portion. Meg. By what method, then, can the portion be secretly taken out ? Call. Until an opportunity can be found for that business, T would, in the meanwhile, ask for a loan of the money from some friend or other. Meg. Can it be obtained from some friend or other ? Call. It can. Meg. Nonsense ; you'll certainly meet 8e. IV. THE THREE PIECES OF MOXET. 41 with this answer at once : " 0, upon my faith, I really have not anything that I can lend you." Call. Troth, I would rather they would tell me the truth than lend me the money with a bad grace. Meo. But consider this plan, if it pleases you. Call. What is the plan ? Meg. I have found out a clever plan, as I think. Call. What is it ? Meg. Let some person, now, be hired, of an appearance as much unknown as possible, such as has not been often seen. Let this person be dressed up to the life after a .foreign fashion, just as though he were a foreigner. Call. What is he to understand that he must do after that ? Meg. It is necessary for him to be some lying, de- ceiving, impudent fellow — a lounger from the Forum. Call. And what then, after that ? Meg. Let him come to the young man as though from Seleucia, from his father ; let him pronounce his salutation to him in the words of his father, say that he is prospering in business, and is alive and well, and that he will be shortly coming back again. Let him bring two letters ; let us seal these, as though they are from his father. Let him give the one to him, and let him say that he wishes to give the other to yourself. Call. Go on, and tell me still further. Meg. Let him say that he is bringing some gold as a marriage-portion from her father for the girl, and that his father has requested him to deliver it to you. Do you un- derstand me now ? Call. Pretty nearly ; and I listen with great satisfaction. Meg. Then, in consequence, you will finally give the gold to the young man when the girl shall be given in marriage. Call. Troth, 'tis very cleverly contrived. Meg. By this means, when you have dug up the trea- sure, you will have removed all cause for suspicion from the young man. He will think that the gold has been brought . to you from his father ; whereas, you will be taking it from the treasure. Call. Very cleverly and fairly contrived ; although I am ashamed, at this time of life, for me to be playing a double 42 TEINUMMUS ; Act III peart. But when he shall bring the letters sealed, don't you suppose that the young man will then recollect the impres- sion of his father's signet1 ? Meg. Will you be silent now ? Reasons innumerable may be found for that circumstance. That which he used to have he has lost, and he has since had another new one made. Then, if he should bring them not sealed at all, this might be said, — that they had been unsealed for him by the custom-house officers2, and had been examined. On matters of this kind, however, 'tis mere idleness to spend the day in talk ; although a long discussion might be spun out. Go now, at once, privately to the treasure ; send to a distance the men-servants and the maids ; and — do you hear ? Call. "What is it? Meg. Take care that you conceal this matter from that same wife of yours as well; for, i' faith, there is never any subject which they can be silent upon. "Why are you standing now ? "Why don't you take yourself off hence, and bestir yourself ? Open the treasure, take thence as much gold as is requisite for this purpose ; at once close it up again, but secretly, as I have enjoined you ; turn all out of the house. Call. I will do so. Meg. But, really, we are continu- 1 His father's signet) — Ver. 789. The custom of wearing rings among the Ro- mans was said to have been derived from the Sabines. The stones set in them were generally engraved with some design, and they were universally used by bqth Greeks and Romans for the purpose of a seal. So common was the practice among the Greeks, that Solon made a very wholesome law which forbade engravers to keep the form of a seal which they had sold. In some rings the seal was cut in t lie metal itself. The designs engraved on rings were various; sometimes portraits of ancestors or friends, and sometimes subjects connected with the mythology or the worship of the Gods. The onyx was the stone most frequently used in rings. The genuineness of a letter was tested, not by the signature, but by the seal ap- pended to it ; hence the anxiety of Callicles on the present occasion. 2 The custom-house officers) — Ver. 794. The " portitores" were the officers who collected the " portorium," or " import duty," on goods brought from foreign countries. These " portitores," to whom it was frequently farmed, greatly annoyed the merchants by their unfair conduct and arbitrary proceedings. At Rome, all commodities, including slaves, which were imported for the pur pose of selling again, were subject to the " portorium." The present instance is an illustration of the license of their proceedings, for we can hardly suppose that they were entitled as of right to break open the seals of letters from foreign countries. Sc. IV. THE THREE PIECES OE MONET. 43 ing too long a discourse ; we are wasting the day,* whereas there is need now of all expedition. There is nothing for you to fear about the seal ; trust me for that. This is a clever excuse to give, as I mentioned, that they have been looked at by the officers. In fine, don't you see the time of day ? What do you think of him being of such a nature and disposition ? He is drunk already ; anything you like may be proved for him. Besides, what is the greatest point of all, this person will say that he brings, and not that he applies for, money. Call. Now, that's enough. Meg. I am now going to hire a sharper1 from the Forum, and then I will seal the two letters ; and I'll send him thither {pointing to the house o/'Charmides), well tutored in his part, to this young man. Call. I am going in-doors then to my duty in consequence. Do you see about this matter. Meg. I'll take care it's done in the very cleverest style. {Exeunt. ACT THE FOUETH. Scene I. Enter Charmides. Charm. To Neptune, potent o'er the deep and most powerful, the brother of sethereal Jove, joyously and sin- 1 A sharper) — Ver. 815. " Sycophanta." At an early period there was a law at Athens against the exportation of figs. In spite, however, of prohibitions and penalties, the fig-growers persisted in exporting the fruit. To inform the autho- rities against the practice was deemed mean and vexatious, so the statute came in time to be looked upon as obsolete. Hence, the term a-VKOCpavTelv, " to in- form relative to the exportation of figs," came to be applied to all mean and dis- honest accusations.' In time, the word " sycophant" came to be applied to a man who was a cunning and villanous character, and who, as it has been justly ob- served, in Dr. Smith's Dictionary, was " a happy compound of the common bar- retor, informer, pettifogger, busybody, rogue, liar, and slanderer." In fact, he was such a person as we mean by the epithet "swindler" or "sharper." Information being encouraged by the policy of Athens, and the informer gaining half the reward, it was upon this honourable calling that the " sycophanta? " in general thrived They were ready, however, for any other job, however dishonorable, and perjury would not be declined by them if they could obtain their price. They would, conse- quently, be much in the neighbourhood of the Courts of justice ; and the " Forum," as in the present instance, would not be an unlikely place to meet with them. 4i TBI2JUMMUS ; Act IV. cerely do I proffer praise, and return my grateful thanks ; to the salt waves, too, with whom lay supreme power over myself, — one, too, that existed over my property and my life, — inasmuch as from their realms they have returned me safe and sound even to my own native city. And, Neptune, be- fore the other Deities, do I both give and return to you ex- treme thanks. For all people talk of you as being cruel and severe, of voracious habits, filthy, unsightly, unendurable, and outrageous ; on the other hand, I have experienced your kindly aid. For, in good sooth, I have found you mild and merciful upon the deep, even to that degree that I wished. This commendation, too, I had already heard with these ears before of you among men, — that you were accustomed to spare the poor, and to depress and overawe the rich. Adieu ! I commend you ; you know how to treat men properly, according as is just. This is worthy of the Gods; they should ever prove benignant to the needy ; to men of high station, quite otherwise. Trusty have you proved, though they are in the habit of saying that you cannot be trusted. For, without you, it would have happened, I am very sure, that on the deep your attendants would have shockingly torn in pieces and rent asunder wretched me, and, together with me, my property as well, in every direction throughout the azure surface of ocean. But just now, like raging dogs, and no otherwise, did the winds in hurricane beset the ship ; storms and waves, and raging squalls were about to roar, to break the mast, to bear down the yards, to split the sails ; had not your favouring kindness been nigh at hand. Have done with me, if you please; henceforth have I now determined to give myself up to ease ; enough have I got. With what pains have I struggled, while I was acquiring riches for my son. But who is this1 that is coming up the street with his new-fangled garb and appearance ? I' faith, though I wish to be at home, I'll wait awhile ; at the same time, I will give my attention to see what business this fellow is about. {lie retires aside.} 1 But who is this) — Ver. 840. It seems at first sight rather absurd that Char- mides, who has just returned from a voyage, should wait in the street to gossip with a stranger win is coming towards him; but we must remember that he sees that the fellow is making straight for his house, and his curiosity is excited by that fact, combined with the very extraordinary dress which Megaronides has hired fo» him from the playhouse, and has thereby probably much overdone the character which he is intended to vepresent. SO. II. THE THEEE PIECES OF MOOTED. &$* Scene II. Enter the Shaepee. Shaep. To this day I give the name of " The Festival of the Three Pieces " (Trinummus) ; for, on this day, have I let out my services in a cheating scheme for three pieces of money. I am just arrived from Seleucia, Macedonia, Asia, and Arabia, — -places which I never visited either with my eye or with my foot. See now, what business poverty brings upon the man that is wretchedly destitute ; inasmuch as I am now obliged, for the sake of three pieces of money, to say that I received these letters from a certain person, about whom I don't know, nor have I ever known, who the man is, nor do I know this for certain, whether he was ever born or not. Chaem. {behind). Faith, this fellow's surely of the mush- room genus ; he covers himself entirely with his top1. The countenance of the fellow appears to be Illyrian ; he comes, too, in that garb. Shaep. He who hired me, when he had hired me, took me to his house ; he told me what he wanted to be done ; he taught and showed me beforehand how I was to do every- thing. If, then, I should add anything more, my employer wiD on that account the better forward his plan through me. As he dressed me out, so am I now equipped ; his money did that. He himself borrowed my costume, at his own risk, from the theatrical wardrobe2 ; if I shall be able, now, to impose on this man through my garb, I will give him occasion clearly to find that I am a very trickster. . Chae. (behind). The more I look at him, the less does the appearance of the fellow please me. 'Tis a wonder if that 1 With his top) — Ver. 851. The Sharper, as personating a foreigner, has on a " petasus," or hat with very wide brims, extending straight out on each side. For this reason Charmides wittily compares him to a mushroom — all head. The " causia" was a similar hat worn by the Macedonians, with the brims turned up at the sides. 2 The theatrical wardrobe) — Ver. 858. "Chorego" — literally, "from the Choregus." It was the duty of this person at Athens to provide the Choruses for tragedies and comedies, the Lyric Choruses of men and toys, the dancers for the Pyrrhic dance, the Cyclic Choruses, and the Choruses of flute-players for the re- ligious festivals of Athens. He also had to provide the Chorus with the requisite dresses, wreaths, and masks — whence the application to him on the present occasion *0 TRINUMMUS ; Act IV. fellow there is not either a night-robber * or a cutpurse. He is viewing the locality ; he is looking around him and sur- veying the houses^ troth, I think he is reconnoitring 'the spot for him to come and rob bye and bye. I have a still greater desire to watch what he is about : I'll give attention to this matter. Sharp. This employer of mine pointed out these localities to me ; at this house are my devices to be put in practice. I'll knock at the door. Charm, (behind). Surely this fellow is making in a straight line for my house ; i' faith, I think I shall have to keep watch this night of my arrival. Sharp, (knocks at the door of the house of Charmides). Open this door ! — open it ! Hallo, there ! who now has the care of this door3 ? Charm. . (coming up to him). Toung man, what do you want ? "What is it you wish ? Why are you knocking at this door ? Sharp. Eh ! old gentleman ; I am inquiring here for a young man named Lesbonicus, where in this quarter he lives — and likewise for another person, with such white hairs on his head as yours ; he that gave me these letters said his name was Callicles. Charm, (aside). In fact, this fellow is looking for my own son Lesbonicus and my friend Callicles, to whom I entrusted both my children and my property. Sharp. Let me know, respected sir3, if you are acquainted with it, where these persons live. r A night-robber) — Ver. 862. " Dormitator" seems to mean a thief, who slept during the day and pursued his avocations hy night. " Sector zonarius" is a " cutter of girdles," similar to our " cutpurse." It was the custom of persons of the middle and lower classes to wear their purses suspended from the " zona," or " girdle," round the waist ; and sometimes they used the folds of the girdle itself for the purpose of depositing, their money therein. 2 Care of this door) — Ver. 870. It was not the usage to enter a house without giving notice to those within. This was done among the Spartans by shouting, while the Athenians, and other nations, either used the knocker of the door or rapped with the knuckles or a stick. In the houses of the rich a porter was always in attendance to open the door. He was commonly a slave or eunuch, and was, among the Romans, chained to his post. A dog was also in general chained neai the entrance, and the warning, " Cave canem," " Beware of the dog," was some- times written near the door. 3Eespectedsir)—Vev 877. "Pater," literally, "father." Sc. 1L THE THREE PIECES OF MONET. 47 Chasm. Why are you inquiring for them ? Or who are von ? — Or whence are you ? — Or whence do you come ? Sharp. I gave the return correctly to the Censor1, when I was questioned by him — Charm. * * * * Sharp. Tou ask a" number of things in the same breath ; I know not which in especial to inform you upon. If you will ask each thing singly, and in a quiet manner, I'll both let you know my name, and my business, and my travels. Charm. I'll do as you desire. Come then ; in the first place, tell me your name. Sharp. You begin by demanding an arduous task. Charm. How so ? Sharp. Because, respected sir, if you were to begin before daylight, i' faith, to commence at the first part of my name2, 'twould be the dead of the night before you could get to the end of it. Charm. According to your story, a person should have a long journey's provision crammed tightly in for your name. Sharp. I have another name somewhat less, — about the size of a wine-cask3. Charm. What is this name of yours, young man ? Sharp. "Hush," that's my name4; that's my every-day one. Charm. I' faith, 'tis a scampish name ; just as though5 1 To the Censor) — Ver. 879. " Juratori." It was the duty of the Censor, among the Romans, to make these inquiries of every person when taking the Census. As the Censors were bound by an oath to the faithful discharge of their duties, they were, in common with all persons so bound, called "juratores," "oaths- men." The Sharper gives Charmides an impudent answer, saying that he has answered the Censor on these points, and that is enough. 2 Beginning of my name) — Ver. 855. He probably alludes to his varied calling, commensurate with everything in the line of roguery. See the Note to line 815. 3 Size of a wine cask) — Ver. 888. He alludes, probably, to the " amphora," or large earthen jar, in which wine was kept. This was, perhaps, a cant saying, just as if we should say, "As little as a hogshead." 4 " Hush," that is my name) — Ver. 889. " Pax." This word was used to enjoin silence, like our word " Hush," or " Whist." He seems to allude to his own thieving avocation, which often required him to be as mute as a mouse. Some of the editions have " tax," as though from " tango," " to prig," or " steal." This, Thornton renders " Touchit." lJust as though) — Ver. 891. This passage is ot obscure signification. A note o\ exelamation ought to be inserted after " J»ax," and then the meaning of the old 43 TRTNTJMMTJS ; Act IV, you were to Bay, " Hush," if I were confiding anything to you, and then it is at an end forthwith. {Aside.) This fellow is evidently a sharper. "What say you, young man ? Sharp. What is it now ? Charm. Speak out ; what do these persons owe you whom you are seeking ? Sharp. The father of this young man, Lesbonicus, de- livered to me these two letters ; he is a friend of mine. Charm, {aside). I have now caught him in the fact; he says that I gave him the letters. I will have some fine sport with the fellow. Sharp. As I have begun, if you will give attention, I will say on. Charm. I'll give you my attention. Sharp. He bade me give this letter to his son, Lesbonicus, and this other one, as well, he bade me give to his friend Callicles. Charm, {aside). Troth, but since he is acting the impostor, I, on the other hand, have an inclination to act the cheat as well. Where was he himself? Sharp. He was carrying on his business prosperously. Charm. But where ? Sharp. At Seleucia. Charm. ***** And did you receive these from himself ? Sharp. With his own hands he himself delivered them into my hands. Charm. Of what appearance is this person P Sharp. He is a person somewhere about half a foot taller than you. Charm, {aside). This is an odd matter, if in fact I am taller when absent than when present. Do you know this person ? man seems to be, that, as in conversation a stop is instantly put to the discourse on saying " hush !" so, if anything is entrusted to him, it is as easily done for (periisse), and that it vanishes the instant you call him by his name. This is the explanation given by Lindemann. Ritschel reads " pax," but most of the old Commentators have "tax," which seems the more probable reading. Tin passage is thus rendered in Thornton's translation: Sharp. 'Tis Touchit ; — that, sir, is my name. A common one. Charm. A very knavish name : As though you meant to say if anything Was trusted to you, touch it, and 'tis gone • Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OE MOA^if. 49 Sharp. Tou are asking me a ridiculous question ; together with him I was in the habit of taking my meals. Charm. "What is his name ? Sharp. One, i' faith, that belongs to an honorable man. Charm. I would like to hear it. Sharp. Troth, his name {hesitating) — his — his — {Aside.) Woe to unfortunate me. Charm. What's the matter ? Sharp. Unguardedly, I this moment swallowed the name. Charm. I like not the man that has his friends shut up within his teeth. Sharp. And yet this moment 'twas dwelling on the very edge of my lips. Charm, {aside). I've come to-day in good time before this fellow. Sharp, {aside). To my sorrow I'm caught in the fact. Charm. Have you now recollected the name ? Sharp. 'Fore G-ods and men, i' faith, I'm ashamed of myself Charm. See, now, how well you know this man. Sharp. As well as my own self. This is in the habit of hap- pening : the thing you are holding in your hand, and seeing with your eyes, that same you are looking for as lost. I'll recollect it letter by letter. C is the beginning of the name. Charm. Is it Callias ? Sharp. No : it isn't that. Charm. Callippus ? Sharp. It isn't that. Charm. Callidemides ? Sharp. It isn't that. Charm. Callinicus ? Sharp. No : it isn't that. Charm. Or is it Callimachus ? Sharp. 'Tis in vain you suggest ; and, i' faith, I really don't care one fillip about it, since I recollect enough myself for my own purpose. Charm. But there are many people here of the name of Lesbonicus ; unless you tell me the name of his father, I cannot show you these persons whom you are looking for. What is it like ? Perhaps we can find it out by guessing. Sharp. It is something like this : Char Charm. Chares ? Or Charicles ? Or is it Charmides ? Sharp. Ah ! that's he ; may the Deities confound him. Charm. I have said to you once before already * * * * that it is proper for you rather to speak well of a man that is your friend, than to curse him. 50 TEINUMMTJS ; Act IV. Shaep. Isn't it the fact1 that this most worthless fellow has lain perdu between my lips and my teeth ? Chaem. Don't you be cursing an absent friend. Shaep. Why, then, did this most rascally fellow hide himself away from me ? Chaem. If you had only called him, he would have an- swered to his name. But where is he himself now ? Shaep. Troth, I left him at Ehadama2, in the isle of Apeland. Chaem. *=*### (aside). What person is there a greater simpleton than I, who myself am making inquiries where I am ? But it is by no means unimportant to this present purpose. What do you say as ? Shaep. What now ? Chaem. I ask you this. What places have you visited ? Shaep. Places exceedingly wonderful in astonishing ways. Chaem. I should like to hear about them, unless it is in- convenient. Shaep. Really I quite long to tell you. First of all we were conveyed to Pontus, to the land of Arabia3. 1 Isn't it the fact) — Ver. 925. He alludes to his having forgotten the confounded name, which was on the very tip of his tongue. 2 At Rhadama) — Ver. 928. Rhadama is a fictitious name — pure gibberish. Cercopia" is a preferable reading to " Cecropia," which was an epithet of Athens, itself supposed to be the scene of the Comedy. The other word would imply some unknown region, called " Apeland," as the Sharper's only aim is to impose upon the credulity of Charmides, and to hinder him from asking unseasonable questions. He coins the word upon the spur of the moment, though there really were the " Ape Islands," or the isles of Pithecusse, off the coast of Campania. They are mentioned by Ovid, in the 14th book of the Metamorphoses, 1. 291 : " For the father of the Gods, once abhorring the frauds and perjuries of the Cercropians, and the crimes of the fraudulent race, changed these men into ugly animals ; that thesa same beings might be able to appear unlike men and yet like them. He both contracted their limbs and flattened their noses, bent back from their foreheads ; and he furrowed their faces with the wrinkles of old age ; and he sent them into this spot with the whole of their bodies covered with long yellow hair. Moreover, he first took away from them the use of language and of their tongues, made for dreadful perjury ; he only allowed them to be able to complain with a harsh jab- bering." 3 Land of Arabia) — Ver. 933. He gets out of depth directly he leaves imaginary places and touches on real countries. He makes Arabia to be in Poatus, while they were really *bou~ two thousand miles asunder Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OP MONET. 51 Charm. How now ; is Arabia then in Pontus ? Sharp. It is. Not that Arabia where frankincense is pro- duced, but where the wormwood grows1, and the wild mar- joram which the poultry love. Charm, (aside). An extremely ingenious knave this. But the greater simpleton I, to be asking of this fellow from what place I have come back, a thing which I know, and he does not know ; except that I have a mind to try how he will get out of it at last. But what say you further ? Whither did you go next from thence ? Sharp. If you give me your attention, I will tell you. To the source of the river which arises out of the heavens, from beneath the throne of Jupiter. Charm. Beneath the throne of Jupiter ? Sharp. Yes : I say so. Charm. Out of the heavens ? Sharp. Aye, out of the very middle. Charm. How now ; and did you ascend even to the hea- vens ? Sharp. Tes : we were carried in a little skiff2 right on, up the river, against the tide. Charm. And did you see Jupiter as well ? Sharp. The other G-ods said that he had gone to his country-house, to dole out the victuals for his slaves. Then, after that Charm. Then after that — I don't want you to relate any- thing more. Sharp. Troth, I'm silent, if it's troublesome. Charm. "Why, no decent person3 ought to tell it, who has gone from the earth to heaven. Sharp. I'll leave you, as I see you wish it. But point me out these persons whom I am looking for, and to whom I must deliver these letters. 1 Wormwood grows) — Ver. 935. If he really refers here to Pontus, he acci- dentally hits upon the truth. Ovid, when in banishment there, says, m the Tristia, El. 13, 1. 21, " Let the white wormwood first be wanting in the freezing Pontus." The Sharper tries to correct himself by saying he means another Arabia, and not the one generally known, where the frankincense grows. 2 Ina Utile skiff J — Ver. 942. " Horiola," or " horia," was a smail skiff or smack used by fishernen. 3 No decent person) — Ver 947. He is supposed covertly to allude to the dis- graceful story of Ganymede being carried off by the eagle to minister to the lust of Jupiter. E 2 52 tkinummtjs; Act IV. Charm. "What say you ? If now perchance you were to see Charmides himself, him, I mean, who you say gave you these letters, would you know the man ? Sharp. By my troth now, do you take me to be a brute beast, who really am not able to recognise the person with whom I have been spending my life ? And would he have been such a fool as to entrust to me a thousand Philippean pieces, which gold he bade me carry to his son, and to his friend Callicles, to whom he said that he had entrusted hia affairs ? Would he have entrusted them to me if he had not known me, and I him, very intimately ? Charm, {aside). I really have a longing now to swindle this swindler, if I can cozen him out of these thousand Philippean pieces which lie has said that I have given to him. A person, that I know not who he is, and have never beheld him with my eyes before this day, should I be entrusting gold to him ? A man, to whom, if his life were at stake, I would not entrust a dump of lead. This fellow must be adroitly dealt with by me. Hallo ! Mister Hush, I want three words with you. Sharp. Even three hundred, if you like. Charm. Have you that gold which you received from Charmides ? Sharp. Yes, and Philippeans, too, counted out on the table with his own hand, a thousand pieces. Charm. You received it, you mean, ' from Charmides himself? Sharp. 'Twere a wonder if I had received it of his father, or of his grandfather, who are dead. Charm. Then, young man, hand me over this gold. Sharp, {staring at him). What gold am I to give you ? Charm. That which you have owned you received from me. Sharp. Received from you ? Charm. Yes, I say so. Sharp. Who are you ? Charm. I am Charmides, who gave you the thousand pieces of money. Sharp. I' faith, you are not he ; and this day, you never shall be he, for this gold, at any rate. Away with you, if you please, you impostor ! {Aside.) You are trying to cheat the cheater. Charm. I am Charmides. Sharp. I' faith, you are so to Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OF MONET. 53 no purpose, for I carry1 no gold. Eight cleverly were you down upon me, at the very nick of time. After I said that I was bringing the gold, that instant you became Charmides. Before I made mention of the gold, you were not he. It won't do. Just, therefore, in such manner as you Char midised yourself, do you again un-Charmidise yourself. Charm. Who am I, then, if in fact I am not he who I really am ? Sharp. What matters that to me ? So long as you are not he whom I do not choose you to be, you may be who you like, for what I care. Just now, you were not he who you were, now you are become he who then you were not. Charm. Come, despatch, if you are going to do it. Sharp. What am I to do ? Charm. Grive me back the gold. Sharp. You are dreaming, old gentleman. Charm. Did you own that Charmides delivered the gold to you ? Sharp. Yes — in writing3. Charm. Are you making haste or not, you night-robber, to be off with ali speed this very instant from this neighbourhood, before I order you to be soundly cudgelled on the spot ? Sharp. For what reason ? Charm. Because I am that self-same Charmides about whom you have been thus lying, and who you said gave the letters to you. Sharp. How now ; prithee, are you really he ? Charm. I really am he. Sharp. Say you so, pray ? Are you really he himself? Charm. I do say so. Sharp. Are you his own self ? Charm. His own self, I say. I am Charmides. Sharp. And are you then his own self ? Charm. His own very self. Begone hence out of my sight. 1 For I carry) — Ver. 973. He takes the other to be as great a rogue as himself and means, that his being Charmides only depended on whether he himself ad- mitted that he was in possession of the gold of Charmides. 2 Yes, in writing) — Ver. 982. This, of course, was the fact, as Megaronides and Callicles would know better than entrust the fellow with any money. It pro- oably means that he was entrusted with a letter to Callicles, enclosing a coun- terfeit bill at sight, or order on the Athenian bankers for payment of a thousand Philippeans to Callicles. This, Callicles was to show to Lesbonicus, to pnt him off the scent as to the treasure whence the money really was taken. The Sharper has told Chamrdes that he has the money with him, merely by way of bcasting d his trustworthy character. 54 TRINTJMMUS ; Sharp. Since you really have made your appearance here thus late, you shall be beaten both at my own award1 and that of the new iEdiles. Charm. And are you abusing me as well ? Sharp. Yes; seeing that you have arrived in safety2, may the G-ods confound me, if I care a straw for you, had you perished first. I have received the money for this job ; you, I devote to bad luck. But who you are, or who you are not, I care not one jot. I'll go and carry word3 to him who gave me the three pieces, that he may know that he has thrown them away. I'm off. Live with a curse, and fare you ill; may all the G-ods confound you, Charmides, for coming from abroad4. {Exit. Scene III. Charmides. Char. Since this fellow has gone, at last a time and opportunity seem to have arrived for speaking out with- out restraint. Already does this sting pierce my breast — what business he could have before my house ? For these letters summon apprehensions into my heart ; those thou- 1 At my own award) — Ver. 990. He means to tell Charmides, that by delaying his return thus late, he has spoilt his prospect of a lucrative job ; and he then adds, that he deserves a thrashing, equally with the actor who came on the stage too late. The actors in early times, being often slaves, were liable to punishment if they offended the audience. The iEdiles were the officers under whose super- intendence the plays were performed ; and probably with them lay the decision whether the actor should be punished for coming late on the stage, after he had been pronounced deserving of it in the opinion (arbifratu) of the spectators. See the Note to 1. 707. 2 Have arrived in safety) — Ver. 991. " Advenis." After this word, Callicles might suppose that the Sharper is going to congratulate in the usual terms on his safe arrival ; but, instead of that, the fellow pauses, and then finishes with a malediction. 3 Go and carry word)— Ver. 995. To tell him that he has given the three pieces to no purpose, for the real Charmides has made his appearance, and has completely spoiled the plot. 4 From abroad) — Ver. 997. This scene is replete with true comic spirit It has been supposed by some that the disgrace of the pedant in Shakspeare's Taming of the Shrew, and his assuming the name and character of Vincentio, were suggested by this scene. A similar incident is met with in the old play of Albuinazar act iv., sc. 3, and most probably it was borrowed from the present passage. SC. IV. THE THREE PIECES OF MONET. 55 sand pieces, too — what purpose they were to serve. I' faith, a bell1 is never rung for no purpose ; unless some one handles it or moves it, 'tis mute, 'tis dumb. But who ia this, that is beginning to run this way along the street ? I should like to observe what he is about. I'll step aside this way. (He retires aside.) Scene IY. Enter Stasimus. St as. (to himself). Stasimus, make you haste with all speed; away with you to your master's house, lest on a sud- den, through your folly, fears should arise for your shoulder- blades2. Quicken your pace, make haste ; 'tis now a long while since you left the house. If you shall be absent when inquired after by your master, take you care, please, that the smacks of the bull's-hide3 don't clatter thick upon you. Don't you cease running. See now, Stasimus, what a worthless fellow you are ; and isn't it the fact that you have forgotten your ring4 at the liquor-shop5, after you have been washing 1 r faith, a bell) — Ver. 1004. He aptly compares the worthless fellow to a bell, and then shrewdly judges that a bell cannot ring unless it is put in motion fay somebody. 2 For your shoulder-blades) — Ver. 1009. The slaves among the Romans were whipped most unmercifully with the " flagellum," a whip, to the handle of which a lash was fastened, made of cords or thongs of leather, especially from the ox's hide. It was often knotted with bones, or pieces of bronze, or terminated by hooks, and was then not inaptly termed " a scorpion." The infliction of punishment with this on the naked back was sometimes fatal, and was carried .nto execution by a class of slaves who were called " lorarii." 3 Smacks of the bulTs-hide) — Ver. 1011. " Cottabus" was a game played by the Sicilians and Greeks, in which the players had in turn to throw wine out of a goblet into a metal basin at a certain distance, in such a way as not to spill any of the wine. The methods in which the game was played are stated with precision in an able article in Dr. Smith's Dictionary. As one of the merits of the game was that the wine thrown should in its fall produce the strongest and most pat sound, Stasimus here calls the smacks of the whip on his back so many " bubuli cottabi,'* " ox-hide smacks." 4 Forgotten your ring) — Ver. 1014. We learn from Caelius Rhodiginus that " condalium" was a peculiar kind of ring worn by slaves. 4 At the liquor-shop) — Ver. 1013. The " thermopoha" are supposed to have beflf tne same as the "popinae," shops where drinks and ready-dressed provisions weu 56 TlilNUMMUS; Act IV. your throat with warm drink ? Tarn about, and run back now, to seek it, while the thing has but just happened. Charmides (behind). Whoever he is, his throat is his taskmaster1 ; that teaches this fellow the art of running. Stas. "What, good-for-nothing fellow, are you not ashamed of yourself? having lost your memory after only three cups ? And really, because you were there drinking toge- ther with such honest fellows, who could keep their hands off3 the property of another without difficulty ; — is it among such men that you expect you may recover your ring ? Chiruchus was there, Cerconicus, Crimnus, Cricolabus, Col- labus3, whipped-necks4, whipped-legs, iron-rubbers, whipped- knaves. By my faith, any one of these could steal the sole of his shoe from a running footman5. sold. They were very numerous throughout Italy. The keepers of them were called " popse." In the present instance we learn what kind of people visited them, and Cicero tells us that they were frequented by the slaves and the lower orders. They sat on stools or benches, while they drank " calda," or " calida," " mulled wine," which was always kept hot. It was probably mixed with spices, and was the favourite drink of the lower classes. It was measured out in " po- teria," "draughts," which are here mentioned; and which formed, probably, about a moderate cupful. Claudius commanded the " thermopolia" to be closed at one period of his reign. 1 His throat is his taskmaster)— Ver. 1016. He has overheard what Stasimus has said about warming his throat in 1. 1014; and, talking to himself, he remarks that his throat will be the cause of his learning how to run, as he warms his throat, gets drunk, loses his ring, runs homeward, and then runs back to find it. 2 Would keep their hands off) — Ver. 1019. There is no doubt that this is> in- tended to be said satirically. 3 Cricolabus, Collabus) — Ver. 1021. These are either nicknames, or, possibly, names really given to slaves, as in all ages and countries masters have especially tried to show their wit in naming their slaves. 4 Whipped-necks) — Ver. 1022. " Collicrepidae" and " Cruricrepidae" were pro- bably cant terms for slaves, who carried the marks of punishment on their necka and legs. " Crepidae" is from the verb "crepo," to "crack," and alludes to the sound of the lashes. " Ferriterius" was a' slave who bore the marks of the chain with which he had been fastened for refractory conduct, while " mastigia" was a name given to a slave who had passed the ordeal of flogging. A liquor-shop was a likely place for the resort of worthless and refractory slaves. 5 From a running footman) — Ver. 1023. " Cursores" were slaves who ran before the carriage of their masters for the same purpose as our outriders. Perhaps, however, this is not the meaning of the word here, as the name was given to all slaves whom their masters employed in carrying letters and messages. Stasimus hints by tJis that his boon companions were not only very expert at thieving, but that they would prey just as readily on a fellow-slave as any other person. Sc. IV. THE THEEE PIECES OF MONET. 57 Charm, (behind). So may the Gods love me, a finished thief. Stas. Why should I go seek what is gone for ever? Unless I would bestow rny pains, too, by way of addition over and above to my loss. Why, then, don't you consider that what is gone is gone ? Tack about, then1. Betake yourself back to your master. Charm, (behind). This fellow is no runaway; he remem- bers his home. Stas. I wish that the old-fashioned ways of old-fashioned clays, and the old-fashioned thriftiness, were in greater esteem here, rather than these bad ways. Charm, (behind). Immortal Grods ! this man really is be- ginning to talk of noble doings ! He longs for the old- fashioned ways ; know that he loves the old-fashioned ways, after the fashion of our forefathers. Stas. For, now-a-days, men's manners reckon of no value what is proper, except what is agreable. Ambition now is sanctioned by usage, and is free from the laws. By usage, people have the license to throw away their shields, and to run away from the enemy. To seek honor thereby in place of disgrace is the usage. Charm, (behind). A shameless usage. Stas. Now-a-days, 'tis the usage to neglect the brave. Charm, (behind). Aye, 'tis really shocking. Stas. The public manners have now got the laws in their power ; to them they are more submissive than are parents to their children2. In their misery, these laws are even hung up3 against the wall with iron nails, where it had been much more becoming for bad ways to be fixed up. Charm, (behind). I'd like to go up and accost this person ; but I listen to him with much pleasure, and I'm afraid, if I address him, that he may begin to talk on some other subject. 1 Tack about, then) — Ver. 1026. " Cape vorsoriam" was a sea-phrase, meaning " turn," or "tack about;" as " vorsoria" was the name of the rope by which the sail was turned from one direction to another 2 Parents to their children') — Ver. 1038. This is said satirically in reference to the corruptness of the age, in which all the relations and duties of life were turned upside down. 3 Are even hung up) — Ver. 1039. He alludes to the custom among the Romans of writing or engraving the laws and ordinances on wood or brass, and hanging them up for public inspection upon pegs or rails in the Capitol, Forum, and Curiae, r Court-houses. 58 TRINUMMTTS ; Act IV Stas. And, for these ways, there is nothing rendered sacred by the law. The laws are subservient to usage ; but these habits are hastening to sweep away both what is sacred and what is public property. Charm, (behind). By my troth, 'twere right for some great calamity to befal these bad customs. Stas. Ought not this state of things to be publicly cen- sured ? For this kind of men are the enemies of all per- sons, and do an injury to the entire people. By a non-ob- servance of their own honour, they likewise destroy all trust even in those who merit it not ; inasmuch as people form an estimate of the disposition of these from the disposition of those fellows. If you lend1 a person any money, it becomes lost for any purpose as one's own. When you ask for it back again, you may find a friend made an enemy by your kindness. If you begin to press still further, the option of two things ensues — either you must part with that which you have en- trusted, or else you must lose that friend. As to how this suggests itself to me, I have by actual experience been lately put in mind of it. Charm, (behind). Surely this is my servant Stasimus ? Stas. For as to him to whom I lent the talent, I bought myself an enemy with my talent, and sold my friend. But I am too great a simpleton to be attending to public matters rather than (what's my immediate interest) obtain safety for my back. I'll go home. (Moves as if going.) Charm. Hallo, you ! Stop, this instant ! Harkye ; hallo, you! Stas. I'll not stop. Charm. I want you. Stas. What if I myself don't want you to want me. Charm. Why, Stasimus, you are behaving very rudely. Stas. 'Twere better for you to buy some one to give your commands to. Charm. I' faith, I have bought one, and paid the money, too. But if he is not obedient to my orders, what am I to do? 1 If you lend) — Ver. 1050. Stasimus has experienced this, and has applied for the talent which he lent, but in vain ; unless, indeed, his meaning is that he got back the talent, but iost his friend. Shakspeare has a somewhat similar passag* in Hamlet : Neither a borrower nor a lender be ; For loan oft loseth both itself and friend Sc. IV, THE THREE PIECES OF MONET, 59 Stas. Give him a severe punishment. Charm. You give good advice ; I am resolved to do so. Stas. Unless, iudeed, you are under obligations to him. Charm. If he is a deserving person, I am under obligations to him ; but if he is otherwise, I'll do as you advise me. Stas. What matters it to me whether you have good or bad slaves ? Charm. Because you have a share in this matter both of the good and of the bad. Stas. The one share I leave to yourself; the other share, that in the good, do you set down1 to my account. Charm. If you shall prove deserving, it shall be so. Look back at me — I am Charmides. Stas. Ha! what person is it that has made mention of that most worthy man ? Charm. 'Tis that most worthy man himself. Stas. O seas, earth, heavens, by my trust in you — do I see quite clearly with my eyes ? Is this he, or is it not ? ;Tis he ! 'Tis certainly he ; 'tis he beyond a doubt ! O my most earnestly wished-for master, health to you ! Charm. Health to you, too, Stasimus ! Stas. That you are safe and sound, I Charm, (interrupting Mm). I know it, and I believe you. But wave the rest ; answer me this ; how are my children, my son and daughter, whom I left here ? Stas. They are alive, and well. Charm. Both of them, say your Stas. Both of them. Charm. The G-ods willed me to be safe and preserved from dangers. The rest that I want to know I will inquire about in-doors at my leisure. Let us go in-doors ; follow me. Stas. Where are you going now ? Charm. Where else but to my house ? Stas. Do you suppose that we are living here ? 1 Do you set dow?i)—Ver. 1067. " Appone." This word is used figuratively, it being employed to mean, in mercantile matters, " to set down to one's account." So Horace says : Quem sors dierum cumque dab it, lucro Appone " Whatever »oi each day shall bring, set that down as clear gain." This, we may here observe, is a similar sentiment to that conveyed in the remark of Callicr* 1.65. GO TRINUMMTJ3 ; Act IV Charm. Why, where else should I sup pose ? Stas. Now Charm. What about "now?" Stas. This house is not our own. Charm. What is it I hear from you ? Stas. Your son has sold this house. Charm. I'm ruined. Stas. For silver minse ; ready money counted out. Charm. How many ? Stas. Forty. Charm. I'm undone. Who has purchased it ? Stas. Callicles, to whom you entrusted your affairs ; he has removed here to live, and has turned us out of doors. Charm. Where is my son now liviug ? Stas. Here, in these back buildings. (Points to the side of the house.) Charm. I'm utterly undone. Stas. I thought that this would be distressing to you when you heard of it. Charm. To my sorrow, amid extreme dangers I have been borne over vast oceans, with the peril of my life I have pre- served myself among robbers full many in number, and I have returned safe. JN"ow, to my misery, I am here undone by reason of those same persons for whose sake I have been struggling at this time of life Grief is depriving me of my senses. Support me, Stasimus. Stas. Do you wish me to fetch you some water ? Charm. When my fortunes were in their mortal struggle, then was it befitting that water should be sprinkled1 upon them. Scene V. Enter Callicles. Call. What noise is this that I hear before my house ? Charm. O Callicles! 0 Callicles! 0 Callicles! to what sort of friend have I entrusted my property ? Call. To one good, and faithful, and trusty, and of strict 1 Should be sprinkled) — Ver. 1092. His meaning is, " you should have been as ready to give j-our assistance at the time when my fortunes were in their death- etruggle through the conduct of my son Lesbonicus." Sc. V. THE THREE PIECES Of MONEY. 61 integrity. Health to you, and I rejoice that you have ar- rived safe and sound1. [Charm. How, health to me ? Troth, I have no patience with such health. This I wish to know ;• how have you kept your trust, who, without my knowledge, have utterly de- stroyed my property and my children that I entrusted to you and committed to your charge when going hence abroad ? Call. I don't think that it is fair, when you don't under- stand the matter, to censure your old friend with harsh words. For you are both mistaken and you are doing me a very great injustice. Charm. Have you not bought this house which you came out of just now, and driven thence my son Lesbonicus ? Is this so as I say, or is it not ? Answer me. Call. I myself did buy the house; I bought it that I might keep it for you. And without that it would have hap- pened that your son would have sold it to another person ; and then you would have lost both it and that treasure together, which, concealed there, you had entrusted to my charge. See, I restore it safe to you ; for you did I buy it, not for myself. Charm. Prithee, what do you say ? By my trust in Gods and men, you make me suddenly to be quite ashamed of my error in speaking unkindly to my friend in return for his services. Call. How, then ; do you now think that I am trusty and faithful ?] Charm. I do think so, if all these matters are so as you relate them. But what means2 this garb of yours ? Call. I'll tell you. I was digging up the treasure in- doors, as a marriage-portion to be given to your daughter. 1 Safe and sound) — Ver. 1097. The lines after this, enclosed in brackets, are supplied by Ritschel in Latin verse, to supply the " lacuna" here, where it is clear that some part of the play has been lost. They are cleverly composed, and do great credit to his ingenuity. 2 But what means) — Ver. 1099. As he has been interrupted while digging up the treasure, it is probable that he has run out with his sleeves tucked up, and perhaps with the spade in his hand, which causes Charmides to make the present inquiry. 62 tkinummus ; Act V. But I will relate to you both this and the rest in the house. Follow me. Chaem. Stasimus. Stas. "Well! Charm. Eun with all haste to the Piraeus1, and make but one run of it. There you will at once see the ship, on board of which I was carried hither. Bid Sagario take care that the things are brought which I enjoined him, and do you go together with them. The duty has been already paid2 to the custom-house officer. Stas. I make no delay. Chaem. Get you gone with all speed ; and be back directly. Stas. I am both there and here in an instant. Call, (to Chaemldes.) Do you follow me this way in- doors. Chaem. I follow. (Exeunt Callicles and Chaemldes into the house. Stas. This man alone has remained a firm friend to my master ; nor has he allowed his mind to swerve from unshaken fidelity, although I believe that he has undergone many troubles, by reason of the property and the children of my master. Still, this person, as I suspect, alone has main- tained his fidelity. (Exit. ACT THE FIFTH. Scene I. Enter Ltsiteles. Lts. This individual3 is the very first of all men ; ex- celling aU in pleasures and delights. So truly do the bless- ings which I desire befal me, that whatever I undertake is brought about, and constantly succeeds : so does one delight succeed other delights. Just now, Stasimus, the servant of Lesbonicus, came to me at home. He told me that his 1 ThePircms) — Ver. 1103. The Piraeus was the main harbour of Athens, with which it was Connected by long walls. 2 Been already paid) — Ver. 1107. Among the Romans, merchandise which a person brought with him from abroad for his own use was in general exempt from "portorium," or import duty; but this was not the case if it belonged rather to the luxuries than the necessaries of life. 3 This individual) — Ver. 1115. He is speaking of himself in the third person, and is congratulating himself on his being about to obtain the hand of the daughter of Charmides. Sc. II. THE THREE PIECES OP MONET. 63 master, Charmides, had arrived here from abroad. [Now lie must be forthwith waited upon by me, that the father may prove a more sure foundation in that matter on which I have treated with his son. I'll go. But this door, with its creak- ing, inopportunely causes me delay. (He retires to a dis- tanced) Scene II. Enter Charmides and Callicles. Charm. There never was, nor will there be, nor yet do 1 think that there is a person upon the earth, whose fidelity and constancy towards his friend equals yours. Tor without you, it would have been that he would have ousted me out of this house. Call. If I have in any way acted well towards my friend, or have faithfully consulted his advantage, I seem not to be deserving of praise, but I think I am free from fault. For a benefit which is conferred on a man for his own, at once is lost to the giver ; what is given only as a loan, the same thero is a right to ask back, whenever you please. Charm. 'Tis so as you say. But I cannot sufficiently wonder at this, that he has betrothed his sister into a family so influential. Call. Aye ; to Lysiteles, the son of Philto. Lts. (behind). Why, he is mentioning my name. Charm. He has got into a most worthy family. Lts. (behind). "Why do I hesitate to address these per- sons ? But still, I think, I may wait awhile ; for something is going to be said to the purpose about this matter. Charm. 0 Call. What's the matter? Charm. I forgot just now to tell you of it in-doors. As I was coming hither, a while ago, a certain swindling fellow met me — a very finished sharper. He told me that he was carrying a thousand gold pieces, of my giving, to you and my son Lesbonicus ; a fellow, that I know not who he was, nor have I ever seen him anywhere before. But why do you laugh? Call. He came by my directions, as though he was one bringing the gold from you to me, to give as a portion to your 64 raiNUMMirs ; Act v daughter ; that your son, when I should give it to her from my own hands, might suppose that it had been brought from you, and that he might not anyhow be enabled to discover the fact itself — that your treasure was in my possession, and de- mand it of me1, as having belonged to his father, by the public laws. Charm. Cleverly contrived, i' troth. Call. Megaronides, a common well-wisher of yours and mine, planned this. Charm. "Well, I applaud his device, and approve of it. Lts. (behind). Why, in my foolishness, while I fear to interrupt their discourse, am I standing here alone, and am not forwarding the business that I was intending to trans- act ? I will accost these persons. (He advances.) Chaem. Who is this person that is coming this way to- wards us ? Lts. (going up to Charmides). Lysiteles salutes his father-in-law Charmides. Charm. May the Gods grant you, Lysiteles, whatever you may desire. Call. Am I not worthy of a salutation ? Lts. Yes ; health to you, Callicles. It is right that I should give him the preference : the tunic is nearer2 the shin than the cloak. Call. I trust that the Gods may direct your plans aright. Charm. I hear that my daughter has been betrothed to you? Lts. Unless you are unwilling. Charm. Nay, I am not unwilling. Lts. Do you, then, promise your daughter for my wife ? Charm. I promise a thousand gold Philippean pieces, as well, for a portion. Lts. I care nothing about a portion. Charm. If she pleases you, the portion which she presents to you must be pleased as well. In fine, the object which 1 And demand it of me)—Ver. 1146. On the supposition of Lis father's death, the laws would probably have decreed it to him as his father's heir. 2 The tunic is nearer)— Ver. 1154. This was, perhaps, a proverbial saying, used when a preference was expressed. Of course he would pay more respect to his anticipated father-in-law than to an ordinary frienl The " tunica" supplied th* place of the shirt of modern times. Sc. III. THE THREE PIECES OF MONEY. Q5 you desire you shall not have, unless you shall take that which you do not desire. Call, (to Ltsiteles). He asks but justice. Lts. He shall obtain it, you the advocate and the judge. On these conditions, do you engage that your daughter shall be given to me as my wife ? Charm. I do promise her. Call. And I promise her likewise. Lys. 0 save you, my connexions by marriage. (He embrace* them.") Charm. But, in good sooth, there are some matters on account of which I stili am angry with you. Lys. "What have I done? Charm. Because you have allowed my son to become dissolute. Lys. Had that been done by my consent, there would have been cause for you to blame me. * * * * * But allow me to obtain of you this one thing which I entreat P Charm. What is it ? Lys. You shall know. If he has done anything imprudently, that you will dismiss it all /row l/our mind. Why do you shake your head ? Charm. My heart is tortured, and I fear Lys. What is it now ? Charm. Because he is such as I would that he was not, — by that am I tortured. I fear that if I refuse you what you ask of me, you may suppose that I am indifferent towards you. I won't make difficulties, noic- ever; I will do as you wish. Lys. You are a worthy man. I am going to call him out. (He goes to the door of the house of Charmides.) Charm. 'Tis a shocking thing if one is not a] '.owed to punish bad deserts just as they merit. Lys. (knocking at the door). Open the door, open quickly, and call Lesbonicus out of doors, if he is at home. The occasion is very sudden, therefore I wish him to come to me with all haste. Scene III. Enter LESBONicus/rom the house. Lesb. What person has been calling me out of doors with so loud a knocking ? Lys. 'Tis your well-wisher and friend. Lesb. Is all quite right? — tell me. r GG TRINUMMUB, Act. V. Lts. All's well. I am glad to say that your father has returned from abroad. Lesb. "Who says so ? Lts. I. Lesb. Have you seen him ? Lys. Aye, and you yourself may see him too. (He points to Chabmides.) Lesb. O my father, my father, blessings on you. Chaem. Many blessings on you, my son. Lesb. If, father, any trouble1 Charm. Have no fear, nothing has happened. My affairs prosperously managed, I have returned safe. If you are only wishful to be steady, that daughter of Callicles has been promised you. Lesb. I will marry both her, father, and any one else besides that you shall bid me. Charm. Although I have been angry with you, one misery2, in fact, is more than enough for one man. Call. Nay, rather, 'twere too little for him ; for if he- were to marry a hundred wives for his sins, it were too little. Lesb. But henceforth, in future, I will be steady. Charm. So you say ; if you will only do it. Lesb. Is there any reason why I should not bring my wife home to-morrow ? Charm. 'Tis very good. And you, Lysiteles, be ready to be married the day after to-morrow. A Comedian. Give your applause3. 1 If, father, any trouble) — Ver. 1181. Lesbonicus seems to be about to apolo- gise to Cbarmides for any trouble he may have given him, but, as the old man has already agreed to forgive him at the intercession of Lysiteles, he will not allow a word more to be said about it. - One misery) — Ver. 1 185. The old gentleman tells his son that he will be quite sufficiently punished for his faults by having one wife. It is either said as a joke in a bantering way, or else it means, that, what will be a great punishment to him, he must now reform his mode of life, for common decency sake and out of respect to his wife. 3 Give your applause) — Ver. 1189. " Plaudite." Literally, " clap your hands." Eitschel, on a full examination of'theMSS., comes to the conclusion that this was said, not, as is generally thought by one of the characters in the piay, but by one of the actors or singers, probably, of the Chorus, who commenced their song the moment the play was finished. All the applause bestowed on the writer and the *otors seems to have been usually reserved for the end of the play. MILES GLORIOSUS; THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN Dramatis persona?. Ptrgopolinices, the Braggart Captain. Artotrogus, a Parasite. Periplecomenus, an old gentleman, the friend of Pleusicieg. Pleusicles, a young Athenian. PaLuESTrio, servant of Pyrgopolinices. Sceledrus, another servant of Pyrgopolinices. Lucrio, a lad, an under-servant of Pyrgopolinices. Cario, cook to Periplecomenus. A Boy. Philocomasium, the mistress of Pyrgopolhices. ' Acroteleutium, a Courtesan. Milphidippa, her maid. Slaves. Seen* —Ephesus : a Street before the houses of Peripleocwejj us and pY£^t> i-olinicks, which adjoin each otiiu. *8 THE SUBJECT. IJEUSICLES, a young Athenian, is in love with Philocouiasium, a Courtesan u\ Athens, who returns his affection. Being sent on public business to Naupactus, a certain Captain of Ephesus, Pyrgopolinices by name, comes to Athens, and in- sinuates himself into the good graces of her mother, in order that he may get Philocomasium into his power. Having deceived the mother, he places the daughter on board ship and carries her off to Ephesus. On this, Palsestrio, a faithful servant of Pleusicles, hastens to embark for Naupactus, with the view of telling his master what has happened. The ship being taken by pirates, he is made captive, and by chance is presented as a gift to Pyrgopolinices. He re- cognises the mistress of Pleusicles in the Captain's house; but he carefully conceals from the Captain who he himself is. He then privately writes to Pleusicles, requesting him to come to Ephesus. On arriving, Pleusicles is hospitably entertained by Periplecomenus, a friend of his father, an old gentle- man who lives next door to the Captain. As Philocomasium has a private room of her own in the Captain's house, a hole is made through the partition wall, and by this contrivance she meets Pleusicles in the house of his enter- tainer, who gives his sanction to the plan. At this juncture, the play begins. A servant of the Captain, named Sceledrus, has been appointed to be the keeper of Philocomasium. Pursuing a monkey along the roof of the house, he looks down the skylight of the house next door, and there sees Pleusicles and Philocomasium conversing and toying with each other. When this has been discovered to be the case, a plan is arranged, by which Sceledrus shall not only not divulge to the Captain what he lias seen, but shall even be made to believe that he has not actually seen it himself. Palsestrio, therefore, persuades him that the twin-sister of Philoco- masium has arrived at Ephesus, and with her lover is staying at their neigh- bour's house. To forward their designs, Palsestrio then invents another plan. He persuades the Captain to believe that the wife of his neighbour, Peripleco- menus, is in love with him. Through his agency, a Courtesan, named Acrote- ltutium, pretends that she is the wife so desperately in love with the Captain. He believes this story, and, that he may the more conveniently receive her in his house, by the advice of Palsestrio, he sends Philocomasium away, and gives her into the charge of Pleusicles, who is disguised in the dress of a master of a .ship. They go to the harbour and set sail, accompanied by Palsestrio, whcm the Captain has given to Philocomasium at her request. The Captain, then, at the invitation of the maid of Acroteleutium, goes to the house next door, to visit her mistress. On this, Periplecomenus, with his servants, sallies forth upon him, and, having first threatened to cut him in pieces, and then having beaten and stripped him, they let him go, after they have exacted from him a confession that he has been rightly served, and a promise that he will molest no one in re- turn for the treatment he has received. MILES GLORIOSUS; THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian, the Grammarian.] A Captain carries off to Ephesus a Courtesan (Meretricem) from Athens. While his servant is intending to tell this (Id) to his master, her lover, who is an Am- bassador (Legato) abroad, he himself is captured at sea, and (Ei) is given as a present to the same Captain. The servant sends for his (Suum, master from Athens, and cleverly makes a hole in the party wall, common to the two (G'e- minis) houses, that it may be possible (Liceret) for the two lovers secretly to meet. Wandering about (Oberrans), her keeper sees them from the tiles, but he is played a trick (Ridiculis) upon, as though it were another person. Palajstrio, too, as well (Item) persuades the Captain to have his mistress dis- missed (Omissavi), since the wife of the old man (Senis), his neighbour, wishet to marry him. He begs that she will go away of her own accord (Ultro), and gives her many things. He, himself, caught in the house of the old man {Senis), receives punishment as an adulterer. ACT THE FIEST. Scene I. Enter Pyrgopoeenices1, Artotrogus, and Soldiers. Pyrg. Take ye care that the lustre of my shield is more 1 Pyrgopolinices) The literal meaning of the name of the swaggering Captaii. is " the much-conquering tower," or something similar. " Artotrogus" means " bread-eater." The word " Parasite" properly denotes " one person who dines with another." The name was originally given to persons who were assistants to the priests and high magistrates, and, consequently, had a respectable signifi- cation. The hangers-on, who are called u Parasites" by the Comic writers of Greece and Rome, first received that name from Alexis, the Greek Comedian. It nas been well remarked, that their chief characteristics were " importunity, love of sensual pleasures," and " the desire of getting a good dinner without paying for it." They may be subdivided into the jesting, the officious, and the flattering Pa- rasite (assentator), of which latter kind Artotrogus is an admirable specimen From ancient writers we find that it was their method to frequent the Courts of justice, market-places, baths, places for exercise, and other objects of public re- sort, with the view of obtaining a dinner, at the price of being the butt of their entertainer. and cheerfully submitting to the greatest humiliations. 70 MILES 01 ORIOSUS ; Act I bright than the rajs of the sun are wont to be at the time when the sky is clear ; that when occasion comes, the battle being joined, 'mid the fierce ranks right opposite it may dazzle the eyesight of the enemy. But, I wish to console this sabre of mine, that it may not lament nor be downcast in spirits, because I have thus long been wearing it keeping holiday, which so longs right dreadfully to make havoc of the enemy. But where is Artotrogus ? Arto. Here he is ; he stands close by the hero, valiant and successful, and of princely form. Mars could not dare to style himself a warrior so great, nor compare his prowess with yours. Pyrg. Him you mean whom I spared on the G-orgonido- nian1 plains, where Bumbomachides Clytomestoridysarchides, the grandson of Neptune, was the chief commander ? Arto. I remember him ; him, I suppose, you mean with the golden armour, whose legions you puffed away with your breath just as the wind blows away leaves or the reed-thatched roof. Ptrg. That, on my troth, was really nothing at all. Arto. Faith, that really was nothing at all in cqmpari- son with other things I could mention — (aside) which you never did. If any person ever beheld a more perjured fellow than this, or one more full of vain boasting, faith let him have me for himself, I'll resign myself for his slave ; if 'tis not the fact that2 my one mess of olive pottage3 is eaten up by me right ravenousiy. Ptrg. "Where are you ? Arto. Lo ! here am I. I' troth 1 Gorgonidoman) — Vor. 13. These three crackjaw names are coined by Plautus much in the style of the names of the characters in Bombastes Furioso. They are mere gibberish, though the two latter are derived from Greek or Latin words ; the first of which signifies " a son of a tighter at the sound of the trumpet.-' 2 'Tis not the fact that)—Ver. 24. This line is read m many different ways, and is evidently in a most corrupt state. Eitschel suggests, " Unum epityrum aput ilium estur insane bene," which we follow as nearly as is consistent with the English idiom. 3 Mess of olive pottage) — Ver 24. " Epityrum" was the name of a dish much used by the people of Sicily, who ate it together with cheese. We learn from Cato (on Rural Matters), that it was made of various kinds of olives mincod up, ami mixed with oil, vinegar, coriander, cummin, fennel, rue, and mint, and then pre- served in jars. Sc. 1. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 71 in what a fashion it was you broke the fore-leg1 of even an elephant, in India, with your fist. Pyrg. How ? — the fore-leg ? Arto. I meant to say this — the thigh. Pyrg. I struck the blow without an effort. Arto. Troth, if, indeed, you had put forth your strength^ your arm would have passed right through the hide, the entrails, and the frontispiece of the elephant. Pyrg. I don't care for these things just now. Arto. I' faith, 'tis really not worth the while for you to tell me of it, who know right well your prowess. (Aside.) 'Tis my appetite creates3 all these plagues. 1 must hear him right out with my ears, that my teeth mayn't have time3 to grow, and whatever lie he shall tell, to it I must agree. Pyrg. What was it I was saying ? Arto. 0, I know what you were going to say just now. I' faith 'twas bravely done ; I remember its being done. Pyrg. What was that ? Arto. Whatever it was you were going to say. Pyrg. Have you got your tablets4 ? Arto. Are you in- tending to enlist5 ? I have them, and a pen as well. 1 Thefore-leg) — Ver. 26. " Brachium" is supposed by some to mean " the trunk" of the elephant ; but it seems more probable that it here means " the fore-leg." 2 My appetite creates) — Ver. 33. He now addresses the Spectators, and honestly confesses why he is a Parasite. 3 Mayn't have time) — Ver. 34. " Dentes dentire" is that which we call " teething. ' He says that he acts the flatterer that his teeth may not have time to grow through want of employment. 4 Got your tablets) — Ver. 38. The " tabula?," or " tabella?," used by the ancienti for the purpose of writing, were pieces of wood, mostly of an oblong shape, covered with wax, on which an impression was made with the " stylus," or iron pen. They were sometimes made of ivory, but more frequently of citron-wood, beech, or fir The inside only of the tablet was covered with wax, the outer consisting of wood. The leaves were fastened at the back with wires, and opened and shut like the books of the present day. There was a raised margin to each leaf of the tablet, for the purpose of preventing the wax of the one from rubbing against the other. From two to five, six, or even more of these leaves were joined together, which were accordingly called " diptycha," " triptycha," and so on. Those tablets which contained legal documents were pierced through the outer edges with holes, through which a triple thread or string was passed, on which a seal was placed, in order to prevent forgery and to show that the deed was duly executed. s Intending to enlist) — Ver. 36. " Rogare." Soldiers, when enlisted, were asked (rogabantur) whether they would take the oath. Hence the word " rogare" means 72 MILES GLORIOSTTS ; Act 1. Pyrg. How cleverly you do suit your mind to my own mind. Arto. 'Tis fit that I should know your inclinations stu- diously, so that whatever you wish should first occur1 to me. Pyrg. What do you remember ? Arto. I do remember this. In Cilicia there were a hundred and fifty men, a hundred in Cryphiolathronia2, thirty at Sardis, sixty men of Macedon, whom you slaughtered altogether in one day. Pyrg. What is the sum total of those men ? A.rto. Seven thousand. Pyrg. It must be as much : you keep the reckoning well. Arto. Yet I have none of them written down ; still, so I re- member it was. Pyrg. By my troth, you have a right good memory. Arto. {aside). 'Tis the flesh-pots3 give it a fillip. Pyrg. So long as you shall do such as yon have done hitherto, you shall always have something to eat : I will always make you a partaker at my table. Arto. Besides, in Cappadocia, you would have killed five hundred men altogether at one blow, had not your sabre been blunt. Pyrg. I let them live, because I was quite sick of fighting. Arto. Why should I tell you what all mortals know, that you, Pyrgopolinices, live alone upon the earth, with valour, beauty, and achievements most unsurpassed ? All the women are in love with you, and that not without reason, since you are so handsome. Witness those girls that pulled me by my mantle yesterday. Pyrg. What was it they said to you? Arto. They questioned me about you. " Is Achilles here ?" says one to me. " No," says I, " his brother is." Then says the other to me : " By my troth, but he is a handsome something tantamount to our word " enlist," or " recruit." The Parasite asks him if he is going to enlist, as the tablets would be wanted in the " Forum," or " Court of justice," for tbe purpose of taking down the oaths, and entering the names as the parties were sworn. 1 Should first occur) — Ver. 41. "Prsevolat mihi." Literally, "should fly to me beforehand." 2 Cryphiolathronia) — Ver. 43. This word is mere gibberish : it is compounded of Greek words, which would make it to mean " the place of hidden secrecy." The part of the flatterer seems to be a little overdone here. 3 'Tis the Jlesh-pots) — Ver. 49. " Offae monent." " Offa" properly means "a lump of flesh," from which it came to signify " victuals" in general. SC. T. 1IIE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 73 and a noble man. See how his long hair becomes him. Certainly the women are lucky who share his favours." Ptrg. And pray, did they really say so ? Arto. They both entreated me to bring you past to-day by way of a sight1 to them. Ptrg. 'Tis really a very great plague to be too handsome a man. Arto. They are quite a nuisance to me ; they are praying, entreating, beseeching me, to let them see you ; bidding me be fetched to them ; so that I can't give my attention to your business. Pyrg. It seems that it is time for us to go to the Forum, that I may count out their pay to those soldiers whom I have enlisted of late. For King Seleucus^ entreated me with most earnest suit that I would raise and enlist recruits for him. To that business have I resolved to devote my attention this day. Arto. Come, let's be going then. Pyrg. Guards, follow me. {Exeunt. ACT THE SECOND. Scene I. THE PROLOGUE. Enter Pal^strio3. Pal. To tell the subject of this our play, I have all willingness, if you will but have the kindness to listen to it. But he who does not- wish to listen, let him arise and go out, that there may be room where he may sit who does wish to listen. Now I will disclose to you both the subject and the name of the play which we are just now about to act, and for 1 By way of a sight) — Ver. 67. " Psmpam." Strictly speaking, this word means M the escort of a procession," whence it came to signify the "procession" itself. 2 Seleucus) — Ver. 75. The King of that part of Asia Minor where Ephesus was situate. 3 Palcestrio) As the Prologue of the play commences with the Second Act, it may appear to be misplaced ; but it really is properly placed here, as the pre- ceding act is introductory, and has nothing to do with the plot, being void of inci- dent. Its purpose is to acquaint us with the character of the Captain, who is U be duped and punished in the piece according to his desert* 74 MILES GT.OKIOSUS ; Act. II. the sake of which you are now seated in this mirthful place1. " Alazon" is the name5, in Greek, of this Comedy ; the same we call in Latin, "the Braggart" (G-loriosus). This city is Ephesus ; then, the Captain, my master, who has gone oft hence to the Forum, a bragging, impudent, stinking fellow, brimful of lying and lasciviousness, says that all the women are following him of their own accord. Wherever he goes, he is the laughing-stock of all; and so, the Courtesans here — since they make wry mouths at him, you may see the greater part of them with lips all awry. I wish you now to know this, how I came to be his slave, from him to whom I was servant before ; for 'tis not long that I have been in slavery to him. Give your attention, for now I will begin the argument. A very worthy young man at Athens was my master. He was in love with a Courtesan, brought up at Athens, in Attica, and she on the other hand loved him ; such affection is most worthy to be cherished. In the public service, he was sent to Naupactus3 as Ambassador on behalf of that mighty republic. In the mean time, by chance, this Captain came to Athens. He introduced himself to this lady of my master, began to cajole her mother with presents of wine, trinkets, and costly treats ; and so the Captain made himself on intimate terms with the procuress. As soon as ever an opportunity was presented for this Captain, he tricked this procuress, the mother of the damsel, whom my master loved. For, unknown to her mother, he put the daughter on board ship, and carried this woman, against her will, hither ' to Ephesus. Soon as I knew that the lady of my master was carried off from Athens, as quickly as ever 1 was able, I procured for myself a ship : I embarked, that I might carry tidings of this matter to my master at Naupactum. "When we had got out to sea, some pirates, as they had hoped to do, took that ship on board of which I was ; thus I was undone before I reached my master, for whom I had commenced to proceed on my voyage. He that took me, gave me as a pre- 1 This mirthful place) — Ver. 83. He alludes to the theatres, where scenic re- presentations took place on public festivals. 2 Alazon is the name) — Ver. 86. 'AXa^W, " the boaster," he says, was the Greek name of the play. It is not known who was the Greek author from whors Plautus took this play, which is one of his best. 3 Naupactus)—Yer. 102. This was a city situate on the sea-coast of ^Etclb. iSc. 1. THE P.RAGGAET CAPTAIN". 75 sent to this same Captain. After he had taken me home to his own house, I saw there that favorite of my master who lived at Athens. When, on the other hand, she perceived me, she gave me a sign with her eyes not to address her by name. Afterwards, when there was an opportunity, the damsel com- plained to me of her hard fate. She said that she wished to escape to Athens from this house, that she was attached to him, that master of mine who lived at Athens, and that she had never hated any one more thoroughly than this same Captain. As I discovered the feelings of the damsel, I took tablets, sealed them in private, and gave them to a certain merchant to carry to him (my master, I mean, who was at Athens, and who had so loved her), in order that he might come hither. He did not slight the message, for he both is come, and is lodging here next door, with his host, a friend of his father's, a nice old man. He, too, gives every assistance to his guest in his amour, and encourages and seconds us with his help and his advice. Therefore, here (pointing to the Captain's house), in-doors, I have found a grand contrivance, by which to cause these lovers, each, to meet the other. For one room, which the Captain gave to his mistress for no one but herself to set foot in, in that same room I have dug a hole through the party- wall, in order that there may secretly be an ingress for the damsel from the one house to the other. And this I have done with the knowledge of the old gentleman ; 'twas he that gave the advice. But my fellow-servant, whom the Captain has given as a keeper to his mistress, is a person of no great worth. By clever contrivances and ingenious devices, we will throw dust1 in his eyes, and we will make him so as not to see what he really does see. And that you may not hereafter make mistakes, this damsel to-day, in this house and in that, will perform in turn a double part, and will be the same, but will pretend to be another, person. Thus will the keeper of the damsel be gulled. But there is a noise2 at the door here of . l We will throw dust) — Ver. 148. " Glaucomam objiciemus ;" literally, " we will throw a malady in his eyes." M Glaucoma" was a disease of the crys- talline humours of the eye. 2 There is a noise) — Ver. 154. The street doors of the ancients consisted of olding-doors, whence the plural form, " fores." These opened outward into the street, and not, like those of modern times, within. For this reason, when any person was coming out, it was customary for him to give warning by making a noise with his knuckles or a stick on the inside } 7G MILES GLOKTOSUS ; Act. Ill the old gentleman, our neighbour. 'Tis himself coming out ; 'tis he, the nice old man that I was speaking of. (He retires to a distance.) Sce^e II. Enter Periplecomenus from his house. Perip. (speaking to his servants within). Faith, if you don't in future smash his ankle-bones for any stranger that you see on ma tiles, I will cut you so with lashes as to make thongs of your sides. My neighbours, i' faith, are over- lookers of what is going on in my own house ; so often are they peeping down through the skylight1. And now, there- fore, I give you all notice, whatever person of this Captain's household you shall see upon our tiles, except Palaestrio only, push him headlong here into the street. Suppose he says that he is following some hen, or pigeon, or monkey ; woe be to you. if you don't badly maul the fellow even to death. And so, that they may commit no infringement against the laws of dice2. 1 Through the skylight) — Ver. 159. The " atrium," or middle hall, of the houses of the Romans was a large apartment, roofed over, with the exception of an opening in the centre, which was called " impluvium," or " compluvium," towards which the roof sloped, so as to throw the rain-water down through pipes into a cistern below. Vitruvius says that the " impluvium" was from a fourth to a third of the size of the " atrium," or hall below. It was probably glazed, and thus would form a sort of sloping skylight. In the present instance, it would seem to have overlooked the upper chamber, into which Philocomasium passed through the wall of the next house, to meet Pleusicles. 2 The laws of dice) — Ver. 164. Commentators are much divided as to what is the meaning here of " lex alearia," or, as some editions have it " lex talaria.'" Some suppose that it simply means " the rules of the game with the ' tali,' or 1 dice ;' " while others think that Plautus alludes to some recent enactment at Rome against games of chance. Such laws were repeatedly promulgated, but im- mediately became a mere dead letter. " Talus" means either a person's "ankle- bone," or the " knuckle-bone" of an animal, which latter was marked with numbers on four sides, and used by the Greeks and Romans in sets of four for the purpose of dice. The old man puns on the two meanings, and says, " I'll take care that your ' tali ' (or ankle-bones) are broken, so that" (if we adopt the first meaning) " you shall not cheat at dice in future," or (if we take the second interpretation) 'you shall not have an opportunity of infringing the public laws." " Simia," which is translated '; monkey," is, strictly speaking, " a ahe-ape;" probably a pre- sent from the Captain to Philocomasium. 8c. 11. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 77 do you take good care that they keep holiday at home with- out any ankle-bones at all. Pal. (aside). Something amiss, — what, I know not, has been done him by our family so far as I can hear, inasmuch as the old man has ordered the ankles of my fellow-servants to be broken. But he has excepted me ; nothing care I what he does to the rest of them. I'll accost the old man. (Advances.) Perip. The person that is coming this way, is he coming towards me ? He comes as if he was coming to me. Pal. How do you do, Periplecomenus ? Perip. There are not many men, if I were to wish, whom a would rather now see and meet with than yourself. Pal. What's the matter? "What disturbance have you with our family? Perip. We are done for. Pal. What's the matter? Perip. The thing's discovered. Pal. What thing's dis- covered? Perip. Some one just now of your household was looking in from the tiles through our skylight at Philocomasium and my guest as they were toying together. Pal. What person saw it ? Perip. Your fellow-servant. Pal. Which person was it ? Perip. I don't know ; he took himself off so suddenly — in an instant. Pal. I suspect I'm ruined. Perip. When he went away, I cried: "Hallo! you sir!" said I, "what are you doing upon the tiles ?" As he went away he replied to me in these terms, that he was following a strayed monkey. Pal. Woe to wretched me ! that I must be ruined for a worth- less beast. But is Philocomasium there with you even still ? Perip. When I came out, she was there. Pal. If she is, then bid her return to our house as soon as ever she can, that the servants may see that she is at home ; unless, indeed, she wishes that we, who are slaves, her fellow- slaves1, should all be given up together to tortures by the cross on account of her courting. 1 Her fellow-slaves) — Ver. 184. He seems to use the word " contubemales," " comrades," or " fellow-slaves," as applying to the relation between Philocoma- sium and the other slaves in the house ; since, falling into the hands of the Captain, she had become reduced to the condition of a slave. The cross was the instrumenl 78 MILES GLORTOSUS ; Act. II Perip. I bade her do so ; unless you would aught else. Pal. I would. Tell her this : that, by my troth, she must not hesitate at all to bring in play her skill and cleverness. Perip. In what way ? Pal. That by her words she may persuade him who saw her here at your house, that he did not see her. Should he accuse her, on the other hand let her convince him with her oath. Even though she were seen a hundred times over, still let her deny it. {Aside.) For, if she is at all inclined to ill, a woman never goes begging1 to the gardener for material, she has a garden at home and a stock of her oton for all mischievous contrivances ; at home she has impudence2, a lying tongue, perfidiousness, malice, and boldness, self-conceit, assurance, and deceitfulness, — at home she has wiles, — at home captivating contrivances, — stratagems at home. Pebip. I'll tell her this, if she shall be in-doors here {point- ing to his Jz9use). But what is it, Palaestrio, that you are considering with yourself in your mind? Pal. Be silent a moment, while I am calling a council in my mind, and while I am considering what I am to do, what plan I must contrive, on the other hand, as a match for my crafty fellow- servant, who has seen her billing here in your house ; so that what was seen may not have been seen. Perip. Do contrive one ; in the meantime, I'll retire hence to a distance from you, to this spot. {He retires to a distance.) Look at him, please {to the Audience), revolving his cares with brow severe, how he stands. He strikes his breast with his of a punishment among the Romans, which was especially inflicted upon slaves. It was usually in shape like the let er T or X, but there were various other forms of it. The condemned carried his own cross, and, being first stripped, was either nailed or bound to it, and in the latter ase was generally left to die of hunger. It must be remembered that in the time of the Roman Republic the laws did not protect the person or life of the slaves, who were sometimes very barbarously treated. 1 Never goes begging) — Ver. 1 0. He uses a rather out-of-the-way simile here ; he means, to say, " a woman npver needs to go to a gardener's, who has a garden of her own, with a most plentiful stock of artfulness," &c. Some Com- mentators fancy that he means literally to say that women have always at hand plenty of poisonous plants for the purposes of mischief, and that they need not the assistance of the gardener or nurseryman when they wish to carry out their designs. Such an interpretafcji jesmj, however, to be very far-fetched. 8 Impudence) — Ver. 192. '• Os;'' literally," " face; similar to a common express kou in use with us. Sc. II. THE P.KAGGAET CAPTAIN. 79 fingers ; I fancy he's about to call his heart outride. See} he shifts his posture ; again he places his left hand upon his left thigh. His right hand is reckoning clown his plans upon his fingers; in despair he strikes his thigh. His right hand is moving rapidly1 ; with difficulty does it suggest what he is to do. He snapshis fingers now; he's striving hard; full oft he changes his position. But see how he shakes his head; it pleases him not what he has hit upon. Whatever it is, nothing crude will he bring forth, something well-digested will he pro- duce. But see, he is building ; he has placed his hand as a pillar3 beneath his chin. Have done with it ! in truth, this mode of building pleases me not ; for I have heard say that the head of a foreign Poet3 is wont to be supported thus, over whom two guards are ever at all hours keeping wratch. Bravo ! how becomingly he stands, — i' faith, how like a very slave4, and how faithful to his part. Never, this day,wrill he rest, before he has completed that which he is in search of. He has it, I suspect. Come — to the business you're about : keep wide awake, think not of sleep ; unless, indeed, you wish to be keeping your watch here all checquered o'er with stripes. "lis I, that am talking to you ; schemer, don't you know that I am speaking to you? Palaestrio ! awake, I say; arouse yourself, I say ; 'tis daylight now, I say. Pal. I hear you. Perip. Don't you see that the enemy 1 Is moving rapidly) — Ver. 201 " Mico" strictly means, " to have a tremulous motion imparted." " Micare digitis" properly meant " to play at a game called ' mora,' " in which two persons suddenly raised or compressed the fingers, and at the same moment each guessed the number of the other. The expression also means, " to determine anything by suddenly raising the fingers," as who is to do or to have anything. 2 As a pillar) — Ver. 209. He means that Palaestrio looks up in thought, while his clenched hand is placed, as though it were a pillar, beneath his chin. 3 Qf a foreign Poet) — Ver. 211. " Barbaro." The speaker being supposed to be a Greek, and a native' of Ionia, he would speak of a Roman as being " barbarus." It is generally supposed that Plautus here refers to the Roman poet Naevius, who had a habit of using this posture, and was, as is thought, at that moment in prison for having offended, in one of his Comedies, the family of the Metelli. He was afterwards liberated on having apologised in his plays called itariolus (the Wizard) and Leo (the Lion). Periplecomenus thinks that this posture bodes no good, and is ominous of an evil result. 4 Like a very slave)— Ver. 213. He says that the actor is well representing Uu character of the slave. The actors themselves, as already remarked, were gene- rally slaves in the earlier times of the Republic. SO MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act. II. is upon you, and that siege is being laid to yourjjack ? Take counsel, then ; obtain aid and assistance in this matter ; the hastily, not the leisurely, is befitting here. Get the start of them in some way, and in some direction this moment lead around your troops. Close round the enemy in siege ; pre- pare the convoy for our side. Cut off the enemy's provision, secure yourself a passage, by which supplies and provision may be enabled in safety to reach yourself and your forces. Look to this business ; the emergency is sudden. Invent — contrive — this instant give us some clever plan ; so that that which has been seen here within, may not have been seen ; that which has been done, may not have been done. There, my man, you undertake a great enterprise ; lofty the defences . which you erect. If you yourself alone but say you under- take this, I have a certainty that we are able to rout our foes. Pal. I do say so, and I do undertake it. Perip. And I do pronounce that you shall obtain that which you desire. Pal. May Jupiter kindly bless you then ! Perip. But, friend, do you impart to me the 'plan which you have devised. Pal. Be silent, then, while I am inducting you in the direction of my devices ; that you may know as well as my own self my plans. Perip. The same you shall receive safe from the same spot where you have deposited them. Pal. My master is surrounded with the hide of an elephant, not his own, and has no more wisdom than a stone. Perip. I myself know the same thing. Pal. Now, thus I would begin upon my plan ; this con- trivance I shall act upon. I shall say that her other own twin-sister has come here from Athens, with a certain per- son, her lover, to Philocomasium, as like to her as milk is to milk. I shall say that they are lodged and entertained here in your house. Perip. Bravo ! bravo ! cleverly thought of. I approve of your device. Pal. So that, if my fellow-servant should accuse her be- fore the Captain, and say that ho has seen her here at your house, toying with another man, I shall assert, on the other Sc. II. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 81 hand, that my fellow-servant has seen the other one, the sister, at your house, fondling and toying with her own lover. Peeip. Aye, most excellent. I'll say the same, if the Captain shall inquire of me. Pal. But do you say that they are extremely alike ; and this must be imparted in time to Philocomasium, in order that she may know ; that she mayn't be tripping if the Captain should question her. Peeip. A very clever contrivance. But if the Captain should wish to see them both in company together, what shall we do then ? Pal. That's easy enough. Three hundred excuses may be picked up — she is not at home ; she has gone out walk- ing ; she is asleep ; she is dressing ; she is bathing ; she is at breakfast1 ; she is taking dessert2 ; she is engaged ; she is enjoying her rest8 ; in fact, she can't come. There are as many of these put-offs as you like, if I can only persuade him at the very outset to believe that to.be true which shall be contrived. Peeip. I like what you say. Pal. Go in-doors then ; and if the damsel's there, bid her return home directly, and instruct and tutor her thoroughly in this plan, that she may under- stand our scheme, as we have begun it, about the twin-sister. Peeip. I'll have her right cleverly tutor'd for you. Is there anything else ? Pal. Only, be off in-doors. Peeip. I'm off. . {Exit. 1 Is at breakfast) — Ver. 252. Among the Romans some began the day with the " jentaculum," which, however, was in general confined to sick persons, the very luxurious, or the labouring classes. From Martial we learn that it was taken about four in the morning, and it can, therefore, hardly have corresponded witli our breakfast. Bread, with cheese or dried fruit, was used at this meal. The " prandium," which is here translated " breakfast," is supposed to have been a hasty meal, and to have been taken from twelve to one o'clock in the day. Sometimes it was of simple character, while occasionally fish, fruit, and wine formed part of the repast, in which latter case it would almost correspond with the lun- cheon of modern times. - She is taking dessert) — Ver. 252. It was the custom of the Romans, after the second course of the " ccena" or " dinner" was taken away, to have wine on the table, and to prolong the evening with conversation ; perhaps this period is here referred to as furnishing one of the excuses to be made. 3 Is enjoying her rest)— Ver. 252. " Operse non est" usually signifies "she is not at leisure," i.e., " she is busy ;" but here it is thought to mean the reverse, " she is not at work," " she is taking her ease," and consequently cannot be disturbed. O 82 MILES OLOEIOSTTS ; Act. II. Scene III. Pal-estrio alone. Pal. And I'll go home, too ; and I'll conceal the fact that I am giving her my aid in seeking out the man, which fellow-servant of mine it was, that to-day was following the monkey. For it cannot be but in his conversation he must have made some one of the household acquainted about the lady of his master, how that he himself has seen her next door here toying with some stranger spark. I know the habit myself; " I can't hold my tongue on that which I know alone." If I find out the person who saw it, I'll plant against him all my mantelets1 and covered works. The material is prepared ; 'tis a sure matter that I must take this person by force, and by thus besieging him. If so I don't find the man, just like a 'hound I'll go smelling about, even until I shall have traced out the fox by his track. But our door makes a noise : I'll lower my voice ; for here is the keeper of Philocomasium, my fellow-servant, coming out of doors. {Stands aside.) Scene IV. Enter ScELEDBUsyrow the Captain's house. Scel. Unless, in fact, I have been walking this day in my sleep upon the tiles, i' faith, I know for sure that I have seen here, at our neighbour's next door, Philocoma- sium, the lady of my master, on the high road2 to mischief to herself. Pal. {aside). 'Twas he that saw her billing, so far as I have heard him say. Scel. "Who's that? Pal. Tour fellow-servant. How are you, Sceledrus ? 1 My mantelets) — Ver. 266. " Vinea" was a contrivance used in warfare, made of timber covered with raw hides to prevent its being burnt, under which the assail- ants were sheltered in their attempts to scale the walls of a fortification. It probably answered very nearly to what is called a u mantelet," in the language of fortification. " Pluteus" was a similar engine, in the form of a turret, and moving on wheels. - On the high road) — Ver. 274. " Sibi tnalam rem quwrjit.1 Literally, " a seeking a bad job for herself." Sc. IT. T1IE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 83 Scel. I am glad that I have met you, Palaestrio. Pal. What now ? Or what's the matter ? Let me know. Scel. I'm afraid. Pal. What are you afraid of ? Scel. By my troth, lest, this day, as many domestics a? there are of us here, we shall jump into a most woful punish- ment by way of torture. Pal. Jump you alone, please ; for I don't at all like this jumping in1 and jumping out. Scel. Perhaps you don't know what new mischance has happened at home ? Pal. What mischance is this ? Scel. A disgraceful one. Pal. Do you then keep it to yourself alone : don't tell it me ; I don't want to know it. Scel. But I won't let you not know it. To-day I was fol- lowing our monkey upon the tiles, next door there. {Points to the house.) Pal. By my troth, Sceledrus, a worthless fellow, you were following a worthless beast. Scel. The Gods confound you ! Pal. That befits your- self, since you began the conversation. Scel. By chance, as it happened, I looked down there through the skylight, into the next house ; and there I saw Philocomasium toying with some strange young man, I know not whom. Pal. What scandalous thing is this I hear of you, Sce- ledrus ? Scel. I' faith, I did see her, beyond a doubt. Pal. What, yourself? Scel. Yes, I myself, with these eyes of mine. Pal. Get away, it isn't likely what you say, nor did you see her. Scel. Do I, then, appear to you as if I were purblind ? Pal. 'Twere better for you to ask the doctor about that. But, indeed, if the Gods only love you, don't you rashly father this2 idle story. Nov? are you breeding thence a fatal dilemma for your legs and head ; for, in two ways, the cause This jumping in) — Ver. 280. Some critics think that there is snme hidden meaning or allusion in the words " insulturam" and " desulturam." That hardly seems to be the case, for Palasstrio might naturally say in return to the warning tf the other, " I like neither your jumping in nor your jumping out." » Rashly father this)— Ver. 293. " Tollas fabulam." This metaphor is borrowed Q'2 84 miles gloeiosus ; Act. II. is contrived for you to be ruined, unless you put a check upon your foolish chattering. Scel. But how, two ways? Pal. I'll tell you. First then, if you falsely accuse Philocomasium, by that you are undone ; in the next place, if it is true, having been ap- pointed her keeper, there you are undone. Scel. What may happen to me, I know not ; I know for certain that I did see this. Pal. Do you persist in it, unfortunate wretcli ? Scel. What would you have me say to you, but that I did see her ? Moreover, she is in there, next door, at this very moment. Pal. What ! Isn't she at home ? Scel. Go and see. Go in-doors yourself; for I don't ask now for any confidence to be put in me. Pal. I'm determined to do so. Scel. I'll wait here for you. (Pal^steio goes into the Captain's house.) Scene V. Sceledrus, alone. Scel. In this direction will I be on the watch for her, how soon the heifer may betake herself from the pasture this war towards her stall. What now shall I do ? The Captain gave me to her as her keeper. Now, if I make a discovery] I'm undone ; if I am silent, still I am undone, if this should be discovered. What is there more abandoned or more daring than a woman ? While I was upon the tiles, this woman betook herself out of doors from her dwelling. By my troth, 'twas a brazen act she did. If, now, the Captain were to know of this, i' faith, I believe he would pull down the whole entire house next door, and me he would send to the gibbet1. Whatever comes of it, i' faith, I'll hold my tongue rather than come to a bad end. I cannot keep effectual quard on a woman that puts herself up for sale. rr^, ine custom among the Romans of laying the new-born child upon the ground uuon which it was taken up (tollebatur) by the father, or other person who ia« funded to stand in the place of parent to it. « To the gibbet)— Ver. 310. "Crucem." Literally, "cross." THE BItAGGAET CAPTAIN". 85 Scene VI. llnter Pal^stbio from the Captain's house. Pal. Sceledrus, Sceledrus, what one man is there on earth more impudent than yourself? Who more fhan your- self has been born with the Deities hostile and enraged ? Scel. What's the matter? Pal. Do you want those eyes of yours gouged out, with which you see what never existed ? Scel. How, what never existed ? Pal. I would not buy your life at the price of a rotten nut. Scel. Why, what's the matter? Pal. What's the mat- ter, do you ask ? Scel. And why shouldn't I ask ? Pal. Why don't you beg for that tongue of yours to be cut out, that prates so at random ? Scel. Why should I beg for that ? Pal. Why, Philocomasium is there at home, she whom you were saying that you had seen next door kissing and toying with another man. Scel. 'Tis a wonder that you are in the habit of feeding on darnel1, with wheat at so low a price. Pal. Why so ? Scel. Because you are so dim of sight. Pal. You gallows-bird, 'tis you, indeed, that are blind, with a vengeance, and not dim of sight ; for, sure enough, there she is at home. Scel. How ? At home ? Pal. At home, i' faith, un- doubtedly. Scel. Be off with you ; you are playing with me, Pakestrio Pal. My hands are dirty, then. Scel. How so ? Pal. Because I am playing with dirt. Scel. A mischief on your head. Pal. Nay rather, Sce- ledrus, it shall be on yours, I promise you, unless you 1 Feeding on darnel)— Ver. 321. Hemeans to say that his sight must have failed Dim, and, by way of accounting for it, that he must have lived on tread made of darnel. This grain was supposed not only to cause the person eating to appear as it intoxicated, but very seriously to affect the eyesight. Ovid says in the Fasti, B. 1., I. 691, " Let the fields, also, be clear of darnel that weakens the eye3." 80 MILES GLORTOSIJS ; Act. II. change for fresh your eyes and your talk. But our door made a noise. Scel. Well, I shall watch here out of doors ; for there is no way by which she can pass hence in-doors, except through the front door. Pal. Eut there she is, at home. I don't know, Sceledrus, what mischief is possessing you ? Scel. I see for my own self, I judge for my own self, I have especial faith in my own self: no man shall frighten me out of it, but that she is in that house. (Points to the house of Periplecomenus.) Here I'll take my stand, that she may not steal out home without my knowledge. Pal. {aside). This fellow is in my hands ; now will I drive him from his strong hold. (To Sceledrus.) Do you wish me now to make you own that you don't see correctly ? Scel. Come, do it then. Pal. And that you neither think aright in your mind, nor yet make use of your eyes ? Scel. I'd have you do it. Pal. Do you say, then, that the lady of your master is there in that house ? Scel. I assert, as well, that I saw her here in this house (points to the house of Periplecomenus), toying with a strange man. Pal. Don't you know that there is no communication between our house here and that one ? Scel. I know it. Pal. Neither by the terrace1, nor by the garden, only through the skylight ? Scel. I know it. Pal. What then, if she is now at home ? If I shall make her, so as you may see her, come out hence from our house, are you not deserving of many a lashing ? Scel. I am so deserving. Pal. Watch that door, then, that she may not privily betake herself out thence without vour knowledge and pass here into our house. Scel. 'Tis my intention to do so. Pal. Upon her feet2 will I place her this moment here before you in the street. Scel. Come, then, and do so. (Pal^strio goes into the Captain's house.) 1 By the terrace) — Ver. 340. " Solarium" was either a balcony or terrace before a house, or on the top of it, which was exposed to the sun. People walked there in the cool of the evening. It was from a " solarium" that David first saw Batb- sheba. 2 Upon her feet)— -Ver. 344. Lindemann thinks that " pede" here means "upon Sc. Vlll. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 87 Scene VII. SCELEDRUS alone. Scel. I wish to know, whether I did see that which I did see, or whether he can do that which he says he can do — make her to be at home. For, really, I have eyes of mv own, and I don't ask to borrow them out of doors. But this fellow is for ever fawning about her ; he is always near her; he is called first to meat, his mess is given1 to him first. For this fellow has been, perhaps, about three years with us ; nor fares it better with any other servant in our family than with him. But it is necessary for me to mind what I am about ; to keep my eye upon this door. If I take my station here, this way, i' faith, I warrant they will never impose on me. Scene VIII. Enter Pal^strio and Philocomasitjm from the Captain's house. Pal. (speaking to her in a low voice as he enters) . Be sure to remember my instructions. Phil, (aside). It's strange you should so often remind me. Pal. (aside). But I fear you may not prove cunning enough. Phil, (aside). Give me even ten scholars, though far from artful, I could instruct them so as to prove artful ; in me alone is there a superabundance of artfulness : come, then, now put your plans in force ; I'll step aside here. (Steps aside.) Pal. What have you to say, Sceledrus ? Scel. (not lifting up his eyes). I'm about this business of mine : I have got ears, say what you please. her feet ;" as much as to say, " I'll bring her to you on her feet and not standing on her head." The true meaning of the passage seems to be, " I'll bring her to you standing upon ' terra firma,' and not flying with wings, as you seem to expect." 1 His mess is given) — Ver. 349. The " pulmentum," or food of the slaves, usually consisted of salt, fish, oil, vinegar, and the olives that were windfalls. This food received its name from being eaten with a kind of porridge made from meal m pulse, which was generally eaten before bread was used, and prcbably continue oe the food of the slaves. 88 MILES GLOIUOSUS ; Act. II. Pal. I think that in that self-same position1 you will have to die outside the gates, when, with hands outstretched, you will be carrying your cross. Scel. For what reason so ? Pal. Just look on your left hand ; who is that lady ? Scel. {looking). O ye immortal Gods, it really is the lady of my master ! Pal. I' faith, so she seems to me as well. Do then, now, since so you would have it Scel. Do what ? Pal. Die this very instant. Phil, (advancing). Where is this faithful servant, who has falsely accused me in my innocence of this most heinous crime ? Pal. See, here he is ; 'tis he that told it me, — assuredly 'twas he. Phil. Villain, did you say that you had seen roe next door here kissing ? Pal. Besides, he said it was with some strange young man. Scel. I' faith, I did say so, undoubtedly. Phil. You, saw me ? Scel. Tes, with these self-same eyes. Phil. I fancy you will lose those eyes, which see more than what they really do see. Scel. By my faith, I shall never be intimidated from having seen what I really did see. Phil. In my foolishness I am delaying too long in parley- ing with this madman, whom, by the powers, I'll punish with death. Scel. Forbear to threaten me : I know that the cross will prove my tomb ; there are laid my forefathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather. 'Tis not in possibility, however, for these eyes of mine to be dug out3 by your threats. But I want a few words with you ; prithee, Palsestrio, whence came she hither ? 1 In that selfsame position) — Ver. 359. Sceledrus is standing before the door with both arms stretched out that Philoeomasium may not come out without his know- ing. Palasstrio tells him, that when he comes to be fastened en the cross for his negligence, he will have to assume that attitude. The gate here alluded to is sup- posed to have been the Esquiline, or Metian gate at Rome, a place near which was devoted to the punishment of slaves. Athens and other Greek cities had ' the gate of Charon," through, which malefactors passed to punishment. 2 To be dug out) — Ver. 374. That is, M you cannot make me not to have seen what I really did see." Sc. VIII. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 89 Pal. Whence but from our house ? Scel. From our house ? Pal. Do you credit me1? Scel. I do credit you: but 'tis a thing to be wondered at, how she has been able to re- turn from that house to ours. For, beyond a doubt, we have neither a terrace to our house, nor any garden, nor any window but what is latticed2. (To Philocomasium.) But, undoubtedly, I did see you in the house next door. Pal. Do you persist, you rascal, in pretending to accuse her? Phil. In good sooth, then, the dream has not turned out untrue, that I dreamed last night. Pal. What did you dream ? Phil. I'll tell you ; but, I pray you, give attention. Last night, in my sleep, my twin- sister seemed to have come from Athens to Ephesus with a certain person, her lover. Both of them seemed to me to be having their lodgings here next door. Pal. (to the Audience). The dream that's being related is Palgestrio's — pray, go on. Phil. I seemed to be delighted because my sister had come, and on her account I seemed to be incurring a most grievous suspicion. For, in my sleep, my own servant seemed to accuse me, as you are now doing, of being caressed by a strange young man, whereas it was that own twin-sister of mine, who had been toying with her own friend. Thus did I dream that I was wrongfully accused of a crime. Pal. And isn't just the same thing befalling you when awake, that you speak of as seen in your sleep ? Capital ; i' faith, the dream is verified: go in-doors, and pray3. I should recommend that this be told to the Captain. 1 Do you credit me) — Ver. 364. "Viden?" Literally, "do you look at me?" The Romans, when they wished to impress any one with the belief that they were speaking seriously and in good faith, used this phrase, or " vide me," " look at me now." Our expression, "do you look me in the face and say so?" is somewhat similar. 2 But what is latticed) — Ver. 379. The " clathri" were a kind of lattice or treLjs- work, which, as well as network, was sometimes placed before windows to prevent nerpents and other noxious reptiles from getting in. 3 A.-, dp-ray)— Ver. 394. After any ill-omened dream, it was the custom to offer corn and frankincense to Jupiter Prodigialis, " the disposer of prodigies," and othei of the Deities, in order that evil might be averted. 90 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act II Phil. I am resolved to do so ; nor, in fact, will I allow myself, with impunity, to be accused of disgraceful conduct, (Goes into the Captain's house.) Scene IX. SCELEDEUS, PAL2ESTRIO. Scel. I fear for the thing I have done ; my back does so tingle all over. Pal. Are you not aware that you are done for ? Scel. Now, indeed, I'm sure she is at home ; I am now resolved to watch our door, wheresoever she may be. {Places himself at the door.) Pal. But, prithee, Sceledrus, how very like the dream she dreamt to what has happened ; and how you really did believe that you had seen her kissing. * * * * # Scel. And do you suppose that I didn't see her ? Pal. I' faith, I verily believe you'll come to your senses when 'tis too late. If this matter should only reach our master, you certainly are undone. Scel. Now, at length, I find out that there was a mist placed before my eyes. Pal. I' faith, that really has been plain for some time now ; as she was here in-doors all the while. Scel. Not a word of certainty have I to utter ; I did not see her, although I did see her. Pal. By my troth, through this folly of yours you certainly have nearly ruined us ; while you have wished to prove yourself faithful to your master, you have been almost undone. But the door of our next neighbour makes a noise ; I'll be silent. Scene X. Enter Phllocomasium1, dressed in another habit, from the house o/Periplecomenus. Phil, (to a servant Servant). Put fire on the altar, that 1 Phllocomasium) Sceledrus having been duly prepared, Philocomasium ap- pears as her twin-sister, who is supposed to have come the day before from Athen* to Ephesus, and gives directions about returning thanks for having landed in safety. As the circumstance of the communication between the houses is known to the Audience, and is not suspected by Sceledrus, his embarrassment is highty diverting, and very cleverly depicted. Sc. X. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIK. 01 in my joy I may return praises and thanks to Diana oi Ephesus, and that I may send up for her a grateful smoke with odours of Arabia: she who has preserved me in tho realms of Neptune and amid the boisterous temples1, where with raging billows I have been so recently dismayed. Scel. (discovering her). Palsestrio ! O Palaestrio ! Pal. Sceledrus ! 0 Sceledrus ! What is it you want ? Scel. This lady that has come out of that house just now ■ — is she Philocomasium, our master's lady, or is she not ? Pal. I' faith, I think, it seems to be she. But 'tis a wondrous thing how she could pass from our house to next door ; if, indeed, it is she. Scel. And have you any doubt that this is she ? Pal. It seems to be she. Scel. Let us approach her, and accost her. Hallo ! how's this, Philocomasium ? What is there owing to you in that house ? What is your business there ? Why are you silent now ? I am speaking to you. Pal. No, faith, you are talking to yourself; for nothing at all does she answer. Scel. I am addressing you, woman, brimful of viciousness and disgrace, who are roaming about among your neighbours. Phil. To whom are you talking ? Scel. To whom but to yourself? Phil. What person are you ? Or what business have you with me ? Scel. O, you ask me who I am, do you ? Phil. Why shouldn't I ask that which I don't know ? Pal. Who am I, then, if you don't know him ? Phil. Tou are an annoyance to me, whoever you are, both you and he. Scel. What? don't you know us ? Phil. No, neither of you. Scel. I very much fear Pal. What do you fear ? Scel. Why, that we have lost ourselves somewhere or other ; for she says that she knows neither you nor me. Pal. I wish, Sceledrus, to examine into this, whether we are ourselves, or else some other persons ; lest secretly some- how some one of our neighbours may have transformed us without our knowing it. 1 Boisterous temples) — Ver. 413. In the language of the Poets, Neptune and th« inferior Sea Divinities are supposed to have their temples and abodes in the so* *nd rivers. 92 MILES GLOEIOSUS ; Act II. Scel. For my part, beyond a doubt, I am my own self. Pal. I' faith, and so am I. Scel. My lady, you are seeking your destruction. To you I am speaking ; hark you, Philocomasium ! Phil. What craziness possesses you, to be calling me wrongly by a crackjaw name1 ? Scel. How now ! What are you called, then ? Phil. My name is Glycera. Scel. For a bad purpose, Philocomasium, you wish to have a wrong name. Away with you, shocking woman ; for most notably are you doing a wrong to my master. Phil. I ? Scel. Yes, you. Phil. I, who arrived from Athens yesterday evening at Ephesus, with my lover, a young man of Athens ? Scel. Tell me, what business have you here in Ephesus ? Phil. I had heard that my own twin-sister is here in Ephesus ; I came here to look for her. Scel. You're a good-for-nothing woman. Phil. Yes, i' faith, I am a very foolish one to be parleying with you fellows. I am going. Scel. I won't let you go. (Catches hold of her.) Phil. Let me go. Scel. You are discovered in the fact. I won't let you go. Phil. But my hands shall just now sound again against your cheek, if you don't let me go. Scel. (to Pal^strio). Why the plague are you standing idle ? Why don't you hold her on the other side ? Pal. I don't choose to bring the business down upon my back. How do I know but that this is not Philocomasium, but is some other female that resembles her ? Phil. Will you let me go, or will you not let me go ? Scel. No ; by force and against your will, in spite of you, I'll drag you home, unless you'll go of your own accord. Phil, ('pointing to the Aow^o/'Periplecomenus). This is my lodging here abroad2, at Athens is my home. 1 Crackjaw name) — Ver. 434. " Perplexo nomine." The Commentators seem to think that this means no more than " by my wrong name." The word " per- plexo" seems, however, to refer to the extreme length of the name, as well as the fact that it does not belong to her. 2 Lodging here abroad) — Ver. 450. " Hosticum domicilium," " my lodging when abroad." " Hostis" originally meant merely " a foreigner;" whereas its later sig- nification was " an enemy." &_\ XII. TIIE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 93 Scel. But jour master lives here (pointing to the Cap- tain's house). Phil. I have nothing to do with that house, nor do I know or understand yourselves what persons you are. Scel. Proceed against me1 at law. I'll never let you go, until you give me your solemn word that you will go in- doors here (pointing to the Captain's house) if I let go ol you. Phil. You are compelling me by force, whoever you are. I gi re you my word, that if you let go of me, I will go into that house where you bid me. Scel. Then, now I let go of you. Phil. And, as I'm let go, I'll go in here. (Buns into the house of Peeipleco menus.) Scene XI. SCELEDEUS, PaL^STEIO. Scel. She has acted with a woman's honour. Pal. Sceledrus, you've lost the prey through your hands ; as sure as possible she is the lady of our master. Do you intend to act in this matter with spirit ? Scel. How am I to act ? Pal. Bring me a sword out hero from in-doors. Scel. "What will you do with it ? Pal. I'll break right into the house2 ; and whatever man I see in-doors there caressing Philocomasium, I'll behead him on the spot. Scel. And do you think that it was she ? Pal. I' faith, it was she, sure enough. Scel. But how she did dissemble. Pal. Go, bring me a sword out here. Scel. I'll have it here thismoment. (Goes into the Cap- tain's house.) Scene XII. Paljesteio alone. Pal. Beyond a doubt, neither any horse nor foot has so 1 Proceed against me) — Ver. 453. " Lege agito." " Lege agere" was a technical expression, meaning " to bring an action," or " to sue a person at law." It is said to have been the formal expression in commencing an action or suit. 2 Into the home)— Vet. 460. The mock rage of Palaestrio herd is admirablj drawn. 94 MILES gloeiostjs ; Act IL great a degree of boldness in carrying out anything with as much confidence as some women. How cleverly and how skilfully she performed her part in both her characters! — how her wary keeper, my fellow-servant, is being gulled ! 'Tis most fortunate that the passage communicates through the party-wall. Scene XIII. Enter ScELEDBUs/hm the Captain's house. Scel. Hallo ! Palaestrio, there's no occasion for the sword. Pal. How so ? — or what's the matter now? Scel. Our master's lady is there, at home. Pal. "What ? At home ? Scel. She's lying on the sofa. Pal. Faith, but you've certainly brought on yourself a disagreable affair, according to what you report. Scel. How so? Pal. Inasmuch as you have dared ta touch that lady next door here. Scel. I' faith, I fear it much. But no one shall ever make her to be any other than her own twin-sister. Pal. 'Twas she, in troth, that you saw toying : and, in fact, 'tis plain that it is she, as you remark. Scel. What was there more likely than that I should have been undone, if I had spoken of it to my master. Pal. Then, if you're wise, you'll hold your tongue. It befits a servant to know of more than he speaks. I'm going to leave you, that I may not at all participate in your de- signs. And I shall go to our neighbour here ; these turmoil? of yours don't please me. My master, if he comes, should he inquire for me, I shall be there ; send forme next door. {Goes into the house o/Periplecohenus.) Scene XIV. Sceledrus, alone. Scel. Well, he's off; nor cares he any more for his master's business than if he were not in his service. For sure she really is now here in-doors in the house, for I myself found her just now lying down in our house. I am resolved now to employ myself in watching. (Places himself against the Captain's door.) Sc. XV. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIW. 95 Scene XV. Enter Peeiplecomenus from his house. Peeip. Faith, but these men here, these servants of my neighbour the Captain, take me not to be a man, but a woman, so much do they trifle with me. My lady guest, who came here yesterday from Athens with the gentleman, my guest, ia she to be mauled about and made fun of here in the street — a lady, free-born and free ? Scel. (aside). By my troth, I'm undone. He's coming in a straight line up towards me. I fear that this matter may cause me great trouble, so far as I have heard this old gentleman speak. Peeip. I'll up to this fellow. Was it you, Sceledrus, source of mischief, that were just now making fun of my lady guest before the house ? Scel. Good neighbour, listen, I beg. Peeip. I, listen to you ? Scel. I wish to clear myself. Peeip. You, clear yourself to me, who have done an action so gross and so unbecoming? And because you are soldiers1, do you suppose, you gallows- bird, that you may do what you like with us ? Scel. May I ? Peeip. But so may all the Gods and Goddesses prosper me, if a punishment with the rod2 is not given to you at my request, a long and lasting one, from norning to evening ; because you have been breaking my gutters and my tiles, while you were following there a monkey like your own self3; because, too, you have been peeping down from there at my guest in my house, when he was caressing and fondling his mistress ; besides, you have 1 Because you are soldiers) — Ver. 499. He alludes to the lawless character of the mercenary soldier, whose name, " latro," came afterwards to be applied to rob- bers and cut-throats of all descriptions. It may be here remarked, that the word " miles," which is applied throughout the play to their master, the Captain, is a general term for one following the profession of arms, whether officer or private. The word is translated " Captain," without reference to his rank, any further than that he was a commanding officer. 2 With the rod) — Ver. 502. The slaves were more frequently beaten with flagra," or whips;" but they were sometimes scourged with "virgae," or 4 rods." This was done by the " lorarius," a slave who was kept for the purpose. ' Like your own self) — Ver. 505. " Condignam te ;" literally, " worthy," or de- serving of yourself. 96 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act Ii, dared to accuse the chaste lady of your master of criminality, and myself of a heinous offence ; and further, because you have dared to maul about my lady guest before my house. If the punishment of the whip is not given to you, I will cause your master to be more laden with disgrace than the sea is full of waves in a heavy storm. Scel. I am driven to such straits, Periplecomenus, that I don't know whether it is fitter for me rather to dispute this. matter with you, or whether, if she is not our lady, and if our lady was not seen by me, it seems more proper for me to excuse myself to you ; as even now I don't know which I saw, so like is that guest of yours to our lady — if, indeed, she is not the same person. Peeip. Go into my house and look : you'll soon see. Scel. May I go ? Perip. Why, I command you ; go and examine at your leisure. Scel. I am determined to do so. {Goes into the house of Periplecomenus.) Scene XVI, Periplecomenus. Perip. {probably looking up to a window in the Captain's house). Ho! Philocomasium1! pass instantly, with all speed, into my house ; 'tis absolutely necessary. Afterwards, when Sceledrus shall have come out from my house, pass quickly, 1 Philocomasium)— Ver. 522. Directly Sceledrus turns his back, the old man calls out for Philocomasium, who is supposed at that moment to be in the Captain's house. How he does so is somewhat of a mystery to the Commentators. Thornton, in his translation, suggests that he calls through the window, where it is natural to imagine that Philocomasium might be stationed within hearing to observe all that passed. He could hardly, however, call " through" the window of the ground- floor, as these were generally more than six feet from the ground ; and, indeed, there were rarely any windows at all on the basement. It is most likelv that Philocomasium is hidden behind the " clatri" or " lattice" of the window in her room on the first-floor, whence she observes all that passes. In a future line we find Acroteleutium and Milphidippa owning that they had been watching from the window what was going on outside. Schmieder thinks that the whole plan having been prearranged between Periplecomenus and Philocomasium, he merely on this occasion makes a sign to her, the meaning of which is here expressed i& words, and he supposes, what it does not deem necessary to suppose, that his ser- vants have been ordered to delay Sceledrus, so as to give time to the damsol t* pass through into his house. SC. XVIII. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 97 with all haste, back again to your own house. By my troth, now, I'm afraid she'll be making some blunder. Should he not see the woman * * * * My door opens. Scene XYIL Enter ScELEDitusyrom the house of Periplecomenus. Scel. O ye immortal Gods ! A woman more like, and more the same, who is not the same, I do not think the Gods coidd make. Perip. What now ? Scel. I certainly merit chastisement. Perip. "What then ? Is it she ? Scel. Although 'tis she, 'tis not she. Perip. Have you seen this lady ? Scel. I have seen both her and the gentleman, your guest, caressing and kissing. Perip. Is it she ? Scel. I know not. Perip. "Would you know for certain ? Scel. I should like to. Perip. Go you this instant into your own house: see whether your lady is within. Scel. Very well : you've advised me rightly. I'll be out again to you this instant. (Goes into the Captain's house.} Perip. I' faith, I never saw any man more cleverly fooled, and by more singular devices. But here he is coming. Scene XVIII. Enter Scelee-rus/tow the Captain's house. Scel. Periplecomenus, by Gods and men, and by my own folly, and by your knees ! I do beseech you Perip. What now ? Scel. Pardon my ignorance and my folly ; now, at length, I know that I am half-witted, blind, and thoughtless; for, behold! Philocomasium is at home. Perip. How, then, hang-dog1. Have you seen them both ? Scel. I have seen them. Perip. I wish you to bring your master to me. 1 Hang-dog) — Ver. 545. " Furcifer." Literally, " bearer of the 'furca.' " Slaves are repeatedly thus called in these plays, as, by way of punishment for their mis- deeds, they were compelled to carry a " furca," or two pieces of wood shaped like th« etter V, round their necks, with then- hands tied to the ends of the instrument. U 9S MILES qloriosus, Act II. Scel. Indeed, I confess that I deserve a very great punishment ; and I own that I have done a wrong to your lady guest. But I thought that she was the lady of my master, to whom the Captain, my master, gave me as a keeper ; for it is not possible for water ever to be drawn more like to water from the same well, than is she to this lady guest of yours. And I will confess, as well, that I did look through the skylight into your house. Peeip. Why shouldn't you confess what I saw myself ? Scel. And there saw in your house this lady guest of yours, kissing. Perip. You saw her ? Scel. I saw her. Why should I deny what I did see ? But I fancied that I had seen Philoco- masium. Perip. And did you suppose me to be the very vilest of all men, in allowing1, with my own knowledge, such an injury so glaringly to be done to my neighbour ? Scel. Now, at length, I am of opinion that it was done foolishly by me, when I come to understand the matter ; but still I did not do it with any ill intent. Perip. Yes, but 'twas improperly done ; for it befits a person that is a servant to keep his eyes, and hands, and talk, asleep. Scel. Now, if after this day I mutter anything, even what I know for certain, give me over to torture ; I'll give myself up to you. This time, prithee, do pardon me for this. Perip. I shall subdue my feelings, so as to think that it was not done by you with malicious intent. I will pardon you in this matter. Scel. May the Gods bless you, then ! Perip. Troth now, as the Gods may prosper you, really do restrain your tongue henceforth ; even that which you do know, don't know, and don't you see what you do see. Scel. You counsel me aright ; so I'm resolved to do. Are you quite appeased ? Perip. Away with you. Scel. Is there aught else you now require of me ? Perip. That you would know me not. {Makes as if ho is departing.} 1 In allowing) — Ver. 559. The old gentleman must surely have changed coloar when he said this. So. XIX. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN, 99 Soel. {aside). He has been cajoling me. He w kindly he vouchsafed his favour not to be angry. I know what plan he is upon : that directly the Captain returns home from the Forum, I may be caught at home. He and Palaestrio to- gether have me in their power : I have perceived that, and for some time I've known it. I' faith, never will I be seek- ing a bait this day from out of that wicker-net1. For now somewhither will I betake myself, and for some days will I lie concealed until this turmoil is hushed and their resent- ment is softened. Enough punishment for my unlucky pra- ting have I already merited. But still, whatever befals me, I'll be oif hence home. {Goes into the Captain's house?) Scene XIX. Periplecomenijs, alone. Perip. So he has departed hence. I' faith, I know right well, that a dead pig full oft has more relish2 by far than a living one : so bamboozled has he been, that he did not see what he really did see. For his eyes, and ears, and thoughts have come over to us. So far, 'tis right cleverly managed ; the lady has played her part most excellently. I'll go back again to my Senate3 ; forPalsestrio is now at home in my house, and now Sceledrus is gone from the door. A fuK Senate can now be held. I'll go in ; lest while I am absent, there should be a distribution4 of their parts among them. ( Goes into his house.) 1 That wicker-net) — Ver. 581. The "na&sa" was a contrivance, by means of joining willow rods, for catching fish. It was probably somewhat in the :>hape of a large bottle with a narrow mouth, which was placed with a bait in it, facing the current of the stream. See the Halieuticon of Ovid, 1. 11. 2 Has more relish) — Ver. 587. He " puns" on the word " sapis ;" and probably this was a common saying of the day. " Sapio" means either " to be wise," or "to have a relishing flavour." Now, inasmuch as the flesh of the pig is of a relishing nature, it may be very truly said, that it has more of the " sapit" in it when dead than alive. In reference to Sceledrus, he seems to mean that he will prove cf much more use to their plan now he is bewildered and half deprived of his senses, than when in full possession of his faculties ; and that, in fact, so far as their object is concerned, there will be more of the " sapit" in him now than there was befors. 3 To my Senate) — Ver. 592. He calls his fellow-plotters in the mischief, namely, Palsestrio, Philocomasium, and Pleusicles, his Senate, which is now meeting in consultation. When sitting in deliberation, the Senate was said to be " frecaets " which may be rendered " sitting," or " full." * Re a distribution)— Yer. 595. " Sortitus," or " sortitio, ' was the distribution bj «2 100 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act 1IL ACT THE THTED. Scene L Enter Pal^strio from the house of Periplecomenus. Pal. (on entering he calls to Pleusicles and Periple- comenus, who are in the house of the latter). Keep yourselves within1 doors, yet a moment, Pleusicles. Let me first look out, that there may be no ambush anywhere, against that council which we intend to hold. For now we have need of a safe place from which no enemy can win the spoils of our counsels. For a well-devised plan is very often filched away, if the place for deliberating has not been chosen with care or with caution ; and what is well-advised is ill-advised if it proves of use to the enemy ; and if it proves of use to the enemy, it cannot otherwise than prove a detriment to yourself. For if the enemy learn your plans, by your own self-same plans they tie your tongue and bind your hands ; and they do the very same to you that you intended to do to them. But I'll spy about, lest any one, either in this direc- tion on the left or on the right, should come like a huntsman on our counsels with his ears like toils1. (Looks about.) Quite vacant is the prospect hence right to the bottom of the street. I'll call them out. Hallo ! Periplecomenus and Pleusicles, come out ! Scene II. Enter Periplecomenus and Pleusicles from the house of the former. Perip. Behold us here obedient to your call. the Senate of the Roman provinces among the Proconsuls. He keeps up the Me- taphor of the Senate, and says, that he must make haste, or all the provinces will be distributed ; or, hi other words, that each party will have agreed on the part he has to play, and will leave him nothing to do. 1 Keep yourselves within) — Ver. 596. There was but one Scene throughout the representation of each Eoman Comedy. In the present instance, the Scene is in front of the houses of Periplecomenus and the Captain. Nothing can more strikingly show the absurdity of such a plan than the present instance: where Palsestrio comes out of the house of Periplecomenus, for the very purpose, right in front of the house of his own master, of holding a conversation and completing hi» plot with Pleusicles and Periplecomenus, for the purpose of deceiving his master and carrying off his mistress. With machinery so defective, it is only surprising that the writer completed his task so well as he has done. 2 Ears lite tails^—Ver 608. " Auritis pla« is •." literally " toils with ears." Sc. II. THE P.EAGGAET CAPTAIN. 101 Pal. The sway is easy over the good. Bui I wish to know, if we are to carry out the matter on the same plan that we formed within ? Peeip. Why, in fact there's nothing can be more condu- cive to our purpose. "Well, what say you, Pleusicles ? Pleus. Can that displease me which pleases yourselves? What person is there more my friend than your own self? Peeip. You speak kindly and obligingly. Pal. Faith, and so he ought to do. Pleus. But this affair shockingly distresses me, and tor- ments my very heart and body. Peeip. What is it that torments you ? Tell me. Pleus. That I should cause childish actions in a person of your years, and that I should require of you deeds that neither become yourself nor your virtues; and that, with all your might, for my sake you are striving to aid me in my passion, and are doing actions of such a kind, as, when done, these years of yours are wont rather to avoid than follow. I am ashamed that I cause you this trouble in your old age. Peeip. You are a person in love after a new fashion. If, in fact, you are ashamed of anything you do, you are nothing of a lover. You are rather the shadow of those who are in love, than a true lover, Pleusicles. Pleus. Ought I to employ these years of yours in second- ing my love ? Peeip. How say you ? Do I seem to you so very much a subject for Acheron1 ? So much a bier's-man2 ? Do I seem to you to have had so very long a life ? Why, really, I am not more than four-and-fifty years old ; I see clearly with my eyes, I'm ready with my hands, I'm active with my feet. Pal. If he is seen by you to have white hair, he is by no means an old man in mind ; in him the natural strength of his mind is unimpaired. 1 Subject for Acheron) — Ver. 627. " Acherunticus," " an inhabitant of Ache- ron," meaning " one on the very verge of the grave." 2 A bier's-man) — Ver. 628. The bodies of the more respectable people were ear- ned to the grave on a kind of couch, which was called " feretrum," or " capulus ;,J whence the present term " capularis," " a subject for the ' capulus.' " The bodies of poor citizens and slaves were carried on a kind of bier, called " sandapila." Oudendorf and Becker think, however, that the word " capulus" means " a coffin" of wood or of stone, and not the same as " feretrum," " a couch, or bier." The old gentleman is very naturally somewhat offended at the remark of Pleu- fcclen. 102 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act III, Pleus. By my troth, for my part, I have found it to be sc as you say, PalaBstrio ; for, in fact, his kindness is quite that of a young man. Perip. Yes, my guest, the more you make trial of it, the more you will know my courtesy towards you in your love. Pleus. What need to know what's known already? Perip. I'll show you more amiability on my part than I'L make mention of * * * • '• * * that you may have instances for proving it at home, and not have to seek it out of doors. For unless one has loved him- self, with difficulty he sees into the feelings of one in love. But I have some little love and moisture in my body still, and not yet am I dried up for the pursuits of merriment and pleasure. Either the merry banterer likewise, or the agreable boon-companion will I be ; no interrupter of another am I at a feast. I bear in mind how properly to keep myself from proving disagreable to my fellow-guests ; and how to take a due share with my conversation, and to be silent as well in my turn, when the discourse belongs to another. Par from being a spitter or hawker am I, far from being a dirty-nosed old fellow, too. And never do I take liberties with any person's mistress when out in company ; I don't snatch up the dainty bits before another, nor take the cup before my turn ; nor, through wine, do dissensions ever arise on my account at the convivial board. If there is any one there that is disagreable, I go off home ; I cut the parley short. Stretched at my ease, I devote myself to pleasure, love, and mirth. In fine, at Ephesus was I born, not among the Apulians, not at Animula1. Pleus. O what a most delightful old man, if he possesses the qualities he mentions ! Why, troth, surely now, he was brought up in the very rearing of Yenus. Pal. Why, in fact, you will not find another person who is of his years, more accomplished in every respect, or who is more a friend to his friend. Pleus. By my troth, your whole manners really do show 1 At Animula) — Ver. 654. The people of Apulia, in the south of Italy, were noted for their clownish manners. Animula, as we learn from Festus, was a little town in that country; probably its inhabitants were the most remarkable of all for their rusticity. Absurdities and anachronisms not unfrequently occur in ocr author. There is something absurd in a merry old gentleman of Ephesus going aul the way to Animula for a simile. be. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. .103 marks of first-rate breeding. Find me three men of such manners against a like weight in double-distilled gold1. Perip. I'll make you confess that I really am a youngster in my manners ; so abounding in kindnesses will I prove myself to you in every respect. Should you have need of an advocate, severe or fierce ? I am he. Have you need of one that is gentle ? Tou shall say that I am more gentle than the sea is when hush'd, and something more balmy will I prove than is the Zephyr breeze2. In this same person will I display to you either the most jovial boon-companion, or the first-rate "trencher-man3, and the best of caterers. Then, as for dancing, there is no ballet-master that is so supple as I. Pal. (to Pletjsicles). What could you wish added to these accomplishments, if the option were given you ? Pletjs. That thanks could be returned by me to him in degree equal to his deserts, and to yourself, to both of whom I feel that I am now the cause of extreme anxiety. But it is grievous to me to be the cause of so great expense to you. Perip. Tou are a simpleton. For, if you lay anything out on a bad wife and upon an enemy, that is an expense ; that which is laid out on a deserving guest and a friend is gain ; as that, which is expended upon sacred rites, is a profit to the wise man. By the blessing of the Grods, I have enough, with which to receive you with hospitality in my house. Eat, drink, indulge your tastes with me, and surfeit yourself with enjoyments ; my house is at your service, myself 1 Double distilled gold) — Ver. 660. " Aurichalco" probably signifies here, as in some other passages, a fabulous metal of more value than even gold. " Orichalcum,'' however, properly means either one of the ores of copper, or a metallic compound much used by the ancients, which was probably brass, formed by the combination of zinc ore and copper. Supposing gold to be one of its constituents, they corrupted its original name, " orichalcum," into " aurichalcum." The former word is supposed by the author of the article " orichalcum," in Dr. Smith's Dictionary, to have been a compound of opos and ^uXkos, " mountain bronze," so called from fusing copper with an ore as found in the mountains. " Contra," in this sentence, has the meaning of " to " or " against," in staking for a bet: "three men against their weight in gold;" " a horse to a hen," as the betting men sometimes say. 2 The Zephyr breeze) — Ver. 665. Literally, " Favonius," one of the names of tha West wind. 3 First-rate trencher-man) — Ver. 667. " Parasitus " cannot be here intended to be used in a bad sense, as he is speaking of his own merits. It must mean " a boon- companion," or "jolly fellow." 104 MILES GLOKIOSUS ; Act. III. likewise do I wish to be at your service. For, through the blessing of the Gods, I may say that, by reason of my wealth, I could have married a dowered wife of the best family ; but I don't choose to introduce an everlasting female barker at me into my house. Pleus. Why don't you choose ? For 'tis a delightful thing to be the father of children [liberos]. Perip. Troth, 'tis very much sweeter by far to be free1 [liberum] yourself. For a good wife, if it is possible for her to be married anywhere on earth, where can I find her ? But am I to take one home who is never to say this to me, " Buy me some wool, my dear, with which a soft and warm cloak may be made, and good winter under-clothes2, that you mayn't catch cold this winter- weather ;" such an expression as this you can never hear from a wife, but, before the cocks crow, she awakes me from my sleep, and says, " Give me some money, my dear, with which to make my mother a present on the Calends3, give me some money to make pre- serves ; give me something to give on the Quinquatrus4 to the sorceress5, to the woman who interprets the dreams, to 1 To be free) — Ver. 683. There is a play on the word " liber," here, which means' either " a child," or " a free person." He says that it is much more plea- sant to be " liberum" (a free person), than to be the father of a " liberum" (a child). The word " liber," meaning " a child," is very rarely used in the sin- gular number. The remark of Pleusicles is rather modified in the translation. 2 Under-clothes) — Ver. 687. The " tunica" was that part of the clothing which was next to the skin. 3 On the Calends) — Ver. 690. He alludes to the Calends of March, which, as the commencement of the old Roman year, was particularly celebrated by the Reman matrons, who then gave presents to each other, and received them from their husbands. The festival was called " Matronalia," and sacrifices were offered to Juno Lucina, the guardian of pregnant women. See the Fasti of Ovid, B. 3, 1. 257. * On the Quinquatrus) — Ver. 691. The first day of the " Quinquatrus," or " five-day feast," was on the 1 9th of March. Festus says, that it had its name from its beginning on the fifth day after the Ides. See the Fasti of Ovid, B. 3, 1. 810. This festival was sacred to Minerva. 5 To the sorceress) — Ver. 692. The " prascantrix" was a woman who, by her incantations, was powerful to avert evil. " Conjectrix" was a female who inter- preted dreams. " Ariola" was supposed to be an inspired prophetess. " Arus- pica" was a female who divined by means of the entrails, lightning, and other phe- nomena. " Piatrix" was the woman who purified the company, and perf jrmed tne expiations, on the day on which the child received its name. So. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 105 the prophetess, and to the female diviner ; besides, 'tis im- possible for me, in civility, not to fee the expiating woman ; for long has1 the mattress-maker2 been grumbling, because she has received nothing ; besides, the midwife found fault with me, that too little had been sent for her. What ! arn't you going to send something to the nurse that brings up the young slaves3 ? It's a shame if nothing's sent her ; with what a brow4 she does look at me." These and many other expenses of the women like to these frighten me from a wife, to be uttering speeches to me like to this. Pal. In good sooth, the Gods are propitious to you ; for so soon as you lose this liberty, you will not easily reinstate yourself in. the same condition. Pleus. You are a person who are able to counsel wisely both for another and for yourself. But 'tis some merit for a man of noble family and of ample wealth to rear children — a memorial of his race and of himself. Perip. Since I have many relations, what need have I of children ? Now I live well and happily, and as I like, and as contents my feelings. Tor I shall bequeath my property to my relations, and divide it among them. These, like chil- dren, pay attentions to me ; they come to see how I do, or what I want ; before it is daybreak they are with me ; they make inquiry how I have enjoyed my sleep in the night. Them will I have for children who are ever sending presents to me. Are they sacrificing — they give a greater part of it to me than to 1 For long has) — Ver. 694. A critic in the St. James's Magazine for January, 1763, says, on this point, that these various importunities, since they relate to a state of things now entirely passed away, lose all their effect on the reader ; " but when such insinuating addresses tend to procure a footboy, or a new year's gift, or something handsome to give to servants, or to the wet-nurse, or the Methodist preacher, there is no married man whatever but would enter directly into the spirit of such requests." This sweeping remark may possibly be somewhat less remote from truth than it is from gallantry to the fair sex. - The mattress-maker') — Ver. 694. " Toraria" seems to be " the bed, or mat- tress-maker." Other editions have " ceraria," " the woman who supplies wax candles for sacrifice." Others, again, have " gerula," " the nursemaid that carries the children." 3 The young slaves) — Ver. 696. The " vernae" were the slaves that were born under the master's roof. They were more indulged than the other slaves, and were noted for their extreme impudence and presumption. 4 With what a brow) — Ver. 697. The reference here ir »y probably be to the evil eye, which, of injurious effect at all times, would be supposed to be parti- cularly so in the case of a nurse. 106 MILES GLOEIOSUS ; Act III, themselves ; they take mehome with them to share the entrails1; they invite me to their houses to breakfast and to dinner. He thinks him self most unfortunate, who has sent hut very little to me. They vie with one another with their presents ; I say in a low voice to myself: " They are gaping after my pro- perty ; while, in their emulation, they are nourishing nie and loading me with presents." Pal. Upon right good grounds and right well do you fully understand yourself and your own interests, and if you are happy, sons twofold and threefold have you. Peeip. Troth, if I had had them, enough anxiety should I have had from my children. ****** T should have been everlastingly tormented in mind ; but if perchance one had had a fever, I think I should have died. Or if one, in liquor, had tumbled anywhere from his horse, I should have been afraid that he had broken his legs or neck on that occasion. Pal. 'Tis right that riches should come, and that long life should be granted to this man, who both husbands his pro- perty and yet enjoys himself and has kind wishes for his friends. Pletts. 0 vjhat a delightful person ! So may the Gods and G-oddesses prosper me, 'twere right the Deities should so ordain that all should not live after one rule as to the duration of life. Just as he who is a trusty markeb-officer2 sets their prices on the wares ; as that which is good or valuable is sold according to its excellence, and that which is worthless, according to the faultiness of the commodity, deprives its owner of its price ; so were it right that the Gods should portion out the life of man, so as to give to him who is kindly disposed a long life, and speedily to deprive of exist- ence those who are reprobate and wicked. If they had pro- vided this, bad men would both have been fewer, and with 1 To share the entrails) — Ver. 712. It was the custom, after their portions had been sacrificed to the Gods, to reserve a part of the entrails for the persons who sa- crificed. These invited their dearest and most intimate friends to partake of them, or, if they could not attend, were in the habit of sending their share to them. The old man here flatters himself that he is a general favorite, although, bye and bye, he hints a suspicion that, being a rich old bachelor, the love of his friends is not quite disinterested. 2 Market-officer) — Ver. 727. " Agoranomus" was the name of a public officer among the Greeks, who, like the " ^Edilis plebis" at Rome, had the inspection or the wares offered for sale in the public markets. Sc. II. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 107 less hardihood would they do their wicked deeds ; and then, those who were good men, of them there would have been a more plenteous harvest. Peeip. He who would blame the ordinances of the Gods must be foolish and ignorant. * * * At present we must at once have an end of these matters ; for now I want to go to market, that, my guest, according to your own deserts and mine, I may entertain you hospitably at my house, heartily and with right hearty cheer. Pletts. I am content with1 the expense that I have been to von already. For no guest can be thus hospitably entertained by a friend, but that when he has been there three days running, he must now become a bore ; but when lie is pro- longing his stay for ten successive days, he is a nuisance to the household. Although the master willingly allows it, the servants grumble. Peeip. I have trained up the servants that are in my ser- vice, my guest, not to rule over me, or for me to be obedient to them. If that is disagreable to them which is agreable to me, I steer my own course2 ; that which they don't like must still be done at their peril, and whether they like it or no. Now, as I intended, I shall go to market. Pleus. If you are resolved, do cater somewhat within bounds, at no great expense ; anything is enough for me3. Peeip. Won't you now4 have done with that old-fashioned and antiquated talk ? Now surely, guest, you are using the cant of the vulgar5. For they are in the habit of saying, 1 / am content ivtth) — Ver. 740. " Nil me poenitet ;" " I am not dissatisfied with." 2 Steer my own course) — Ver. 747. " Meo rem remigio gero ;" literally, " I carry- on my own business with my own staff of rowers." The rowers were frequently slaves, and of course were kept in strict subordination. He alludes to the re- gularity of his household, where everything is done in its proper time and place, and the promptness with which he is in the habit of being obeyed. We need hardly remark that most of the " servi," or " servants," were slaves. 3 Is enough for me) — Ver. 750. " Mihi quidvis sat est" seem to have been an antiquated and hackneyed expression, used by philosophers and old-fashioned people, to imply their habits of self-denial and frugality. 4 Won't you now) — Ver. 751. He tells him to have done with such stale cant- Jig expressions, which are now worn threadbare, and have descended to the tables of the mob. Indeed, he says right, for nothing can be more annoying than pre- tended refusals, and bowings and scrapings, where they are merely an affectation oi a modesty, humility, or self-denial that is not really felt. 5 Cant of the vulgar) — Ver. 752. The " proletarii " were the poorest class oi i08 MILES GLORIOS US; Act III, when they have taken their places, when dinner is put on table : " What necessity was there for you to go to this great expense on our account ? Surely you were mad, for this same dinner was enough for ten persons." "What has been pro- vided on their account they find fault with ; they eat it up, however. Pal. Troth, in that self-same fashion 'tis generally done. How clever and shrewd is his discernment. Perip. But these same persons never say, although such an abundance has been provided, " Do order that to be taken off ; do take away this dish ; remove this gammon of bacon, I'll have none of it ; put aside that piece of pork ; this conger's good1 when cold; remove it, take and put it aside." Tou hear none of them saying this in earnest, but they stretch themselves out, while with half their bodies2 on the table, they are indulging their appetite. Pal. How cleverly the good soul has described their bad manners. Perip. I have not said a hundredth part of what I could have enlarged upon had there been leisure for the matter. Pal. The business, then, that we are about — to that we ought first to turn our thoughts. Do you both, now, give me your attention. I have need, Periplecomenus, of your assistance ; for I have hit upon a pleasant trick, how this Captain with his long locks may be fleeced quite close3, and how we may effect a means for Philocomasium, and this her lover, that he may carry her off hence, and have her as his own. Perip. I wish this plan to be imparted to me. Pal. And I, wish that ring of yours to be imparted to me. Perip. For what purpose is it to be used ? the free citizens, who, according to Livy, were possessed of less than eleven thou- sand " asses," and could, serve the state, not with money, but with their children (proles). 1 This conger's good) — Ver. 760. Lampreys and conger eels were very much esteemed by the Romans. Probably the conger was considered best when eaten cold. 2 Half their bodies) — Ver. 762. This would be the more easily done when we remember that the guests were reclining on the " triclinium," or couch, which was above the level of the table on which the viands were placed. 3 Be fleeced quite close) — Ver. 768. By his mention of the Captain's long locks, be seems to intend a pun on the word " admutilo," " to bamboozle" or " cajole, * hich, literally, signifies to " clip," or " shave close." SC. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 109 Pal. "When I have got it, I will impart the plan of my devices. Perip. Take and use it. (Gives him the ring.) Pal. Take from me in return the plan of my contrivance that I have hit upon. Perip. "We are listening to you with most attentive ear. Pal. My master is such a shocking rake among the women, that 1 think no one ever was his equal, nor ever will be. Perip. I believe the same as well. Pal. He boasts, too, that his beauty exceeds that of Alexander1 ; and, therefore, he says that all the women2 in Ephesus of their own accord are courting him. Perip. Aye, faith, many there are who could wish3 that you were now telling an untruth about him. But I am convinced full well that it is as you say. For that reason, Paleestrio, do compress your words in as short a compass as ever you possibly can. Pal. Can you, then, find any woman of agreable person, whose mind and body are full of merriment and subtlety ? Perip. Free by birth, or bondwoman made free ? Pal. I consider that a matter of indifference, so that you find one who is greedy for gain, who supports her body by her charms, who has, too, her senses all awake ; as for her heart, that cannot be so, as none of them have one. Perip. Do you want one that has4 taken her degrees, or one as yet a novice in the art ? Pal. One sober but plump5, a juicy bit ; as taking a one as ever you can find, and one very young. 1 Of Alexander) — Ver. 777. " Alexander," from two Greek words, signifying " the brave man," was one of the names of Paris, the son of Priam, who was re- markable for his beauty, which captivated Helen. 2 All the women) — Ver. 778. The Parasite quizzes him upon this weak point in the First Act. 8 Who could wish) — Ver. 779. The meaning of Periplecomenus seems to be that the Captain has been but too successful in his intrigues, and that many a husband could wish that what Palaestrio says were false. * One that has)—Yer. 787. Some Commentators think that " lautam" here means " one who has borne children," and who has bathed (lautus fuerit), as was the custom immediately after delivery. As, however, Palaestrio has said before that the female required must be a Courtesan, it surely could not matter whether she had had children or not. It probably means either one of elegant manners, and who has made good use of her experience, in contradistinction to a novice, who is a mere raw country wench, or else one in easy circumstances, and not a mere pauper. * Sober but plump) — Ver. 787. His answer is, he wants to find a woman wh« ilO MILES GL0RI0SUS ; Act III. Perip. "Why, I have one, a dependant of mine, a courtesan, a very young woman. But what is the occasion for her ? Pal. For you to bring her home at once to your house as your wife, and, for that reason, to bring her there dressed out, so that she may wear her locks with her hair arranged, and fillets after the fashion of matrons1, and may pretend that she is your wife ; so you must instruct her. Perip. I am at a loss what road you are taking. Pal. Well, you shall know. But what sort of a maid lias she ? Perip. She is a rare clever one. Pal. We have need of her as well ; so give your instructions to the damsel and her maid, to pretend that she is your wife and is doting upon this Captain; and as though she had given this ring to her maid, then she to me, that I might deliver it to the Captain ; and I must be as though it were a go-between in this matter. Perip. I hear you ; don't stun my ears as if I were deaf. Pal. I myself will go straightway to him ; I'll say that it has been brought and delivered to me from your wife, in order that I might introduce her to him. He'll be distractedly longing for her at home, a scoundrel that cares for nothing else whatever but intriguing. Perip. If you had commissioned the Sun himself to search them out, he couldn't have found, better than myself, two more cleverly suited for this business. Be of good courage about it. Pal. Take you every care then. There is need of despatch. {Exit Periplecomenus. is " sicca," probably in the sense of " sober ;" but, as the same word means "dry,' he adds, antithetically, " at succidam,'' " but juicy," full of the plumpness and briskness of youth. Scaliger absolutely thinks that " sicca" means " one n:t given to the habit of spitting." ! ! 1 Thefushion of matrons) — Ver. 792. The " vitta" was a band which encir- cled the head, and served to confine the tresses of the hair. It was worn by maidens, and by married women also, among the Romans ; but that assumed on the day of marriage was of a different form from that used by the virgins. It was not worn by women of light character, or even by the " libertina:," or liberated female slaves ; so that it was not only deemed an emblem of chastity, but of freedom also, Wiiits and purple are among the colours of the " vitta" which we find mentioned Sc. IV. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. Ill Scene III. Pal^istrio, Pleusicles. Pal. Now, do you listen, Pleusicles. Pleus. I am all at- tention to you. Pal. Take care of this. When the Captain comes home, do you remember not to call Philocomasium by her name. Pleus. What am I to call her ? Pal. G-lycera. Pleus. The same, you mean, that was agreed upon a little time since. Pal. Hush ! — Be off. Pleus. I'll remember ; but still I don't know what use it is to keep it in my mind. Pal. But- 1 will tell you. at the time, when occasion shall require. Meanwhile, be quiet ; so that, bye and bye, when he too shall be acting his part1, you may, on the instant, be minding your cue. Pleus. I'll go in then. Pal. Go, and do take care steadily to follow my instructions. (Pleusicles goes into the house of Periplecomenus.) Pal. What mighty turmoils I create ! What mighty en- gines 1 do set to work! This very day I shall take his mistress away from the Captain, if my soldiers are only well drilled3. But I'll call him out. {Goes to the door and calls.') Hallo ! Sceledrus, if you are not busy, come out to the front of the house ; I, Palsestrio, call you. Scene IV. Enter LucRio/mm the Captain's house. Lucr. Sceledrus is not at leisure. Pal. Why so ? Lucr. He's fast asleep, gulping3. Pal. How, gulping ? 1 Acting his part) — Ver. 811. He alludes to Periplecomenus, who has just left iiim. 2 Are only well drilled) — Ver. 815. " Manipularis" was a term applied to the common soldiers of the legion, inasmuch as they were formed into small compa- nies, marshalled in open order, called " manipuli." Each maniple had two cen- turions, whose duty it was to drill their men, inspect their arms, clothing, and food, visit the sentinels, and regulate the conduct of the privates both in the camp and in the field. They sat as judges in minor offences, and had the power of ordering corporal punishment, whence their badge of office was a vine sapling '' Bene centuriati" consequently means here " well drilled." 3 Asleep, gulping) — Ver. 818. " Sorbeo" means not only " to drink up," but to maKe that gulping noise in snoring which is produced by inhaling the breath with 112 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act IIL Lucr. He's snoring, 'twas that I meant to say : but, be- cause 'tis very like gulping when you are snoring * * # # # # # Pal. What ! Is Sceledrus asleep in-doors ? Lucr. Not with his nose, in fact ; for with that he is call- ing out loud enough. Pal. He has taken a cup by stealth ; the butler has lately tapped a cask of nardine1. Oho ! you rascal, you are his deputy-butler2. Oho ! Lucr. "What do you mean ? Pal. How has he thought fit to go to sleep ? Lucr. With his eyes, I suppose. Pal. I don't ask you that, you vagabond. Step this way : you're undone now, unless I know the truth. Did you draw the wine for him ? Lucr. I did not draw it. Pal. Do you deny it ? Lucr. I' faith, I do deny it undoubtedly ; for he charged me not to tell. I really didn't just3 draw for him eight half pints into a pitcher, and, when drawn, he didn't just drink it hot4, at his breakfast. Pal. And you didn't just drink as well? Lucr. The Gods confound me if I did drink — if I could drink. Pal. Why so ? Lucr. Because, in fact, I only sipped ; for it was too hot ; it burnt my throat. the mouth open, and the head thrown back. Palsestrio purposely misunderstands him, for the purpose of getting a confession out of him. 1 A cask of nardine) — Ver. 824. According to the reading here adopted, he guesses that Sceledrus has got drunk upon some nardine wine, that had been lately tapped. The Romans used many articles for flavouring their wines. Spikenard, an Eastern aromatic, is here referred to. Horehound, squills, wormwood, ^nd myrtle-berries were used for making medical wines. Cornels, figs, medlars, roses, asparagus, parsley, radishes, laurels, junipers, cassia, cinnamon, and saffron, with many other particulars, were also used for flavouring wines. 2 His deputy-butler) — Ver. 825. Some Commentators take this passage to mean, that Sceledrus really was the "promus," or "butler;" but it seems more pro- bable that Palaestrio says, by way of accusation, " Sceledrus has not only been acting the butler on this occasion, but you have been acting as his deputy, in secretly helping him to draw it." Lucrio was the " subcustos" of Sceledrus, the " deputy -keeper" of Philocomasium, and the under-butler as well. 3 Didn't just) — Ver. 831. He adheres to his promise by denying it in words, but in such a way as to make a full confession of what has happened. " Hemina * was a measure among the Greeks and Romans of nearly half a pint. f Drink it hot) — Ver. 832. It has been already remarked, that the Romans were much in the habit of drinking wine, made warm and mixed with spices. The taking it at " prandium," about twelve in the day, shows how Sceledrus presumed on the office of trust which h;ui b^e*^ conformd upon him. Sc. IV. THE ERAGGART CAPTAIN- 113 Pal. Some are gloriously drunk, while others are drmking vinegar- water1. The cellar's trusted to an honest butler, as well as under-butler. Luce. I' faith, you'd be doing the same, if it was en- trusted to you. Since you can't follow our example, you are envious now. Pal. Come, now, did he ever draw any wine before this ? Answer me, you rascal. And, that you may understand it, I give you this notice : if you purposely tell me an untruth, you shall be put to the torture. Luce. Indeed so ? That you may inform, forsooth, that 1 told you ; and then I shall be turned out of my fattening post in the cellar, that you may find another under-butler to draw for your own self. Pal. On my honour, I will not ; come, speak out boldly tome. Luce. By my troth, I never saw him draw any. But thus was it ; he requested me, and then I drew it. Pal. Think of that now ! very frequently, I guess, the casks were standing on their heads2 there. Luce. No, faith, the casks would, not3 have stood so very badly there. But there happened to be in the cellar a bit of a slippery spot ; a two-pint pot was placed there, near the casks, in this fashion {shows the way). Frequently, that was 1 Vinegar -water) — Ver. 836. " Posca" was the name of the mixture of vinegar and water which constituted the drink of the Roman soldiers, the lower classes, and the slaves. Palsestrio grumbles on finding that while he is drinking vinegar and water his fellow-slave is enjoying himself on mulled wine. 2 Standing on their heads) — Ver. 851. He means to say that the " amphorae,'' no doubt, were often turned bottom upwards for the purpose of pouring out their contents. 3 The casks would not)— Ver. 852. The whole of this passage is of somewhat obscure signification. The two lines probably mean, " The casks (cadi) wouAl not have fallen down there so very much, had it not been that one part of the cellar was very slippery indeed." He then shows how (sic) the pot was put close by the casks, so that, they slipping down, it was filled as often as ten times in one day ; and he concludes by saying, that when the pot acted the Bacchanal (debacchabatur), the casks slipped down again. Probably by acting the Bac- chanal he moans to say that the pot got filled and was then emptied, just like the Bacchanals, who, doubtless, were not particular at vomiting a part of the enor- mous quantities of wine which they imbibed ; and he naively tells the truth, by say- ing that the cask slipping was the result of the pot being emptied, and so laying the fault more upon the pot than the drinker. 114 MILES GL0R10SU3 ; Act III. filled ten times in a day. "When the pot acted the reveller, the casks were all tottering. Pal. Q-et yon gone in-doors. Both of you, I find, are acting the revellers in the wine-cellar. I' faith, I shall fetch my master home just now from the Forum. Ltjcr. {aside). I'm ruined. My master, when he cornea home, will have me tortured, when he knows of these doings. I' faith, I'll fly somewhither, and put off this punishment to another day. {To the Audience.) Don't you tell him1, I do entreat you most earnestly. {He is going.) Pal. Whither are you betaking yourself? Lucr. I am sent elsewhere : I'll come back here just now. Pal. Who has sent you ? Lucr. Philocomasium. Pal. Gro; be back directly. Lucr. If it is divided, ?rithee do you only take my share of the punishment while 'm away. {Exit Lucrio. Scene V. Pal^strio, alone. Pal. So — I understand what scheme the lady is upon. Because Sceledrus is asleep, she has sent her under-keeper away out of doors, whilst she may pass from our house to next door. That's all right. {Looks down the street.) But Peripleco menus is bringing here a woman of very comely appearance, her, for whom I commissioned him. By my faith, the Gods are helping us in this matter. How becomingly drest she struts along2, not like a Courtesan. This business is prospering charmingly in our hands. {Stands aside.) Scene VI. Enter Periplecomenus, with Acroteleutium and MlLPHIDIPPA. Perip. {as he advances). I have explained the whole affair, Acroteleutium, to you, and, Milphidippa, to you as well. If you don't well understand this device and plan, I wish you to hear it all over again. If you comprehend it aright, there is something else that we may speak of in preference. 1 Don't you tell him)— Ver. 862. These occasional addresses to the Spectators, in the middle of the dialogue, were made in the same spirit and for the same purpose for which the clown on our stage addresses his jokes to the audience, namely, to provoke a hearty laugh. 1 She struts along)— Ver. 872. By the use ot the word " incf dit," ! e pro bably refers to the assumed stateliness of her gait. Sc. VI. THE P.EAOGABT CAPTAIN". 115 Aceot. I' faith, it would be folly, and ignorance, and fool- ishness, for me to engage in the service of another, or to promise you my assistance, if, in its fabrication, I did not know how to be either mischievous or clever at deceiving. Peeip. But, 'tis better for you to be instructed. Aceot. Really I don't understand of what great use it is for a Courtesan to be instructed. How now ! have I told you all in vain, after my ears had drunk in the draughts1 of your discourse, in what fashion it was possible for the Cap- tain to be cajoled ? Peeip. But no one, unaided, is sufficiently perfect; for full oft have I seen many a person lose the road to good ad- vice before they had found it. Aceot. If a woman has anything to do mischievously and maliciously, in that case her memory is immortal at remem- bering it for everlasting ; but if anything is to be done for a good purpose, or honestly, it will fall out that those same women will become oblivious that instant, and be unable to remember. Peeip. Therefore do I fear that same, because both those things happen to be about to be done by us ; for that will be a benefit to me in which you both will be acting mischievously towards the Captain. Aceot. So long as we do anything that's good, not know- ing it, don't you fear. No woman is awkward * * * * * Have no apprehensions, they are ready for the worst. Peeip. So it befits you. Do you follow me. Pal. {advancing). Why do I hesitate to go and accost them ? Peeip. Well met, and opportunely, Palsestrio. See, here they are whom you commissioned me to bring, and in the very dress. Pal. Well done : accept my thanks. I am glad that you have come safe. I' faith, you bring them nicely dressed. Pa- lsestrio salutes Acroteleutium. Aceot. Prithee, who's this, that calls me so familiarly by name ? Peeip. This is our master-plotter. Aceot. Health to you, master-plotter. 1 Drunk in the draughts)— Ver. 883. " Loream." The true meaning of this word seems to be " a leather bottle." If it is the correct reading, it is here used oy Metonymy for the draught which it contains. i2 116 MILES GL0RI0SUS ; Act III. Pal. And health to you. But, tell me, has he any way given you full instructions ? Perip. I bring them both thoroughly prepared. Pal. I'd like to hear how. I'm afraid lest you should be making some mistake. Perip. I have added to your instructions nothing new of my own. Acrot. I suppose you wish the Captain, your master, to be gulled. Pal. You've said what's true. Acrot. Cleverly and skilfully, adroitly and pleasantly, the whole thing is planned. Pal. In fact, I wish you to pretend to be his wife. {Points to Periplecomentts.) Acrot. That shall be done. Pal. To pretend as though you had set your affection on the Captain. Acrot. And so it shall be. Pal. And as though this affair is managed through me, as the go-between, and your servant-maid. Acrot. You might have made a good prophet ; for you tell what is to be. Pal. As though this maid of yours had conveyed from you this ring to me, which I was then to deliver to the Cap- tain, in your name. Acrot. You say what's true. Perip. What need is there to mention these things now, which they remember so well ? Acrot. Still, it is better. For think of this, my patrbn ; when the shipwright is skilful, if he has once laid down the keel exact to its lines, 'tis easy to build the ship, when * * * * Now this keel of ours has been skil- fully laid and firmly placed ; the workmen and the master- builders are not unskilled in this business. If he who fur- nishes the timber1 does not retard us in giving what is needed, I know the adroitness of our ingenuity — soon will the ship be got ready. Pal. You know the Captain, my master, then ? Acrot, 'Tis strange you should ask me. How could I 1 Who furnishes the timber) — Ver. 920. Lambinus has thus explained tnia Metaphorical expression. The ship is the contrivance for deceiving the Captain; the keel is the main-plot and foundation of it ; Periplecomenus, Acroteleutium, *nd her servant, are the workmen ; Palsestrio is the master-shipwright ; whil« the Captain himself is the " materiarius," or "person that supplies the timber." 8c. VI. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 117 not know that scorn of the public, that swaggering, frizzle- headed, perfumed debauchee ? Pal. But does he know you ? Acrot. He never saw ine : how, then, should he know who I am ? Pal. "lis most excellent what you say. For that reason, i' faith, the thing will be able to be managed all the more cleverly. Aceot. Can you only find me the man, and then be easy as to the rest ? If I don't make a fool of the fellow, do you lay all the blame on me. Pal. "Well, go you in then; apply yourselves to this business with all your skill. Aceot. Trust me for that1. Pal. Come, Periplecomenus, do you conduct them at once in-doors. I'm off to the Eorum ; I'll meet him, and give him this ring, and will tell him that it has been delivered to me from your wife, and that she is dying for him. As soon as we shall have come from the Porum, do you send her (points to Milphidippa) to our house as though she were privately sent to him. Peeip. We'll do so ; trust us for that. Pal. Do you only attend to the lusiness ; I'll now polish him off with a pretty burden on his back. {Exit. Peeip. G-o, with good luck to you, manage the matter cleverly. {To Aceoteleutium.) But now, if I shall manage this adroitly, that my guest can this day gain the mistress of the Captain, and carry her off hence to Athens ; if, I say, this day we shall succeed in this plan, what shall I give you for a present ? Aceot. * * * * * if now the lady seconds our efforts on her part, I think it will be right cleverly and adroitly managed. When a comparison shall be made of our artifices, I have no fear that I shall not prove superior in the cleverness of my contrivances. Peeip. Let's go in-doors, then, that we may deeply weigh these plans, that carefully and cautiously we may carry out what is to be done, so that, when the Captain comes, there may be no tripping. Aceot. You are delaying us with your talk. {Tliey go into the house of Peeiplecomenus.) 1 Trust me for that) — Ver. 929. " Alia cura ;" literally, " take care of some- thing else ; meaning, '• trust us in the present instance," or, as Thornton ex» presses it, " never fear us." 116 MILES GLOEIOSTJS ; Act IV. ACT THE FOTJETH. Scene I. Enter Pyegopolinices and Pal^strio. Pyeg. 'Tis a pleasure what you do, if it succeeds agreably and to your mind. For I this day have sent my Parasite to King Seleucus, to lead those soldiers, that I have levied, hence to Seleucus ; in order that they may defend his kingdom till I have leisure to attend in person. Pal. Why don't you attend to your own concerns rather than those of Seleucus. What a charming new proposal is being offered to you through me as the negotiator. Pyeg. Well then, I lay all other things aside, and I give my attention to you. Speak out : my ears, in fact, I surren- der at your disposal. Pal. Look around, then, that no one here may be an eaves- dropper for our discourse ; for this business was entrusted me to transact with you in private. Pyeg. (looks around). There's no one near. Pal. In the first place, receive from me this pledge of affection. (Gives him the ring?) Pyeg. What's this ? Whence comes it ? Pal. Prom a charming and a handsome lady, one who loves you, and dotes upon your extreme beauty. Her maid just now gave me the ring that I might then give it to you. Pyeg. What ? Is she free born or a freed woman, made free from a slave by the Praetor's rod1 ? Pal. Pshaw ! Should I presume to be the bearer of a mes- sage to you from a person once a slave, who cannot sufficiently answer the demands of the free women who are longing for you? Pyeg. Is she wife, or is she widow ? Pal. She is both wife and widow. Pyeg. In what way is it possible for the same woman to be a wife and a widow ? Pal. Because she is a young woman married to an old man. 1 By tU Prcetor's rod)— Ver. 961. "Festuca" is the same with " vindicta,* the rod, or wand, which the Pra;tor used to lay on the head of the slave when h« was made free. Sc. I. TIIE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 119 Ptrg. That's good. Pal. She is of genteel and charming person. Ptrg. Beware of misrepresenting. Pal. It is alone worthy to be compared with your own charms. Ptrg. By my faith, you make her out to be a beauty. But who is she ? Pal. The wife of that old gentleman, Periplecomenus, next door. She is dying for you, and wishes to leave him ; she hates the old fellow. Now she has begged me to entreat and beseech you that you will give her your support and assistance. Ptrg. I' faith, I'm ready for my part if she desires it. Pal. Doesn't she long for it ? Ptrg. What shall we do with that mistress of mine, who is at my house ? Pal. "Why, do you bid her to be gone about her business, wherever she chooses ; as her twin-sister has come here to Ephesus, and her mother, and they are come to fetch her. Ptrg. Ha ! what's that you say ? Has her mother come to Ephesus ? Pal. Those say so who know it. Ptrg. I' faith, a charming opportunity for me to turn the wench out of doors. Pal. Aye, but do you wish to do the thing handsomely ? Ptrg. Speak out, and give me your advice. Pal. Do you wish to pack her off forthwith, that she may quit you with a good grace ? Ptrg. I do so wish. Pal. Then this is the thing you must do. You have a superabundance of wealth ; bid the woman to keep as a present for herself the gold and trinkets which you have supplied her with, and to take herself off from your house wherever she likes. Ptrg. It pleases me what you say ; but yet, only think, if I should lose her, and the other change her mind ? Pal. Pshaw ! you're over nice ; a lady, that loves you as her own eyes. Ptrg. Ve us befriends me. Pal. Hist ! hush ! the door is opening ; come this way a little out of sight. (Milphi- dippa comes out of the house of Periplecomenus.) This is ber fly-boat — her go-between, that's coming out there. Ptrg. How so— fly-boat ? Pal. This is her maid that is coming ut of the house, she that brought that ring which I delivered to you. 120 MILES OLORIOSUS ; Act. IY. Pyrg. I' faith, she too is a prettyish wench. Pal. This one is a little monkey and an owl1 in comparison with the other. Do you see how she hunts around with her eyes, and goes fowling about with her ears. (They stand aside.) Scene II. Enter Milphidippa. Mil. (as she enters). My Circus, then2, is before the house, where my sports are to take place. I'll make pretence, as though I didn't see them, or knew as yet that they are here. Pyrg. Hush ! let's quietly listen, whether any mention is made of me. Mil. (aloud). Is there no one near at hand here, to attend to another's business rather than his own? — to prowl after3 me to nee what I'm about ? No one who is feeding this evening4 at his own expense ? I dread such men as these, lest they should now come in the way, or prove an hindrance somehow, should my mistress privately pass from her house this way, who is so enamoured of his person, who so dotes upon this very charming man with his exceeding beauty — the Captain Pyrgopolinices. Pyrg. And doesn't she dote upon me, too ? She is praising my beauty. Pal. I' faith, her language stands in need of no ashes5. Pyrg. For what reason ? Pal. Why, because her lan- guage is clean spoken and far from slovenly. "Whatever .she says about yourself, she handles it in no slovenly way. A nd, then, besides, she herself is a very pretty and a very dainty wench. 1 And an owl) — Ver. 989. " Spinturnicium" was the name of some ugly, ill- omened bird ; of* what kind it is not now known. 2 My Circus, then) — Ver. 991 . This is an allusion to the Circus at Rome, where the public games were exhibited. 3 To prowl after) — Ver. 995. " Aucupo" is properly applied to a birdcatcher, or fowler, who watches his nets. 4 Feeding this evening) — Ver. 995. " Qui de vesperi vivat suo." She is sup- posed to mean those who are not out on the hunt for a supper, but have got one of their own at home. These latter persons, she thinks, living at their ease, and not having to satisfy a hungry stomach, are likely to have more leisure for prying into the concerns of other people, than those who are put to their shifts for a meal. 5 In need of no ashes) — Ver. 1000. He says that she is so very clean spokes Haute et minime sordide) that she needs no ashes with which to scour her words ; the i(jure being derived from the custom of scouring brass vessels with pounded ashea. Sc. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 121 Ptrg. Troth, indeed, she has made an impression already, Palaestrio, at first sight. Pal. What ! before you have seen the other with your eyes? Ptrg. 'What I see, in that I have faith for myself; for this mackerel1, in the absence of the mullet, compels me to bo in love with her. Pal. I' faith, you really mustn't be falling in love with ner, she's engaged to me. If the other weds you to-day, forthwith I shall take this one for my wife. Ptrg. Why, then, do you delay to accost her ? Pal. Follow me this way, then. Ptrg. I am your lackey at your heels3. Mil. (aloud) . I wish that I had an opportunity of meeting him on account of whom I came here out of doors. Pal. (accosting her). It shall be so, and you shall have what you so greatly wish ; be of good courage, don't fear ; there is a certain person who knows where that is which you are seeking. Mil. Who's that I hear at hand? Pal. The sharer of your plans and the partaker of your secrets. Mil. I' faith, then, what I do conceal I don't conceal. Pal. Aye, but still you don't conceal it this way. Mil. How so ? Pal. From the uninitiated you conceal them. I am sure and trustworthy to you. Mil. Give me the sign, if you are one of these votaries3. Pal. A certain lady loves a certain gentleman. 1 This mackerel)— Ver. 1006. The " lacerta" was probably a delicate fish, whose name is now unknown, but not so much so as the " mullus," the M grey mullet," which was very highly esteemed by the Roman epicures. 2 Lackey at your heels) — Ver. 1009. " Pedisequus." The " pedisequi" were a class of slaves at Rome whose duty it was to walk behind their master when he went out of doors. The name does not seem to have been given to every slave who followed his master, but they belonged to a class which was almost the lowest in the slave family. 3 Of these votaries) — Ver. 1016. " Baccharum." Literally, "one of the " Bacchae," or " votaries of Bacchus." Only those were admitted to the rites who had been duly initiated. These had a sign or password called " symbolum," or " aiemoraculum," by which they recognised each other, and thus Milphidippa asks Palaestrio to give her some proof that he is the right person for her to address. This pretended caution is only assumed in the Captain's presence, in order tha better to impose upon him, by affecting the utmost care and secrecy in th« matter 122 MILES GLOEIOSUS ; Act IV. Mil. Faith, many ladies do that indeed. Pal. But not many ladies send a present from off their fingers. Mil. Aye, I know now. You've now made the matter level for me instead of steep. But is there a certain person here ? Pal. Either he is or he is not. Mil. Come aside with me alone, in private. Pal. For a short or for a lengthy conversation ? Mil. For three words only. Pal. (to Pyegopolinices). I'll return to you this in- stant. Pyeg. What ? Shall I be standing here in the meanwhile, with such charms and valorous deeds, thus to no purpose ? Pal. Submit to it and wait; for you am I doing this service. Pyeg. Make haste ; I am tortured with waiting. Pal. Tou know that commodities of this kind are only wont to be reached step by step. Pyeg. Well, well; as is most agreable to yourself. Pal. (aside). There is no stone more stupid than this fellow. I now return to you. (To Mil hidippa.) What would you with me ? (Betires with her to distance.) Mil. In the way in which I received it of you a short time since, I bring you back your clever lot ; my story is as though she were dying with love for him. Pal. That 1 understand. Do you commend his beauty and his appearance, and make mention of his prowess. Mil. For that purpose I am armed at all points1, as I have shown you before already. On the other hand, do you give all attention, and be on the watch, and take your cue2 from my words. Pyeg. Prithee do now, in fine, give n e some share in the business ; step this way this instant, I beg. Pal. {goes up to him). Here I am. If you wish for aught, give me your commands. Pyeg. What is she saying to you ? Pal. She is saying that her mistress is lamenting, and, in 1 Armed at all points)— Ver. 1028. " Habeo omnem aciem." Literally, " I hav« all my troops in battle array." 2 Take your cue)— Ver. 1029. " Venator." Literally, " hunt out," or " act tbj uunter's part," probably with reference to starting the game. 8c. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 123 tears, is tormenting and afflicting herself because she wishes for you, and because she possesses you not ; for that reason has she been sent here to you. Pyrg. Bid her approach. Pal. But do you know how you are to act ? Pretend that you are full of disdain, as though it pleased you not ; exclaim against me, because I make you so common to the mob. Pyrg. I remember, and I'll follow your instructions. Pal. I'll call her, then, who is inquiring after you. Pyrg. If she wants anything, let her come. Pal. Wench, if you want anything, step this way. Mil. {approaching). Save you, charmer1. Pyrg. She makes mention of my surname. May the Gods grant you whatever you may desire. Mil. To pass life with you is the wish of Pyrg. You are wishing too much. Mil. I am not speak- ing of myself, but of my mistress, who is dying for you. Pyrg. Many others are wishing for the same thing, who have not the opportunity. Mil. By my troth, 'tis not to be wondered at ; you set a high value on yourself — a person so handsome, and so illus- trious for his prowess, and so valorous in his deeds ! O ! was there ever any one more worthy to be a man ? Pal. {aside). V faith, the filthy fellow is not a human being ; indeed, I think there is something more human in a vulture2. Pyrg. {aside). Now I shall make myself of importance, since she so praises me up. {Struts about.) Pal. {aside). Do you see the blockhead, how he struts ? {To Pyrgopolinices.) But will you not answer her ; she is the woman that's come from the lady whom I was mentioning just now. Pyrg. But from which one of them ? For there are so many courting me, I cannot remember them all. Mil. Prom her who strips her own fingers and adorns your fingers ; for I delivered to him {pointing to Pal^istrio) that ring from her who is sighing for you, and then he to you. Pyrg. Tell me, wench, what is it you want then ? 1 Cliarmer) — Ver. 1 038. " Pulcher." " Handsome man." This, as a surname, would not sound so very absurd in Roman ears, as " Pulcher" was a surname (cog- nomen) of a branch of the Claudian family. 2 In a vulture)— Ver. 1043. He probably alludes to the fact of the vulture sometimes carrying human flesh in its maw 124 MILES GL0EI0ST7S ; Act IV. Mil. That you will not despise her who ia sighing for you ; who lives now but in your life : whether she is to exist or not, her hope is in you alone. Pyeg. What does she want then ? Mil. To talk with you, to embrace you, and to be intimate writh you. For un- less you bring her succour, she will soon be quite desponding in her mind. Come, my Achilles, let that be done which I entreat ; save her, charmer, by your charming ways. Call forth your kind disposition, stormer of cities, slayer of kings. Pyeg. O ! by my troth, 'tis a vexatious thing ! (To Paljesteio.) How often, whip-scoundrel, have I forbidden you to make promises of my attention thus common. Pal. Do you hear that, hussy ? I have told you already, and I now tell you again, unless a fee is given to this boar- pig1, he cannot possibly throw away his attentions in any quarter. Mil. A fee shall be given, as large as he shall demand. Pal. He requires a talent of gold, in Philippean pieces. Less he will take from no one. Mil. 0, by my troth, but that's too little, surely. Pyeg. By nature there's no avarice in me ; I have riches enough. I' faith ! I've more than a thousand measures2 full of Philippean gold coins. Pal. Besides your treasures. Then, of silver, he has mountains, not ingots ; JEtna is not so high. Mil. (aside). By the stars ! 0, what a lie! Pal. (to Milphidippa, aside). How rarely I am playing him off! Mil. (to Pal^steio, aside). And I; how do I do it? Ain't I gulling him ? Pal. (aside). Rarely. Mil. But, prithee, do let me go now. Pal. (to the Captain). But do you give her some answer, either that you will do it, or that you won't do it. "Why cause this poor lady so much anguish of mind, who has never de- served any ill of you ? Pyeg. Bid her come to me herself. Tell her that I will do everything that she requires. Mil. You now act as it is proper for you to act. since you wish the same yourself that she is wishing. 1 Boar-pig) This passage is somewhat modified in the translation. * A thousand measures) — Ver. 1063. The " modius" was a Roman measora, Mie-third of the " amphora." It contained nearly two English gallons. 8C. II. THE BBAGGABT CAPTAIX. 125 Pal. (to himself, aside). No poor faculty of invention has she. Mil. Since too you have not scouted your petitioner, and have suffered me to prevail upon you. (Aside to Pal^es- trio.) How now ? Haven't I played him off? Pal. (aside to Milphidippa). Faith, I couldn't refrain from laughing. Mil. (aside to Pal^steio). Yes ; and for the same reason I turned in this direction away from you. Pyeg. By my troth, wench, you don't understand ho* great an honor I am now paying her. Mil. I know, and I shall tell her so. Pal. To another he could have sold his favours for his weight in gold. Mil. I' faith, I believe you in that. Pal. Of those that are parents by him true warriors are born, and his sons live eight hundred years. Mil. (aside to Pal^steio). Fie on you for a fibber ! Pyeg. Why, straight on, from age to age, they live for a thousand years. Pal. I spoke within limits, for the reason that she mightn't suppose I was telling lies to her. Mil. (aside). I burst, I die! (Aloud.) How many years will he live himself whose sons live so long ? Pteg. Wench, I was born the day after Jupiter was borr of Ops. Pal. If he had only been born the day before the othei was, he would have had the realms of heaven. Mil. (aside to Pal^steio). Now, now, prithee, no more do let me get away from you, if I can, alive. Pal. Why don't you go then, as you have your answer? Mil. I'll go, and I'll bring her here, on whose behalf I am employed. Is there aught else you wish ? Pyeg. May I never be more handsome than I am at pre- sent ; so much trouble do my good looks cause me. Pal. Why do you stay now ? Why don't you go ? Mil. I'm going. Pal. (aside to Milphidippa). And tell her, too, do you hear, cleverly and correctly, what has 'passed. Mil. (to Pal^steio). So that her very heart may leap forjoy. Pal. (aside to Milphidippa) If Philocomasium is theTfi; 126 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act IV tell her to pass through into our house ; that the Captain here. Mil. {to Pal^strio). She is there with my mistress for, on the sly, they have been overhearing* this con versation. Pal. {aside to Milphidippa). 'Twas cleverly done; here- after they will take their cne the more readily from this conversation. Mil. {to Pal^strio). Tou are delaying me. I'm off. Pal. {to Milphidippa). I'm not delaying you, nor touching you, nor2 I'm mum. Pyrg. Bid her make haste to come out here ; we'll give our first attention to this matter especially. (Milphidippa goes into the house of Periplecomenus.) Scene III. Pyrgopolinices, Pal^estrio. Pyrg. What do you advise me now to do, Palaestrio, -about my mistress ? For this lady can by no means be re- ceived into my house before I have sent the other away. Pal. Why consult me what you are to do ? So far as I am concerned, I have told you by what method that can be effected in the gentlest manner. The gold trinkets and female clothing with which you have furnished her, let her keep it all for herself: let her take it, be off, and carry it away : tell her that it is high time for her to go home ; say that her twin-sister and her mother are come, in company with whom she may go straight home. Pyrg. How do you know that they are here P Pal. Because, with my own eyes, I've seen her sister here. Pyrg. Have you met her ? Pal. I have met her. Pyrg. And did she seem a brisk wench ? Pal. Tou are wishing to have everything. Pyrg. Where did the sister say her mother was ? Pal. The captain that brought them told me that she was 1 Overhearing) — Ver. 1090. Probably at the upper window, next door. 2 Nor touching you, nor) — Ver. 1092. This is an instance of Aposicpesia, H. is about to say something rude, but checks himself. Sc. III. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 127 in bed, on board the ship, with sore and inflamed eyes. This captain of the ship is lodging with them next door. Pteg. And he, too, is he a very fine fellow ? Pal. Away with you, if you please. What have you1 to do with him ? You have your hands quite full enough with the women. Attend to this for the present. Pteg. As to that advice you were giving me, I wish you to have a few words with her upon that subject. For, really, a conversation on that subject with her is more becoming' for you. Pal. What is more advisable than for you to go yourself, and transact your own concerns ? You must say that it is absolutely necessary for you to marry : that your relations are persuading, your friends are urging, you. Pyeg. And do you think so? Pal. Why shouldn't I think so ? Pteg. I'll go in, then. Do you, in the mean time, keep watch here before the house, that when the other woman comes out you may call me out. Pal. Do you only mind the business that you are upon. Pteg. That, indeed, is resolved upon. For if she will not go out of her own accord, I'll turn her out by force. Pal. Do you take care how you do that ; but rather let her go from your house with a good grace3, and give her those things that I mentioned. The gold trinkets and apparel, with which you furnished her, let her take away. Pteg. By my troth, I wish she would. Pal. I think you'll easily prevail upon her. But go in- doors ; don't linger here. Pteg. I obey you. {Goes into his house). Pal. {to the Audience). Now, does he really appear to be anything dif- ferent from what, awhile ago, I told you he was, this wench- ing Captain ? Now it is requisite that Acroteleutium should come to me, her maid too, and Pleusicles. O Jupiter ! and does not opportunity favour me in every respect ? For those whom I especially wished to see, I perceive at this moment coming out here from our neighbour's. 1 What have you) — Ver. 1112. This passage is somewhat modified above. * Tsmore becoming)— Ver. 1116. He thinks it not suitable to bis dignity to 6peak on the subject himself, and therefore wishes to put the task upon Palsestrio. » With a good grace)— Ver. 1125. "Pergratiam bonam." " Bona gratia" was « legal term used in the case of amicable divorces with the consent of both partus 128 MILES GLOEIOSUS ; Act IV. Scene IV. Enter Aceoteleutium, Milphidippa, and Pleusicles from the house o/'Peeiplecomencjs. Aceot. Follow me ; at the same time look around, that there may be no overlooker. Mil. Faith, I see no one, only him whom we want to meet. Pal. Just as I want you. Mil. How do you do, our master-plotter ? Pal. I, the master-plotter ? Nonsense. Mil. How so ? Pal. Because, in comparison with your- self, I am not worthy to fix a beam in a wall. Aceot. Aye, indeed so. Pal. She's a very fluent and a very clever hand at mischief. How charmingly she did polish off the Captain. Mil. But still, not enough. Pal. Be of good courage all the business is now prospering under our hands. Only do you, as you have begun, still give a helping hand ; for the Captain himself has gone in-doors, to entreat his mis- tress to leave his house, with her mother and sister, foi Athens. Pleus. Very good — well done. Pal. Besides, all the gold trinkets and apparel which he himself has provided foi the damsel, he gives her to keep as a present for herself — so have I recommended him. Pleus. Eeally, it's easily done, if both she wishes it, and ho desires it as well. Pal. Don't you know that when, from a deep well, you have ascended up to the top, there is the greatest danger lest you should thence fall back again from the top. This affair is now being carried on at the top of the well. If the Captain should have a suspicion of it, nothing whatever of his will be able to be carried off. Now, most especially, we have need of clever contrivances. Pleus. I see that there is material enough at home for that purpose — three women, yourself the fourth, I am the fifth, the old gentleman the sixth. Pal. What an edifice of stratagems has been erected by ua ! I know for certain, that any town seems as thougL Sc. IV. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 129 it could be taken by these plans : only do you lend your assistance. Acrot. For that purpose are we come to you, to see if you wish for anything. Pal. You do what's a propos. Now to you do I assign this department1. Acrot. General, you shall assign me whatever you please, so far as I am capable. Pal. I wish this Captain to be played off .cleverly and adroitly. Acrot. I' faith, you're assigning me what's a pleasure to me. Pal. But do you understand how ? Acrot. You mean that I must pretend that I am distracted with love for him. Pal. Eight — you have it. Acrot. And as though by reason of that love I had foregone2 my present marriage^ longing for a match with him. Pal. Everything exactly in its due order; except only this one point ; you must say that this house {pointing to the house of Periplecomentjs) was your marriage-portion : that the old man had departed hence from you after you had carried out the divorce, lest he should be afraid just now to come here into the house of another man. Acrot. You advise me well. Pal. But when he comes out from in-doors, I wish you — standing at a distance there — so to make pretence, as though in comparison with his beauty you despised your own, and as though you were 1 This department) — Ver. 1159. " Impero provinciam." This term was pro- perly applied to the Senate when bestowing a province upon a Proconsul or Pro- praetor. 2 1 had foregone)— Ver. 1164. To account for the facility with which the pre- tended divorce appears to take place, we must remember that among the Romans either party was at liberty to dissolve the tie of marriage. Where a husband divorced his wife, the wife's " dos," or marriage-portion, was in general restored to her ; and the same was the case where the divorce took place by mutual consent. This will account for Acroteleutium asserting that she had been divorced from Periplecomenus, and that she had retained possession of the house as having formed her marriage-portion. As a loss of affection on either side was thought to consti- tute a good ground for divorce, is is not to be wondered at if the Captain should believe the story that his neighbour's wife had obtained a divorce on account of hei passion for himself. K 130 MILES GLORIOSUS ; Act IV struck with awe at his opulent circumstances ; at the same time, too, praise the comeliness of his person, the beauty of his face. Are you tutored enough ? Aceot. I understand it all. Is it enough that I give you my work so nicely finished off that you cannot find a fault with it. Pal. I'm content. JSTow {addressing Pleusicles), in your turn, learn what charge I shall give to you. So soon as this shall be done, when she shall have gone in, then do \ ou immediately take care to come here dressed in the garb of a master of a ship. Have on a broad-brimmed hat1 of iron- grey, a woollen shade2 before your eyes ; have on an iron-grey cloak3 (for that is the seaman's colour) ; have it fastened over the left shoulder, your right arm projecting out4, • • * * * * * your clothes some way well girded up, pretend as though you are some master of a ship. And all these re- quisites are at the house of this old gentleman, for he keeps fishermen. Pleus. Well, when I'm dressed out, why don't you tell me what I'm to do then ? Pal. Come here, and, in the name of her mother, bring word to Philocomasium, that, if she would return to Athens, she must go with you to the harbour directly, and that she 1 A broad-brimmed hat) — Ver. 1178. " Causia." See the note to 1. 851 of the " Trinummus." 2 A woollen shade) — Ver. 1178. " Culcitam laneam." The "culcita" here alluded to was a little cushion padded with wool, which was placed before weak or diseased eyes to absorb the moisture. It is supposed to have been either bound against the part affected, or else to have been held in the hand and applied every now and then. Commentators seem to think that here Pleusicles holds it up to his eye with his hand when addressing the Captain. They are at a loss to know why Palaestrio recommends this, as the Captain has never seen Pleusicles, who was at Naupactus when Philocomasium was carried off. Still, though it is not mentioned, it may be, because the Captain had seen Pleusicles before he went to Naupactus ; or, what is more probable, that, affecting to have weak eyes, Pleusicles may not appear so comely as he really is, and not thereby excite any suspicion in the Captain's mind as to his intentions. 3 An iron-grey cloak) — Ver. 1179. Some think that the " ferrugineus," or iron colour, here called "colos thalassinus," or "the sea -colour," was dark blue, but dark grey seems more probable, as the shades of blue were too expensive for common wear. 4 Right arm projecting out) — Ver. 1180. This no doubt was the way in winch the " pallium" was usually worn by seafaring men, for the sake of expedition, and in crdcr to give free play to the right arm when aboard ship. Se. V. THE BEAGGAET CAPTAIN. 133. must order it to be carried down to the ship if she wishes anything to be put on, board ; that if she doesn't go, you must weigh anchor, for the wind is favourable. Pleus. I like your plan much : do proceed. Pal.. The Captain will at once advise her to go speedily, that she may not delay her mother. Pleus. Every way you are clever. Pal. I shall tell him that she asks for me as a helper to carry her baggage down to the harbour. I shall go, and, understand you, I shall im- mediately be off with you straight to Athens. Pleus. And when you have reached there, I'll never let you be ashore three days before you're free. Pal. Be off speedily and equip yourself. Pleus. Is there anything besides ? Pal. Only to remem- ber all this. Pleus. I'm off. {Exit.) Pal. And do you {to Aceote- leutium and Milphidippa) be off hence in-doors this in- stant, for I'm quite sure that he'll just now be coming out hence from in-doors. Aceot. With us your command is as good as law. Pal. Come, then, begone. But see, the door opens oppor- tunely. {The women go into the house of Peeiplecomenus.) Scene V. Enter Pyegopollnices^ottc his house. Pyeg-. "What I wished I have obtained just as I wished, on kind and friendly terms, that she would leave me. Pal. For what reason am I to say that you have been bo long in-doors ? Pyeg. I never was so sensible that I was beloved by that woman as now. Pal. Why so ? Pyeg. How many words she did utter \ Sow the matter, was protracted ! But in the end I obtained what I wanted, and I granted her what she wanted and what she asked of me. I made a present of you also to her. Pal. What — me, too ? In what way shall I exist with- out you ? Pyeg. Come, be of good heart ; I'll make you free from her, too. But I used all endeavours, if I could by any method persuade her to go away, and not take you with her/ she forced me, however. K2 132 MILES GLOEIOSIJS ; Act IV" Pal. In the Gods and yourself I'll place my trust. Yet, at the last, although it is bitter to me that I must be deprived of an excellent master, yourself, at least it is a pleasure to me that, through my means, by reason of the excellence of your beauty, this has happened to you with regard to this lady neighbour, whom I am now introducing to you. Pybg. What need of words ? I'll give you liberty and wealth if you obtain her for me. Pal. I'll win her. Pyeg. But I'm impatient. Pal. But moderation is requisite ; curb your desires ; don't be over anxious. But see, here she is herself; she is coming out of doors. Scene VI. Enter Aceoteleutium and MiLPHiDiPPA/rom the house oj Pebiplecomenus. Mil. (in a low voice). Mistress, see! the Captain's near. Aceot. (in a low voice). Where is he ? Mil. Only look to the left. Eye him askance, that he mayn't perceive that we are looking at him. Aceot. I see him. Troth, now's the time, in our mis- chief, for us to become supremely mischievous. Mil. "lis for you to begin. Aceot. (aloud). Prithee, did you see him yourself ? (Aside.) Don't spare your voice, so that he may hear. Mil. (aloud). By my troth, I talked with his own self, at my ease, as long as I pleased, at my leisure, at my own dis- cretion, just as I wished. Pyeg. (to Pal^steio). Do you hear what she says? Pal. (to Pyegopolinices). I hear. How delighted she is because she had access to you. Aceot. (aloud). O happy woman that you are ! Pyeg. How I do seem to be loved ! Pal. You are deserving of it. Mil. (aloud). By my troth, 'tis passing strange what you say, that you had access to him and prevailed. They say that he is usually addressed, like a king, through letters or messengers. Mil. (aloud). But, i' faith, 'twas with difficulty I had an opportunity of approaching and beseeching him. Pal. (to Pyegopolinices). How renowned you are among the fair Sc. VI. TIIE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 133 Pyrg. (to Paljestrio). I shall submit, since Venus wills it so. Acrot. (aloud) . By heavens ! I return to Venus grateful thanks, and her I do beseech and entreat, that I may win. him whom I love and whom I seek to win, and that to me he may prove gentle, and not make a difficulty about what I desire. Mil. (aloud). I hope it may be so ; although many ladies are seeking to win him for themselves, he disdains them and estranges himself from all but you alone. Acrot. (aloud). Therefore this fear torments me, since he is so disdainful, lest his eyes, when he beholds me, should change his sentiments, and his own gracefulness should at once disdain my form. Mil. (aloud). He will not do so ; be of good heart. Ptrg. (to Pal^strio). How she does slight herself! Acrot. (aloud). I fear lest your account may have sur- passed my looks. Mil. (aloud.) I've taken care of this, that you shall be fairer than his expectations. Acrot. (aloud). Troth, if he shall refuse to take me as his wife, by heavens I'll embrace his knees and entreat him ! If I shall be unable to prevail on him, in some way or other, I'll put myself to death. I'm quite sure that without him I cannot live. Ptrg. (to Pal^strio). I see that I must prevent this woman's death. Shall I accost her ? Pal. By no means ; for you will be making yourself cheap if you lavish yourself away of your own accord. Let her come spontaneously, seek you, court you, strive to win you. Un- less you wish to lose that glory which you have^ please have a care what you do. For I know that this was never the lot of any mortal, except two persons, yourself and Phaon of Lesbos1, to be loved so desperately. Acrot. (aloud). I'll go in-doors^ — or, my dear Milphi- dippa, do you call him out of doors. 1 Phaon of Lesbos) — Ver. 1247. Sappho, the poetess, was enamoured of Phaon the Lesbian. When he deserted her, she threw herself from the Leucadian pro- montory or Lover's Leap, which was supposed to provide a cure for unrequited love. Her death was the consequence. See her Epistle to Phaon, the twenty-first of the Heroides of Ovid. 2 rilgo in-doors)—VeT. 1248. It must be remembered, that all this time thei 134 MILES GL0RI0SUS ; Act IV, Mil. (aloud). Aye; let's wait until some one comes out. Acrot. {aloud). I can't restrain myself from going in to him. Mil. (aloud). The door's fastened. Acrot. (aloud). I'll break it in then. Mil. (aloud). You are not in your senses. Acrot. (aloud). If he has ever loved, or if he has wisdom equal to his beauty, whatever I may do through love, he will pardon me by reason of his compassionate feelings. Pal. (to Pyrgopolinices). Prithee, do see, how distracted the poor thing is with love. Pyrg. (to Pal^strio). 'Tis mutual in us. Pal. Hush ! Don't you let her hear. Mil. (aloud). Why do you stand stupefied? Why don't you knock ? Acrot. (aloud). Because he is not within whom I want. Mil. (aloud). How do you know1 ? Acrot. (aloud). By my troth, I do know it easily ; for my nose would scent him if he were within. Pyrg. (to Pal^strio). She is a diviner. Because she is :n love with me, Venus has made her prophesy. Acrot. (aloud). He is somewhere or other close at hand whom I do so long. to behold. I'm sure I smell him. Pyrg. (to Pal^strio). Troth, now, she really sees better vi-ith her nose than with her eyes. Pal. (to Pyrgopolinices). She is blind from love. Acrot. (aloud). Prithee, do support me. Mil. (aloud). Why? Acrot. (aloud). Lest I should tall. Mil. (aloud). Why? Acrot. (aloud). Because I cannot stand ; my senses — my senses are sinking so by reason of my eyes. Mil. (aloud). Heavens! you've seen the Captain. Acrot. (aloud). I have. Mil. (aloud). I don't see him. Where is he ? liave pretended not to see Palaestrio or his master. Milphidippa cautioned her mistress only to take a side-glance at him (limis), after which they have, probably turned their backs. 1 How do you know) — Ver. 1255. In Ritschel's edition, these words are attri- onted to Palaestno. This is clearly a mistake, for Palaestrio has not yet joined ia their conversation. He and his master are listening to what they say. Sc. VI. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 135 Acrot.. (aloud). Troth, you would see him if you were iu Love. Mil. (aloud). T faith, you dou't love him more than I do myself, with your good leave. Pal. (to Pyrgopolinices). No doubt all of the women, as soon as each has seen you, are in love with you. Pyrg. (to Pal^strio). I don't know whether you have heard it from me or not ; I'm the grandson of Venus. Acrot. (aloud). My dear Milphidippa, prithee do ap- proach and accost him. Pyrg. (to Paljestrio). How she does stand in awe of me ! Pal. (to Pyrgopolinices). She is coming towards us. Mil. (advancing). I wish to speak with you. Pyrg. And we with you. Mil. I have brought my mis- tress out of the house, as you requested me. • Pyrg. So I see. Mil. Request her, then, to approach. Pyrg. Since you have entreated it, I have prevailed upon my mind not to detest her just like other women. Mil. I' faith she wouldn't be able to utter a word if she were to come near you ; while she was looking at you, her eyes have in the meantime tied her tongue. Pyrg. I see that this woman's disorder must be cured. • Mil. See how terrified she is since she beheld you. Pyrg. Even armed men are the same ; don't wonder at a woman being so. But what does she wish me to do ? Mil. You to come to her house ; she wishes to live and to pass her life with you. Pyrg. What ! — I come home to her, when she is a mar- ried woman ? Her husband is to be stood in fear of. Mil. Why, — for your sake, she has turned her husband out of her house. Pyrg. How ? How could she do so ? Mil. The house was her marriage- portion. Pyrg. Was it so ? Mil. It was so, on my word. Pyrg. Bid her go home ; I'll be there just now. Mil. Take care, and don't keep her in expectation ; don't torment her feelings. Pyrg. Not I, indeed. Do you go then. Mil. We are going. (Acroteletjtium an d Milphidippa go into the house of Periplecomentjs.) Pyrg. But what do J see ? Pal. What do you see ? 136 MILES GLORIOSTJS ; Act IV. Pyrg. See there, some one is coming, I know not who, but in a sailor's dress. Pal. He is surely wanting us, now ; really, it is the ship- master. Pyrg. He's come, I suppose, to fetch her. Pal. I fancy so. Scene VII. Enter Pleusicles, at a distance, in a Sailor's dress. Pleus. (to himself). Did I not know that another man in other ways has done many a thing unbecoming^ on account of love, I should be more ashamed by reason of love for me to be going in this garb. But since I have learned that many per- sons by reason of love have committed many actions, dis- graceful and estranged from what is good, ***** for I pass by how Achilles suffered1 his comrades to be slain But there's Palaestrio, he's standing with the Captain. My talk must now be changed for another kind. Woman is surely born of tardiness itself. For every other delay, which is a delay just as much, seems a less delay than that which is on account of a woman. I really think that this is done merely from habit. But I shall call for this Philoco- masium. I'll knock at the door then. Hallo ! is there any* one here ? (Knocks at the Captain's door.) Pal. Young man — what is it ? "What do you want ? "Why are you knocking ? Pleus. I'm come to inquire for Philocomasium ; I'm come from her mother. If she's for going, let her set off. She is delaying us all ; we wish to weigh anchor. Pyrg. Her things have been some time in readiness. Hearkye, Palasstrio, take some assistants with you to carry to the ship her golden trinkets, her furniture, apparel, ail her precious things. All the articles are already packed up which I gave her. Pal. I'll go. (Goes into the house) Pleus. Troth now, prithee, do make haste. Pyrg. There shall be no delay. Pray, what is it that has been done2 with your eye ? 1 Achilles suffered) — Ver. 1289. This was when he withdrew from the warfare on being deprived of Briseis by Agamemnon, on which occasion Hector made great havoc among the Grecian forces. « That has been done)— Ver 1306. He asks " what has been done with " or " be- SC. VIII. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 137 Pletts. Troth, but I have my eye. (Points to the right one.) Pyrg. But the left oue I mean. • Pleus. I'll tell you. On account of the sea, I use this eye less ; but if I kept away from the sea1, I should use the one like the other. But they are detaining me too long. Ptrg. See, here they are coming out. Scene VIII. Enter Pal^strio and Philocomasium /row the Captain's house. Pal. (to Philocomasium). Prithee, when will you this day make an end of your weeping ? Phil. What can I do but weep ? I am going away hence where I have spent my days most happily. Pal. See, there's the man that has come from your mother and sister (pointing to Pleusicles). Phil. I see him. Ptrg. Palaestrio, do you hear ? Pal. "What is your pleasure ? Ptrg. Aren't you order- ing those presents to be brought out which I gave her ? Pleus. Health to you, Philocomasium. Phil. And health to you. Pleus. Tour mother and sister bade me give their love to you. Phil. Heaven prosper them. Pleus. They beg you to set out, so that, while the wind is fair, they may set sail. But if your mother's eyes had been well, she would have come3 together with me. Phil. I'll go ; although I do it with regret — duty compels me. Pleus. Tou act wisely. Ptrg. If she had not been passing her life with myself, this day she would have been a blockhead. come of," his eye ? On which Pleusicles tells him, by way of a quibble, that he has got his eye, alluding to the right one, while the Captain refers to the left, against which the " lectica" is placed. 1 From the sea) — Ver. 1309. There is a pun here, which cannot be preserved in the translation. " Si abstinuissem a mare," " If I kept away from the sea," may also be read, " Si abstinuissem amare," " If I refrained from loving." The Captain understands him in the former sense, thinking that he means that he has got a disease in his eye, which may be increased by leading a seafaring life. *She would have come) — Ver. 1318. Thornton justly observes that this excuse for the pretended mother not making her appearance is fair enough, but there is no reason alleged why the sister should not come, except that we may suppose that she stays to nurse and comfort her sick parent. 138 MILES GLOEIOSUS ; Act IV Phil. I am distracted at this, that I am estranged from such a man. For you are able to make any woman what- ever abound in wit; and because I was living with you, for that reason I was of a very lofty spirit. I see that 1 must lose that loftiness of mind. (Pretends to erg.) Pteg. Don't weep. Phil. I can't help it when I look upon you. Pteg. Be of good courage. Phil. I know what pain it is to me. Pal. I really don't wonder now, Philocomasium, if you were here with happiness to yourself, when I, a servant — as I look at him, weep because we are parting (pretends to cry), so much have his beauty, his manners, his valour, captivated your feelings. Phil. Prithee, do let me embrace you before I depart ? Pteg. By all means. Phil, {embracing him). 0 my eyes ! O my life ! Pal. Do hold up the woman, I entreat you, lest she should fall. (He takes hold of her, and she pretends to faint.) Pveg. "What means this? Pal. Because, after she l.Tid quitted you, she suddenly became faint, poor thing. Pteg. Run in and fetch some water. Pal. I want no water ; but I had rather you would keep at a distance. Prithee, don't you interfere till she comes to. Pteg. (observing Pleusicles, who is holding Philocoma- sium in his arm). They have their heads too closely in con- tact between them ; I don't like it ; he is soldering his lips1 to hers. What the plague are you about ? Pleus. I was trying whether she was breathing or not. Pteg. You ought to have applied your ear then. Pleus. If you had rather, I'll let her go. Pteg. No, I don't care ; do you support her. Pal. To my misery, I'm quite distracted. Pteg. G-o and bring here from in-doors all the things that I have given her. Pal. And even now, household G-od, do I salute thee before I depart ; my fellow-servants, both male and female, all farewell, and happy may you live ; prithee, though absent, among yourselves bestow your blessings upon me as well. 1 He is soldering his lips)—Ver. 1335. "Ferrnmmat" is a strong expressioJ bere ; it literally means to weld iron with iron, hammering :t in a red-hot state. Sc. VIII. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 139 Pyrg. Come, Palaestrio, be of good courage. Pal. Alas ! alas! I cannot but weep since from you I must depart. Ptrg. Bear it with patience. Phil, (feigning to recover) . Ha ! how's this ? What means it ? Hail, O light ! Pleits. Are you recovered now? Phil. Prithee, what person am I embracing ? I'm undone. Am I myself? Pleus. (in a low voice) . Fear not, my delight. Pyrg. "What means all this ? Pal. Just now she swooned away here. #####* I fear and dread that this at last may take place1 too openly. Pyrg. What is that you say ? Pal. I fear that some one may turn it to your discredit, while all these things are being carried after us through the city. Ptrg. I have given away my own property, and not theirs. I care but little for other people. Be off then, go with the blessing of the Grods. Pal. "lis for your sake I say it. Pyrg. I believe you. Pal. And now farewell ! Pyrg. And heartily farewell to you ! Pal. (to Pleusicles and Philocomasium as they leave). Go you quickly on ; I'll overtake you directly ; I wish to speak a few words with my master. (To Pyrgopolinices.) Although you have ever deemed others more faithful to yourself than me, still do I owe you many thanks for all things ; and if such were your feelings, I would rather be a slave to you by far than be the freedman of another. Pyrg. Be of good courage. Pal. Ah me! When it comes in my mind, how my manners must be changed, how womanish manners must be learnt, and the military ones forgotten ! Pyrg. Take care and be honest. Pal. I can be so no longer ; I have lost all inclination2. 1 May take place) — Ver. 1347. Palaestrio cannot help exclaiming against the I indiscreet conduct of the lovers. The Captain overhears him, and asks him what |is the matter. He adroitly turns it off, by saying, " that if thus openly the 3oods and furniture are carried through the city, he very much fears that his Imaster will be censured for his extreme prodigality." " Lost all inclination) — Ver. 1360. A pun is thought to be intended here on the jword " lubidinem," but of so wretched a nature that it is not worth any furthet Uusion to it. 140 MILES GLORIOSTJS ; Act IV. Pyrg. Go, follow them ; don't linger. Pal. Fare you right well. Pyrg. And heartily fare you well. Pal. Prithee, do remember me ; if perchance I should happen to be made free, I'll send the news to you ; don't you forsake me1. Pyrg. That is not my habit. Pal. Consider every now and then how faithful I have been to you. If you do that, then at last you'll know who is honest towards you and who dishonest. Pyrg. I know it ; I have often found that true, as well before as to-day in especial. Pal. Do you know it ? Aye, and this day I'll make you hereafter say still more how true it is. Pyrg. I can hardly refrain from bidding you to stay. Pal. Take you care how2 you do that. They may say that you are a liar and not truthful, that you have no honor ; they may say that no one of your slaves is trustworthy except my- self. If, indeed, I thought you could do it with honor, I should advise you. But it cannot be ; take care how you do so. Pyrg. Be off; I'll be content then, whatever happens. Pal. Then, fare you well. Pyrg. 'Twere better you should go with a good heart. Pal. Still, once more, farewell. (JEccitl) Pyrg. Before this affair, I had always thought that he was a most rascally ser- vant ; still, I find that he is faithful to me. "When I con- sider with myself, I have done unwisely in parting with him. I'll go hence at once now to my love here : the door, too, I perceive, makes a noise there. Scene IX. JEnter a ~Qoy from the'house o/'Periplecomentjs. Boy. (to some one within) . Don't you be advising me ; I remember my duty ; this moment I'll find him. Wherever 1 Don't you forsake me) — Ver. 1363. He hypocritically entreats his master not to desert him in need, should he be made free, and be thereby thrown entirely upon his own resources. 2 Take you care how)— Ver. 1368. There is considerable drollery in his anxiety lest his master should suddenly change his mind and refuse to let him go. His situ ation would, indeed, under such circumstances have proved an unfortunate one. Sc. IX. THE P.EAGGAET CAPTAIN. 141 on earth he may chance to be, I'll search him out ; I'll not be sparing of my pains. Pyeg. "lis I he is looking for ; I'll go and meet this boy. Boy. 0, I'm looking for you ; save you, dearest sir, one loaded by opportunity with her gifts, and whom before all others two Divinities do favour. Pyeg. "What two ? Boy. Mars and Venus. Pyeg. A sprightly boy. Boy. She entreats that you will go in ; she wishes — she longs for you, and while expecting you, she's dying for you. Do succour one in love. "Why do you stay ? "Why don't you go in ? Pyeg. Well, I'll go. (Enters the house of Peetpleco- mentts.) Boy. There has he entangled himself at once in the toils. The snare is prepared : the old gentleman is standing at his post1 to attack the letcher, who is so boastful of his good looks ; who thinks that, whatever woman sees him, all are in love with him ; whom all, both men and women, detest. Now I will on to the uproar ; I hear a tumult within. ACT THE FIFTH. Scene I3. Enter PEEiPLECOMENUsyrow his house, with Caeio and other Seevants, dragging Pyegopolentces. Peeip. Bring that fellow along. If he doesn't follow, drag him, lifted on high3, out of doors. Make him to be between heaven and earth ; cut him in pieces. (They beat him.) 1 Athispost) — Ver. 1389. He alludes to the attitude in which the old gentle- man, Periplecomenus, is standing in-doors, ready to sally forth on the Captain the moment he is entrapped. 2 Scene I.) Thornton here remarks, that " there cannot be a stronger proof of the absurdities into which the ancients were forced by a preservation of the unity of place than the present passage. The Captain is surprised in Periple- comenus's own house, carrying on an intrigue v«ith the old gentleman's pretended wife, in consequence of which they proceed to frighten him with the cook's threatening to go to work upon him with his knife. Can anything be more un- natural or improbable than that for this purpose they should drag him out cj \the house and into the public street ? I 3 Lifted on high) — Ver. 1394. He means, " take him in your arms," or " hoict bim on your shoulders." 142 MILES GLOIilOSTTS ; Act V, Pyeg. By my troth, I do entreat you, Periplocomenus. Peeip. By my troth, you do entreat in vain. Take care, Cario, that that knife of yours is very sharp. Caeio. Why, it's already longing to rip up the stomach of this letcher. I'll make his entrails hang just as a bauble hangs from a baby's neck. Pyeg. I'm a dead man. Peeip. Not yet ; you say so too soon. Caeio. Shall I have at this fellow now ? Peeip. Aye, — but first let him be thrashed with cudgels. Caeio. True, right lustily. Peeip. Why have you dared, you disgraceful fellow, to seduce another man's wife ? Pyeg. So may the Gods bless me, she came to me of her own accord. Peeip. It's a lie. Lay on. {They are about to strike.) Pyeg. Stay, while I tell Peeip. Why are you hesi- tating ? Pyeg. Will you not let me speak ? Peeip. Speak, then. Pyeg. I was entreated to come here.. Peeip. How did you dare ? There's for you, take that. {Strikes him.) Pyeg. O ! 0 ! I've had enough. Prithee, now. Caeio. Am I to begin cutting him up at once ? Peeip. As soon as you like. Stretch the fellow out, and spread out his pinions1 in opposite ways. ' Pyeg. By heavens, prithee, do hear my words before he cuts me. Peeip. Speak before you're made of no sex. Pyeg. I supposed that she was a widow ; and so her maid, who was her go-between, informed me. Peeip. Now take an oath that you won't injure any person for this affair, because you have been beaten here to- day, or shall be beaten hereafter, if we let you go safe hence, you dear little grandson of Venus2. Pyeg. I swear by Dione3 and Mars that I will hurt no one 1 Spread out his pinions) — Ver. 1407. " Dispennite." He means, " stretch him out as you would spread out to their utmost length the wings of a bird." 2 Grandson of Venus) — Ver. 141 3. This is an allusion to the Captain's own boast in Act IV. s. 4, that he was the grandson of Venus. 3 By Dione) — Ver. 1414. Dione, according to Homer, was the name of the mother of Venus ; but the name is much more frequently used, as in the present .nstance, to signify Venus herself. He appropriately swears by these guardiar Deities of intrigue. The translation of 1 141C is somewhat modified. Sc. II. THE BRAGGART CAPTAIN. 143 because I have been beaten here this day ; and I think that it was rightfully done ; and if I don't go hence further injured, I am rightly punished for the offence. Perip. But what if you don't do so ? Pyrg. Then, may I always have my word not to be trusted1. Cario. Let him be beaten once more ; after that I think he may be dismissed. Pyrg. May the Gods ever bless you, since you so kindly come as my advocate. Cario. Grive us a golden mina2, then. Pyrg. For what reason ? Cario. That we may now let yon go hence unmaimed, you little grandson of Venus ; otherwise you shall not escape from here ; don't you deceive yourself. Pyrg. It shall be given you. Cario. You're very wise As for your tunic, and your scarf3, and sword, don't at all hopeybr them; you shan't have them. A Servant. Shall I beat him again, or do you let him go ? Pyrg. I'm tamed by your cudgels. I do entreat you. Perip. Loose him. Pyrg. I return you thanks. Perip: If I ever catch you here again, I'll insert a dis- qualify ing clause. Pyrg. Well : I make no objection. Pertp. Let's go in, Cario. (Periplecomenus, Cario, and Servants, go into his house.) Scene II. Enter Sceledrus and other Seryants of the Captain. Pyrg. Here are some of my servants, I see. Tell me, is Philocomasium oft' yet. Scel. Aye, some time since. Pyrg. Ah me ! Scel. You would say that4 still more if you were to know 1 Not to be trusted) — Ver. 1417. " Intestabilis." A gross pun is here in- tended, and in 1. 1420 as well. The word here signifies "forsworn," or "per- jured," so infamous, that his testimony will never be received in a Court of justice. : A golden mina) — Ver. 1420. The golden " mina" was worth ten silver ones, • or one thousand " drachma?," of about ninepence three-farthings each. 3 And your scarf) — Ver. 1423. The " chlamys" was an outer garment worn among the Greeks and Oriental nations, somewhat resembling our scarfs. That worn by the Captain would probably be of great value, which of course would tempt the cupidity of his persecutors. The translation of 1. 1426 is somewhat modified. * You would say that) — Ver. 1428. Sceledrus, probably, only enters at this mo- ment with the other servants of the Captain ; the editions, in general, somewhat bsurdly represent him as present from the beginning of the Fifth Act. 144 MTLES GLOKIOSUS. Act V, what I know, for that; fellow who had the wool before his eye was no sailor. Pyrg. Who was he, then? Scel. A lover of Philo- eomasium's. Pyrg. How do you know ? Scel. I do know : for after they had got out of the city gate, they didn't wait a moment before falling to kissing and embracing each other at once. Pyrg. 0 wretched fool that I am ! I see that I have been gulled. That scoundrel of a fellow, Palaestrio, it was he that contrived this plot against me. Scel. I think it was properly done. If it were so done to other letchers, there would be fewer letchers here ; they would stand more in awe, and give their attention less to these pursuits. Pyrg. Let's go into my house. An Actor (to the Audience). Give us your applauuc: BACCHIDES; OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS. Bramatts persona. Sii.knus, the Divinity, who speaks the Prologue. Nicobulus, an aged citizen of Athens- Mxesieochus, his son. Philoxenus, another aged citizen of Athens. Pistoclkrus, his son. LYDUS, servant of Philoxenus, and tutor of Pistodenwj Chrysalus, servant of Nicobirlus. Clf.omachus, a Captain of Samos. A Parasite of Cleomachus. Boy, servant of Cleomachus. Servant of Pistoclerus (in the introductory fragment}. Artamo, servant of Nicobulus. SECorNoABACcHCHis } Twin-susters, Courtesans. &<ru:. — Athens: before the houses or the First rJACcmsand of Phiiaxsij..* i% -which are in the same street TPE SUBJECT. Ksksilochus, when absent at Ephesus, writes and requests his friend, Pisto- clerus, to search for his mistress, Bacchis, who has left Athens with a military Captain. Having discovered her on her return to Athens, Pistoclerus falls in love with her twin-sister, whose name is also Bacchis, and is severely reproved by his tutor, Lydus, for so doing. Mnesilochus returns to Athens, and discovers irom Lydus that his friend Pistoclerus is in love with a female of the name of Bacchis. He thereupon imagines that he has supplanted him with his own mistress, and in his anger resolves to restore to his father some money of his which he had gone to Ephesus to recover, and a part of which he had contrived, through a scheme of the servant Chrysalus, to retain, in order that he might redeem his mistress from the Captain. Having afterwards discovered the truth, he greatly repents that he has done so. as the officer threatens to cany Bacchis 3tf instantly, if the money is not paid. On this, Chrysalus contrives another stratagem against Nicobulus, his aged master, and makes him, through fear cf the Captain's threats, pay the required sum. Having gained not only this but a still further sum of money, the young men regale themselves at the house of Bacchis. Nicobulus afterwards discovers from the Captain the trick that has been played upon him, and he and Mnesilochus repair to the house of Bacchis to demand their sons. The damsels, hereupon, apply tbemsetos to coaxing the old men, who are at last persuaded to forgive their sees &zid Chrysalu* oni tc go into the house and join the enterUhment. BACCIIDES; OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS. THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] Mnesilochus is inflamed with love for Bacchis (Bacchidis). But, first of all, he goes to Epliesus, to bring back some gold (Aurum). Bacchis sails for Crete (CVetam), and meets with (Convenit) the other Bacchis ; thence she re- turns to Athens ; upon this (Hinc), Mnesilochus sends a letter to Pistoelerus, that he may seek for her (Illam). He returns ; he makes a quarrel while (Dum) he suppose* that his own mistress is beloved by Pistoelerus; when they have discovered the mistake as to the twin-sisters, Mnesilochus pays the gold to that (Ei) Captain ; equally are the two in love. The old men {Senes), while they are looking after their sons, join the women, and carouse. THE PBOLOGTJE1. Spoken oy Silenus, mounted, on his Ass. 'Tis a wonder if the spectators on the benches this day don't hiss, and cough, and make a snorting noise at this ridiculous sight, furrow their brows, and, with cries with one consent2, shout all aloud, and mutter impreca- tions. Hardly in their youth can beardless actors, or mimics with their beards plucked out, find room upon the stage. "Why comes forth this aged and lethargic go-between, who is borne upon the ass's back ? Listen, I pray, and giye me your attention, while I tell you the name of this quiet Comedy3. 'Tis proper for you to make silence for a Divinity. 1 Prologue) There is little doubt that this Prologue is spurious, but as it is pre- fixed to many of the editions, and to Thornton's and the French translations, it is here inserted. Lascaris, the Greek grammarian, says, in a letter to Bembo, that it was discovered by him in Sicily. Some writers have supposed it to have beer, written by the Poet Petrarch. 2 With cries with one consent) — Ver. 3. " Concrepario" is a barbarous word, 'ormed from " crepo," to make a noise. s Qiiet Comedy) — Ver. 10. " Statarise." There were two kinds of Comedy repie- l2 1-18 EACC11IDES ; It befits not those to use the resources of the voice, who come here not to exclaim, but to be spectators. Give me attentive ears ; but not into my hands I mean ; I wish my voice1, as it flies, to strike these vacant ears. What do you fear ? Are those blows more hurtful which open what is shut2, or which close what is open ? You're very kind ; the inhabitants of heaven do love you deservedly. There is profound silence — even the children are still — and now, attend to a new-come messenger, on a new errand. Who I am — why I am come to you — I'll tell you in a few words ; at the same time, I'll disclose to you the name of this Comedy. Now, behold, I shall tell you "what you wish to know ; do you then give me your attention. I am a God of Nature3, the foster-father of most mighty Bromius4, him who, with a female army5, gained a kingdom. Whatever about him renowned nations relate, some part, at least, has been accomplished by my advice. That which pleases me is never displeasing to him. 'Tis right if one father6 another father does obey. Ass-borne do the Ionian multitudes7 style me, because I am borne on an sented on the ancient stage, one of which was called " stataria," while the ether was " motoria." In the first, the actors stood still, or moved about quietly, and with little gesture ; while in the other, dancing, gesture, and grimace were exten- sively employed. 1 I wish my voice) — Ver. 15. There is a poor attempt at alliteration here, in the words " volo volans vox vacuas." 2 What is shut) — Ver. 17. This passage is obscure, but the meaning seems to be, " Is it anything more disagreable to open your ears and listen, than to keep them shut and be stunned by my noise? for talk I will. 3 A God of Nature)— Ver. 25. The ancients considered Pan, Silenus, Sylvanus, the Fauns, the Dryades, the Hyades, and the Oreades, as Gods of Nature, pre- siding over it in its various aspects. 4 Bromius) — Ver. 25. Bromius was one of the names of Bacchus, probably de- rived from fipefico, " to make a noise ;" the Bacchanalian orgies being attended with riot and drunkenness. 5 With a female army)— Ver. 26. He alludes to the Indian expedition of Bac- chus, who was fabled to have marched thither at the head of an arny of Bacchantes or " Bacchas," females who were his votaries. 6 If one father)— Ver. 30. The ancients gave the Gods the title of "pater,' " father," by way of honorable distinction. Bacchus would especially be so ho- nored, as wine was looked upon as one of the chief supports of life. 7 Ionian multitudes) — Ver. 31. The Lydians were adjacent to the people of Ionia. Etruria, which supplied the earliest actors to Home, was supposed to hare been colonised by the Lydians. OB, THE TWIN-SISTERS. 149 ass1 for my conveyance. Who I am, you understand : if you understand, allow me now to tell the name of this quiet play; at the same time, you may learn why I have come to you. Philemon2 formerly produced a play in Greek ; this, those who speak the Greek language call " Evantides3 ;" Plautus, who speaks the Latiu, calls it " Bacchides." 'Tis not to be wondered, then, if hither I have come. Bacchus sends to you the Bacchides — the Bacchanalian Bacchanals. I am bringing them unto you. What ! Have I told a lie ? It don't become a God to tell a lie ; but the truth I tell — I bring not them ; but the salacious ass, wearied with its journey, is bringing to you three, if I remember right. One you behold ; see now, what on my lips I bring — to wit, two Samian sisters4, Bacchanalians, merry Courtesans, born of the same parents, at one time, at a twin-birth ; not less alike than milk to milk, if you compare it, or water to water ; were you to see them you would think them halved5 ; so much would you confuse your sight, that you would not be able to distinguish which was which. What remains you long to hear. Now give at- tention : the story of this Play I will disclose. What country Samos is, is known to all; for seas, lands, mountains, and islands, have your legions6 made easy of access. There, Sostrata bore to her husband, Pyrgoteles Pyrocles7, twin-daughters at one birth ; and it pleased them, being initiated at the tri- 1 Borne on an ass) — Ver. 31. " Asibidam." This is a spurious word, probably invented by the author. 2 Philemon) — Ver. 36. Philemon was a Greek Comic poet, of considerable merit, though inferior to Menander, of whom he was a contemporary. This play is more generally supposed to have been borrowed from a Comedy of Menander, which was called Air E^awarwi/, " the Twice Deceived." 3 Evantides) — Ver. 37. " Evantides" corresponds with the Latin word " Bac- chantes," " followers," or " namesakes" of Bacchus," as " Evan" was one of the names by which that God was addressed during the celebration of the orgies. 4 Samian sisters) — Ver. 46. Samos was an island off the coast of Ionia, near Ephesus. It was the birthplace of the philosopher Pythagoras. 5 Think them halved) — Ver. 50. " Dimidiatas" — " one split into two." 8 Have your legions) — Ver. 57. He is supposed to be flattering the Romans in their love for foreign conquest. 7 Pyrgoteles Pyrocles) — Ver. 58. It was quite unusual for the Greeks to have two names. They have here been introduced either for the sake of the metre, or, as the Delphin editor suggests, as meaning " her husband Pyrocles, who was a regular Pyrgoteles," that is, a most skilful engraver ; a celebrated artist of that name having flourished in the time of Alexander the Great. 150 BACCHIDES ; cnnial festival1 of Bacchus, to call after his name the damsels of which they were the parents. The parents, as often hap- pens, gave a turn to2 their future fortunes. A Captain car- ried one of them with him to Crete. The other of the twins sailed for Athens3. As soon as Mnesilochus, the son of ~Ni- cobulus, beheld her, he began to love her, and frequently paid her visits. Meantime, his father sent the youth to Ephesus, to bring back thence some gold, which he himself, some time before, had deposited with Archidemides, an an- cient friend of his, an aged Phoenician. When, for two years he had stayed at Ephesus, he received the sad news that Bacchis was gone from Athens, for some sailors of his ac- quaintance sent him word that she had set sail. On this, he writes a letter to Pistoclerus, his only friend, the son of Phi- loxenus, entreating him to seek the fugitive with care and ear- nestness. While Pistoclerus is devoting his services to his friend, the twin-sisters, who have just returned to Athens, arouse a passion in the seeker. The one wins Pistoclerus for herself ; the other longs for the coming of Mnesilochus. What wonder if two bewitching, merry, pretty Bacchantes, should attract to themselves two unfledged Bacchanalians, and if they should ensnare their decrepit, most aged fathers, fit subjects for the undertaker4, bowed down by the weight of 1 Triennial festival) — Ver. 60. Among the festivals of Bacchus, there was one which occurred every three years, and was called the * Trieterica." On that occa- sion the Bacchantes carried the figure of the God on a chariot, drawn by two tigers or panthers, and crowned with vine leaves ; holding thyrsi in their hands, they ran in a frantic manner around the chariot, filling the air with the sound of tam- bourines and brazen instruments, shouting " Evoe Bacche," and calling the God hy his several names of Bromius, Lyseus, Evan, Lenaeus, and Sabazius. To this ceremonial, which was derived from the Egyptians, the Greeks added other rites, replete with licentiousness and repulsive to decency. The author says that the parents of the Bacchides were initiated at this festival, and that in com- pliment to the God they named each of the newly-born twins " Bacchis.'" 2 Gave a turn to) — Ver. 62. " Fata occupant." " Consider the fact of their being born at that period as ominous of their future destiny, and devote them U the service of the Deity." 3 Sailed for Athens) — Ver. 64. Literally, "Cecropiae." Cecrops was the founder of Athens. * Subjects for the undertaker) — Ver. 84. " Libitinarios." This word properly •orresponds to our word " undertakers." They were so called because their biers aid other i*equisites were kept in the temple of the Goddess " Libitina." The word here has the forced meaning of " persons with one foot in the grave." OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS. 151 their years ? But, see, here's Pistoclerus, who is returning to the Bacchides so lately found, and in his simplicity1 is blowing in himself the sparks of passion so lately kindled. Now I'm off — do you attend. {Exit. ACT THE FIKST. Scene I2. Enter Pistoclerus. Pistoc. ****** those who are3 of a thrifty turn of mind, modest, and with- out servility. * * * * * * ****** Chains, rods, and mills ; their shocking brutality becomes worse. ******* * ******* She who keeps my friend and me engaged. * * * * * (Exit. 1 In his simplicity) — Ver. 87. " Insolens." Mnesilochus is already in love with the Second Bacchis before the play commences; but Pistoclerus is entrapped dnring the First Act. 2 Scene I.) The portion from the commencement of this scene down to the begin- ning of the thirty-fifth line, is translated from the fragments of the beginning of the play which have been lately discovered by the research of Eitschel. It was gene- rally supposed by Commentators that the beginning of the play had been lost, and that the author of the Prologue, or some other writer, had supplied the hiatus by adding a first scene of his own composition; in which he represents, somewhat in- consistently, Pistoclerus as having been in love with the First Bacchis before the play began, whereas it is obviously the intention of Plautus to represent him as drawn into the amour by her allurements during the First Act. It is worthy of remark, that the learned and ingenious Rost was of opinion that the beginning of this play had not been lost, and that it properly commenced at line 35, " Quod si hoc potis est." This opinion, however, is thoroughly controverted by the result of the researches of Ritschel. Although, for the sake of brevity, these fragments are here grouped into one Scene, to supply the place of the spurious Scene which for- merly occupied their place, it is clear that they are really the remnants of several Scenes, introductory to the attempt of the First Bacchis to entrap Pistoc'.ferns. 3 Those who are) — Ver. 1. It is not unlikely that this and the next three «ines are fragments of a Prologue, spoken by Pistoclerus, in which he is complimenting the ingenuity shown by the slave Chrysalus throughout the piece, as he is making reference to the punishment of slaves when speaking of " chains, rods, an I the full ;" to which latter place refractory slaves were sent for hard labour. 152 BACOHIDES ; A.ct 1 Enter Eiest Bacchis. 1st Bacch. I have heard1 that Ulysses underwent toils innumerable, who, in wanderings, was twenty years away from his native land. But this young man by far outdoes Ulysses ; who here in this spot is wandering within the walls of the city. 1st Bacch. * She was of the same name with myself. 1st Bacch. Sweep out the house1* with brooms, work briskly. ***** Will some one call that most dirty fellow with the water-pail3 and the water. Cleomachus, Second Bacchis. Cleom. * * * * But if a life4 of wantonness is perchance preferred by you, consider the price that I agreed to give you that at that age you might not be following me for nought * * * that from no one else you might be receiving a yearly pay, except from oneself, nor be toying with any man * * * * * # # * # * * * * * like slugs upon a man. Pistoclekus, Second Bacchis, Servant. 1 / have heard) — Ver. 5. This is probably the commencement of a Scene. The First Bacchis is revolving her plans against Pistoclerus, who is wandering through the city in search of the mistress of his friend Mnesilochus. 2 Sweep out the house) — Ver. 10. She is evidently ordering the servants to put the house in readiness against the arrival of her sister from abroad. 3 The water-pail) — Ver. 12. " Nassiterna" was a pail, or water-pot, having three spouts or mouths. 4 But if a life) — Ver. 13. Here is another Scene. It would appear probable that the Second Bacchis, having heard, on her arrival, that Mnesilochus, by his friend, is m search of her, signifies to the Captain her intention to remain at Athens, and not to accompany him to Elatia in Phocis, on which he reminds her of the sum of aioney he has given her, and the original terms of the agreement. It would appear that he proceeds to threaten with his wrath any more fortunate rival ; and ♦hen concludes by inveighing against harlots in general, as "limaces," " snails," or " slugs," in the same way as a Comic writer of our day might style then " leeches," or " bloodsuckers." It may be remarked, that with the ancients, the snail was the emblem of salacity. 5C. il. OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS. 153 Pistoc As like as milk1 is to milk ; whatever is her name Serv. The soldier who sells his life for gold * * * * * * I know that his breath is much stronger than when the bellows of bull's hide are blowing, when the rocks melt where the iron is made. Pistoc. Of what country did he seem to you ? Serv. I think he is of Prseneste2 ; he was such a boaster. Pistoc. * * The city * * * and I don't think it is in spurious boastfulness. Scene II. Enter First and Second Bacchis. 1st Bacch. * * * My heart, my hope3, my honey, my sweetness, my nutriment, my delight. * * Let me bestow on you my love * * the Arabian • * * * Has Cupid or has love overpowered yOU p# •••*.. #•<? Perhaps to suspect that you are in love. * * * * * Get money from that quarter • . • • • for I really do believe that with ease you can enchant the heart of any man4. As like as milk)— Ver. 1 9. Here again is another Scene. Pistoclerus has caught sight of the Second Bacchis, but being unaware that she really is the person whom he is in search of, he remarks upon her strong resemblance to the First Bacchis, with whom, by this time, he has probably had an interview on the subject. His servant then comes and informs him that she is the person whom he is looking for, but that she is under the protection of a mighty Captain, whose breast heaves like a pair of blacksmith's bellows. 2 Is ofPrceneste) — Ver. 24. He has a hit here at the people of Praeneste, whom ie has in a former play censured for their bad grammar, and whom he here repre- ents as occupying the same place in Roman estimation, as the Gascons do, whe- her deservedly or not, in ours. 3 My heart, my hope)— Ver. 27. The First Bacchis seems here to be repeating ler first lessons in the attack which she is about to make on the heart of the lovice Pistoclerus ; she is evidently conning over the flattering things that she ntends to say to him. 4 The heart of any man) — Ver. 34. With this line conclude the fragments vhich have been brought to light by Ritschel ; in the previous editions the next lhiH Jommences the second Scene, the spurious Scene preceding it. 154 bacchides ; Act I. 2nd Baccii. * * * * * 1st Bacch. And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak ? 2nd Bacch. With pleasure ; you m^j proceed. 1st Bacch. When my memory shall fail me, then do you take care to aid me, sister. 2nd Bacch. I' faith, I'm more afraid that I shan't have the choice of prompting you. 1st Bacch. Troth, I'm afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers1 of song. Follow this way. {They move.) Enter Pistoclertjs. Pistoc. What are these two Courtesans, the namesake- sisters, about ? 1st Bacch. Nothing is there more wretched than a woman. Pistoc. What, say you, is there more worthy of it ? What have you been planning in your consultation ? 1st Bacch. What's proper ? Pistoc. I' faith, that doesn't belong to the Courtesan. 1st Bacch. This sister of mine entreats me so to find some person to protect her against this Captain ; that when she has served her time2 he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector. Pistoc. Why should I protect her? 1st Bacch, That she may be brought home again, when she has fulfilled her engagement to him, so that he may not take her as a servant3 for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so. Pistoc Where now is this person ? 1st Bacch. I expect 1 May lose her powers) — Ver. 38. The nightingale was supposed to sing con- tinually; so that " luscinise deest cantio," " the nightingale has lost her song,' became a proverb which expressed the happening of anything extraordinary. 2 Has served her time) — Ver. 43. " Emeritus" was the term applied to soldiers who had " served out their time," or "got their discharge" Plautus probably uses the term satirically, as applied to the engagement which the Second Bacchis had made with the Captain. 3 As a servant) — Ver. 45. She pretends that her sister is afraid, that when her time has expired, the Captain — having carried her to a foreign country — may make a slave of her, and that she s, consequently, desirous to be left at Athens, and to repay him the money which he had given her upon the making of the engagement. She feigns that it is necessary for him to protect her sister on behalf of his absenl friend Mnesilochus, that she herself may obtain an opportunity of ensnaring him Sc. II. OR. THE TWIN-SISTERS. 155 that he;ll be here just now. But this you'll be able to ar- range better among ourselves ; and sitting there, you shall wait until he comes. So you will drink some wine, and so, I'll give you a kiss when you have drunk it. Pistoc. Your coaxing is mere birdlime. 1st Bacch. How so ? Pistoc. Because, in fact, I understand how you two are aiming at one poor pigeon, myself; (aside) very nearly is the limed reed1 breaking my feathers. Madam, I judge that such deeds befit me not. 1st Bacch. Why so, I pray ? Pistoc. Bacchis, it is, because I dread you Bacchantes, and jyour Bacchanalian den2. 1st Bacch. "What is it that you dread ? Surely, not that Ithe couch in my house may lead you into mischief? Pistoc. Your allurements3, more than your couch, do I dread. You're a mischievous serpent4. But, madam, a |lurking-place does not befit this youthful age. 1st Bacch. Should you wish at my house to do anything (that's unwise, I myself should hinder it. But, when the ,Captain comes, I wish you, to be at my house for this reason ; [because, when you are present, no one will do her and me any injury. You will prevent that, and by the same means you will be aiding your friend ; this Captain, too, on arriving, will suspect that I am your mistress. "Why are you silent, bray ? Pistoc. Because these things are pleasant in the talking bf; but in the practice, and when you make trial, the same ire armed with stings. They pierce the feelings, goad one's fortune, and wound one's merits and character, i 2nd Bacch. What do you dread from her ? Pistoc. What do I dread, do you ask ? Am I a person in 1 The limed reed) — Ver. 51. A reed dipped in birdlime was employed for the purpose of catching birds. Pistoclerus says to himself that he feels how nearly pe is entrapped. 2 Your Bacchanalian den) — Ver. 53. "Bacchanal" was properly the place where the Bacchanalia, or orgies, were celebrated. He styles them " Bacchantes," Mid their house a " Bacchanal," in allusion both to their names and their habits. I I ' Your allurements) — Ver. 55. There is a play here upon the resemblance of he words " illectus," " allurement," and "lectus," a " bed." 4 Mischievous serpent) — Ver. 55. " Mala tu's bestia." Literally, " you are an vil beast ;" which sounds harsh to an English ear, even when applied to such aa .nimal as Bacchis. 156 BAUCHLDES ; Act I my youth to enter a place of exercise1 of such a nature, where people sweat to their undoing ? — where for the quoit I re- reive a loss, disgrace, too, for my running ? 2nd Bacch. How charmingly you do talk. Pistoc. "Where I'm to take a turtle-dove3 instead of a sword, and where another puts into my hand the goblet3 instead of the cestus ; the drinking-cup4 is in place of the helmet, the wreathed gar- land instead of the crest5, the dice in place of the lance. For the coat of mail I should have to assume a soft cloak0 ; where, too, in place of a horse a couch must be given me, — for shield, a strumpet7 may be lying by me. Avaunt from me — avaunt ! 2nd Bacch. O, you're too fierce. Pistoc. I am attend- ing to my own interests. 2nd Bacch. Tou must be softened down ; and, in fact, I offer you my aid in this. Pistoc. But you are too expensive an assistant. 1st Bacch. Do pretend that you are in love with me. Pistoc Whether should I be pretending that in jest, or seriously ? 1st Bacch. Well said ! better to do the last. When the Captain comes here, I want you8 to embrace me. 1 A place of exercise) — Ver. 66. He draws a parallel between the life of a per- son who for health and rational recreation frequents the " palasstra," or schooi for exercise, and of those who frequent the haunts of Courtesans. He alludes in the following lines to the exercises of throwing the quoit, running, boxing, fencing, hu?ling the lance, and riding. 2 A turtle-dove') — Ver. 68. The turtle-dove, as being sacred to VenusJ would be an appropriate inmate of a Courtesan's house. 8 The goblet) — Ver. 69. " Cantharus " was a kind of drinking-cup, with two handles. It was considered as peculiarly sacred to Bacchus, the tutelary Divinity of Bacchis, whom Pistoclerus is addressing. 4 The drinking-cup) — Ver. 70. " Scaphium " here probably means a " drinking- vessel with a swelling belly." Some Commentators, however, think that it has here the same meaning as " matula." 5 Instead of the crest) — Ver. 70. The " insigne " was the crest, or waving plume of the helmet. 6 A soft cloak) — Ver. 71. It was the custom at entertainments far the re- vellers to exchange their ordinary clothes for fine vestments, elaborately embroi- dered. 7 For shield, a strumpet) — Ver. 72. " Scortum pro scuta" There is a plaj nere upon the resemblance of the words. 8 / want jww)— Ver. 76. He is only to pretend to be her admirer when the Cap tain comes, by way of accounting for his presence and interference on behalf 0| her sister. This is afterwards rendered unnecessary by his own pliancy , and tfr arrival of Mnesilochus himself. Sc. II. OR, THE TWIN-SISTERS. 157 Pistoc. What need is there of my doing that ? 1st Bacch. I want him to see you. I know what I'm about ? Pistoc. And I, i' faith, I know not what I'm in fear of. But what say you ? 1st Bacch. What's the matter now? Pistoc. Well, suppose perchance on a sudden a breakfast or a drinking bout, or else a dinner, should take place at your house, just as is the wont in such places of resort ; where, then, should I take my place ? 1st Bacch. Near myself, my life, that with a she wit a he wit may be reclining at the repast. A place here, at our house, should you come late, is always at your service. When you h right merrily to disport yourself, my rosebud, you say to me, "Do let me enjoy myself to-day" I'll provide you a delightful place where it may be so. Pistoc. Here is a rapid stream ; not without hazard can this way be passed. 1st Bacch. (aside). And, by my troth, something must you lose amid this stream. (Aloud.) Give me your hand and follow me. Pistoc. 0, by no means. 1st Bacch. Why so ? Pistoc. Because to a man in his youth nothing can be nore alluring than these — night, women, wine. 1st Bacch, Away, then, with you ; for my part, I don't at ill care for it, but for your own sake. The Captain, then, shall ;ake her off; don't you be present at all if you don't choose. Pistoc. (to himself). And am I a thing of nothing, who annot moderate my own passions ? 1st Bacch. What's there for you to fear? Pistoc. There's nothing ; all nonsense. Madam, I resign nyself to you. I'm yours ; to you do I devote my services. 1st Bacch. You are a dear man. Now I wish you to do his. To-day I want to give a welcome entertainment1 to my ister. For that purpose I shall at once order the money2 to >e brought you from in-doors. Do you take care and cater or us a splendid entertainment. I ' A welcome entertainment) — Ver. 94. " Caena viatica " was an entertainment Bered to a person by his friends immediately on his arrival from a voyage or >urney. ; I * Order the money) — Ver. 95. This she says artfully, well knowing that he will t once offer to bear the expense of the entertainment 158 BACCHIDES; Act I. Pistoc. No, I'll stand treat ; for it would be a shame, that on my account you both should take trouble for me, and by reason of that trouble should pay the expense from your own means. 1st Bacch. But I can't allow you