Bacchides

Plautus, Titus Maccius

Bacchides

Plautus, Titus Maccius · Bacc 443 · perseus-eng2 · More by Plautus, Titus Maccius

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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2

903b

CHRYSALUS

903b

Demand it, and go hang yourself; don’t you suppose, you worthless fellow, that we shall be entreating of you. (Exit CLEOMACHUS.)

429

He’s taken himself off. Permit me, master, I entreat you by the immortal Gods, to go in-doors here to your son.

430

NICOBULUS

430

But why go in there?

907b

CHRYSALUS

907b

That with many words I may rebuke him, since after this fashion he has been going on this way.

431

NICOBULUS

431

Well, I beg you will do so, Chrysalus; and I entreat you not to spare him in your talking to him.

910b

CHRYSALUS

910b

And do you instruct even myself? Isn’t it sufficient, if this day he shall hear from me more harsh things than ever Clinias heardClinias heard: He is alluding to a scene in some play, then well known, which is now lost. In it, Demetrius was probably severe upon Clinias. The Delphin editor thinks that this must have been a proverb. from Demetrius?

432

NICOBULUS

432

This servant of mine is very like a running eye; if you have it not, you don’t wish for it or desire it;

433

if you have it, you can’t keep off from rubbing it. But if he hadn’t, by lucky chance, been here to-day, the Captain would have surprised Mnesilochus with his wife, and have killed him as an adulterer detected in the fact. Now, in a manner have I ransomed my son with the two hundred Philippeans

434

which I have promised to give to the Captain; which, however, I shall not rashly pay him down, before I have met with my son. By my troth, I’ll never rashly give credence in anything to Chrysalus. But I have a mind even once again to read over this letter; ’tis right that when a letter is sealed we should give credence to it.

435

CHRYSALUS

435

The two brothers, the sons of Atreus, are said to have done a most famous deed, when, with arms, and horses, and an army, and with chosen warriors, and with ships a thousand in number, after the tenth year, they subdued Pergamus, the native land of Priam, founded by hands divine. Not more decidedly did it fall by the engine of war, than I shall storm my master here,

436

without a fleet, and without an army and so great array of soldiers. I have won, I have taken by storm this gold from his father for my master’s son, in his amour. Now, before the old man comes here, I wish to lament until he does come out. O Troy! O my country! O Pergamus! O Priam! old man, you are undone, you, who’ll be wretchedly and shockingly choused out of four hundred golden Philippeans.

437

For those tablets, sealed on the one side and on the other, they are not tablets, but the horse which the Greeks sent, of wood. Pistoclerus is the EpeusIs the Epeus: Epeus was the builder of the wooden horse. When the treacherous Sinon was left behind, he lurked in the tomb of Achilles, or, according to some, in that of Palamedes.; from him were these received. Mnesilochus is the Simon left behind. Behold him! not in Achilles’ tomb, but on a couch he reclines: he has Bacchis with him; just as the other formerly had the fire with which to give the signal;

438

so now does she inflame himself. I am Ulysses, by whose advice they do these things. Then, the characters which there are written, are the soldiers in this horse, armed and of high courage. So even thus far has the matter prospered with me. This horse, too, will be making his attack, not on a citadel, but on a cofferNot on a citadel, but on a coffer: He puns on the resemblance of the words arcem, a citadel, and arcam, a chest or coffer. A ruin, a destruction, a cleaner-out of the old man’s gold, will this horse prove this day.

439

To this silly old man of ours, in fact, I give the name of Ilium; the Captain is Menelaüs; I, Agamemnon; I, too, am Ulysses, the son of Laërtes; Mnesilochus is AlexanderAlexander: Alexander was one of the names of Paris, the son of Priam., who will be the destruction of his father’s fortunes; he has borne off the Helen, on whose account I am now carrying on the siege of Ilium. For there I have heard say that Ulysses was both bold and full of mischief, just as I am.

440

I have been detected in my tricks—he, discovered in a beggar’s guise, had almost perished, while he was spying out there the doings of the Trojans. Similarly has it happened to myself to-day. I have been bound, but by my devices I have redeemed myself; he, too, preserved himself by artifice. I have heard that there were three destiniesThere were three destinies: He has omitted three of the circumstances by which the downfall of Troy was to be precipitated—namely: if the horses of Rhesus should be captured before they had tasted of the pastures of Troy and the waters of Xanthus; if the bow and arrow of Hercules should be employed in the siege; and if one of the posterity of Achilles should be present, in all which circumstances the Greeks were eventually favoured. attending Troy, which were fatal to it; if the statue should be lost from the citadel; whereas the second was the death of Troilus;

441

the third was when the upper lintel of the Phrygian gateThe Phrygian gate: This was the Scaean gate, near the tomb of King Laomedon should be demolished. Just so are there three fatalities for this Troy of ours, corresponding with those three; for, first of all, when, a short time since, as I told our old gentleman the lying story about his host, and the gold, and the bark, then, that instant, did I steal the statueSteal the statue: The Palladium was stealthily carried off from Troy by Ulysses and Diomedes. from the citadel. And even then two fatalities were remaining, and no further had I taken this city.

442

Afterwards, when I carried the letter to the old man, then I killed my Troilus. When he supposed, just now, that Mnesilochus was with the Captain’s wife, from that, with difficulty, did I disengage myself. And that danger do I compare to what they say, how that Ulysses, recognized by HelenRecognized by Helen: He alludes here, and in l. 951, to the occasion when Ulysses entered Troy as a spy, in the disguise of a beggar, on which occasion he was recognized by Helen., was betrayed to Hecuba. But as, in olden time, by his coaxing arts, he liberated himself from her, and persuaded her to let him go,

443

so I, by my devices, have rescued myself from the danger, and have deceived the old man. Afterwards, I engaged with the blustering Captain, who, unarmed, takes cities with his words, and there I repulsed my man. Then I engaged in fight with the old gentleman; straightway by one lying device did I vanquish him; by one blow, in a moment, did I take the spoils away from him. He now will give the two hundred Philippean pieces to the Captain,

444

which he has promised that he will give. Now, I have occasion for another two hundred, to be distributed when Ilium is taken, that there may be the usual draught of honeyed wineDraught of honeyed wine: Mulsum. This was a mixture of wine and honey, flavoured with myrrh, cassia, nard, costum, or pepper. On the occasion of a triumph, the soldiers were treated to copious draughts of this mixture. with which the soldiers may celebrate their triumph. But this Priam is far superior to him of old. Not fifty sons only has he, but four hundred, and all choice ones, without a blemish;

445

all these this day will I cut off at two single blows. Now, if there were any purchaser for this Priam of ours, I would sell the old fellow in the lumpIn the lump: Coemptionalem senem. Those slaves were called coemptionale. who, by reason of age or bad character, were so utterly worthless that they would fetch no price, and were consequently thrown into a lot with other slaves or property of real value., whom I have on sale the moment that J shall have taken the city. But, lo! I see our Priam standing before the door; I’ll go and speak to him.

446

NICOBULUS

446

Pray, whose voice is it that sounds near me?

979b

CHRYSALUS

979b

O Nicobulus!

979c

NICOBULUS

979c

What’s the matter?

980a

CHRYSALUS

980a

O, capital!

447

NICOBULUS

447

Well, have you done aught of what I sent you upon?

980b

CHRYSALUS

980b

What—ask you that? Step closer this way.

980c

NICOBULUS

980c

Well, I do come closer.

448

CHRYSALUS

448

I am an excellent pleader. By rebuking him, and by whatever hard language I really was able to think of, I forced the fellow to tears.

982b

NICOBULUS

982b

What did he say?

982c

CHRYSALUS

982c

He uttered not a word: crying, he listened in silence to what I was saying; in silence he wrote down on his tablets; these sealed he gave to me;

449

he bade me deliver them to you. (Gives him the tablets.) But I am afraid that they sing to the same tune that the former ones did. Observe the seal, is it his?

986b

NICOBULUS

986b

I recognize it. I’d like to read them over.

986c

CHRYSALUS

986c

Read them through. (Aside.) Now is the upper lintelThe upper lintel: He alludes to the Phrygian gate, which he has before mentioned in l. 955 being cut down, now is the destruction of Troy near at hand. The wooden horse is shaking it right cleverly.

988b

NICOBULUS

988b

Chrysalus, just step here while I am reading these through.

988a

CHRYSALUS

988a

Prithee, what need is there for me to be near you?

450

NICOBULUS

450

That you may know what’s written here.

989a

CHRYSALUS

989a

I don’t care, and I don’t wish to know.

451

NICOBULUS

451

Still, do come here.

990b

CHRYSALUS

990b

What need is there?

990c

NICOBULUS

990c

Hold your tongue.

990ab

CHRYSALUS

990ab

I’ll stay.

452

CHRYSALUS

452

I won’t, I say.

993b

NICOBULUS

993b

But I will, I say.

993c

CHRYSALUS

993c

What need is there?

993d

NICOBULUS

993d

Still do you only do that which I bid you.

453

CHRYSALUS

453

I’ll come. ’Tis right to do so; your own servant ought to be obedient at your command.

454

NICOBULUS

454

Heyday! he hasn’t been sparingHasn’t been sparing: By this expression he means that his son has written a very long letter, as he has been neither sparing of the wax for the table’s, nor of the use of the stylus or pen. of his wax or pen. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through. Attend to me, please, this very instant.

995b

CHRYSALUS

995b

When you choose, read on; I devote to you the attention of my ears.

455

NICOBULUS

455

Bless me! the letters are small.

991b

CHRYSALUS

991b

To one, indeed, who cannot see well with his eyes but they are quite large enough for one who can see well.

456

NICOBULUS

456

Give your attention then.

457

(He reads.) Father, I beseech you, do give two hundred Philippeans to Chrysalus, if you wish me to be safe or alive for you—

458

CHRYSALUS

458

By my troth, really a very great mistake,

999b

I tell you.

999c

NICOBULUS

999c

What’s the matter?

459

CHRYSALUS

459

He hasn’t first written the salutation to you.

1000b

NICOBULUS

1000b

I don’t see it anywhere.

460

CHRYSALUS

460

Even from its very commencement the letter is an impertinent one.

461

If you are wise, you’ll not give it; but at the best, if you give it him, why, let him find out some other porter for himself, if he is wise; for I won’t carry it if you order me ever so much. I’ve been quite enough suspected as it is, when I was guiltless of a fault.

462

NICOBULUS

462

Listen on now, while I read through what’s written.

463

(Reading.) I am ashamed, father, to appear before you in your presence; such disgraceful conduct of mine have I heard that you are aware of, that I have formed an intercourse with the wife of a strange Captain.

464

By my troth, you are not joking there; for I have saved your life from the consequences of this foul deed with two hundred golden Philippeans.

465

CHRYSALUS

465

There’s not a particle of these things but what I’ve told him.

466

NICOBULUS

466

I confess that I have acted foolishly. But I beseech you, father, do not forsake me, if, in my folly, I have transgressed.

467

Of fierce desires, and eyes uncontrolled, have I been; I have been urged on to do a deed of which I am now ashamed. It were proper, then, that you should have taken heed before you were ashamed.

468

CHRYSALUS

468

All these very same words did I say to him only just now.

469

NICOBULUS

469

I beseech you, father, to consider that it is enough that Chrysalus

470

has reproached me with many cutting words, and by his advice has made me a better man, so that ’tis right that you should return him sincere thanks.

471

CHRYSALUS

471

Is that written there?

1023b

NICOBULUS

1023b

Look and see, then you’ll know.

472

CHRYSALUS

472

He that has so offended, how humble to all he is, and of his own accord.

473

NICOBULUS

473

Now, father, if even yet I may be allowed to ask anything of you, do give me two hundred Philippean pieces, I do entreat you.

474

CHRYSALUS

474

By my troth, now, not one even, if you are wise.

1027b

NICOBULUS

1027b

Let me read on. (Reading.) In set formIn set form: Of course the oath would be the more solemn in such case. I have taken an oath that I would give this to the woman this day before nightfall,

475

ere she leaves me. Now, father, have a care that I be not forsworn, and take me hence away from her as soon as you can, on whose account I have incurred so much loss and guilt. Take care and let not the two hundred pieces be a cause of annoyance to you; I will repay you innumerable times as much, if I live.

476

Farewell, and do attend to these matters. Now, Chrysalus, what do you think?

477

CHRYSALUS

477

I won’t give you one bit of advice this day, and I won’t run the risk, that if any mistake is made, you should say that you had done it by my counsel. But, as I conceive, if I were in your place,

478

I would rather give the gold than suffer him to be corrupted. There is a twofold choice consider which you would adopt; either to lose the gold, or for a lover to be forsworn. I neither order you, nor forbid you, nor do I persuade you.

479

NICOBULUS

479

I’m sorry for him.

1044b

CHRYSALUS

1044b

You don’t do anything surprising—he is your son.

480

If still more must be lost, ’tis better for it to go, than for this disgrace to be everywhere proclaimed.

481

NICOBULUS

481

By my troth, I certainly had much rather he had been at Ephesus, so long as he was well, than that he had returned home. But why don’t I hasten to get rid of that which is doomed to be squandered away?

482

I’ll bring you just now from in-doors twice two hundred Philippeans, both those which, a little time since, to my sorrow, I promised to the Captain, and these others. Wait there; I’ll be out to you, Chrysalus, this instant.

483

CHRYSALUS

483

Troy is laid waste, the chiefs have razed Pergamus. I knew some time ago that I should be the ruin of Pergamus.

484

I’ faith I wouldn’t dare make a bet with him who should say that I was deserving of severe torture; so great confusion am I making. But the door makes a noise; the plunder’s being brought forth from Troy. For the present I’ll hold my tongue.

485

NICOBULUS

485

Take you this gold, Chrysalus; go, carry it to my son.

486

But I’ll go hence to the market-place to pay this to the Captain.

487

CHRYSALUS

487

For my part, I’ll not receive it; do you seek somebody at once to take it. I won’t have it entrusted to me.

1062b

NICOBULUS

1062b

But do take it; you’re worrying me now.

488

CHRYSALUS

488

For my part, I’ll not take it.

1063b

NICOBULUS

1063b

But, prithee do.

1063c

CHRYSALUS

1063c

I am telling you what is the fact.

489

NICOBULUS

489

You are delaying me.

1064b

CHRYSALUS

1064b

I don’t want, I say, the gold to be entrusted to me. At all events, find some person to keep a watch upon me.

1065b

NICOBULUS

1065b

You’re plaguing me.

490

CHRYSALUS

490

Well, give it me, if it must be so.

1066b

NICOBULUS

1066b

Take care of it. I’ll be back here just now.

491

CHRYSALUS

491

I’ve taken care—that you shall be a most wretched old fellow; this is bringing an undertaking to a fair ending; even as it has proved my lot to go rejoicing, laden with the spoil.

492

With safety to myself, and the city taken by stratagem, I now bring home my whole army unhurt. But, Spectators, don’t you now be surprised that I don’t go in triumph; ’tis such a common thing, I don’t care for it. Still however, the soldiers shall be received with the usual honeyed wine.

493

Now I’ll carry off all this booty at once to the QuaestorTo the Quaestor: It was the custom of the Romans to deliver to the City Quaestor the plunder taken in war, to be employed in the public service. Here he means his young master, Mnesilochus..

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