Curculio
Choose a text
id="mobileReaderAuthor" class="mobile-reader-author" href="/authors/plautus-titus-maccius" aria-label="More works by Plautus, Titus Maccius">
—
⋯
Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
cast
Dramatis Personae CURCULIO, the Parasite of Phaedromus. THERAPONTIGONUS, a Captain of . PHAEDROMUS, a young man in love with Planesium. PALINURUS,Servants of Phaedromus. COOK, LYCO, a Banker. CAPPADOX, a Procurer. THE CHOREGUS (or, Director of the Chorus). AN ACTOR. PLANESIUM, a young woman belonging to Cappadox. AN OLD WOMAN, a Procuress.
scene
(Scene—Epidaurus, in Peloponnesus; before the houses of PHAEDROMUS and CAPPADOX, and the Temple of Aesculapius.)
subject
THE SUBJECT. PHAEDROMUS is desperately in love with Planesium, who is in the possession of Cappadox, an avaricious Procurer. Not having the means of obtaining her freedom, Phaedromus sends Curculio, his Parasite, to Caria, to borrow the money from a friend. The friend being unable to lend it, Curculio by accident meets a military officer, named Therapontigonus, and is invited by him to dinner. The Captain accidentally mentions to him that he has agreed to purchase Planesium of the Procurer, and that the money is deposited with Lyco, the banker, who, has been ordered, on receiving a letter signed with the Captain’s signet, to have the young woman delivered to the bearer. While the Captain is overpowered with wine, Curculio steals his signet, and hastens back to Epidaurus, where he forges a letter by means of it, which he delivers to Lyco, as though from the Captain. The money is paid to the Procurer, and Planesium is handed over to Curculio; a condition having been previously made, that if she should turn out to be a free woman by birth, the money shall be repaid to the purchaser. Curculio then delivers Planesium to Phaedromus. The same day, the Captain arrives at Epidaurus, and is soon after recognized by Planesium as her brother, through the medium of the ring, which had belonged to her father. To corroborate her assertion, Planesium produces another ring, which Therapontigonus had presented to her when a child as a birthday present. On this, she is given by her brother in marriage to Phaedromus; and Cappadox, much against his will, is forced to refund the money to the Captain.
argument
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] On an errand of Phaedromus, Curculio (Curculio) goes to Caria, that (Ut) he may obtain some money; there he despoils the rival (Rivalem) of Phaedromus of his ring. He writes a letter, and seals it with that seal. Lyco, when he sees it, recognizes (Cognoscit) the seal of the Captain; that (Ut) he may send him his mistress, he pays the money to the Procurer. The Captain threatens to summon Lyco (Lyconem) and the Procurer to justice: he himself (Ipsus) discovers his sister that was lost, at whose request (Oratu) he gives her in marriage to Phaedromus.
1
1
PALINURUS
1
Whither away must I say that you are going out of doors at this time o’ night, Phaedromus, with that dress and with this train And with this train: As it is supposed to be before daybreak, he is holding a lighted torch, and is attended by a train of slaves, who are carrying wine and other provisions for the entertainment, or early breakfast, which he is about to give. He has also a gay dress on for the occasion.?
2
2
PHAEDROMUS
2
Whither Venus and Cupid summon me, and Love persuades me; whether ’tis the midnight or whether the earliest twilight,
3
if the day is fixed If the day is fixed: Status condictus dies. This term properly applies to a day appointed for pleading a cause. for pleading your cause with your antagonist, still must you go where they command you, whether you will or no.
4
4
PALINURUS
4
But pray, pray—
7b
7b
PHAEDROMUS
7b
Pray — you are annoying to me.
5
5
PALINURUS
5
Really that is neither pretty nor befitting you to say. You are your own servant Your own servant: Puer may signify either servant or boy in this passage. In the former case, Palinurus would mean, you are acting as your own servant, in carrying the torch; in the latter, the allusion would probably be to the fact that boys, handsomely drest, used, at the nuptial ceremony, to carry lighted torches before the bride and bridegroom.; in your fine garb you are showing the light with your waxen torch Your waxen torch: It is not improbable that the flambeaux, or torches, used by the higher classes, were of wax; while those in more common use were made of pine-wood, tow, and other inflammable substances..
6
6
PHAEDROMUS
6
And ought I not to carry that which is gathered by the labour of the little bees—which has its birth in sweets—to my own sweet one, my little honey?
7
7
PALINURUS
7
But whither must I say that you are going?
12b
12b
PHAEDROMUS
12b
If you ask me that, I’ll tell, so that you may know.
13b
13b
PALINURUS
13b
If I make the enquiry, what would you answer me?
8
8
PHAEDROMUS
8
This is the Temple (pointing to it) of Aesculapius.
14b
14b
PALINURUS
14b
That I have known for more than a twelvemonth past.
9
9
PHAEDROMUS
9
Close to it is that door, dear as my very eyes. (Points to the door of CAPPADOX.) Hail to you! door, dear as my very eyes; have you been quite well of late?
16b
16b
PALINURUS
16b
Did a fever leave you A fever leave you: He asks his master this, as he is in doubt whether he is in his senses or not. It was a notion among the ancients that fasting was very apt to produce delirium. but yesterday, or the day before, and did you take your dinner yesterday?
18b
18b
PHAEDROMUS
18b
Are you laughing at me?
10
10
PALINURUS
10
Why then, madman, are you enquiring whether the door is well or not?
11
11
PHAEDROMUS
11
I’ faith, I’ve known it as a door most comely and most discreet: never one word does it whisper; when it is opened, it is silent; and when, by night, she secretly comes out to me, it holds its peace.
12
12
PALINURUS
12
And are you not, Phaedromus, doing, or contemplating the doing of, some deed which is unworthy of yourself or of your family?
13
Are you not laying a snare for some modest fair one, or for one that should be modest?
26b
26b
PHAEDROMUS
26b
For no one; and may Jupiter not permit me to do so.
27b
27b
PALINURUS
27b
I wish the same. Ever, if you are wise, so bestow your love, that if the public should know the object which you love, it may be no disgrace to you.
14
Ever do you take care that you be not disgraced Be not disgraced: Intestabilis. One who is, infamous, and whose evidence cannot be taken as a witness in the courts of law. Lambinus suggests that here, as in other instances where the word is used by Plautus, an indelicate pun is intended..
15
15
PHAEDROMUS
15
What means that expression?
32b
32b
PALINURUS
32b
For you to proceed with caution on your path; the object that you love, love in the presence of witnesses.
16
16
PHAEDROMUS
16
Why, ’tis a Procurer that lives here.
33b
33b
PALINURUS
33b
No one drives you away from there, nor yet forbids you, if you have the money, to buy what’s openly on sale.
17
No one forbids any person from going along the public road, so long as he doesn’t make a path through the field that’s fenced around; so long as you keep yourself away from the wife, the widow, the maiden, youthful age, and free-born children, love what you please.
18
18
PHAEDROMUS
18
This is the house of a Procurer.
39b
39b
PALINURUS
39b
A curse befall it.
19
19
PHAEDROMUS
19
Why so?
40b
40b
PALINURUS
40b
Because it serves in an infamous service.
20
20
PHAEDROMUS
20
You speak out.
41b
41b
PALINURUS
41b
Be it so, most especially.
41c
41c
PHAEDROMUS
41c
Once more, will you hold your tongue?
21
21
PALINURUS
21
You bade me speak out Bade me speak out: Phaedromus had said to Palinurus, Obloquere, which may either mean you are abusive or do you speak out. Phaedromus intends it in the former sense, but Palinurus pretends to understand it in the latter; and when his master tells him to be quiet, he says, Why, I thought you told me to speak out., I thought.
42b
42b
PHAEDROMUS
42b
Then, now I forbid you. But, as I had begun to say, he has a young female slave—
22
22
PALINURUS
22
This Procurer, you mean, who’s living here?
44b
44b
PHAEDROMUS
44b
You have hold of it exactly.
23
23
PALINURUS
23
The less shall I be in dread of its falling.
45b
45b
PHAEDROMUS
45b
You are impertinent. He wishes to make her a courtesan, while she is desperately in love with me; whereas I don’t wish to have her upon loan.
24
24
PALINURUS
24
Why so?
48b
48b
PHAEDROMUS
48b
Because I’m for having her as my own; I love her equally as well.
25
25
PALINURUS
25
Clandestine courtship is bad; ’tis utter ruin.
26
26
PHAEDROMUS
26
I’ troth, ’tis so as you say.
50b
50b
PALINURUS
50b
Has she as yet submitted to the yoke of Venus?
27
27
PHAEDROMUS
27
For me she is as chaste as though she were my own sister, unless, indeed, she is any the more unchaste for some kissing.
28
28
PALINURUS
28
Always, do you understand, flame follows very close on smoke; with smoke, nothing can be burnt, with flame, it can.
29
He who wishes to eat the kernel To eat the kernel: This is exactly our proverb, which implies that labour attends every pursuit—To extract the kernel, you must crack the shell. of the nut, first breaks the nut; he who wishes to seduce, opens the dance Opens the dance: There is an indecent allusion intended in this line, which is somewhat modified in the translation. with kisses.
30
30
PHAEDROMUS
30
But she is chaste, and never yet has bestowed her favours upon man.
31
31
PALINURUS
31
That I could believe I could believe: Palinurus thinks it impossible that such a wretch as Cappadox would leave her untouched., if any Procurer had any shame.
32
32
PHAEDROMUS
32
Well, but what think you of her? When she has any opportunity,
33
she steals away to me; when she has given me a kiss, she’s off again. This happens by reason of this, because this Procurer is lying a-bed ill in the Temple In the Temple: It was the custom of those who wished to ask anything of the Gods, to lie in their Temples, in order that they might receive their answers and instructions in their sleep. of Aesculapius; that fellow is my torturer.
62b
62b
PALINURUS
62b
How so?
34
34
PHAEDROMUS
34
At one time he asks me for thirty minae for her, at another for a great talent; and from him I cannot obtain any fair and just dealing.
65b
65b
PALINURUS
65b
You are too exacting, in requiring that of him which no Procurer possesses.
35
35
PHAEDROMUS
35
Now, I’ve sent my Parasite hence to Caria To Caria : Caria was in Asia Minor. Schmieder justly observes, that the Parasite must have used the wings of Daedalus, to go from Epidaurus in the Peloponnesus, to Caria, and discharge his commission and return in four days only. A Roman audience would not, however, be likely to know much about the relative distance of places so far off., to ask for money on loan from my friend; if he doesn’t bring me this, which way to turn myself I know not.
36
36
PALINURUS
36
If you salute the Deities, towards the right Towards the right: Dextrovorsum. A quibble seems to be intended in the use of this word; Palinurus, in saying turn to the right hand, probably meaeis, sarcastically, turn to a right course of life. I think; now this is this altar of Venus before their door.
37
37
PHAEDROMUS
37
I have already vowed to bring me To bring me: Me inferre. These words may mean, according to the context, either myself to bring or to bring myself. Phaedromus means to use them in the former sense; but, in his quibbling mood, Palinurus chooses to understand them in the latter. an early breakfast for my Venus For my Venus: By his Venus he means Planesium, with whom he is desperately in love, and for whom and the Procuress he is carrying the jentaculum. This was a meal which, we learn from Martial, was generally taken about three or four o’clock in the morning. It was, however, taken by few but invalids and children. The reason of Phaedromus providing a jentaculum for his mistress is probably the circumstance of the Procurer not being likely to interfere, as he has determined to pass the night in the Temple of Aesculapius..
38
38
PALINURUS
38
What? Will you then be giving up yourself as a breakfast to Venus?
39
39
PHAEDROMUS
39
Myself, and you, and all of these.
74b
74b
PALINURUS
74b
Then you would have Venus to be sick outright.
40
40
PHAEDROMUS
40
Here, boy, give me the bowl.
75b
75b
PALINURUS
75b
What are you going to do?
75c
75c
PHAEDROMUS
75c
You’ll know directly. An old hag is in the habit of sleeping here, as the keeper of the door; the name of the Procuress is Much-bibber and Neat-bibber.
41
41
PALINURUS
41
Just as you would speak of a flagon, in which Chian wine Chian wine: Chios, now Scio, in the Aegean Sea, produced the choicest wine, which was the only wine of Greece that did not require to be mixed with sea-water, to correct acidity and increase its durability. is wont to be.
79b
79b
PHAEDROMUS
79b
What need is there of words? She is a most vinous soul;
42
and the very moment that I’ve sprinkled this door with the wine, she knows by the smell that I’m here, and opens it forthwith.
43
43
PALINURUS
43
Is it for her the bowl is brought with the wine?
82b
82b
PHAEDROMUS
82b
Unless you object.
44
44
PALINURUS
44
I’ faith, I do object; for I’d rather have it broken about him who has brought it. I fancied it was brought for ourselves.
84b
84b
PHAEDROMUS
84b
Why don’t you hold your tongue?
45
If any’s left after her, it will be enough for ourselves.
46
46
PALINURUS
46
What river is it, pray, that the sea does not receive?
47
47
PHAEDROMUS
47
Follow me this way, Palinurus, to the door; do you be obedient to me.
48
48
PALINURUS
48
I’ll do so.
88b
88b
PHAEDROMUS
88b
Come, drink, you joyous door, quaff on, readily prove propitious unto me.
49
49
PALINURUS
49
Door, would you like some olives or a tit-bit, or some capers?
50
50
PHAEDROMUS
50
Arouse and send out here to me your portress.
51
51
PALINURUS
51
You’re spilling the wine; what matter is it that possesses you? (Takes hold of his arm.)
92b
92b
PHAEDROMUS
92b
Let me alone. Don’t you see? This most joyous door is opening; does the hinge make a bit of creaking? ’Tis a charming one.
94b
94b
PALINURUS
94b
Why don’t you then give it a kiss?
52
52
PHAEDROMUS
52
Hold your tongue; let’s keep back the light and our noise.
95b
95b
PALINURUS
95b
Be it so.
53
53
PROCURESS
53
The savour of aged wine has reached my nostrils; the love of it has brought me in my eagerness hither in the dark; wherever it is, it’s near me. O capital, I’ve found it. (Stooping, and smelling at the bowl.) Hail to you, my soul, Joy of dear Bacchus;
54
how enamoured am I of your old age. For in comparison with yours, the odour of all unguents were mere bilge-water; you are my myrrh, you my cinnamon, you my rose, you my saffron unguent and my cassia, you are my vine-palm Vine-palm: Bdellium was a gum of fragrant smell and bitter aste, which exuded from a tree that grew in Arabia. It is described by the Elder Pliny, in his Twelfth Book. scent. But, where you have been poured, there would I most earnestly hope to be buried.
55
55
PALINURUS
55
This old lady’s thirsty;
110b
how limited is her thirst?
110c
110c
PHAEDROMUS
110c
She’s a moderate person; she swallows eight gallons Eight gallons: Quadrantal. This was a measure which held forty-eight sextarii, of about a pint and a half each. only.
56
56
PALINURUS
56
I’ faith, according to your account, this year’s vintage is not enough for this old woman alone.
57
57
PROCURESS
57
But since as yet you, fragrance, alone have penetrated to my nostrils, so in its turn afford some delight to my throat. (Feels for the bowl on the ground, which PALINURUS draws away.) I find you not; where is your own dear self? I’m longing to touch you; do let me pour your liquids into me by sip-sipping. But in this direction it has gone, this way I’ll. follow it.
58
58
PALINURUS
58
It really had been more proper for her to be a dog; she has a good nose.
112b
112b
PROCURESS
112b
Prithee, whose voice is it that I hear at a distance.
59
59
PHAEDROMUS
59
I think that this old hag should be accosted. I’ll approach her. (Aloud.) Come back, Procuress, and look back towards me.
60
60
PROCURESS
60
Who is it that gives his commands?
61
61
PHAEDROMUS
61
The all-powerful in wine, jolly Bacchus; he who, when you’re hawking, parched, and half asleep, brings you a draught and comes to quench your thirst.
62
62
PROCURESS
62
How far is he away from me?