Epidicus
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Dramatis Personae PERIPHIANES, an aged Athenian of rank. STRATIPPOCLES, his son by a former wife. APAECIDES, an aged Athenian, friend of Periphanes. EPIDICUS, servant of Periphanes. CHAERIBULUS, a young Athenian, friend of Stratippocies. THESPRIO, armour-bearer to Stratippocles. A CAPTAIN of . A BANKER. PHILIPPA, a woman of , the mother of Telestis. ACROPOLISTIS, a music-girl, mistress of Stratippocles. TELESTIS, daughter of Periphanes and Philippa. A MUSIC-GIRL.
scene
(Scene—Athens: before the houses of PERIPHANES, APAECIDES, and CHAERIBULUS.)
subject
THE SUBJECT. The plot of this Play is of an involved nature. Periphanes, an aged Athenian, has a son, born in wedlock, named Stratippocles. By Philippa, a woman of Epidaurus, whom he has formerly seduced, he has had a daughter, named Telestis who has been residing with her mother at Thebes. A war arising between the Athenians and Thebans, Stratippocles, on setting out for the army, commissions Epidicus, his father’s servant, to purchase for him Acropolistis, a music-girl, of whom lie is enamoured. Epidicns, on this, persuades Periphanes that this girl is really his daughter by Philippa, whom he has not seen for many years, and that she has been taken captive at Thebes, and brought to Athens. On this the old man gives Epidicus the requisite sum, and she is brought home and introduced to him as his daughter Telestis. In the meantime, Stratippocles meets with another damsel who has been taken captive, and agrees with a Banker to borrow forty mince, for the purpose of purchasing her. He returns to Athens, and resolves not to meet his father until he has paid the money to the Banker and gained possession of the damsel, and Epidicus is threatened by him with a severe punishment, if he does not manage to raise the sum required. On this he accosts his aged master, and tells him that he must find a wife for his son, who is about to purchase a singing-girl of the name of Acropolistis. The old man is persuaded to give a sum of money to Epidicus for the purpose of buying Acropolistis, that she may be kept out of the way of his son. On receiving the money, Epidicus hands it over to Stratippocles, to be paid to the Banker. The old gentleman having that morning ordered a singing-girl to be hired to perform at a sacrifice at his house, she is brought to him as Acropolistis, having been instructed how to play her part. A Captain, who admires Acropolistis, having heard that Periphanes has purchased her, applies to him, and offers to give him a profit of ten minae if he will transfer her to him. Periphanes, thereupon, brings to him the music-girl who is assuming that character (while the real Acropolistis is taken for his daughter), on which the Captain discovers the deception, and Periphanes finds out that the girl is already free, and has been only brought to his house to perform at the sacrifice. At this conjuncture Philippa arrives, having heard that her daughter has been brought to Athens. Periphanes meets her, and assures her that her daughter is safe at his house. On this, Philippa is introduced to Acropolistis, and declares that she is not her daughter, and that Periphanes has been imposed upon. On being questioned,Acropolistis confesses that she has only called Periphanes her father because lie has called her his daughter. Epidicus, on being discovered to be guilty of this second fraud upon his master, is greatly alarmed; but just then he perceives the Banker, who has come for the money, leading the Theban captive. He immediately recognizes her as Telestis, the real daughter of Periphanes and Philippa, Stratippocles, somewhat to his sorrow, is informed that the captive is his half-sister, and therefore, most probably, consoles himself with Acropolistis. For making this discovery, Epidicus is not only pardoned by Periphanes, but receives his freedom.
argument
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.[Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] An old gentleman, thinking her his daughter, purchases (Emit) a music-girl, by the advice (Persuasu) of his servant, who, a second time (Iterum), substitutes for him, in place of his son’s mistress, another one hired; he gives (Dat) to his master’s son the money; with it the young man, not knowing it (Imprudens), purchases his sister. Soon afterwards, by the aid of a woman whom he has seduced, and of a Captain, the old man understands (Cognoscit) that he has been imposed upon, as (Ut) the one is in search of his mistress, the other of her daughter. But (Sed) on finding his daughter, he gives his servant his liberty.
1
1
EPIDICUS
1
Harkye! young man.
1b
1b
THESPRIO
1b
Who pulls me by the cloak, when thus in haste?
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EPIDICUS
2
An intimate.
2b
2b
THESPRIO
2b
I confess it; for with your annoyance you are too intimate.
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EPIDICUS
3
But do look back, Thesprio!
3b
3b
THESPRIO
3b
What? Is it Epidicus that I see?
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EPIDICUS
4
Why surely you’ve the use of your eyes.
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THESPRIO
5
Greetings to you.
6b
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EPIDICUS
6b
May the Gods grant what you desire. I’m glad that you’ve got here safe.
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THESPRIO
7b
What besides?
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EPIDICUS
7c
According to the usage, a dinner shall be given you A dinner shall be given you: The coena viatica, or welcome entertainment, has been mentioned in the Notes to the Bacchides, Act I., So. 2..
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THESPRIO
8b
I agree.
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EPIDICUS
8c
What to do?
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THESPRIO
8d
That I’ll accept it, if you offer it.
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EPIDICUS
6
How are you? Fare you as you could wish?
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THESPRIO
9a
The proof’s before you.Part of line 9 in the Latin.
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EPIDICUS
7
Marvellous!Part of line 9 in the Latin. You seem quite plump and hearty.
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THESPRIO
10b
Thanks to this.
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EPIDICUS
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Which, indeed, you ought to have parted with To have parted with: The thieves of antiquity are said to have used the left hand for the purposes of their nefarious calling. The cutting off of the hand was a common punishment. long ago.
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THESPRIO
9
I’m less of a pilferer now than formerly.
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EPIDICUS
12b
How so?
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THESPRIO
12c
I rob above-board I rob above- board: It has been suggested that this is an imitation of a passage in Aristophanes, Act II., Sc. 3, where Blepsidemus says, οὐ κεκλοφάς ἄλλ’ ἥρπακας. You have not pilfered, but plundered. The thought, however, is quite natural, without resorting to a previous author for it..
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EPIDICUS
10
May the immortal Gods confound you, with what huge strides you do walk! for when I caught sight of you at the harbour, I began to run at a rapid pace;
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I was hardly able to overtake you just now.
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THESPRIO
15b
You are a town wit.
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EPIDICUS
15c
I know that you, on the other hand, are a military gentleman.
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THESPRIO
16b
Speak out as boldly as you please.
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EPIDICUS
12
How say you? Have you been well all along?
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THESPRIO
17b
In a varied way.
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EPIDICUS
17c
Those who are well in a varied way In a varied way: He puns upon the different meanings of the word varie; and alludes to the checquered or striped state of the slave’s back after whipping. By varie, Thesprio simply means, sometimes well, and sometimes ill., a race of men of the goat kind or of the panther kind, don’t please me.
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THESPRIO
13
What do you wish me to tell you but that which is fact?
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EPIDICUS
19b
To answer to these thingsPart of the first part of line 19 in the Latin. fairly;
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how’s our master’s son? Is he well?
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THESPRIO
20b
Stout as a boxer and an athlete.
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EPIDICUS
15
You’ve brought me joyous tidings on your arrival. But where is he?
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THESPRIO
22b
I came here together with him.
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EPIDICUS
22c
Where is he then? Unless, perchance, you’ve brought him in your wallet, or, perhaps, in your knapsack.
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THESPRIO
23b
May the Gods confound you!
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EPIDICUS
23c
I want to make enquiries of you. Lend me your attention; attention shall be lent you in return.
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THESPRIO
16
You say what’s law What’s law: The words operam da and operam dabo, used by Epidicus, were terms used in the Roman courts of law: therefore Thesprio says, jus dicis, meaning, you talk like a judge..
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EPIDICUS
25b
It becomes me to do so.
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THESPRIO
25c
But why now are you acting the Praetor over us?
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EPIDICUS
17
What other person in Athens will you say is more deserving of it than I?
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THESPRIO
26a
But still, Epidicus, one thing is wanting for your Praetorship.
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EPIDICUS
27b
What, pray?
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THESPRIO
27c
You shall know; two lictors Two lictors: The Praetors were attended by lictors As one part of their duty was to scourge refractory slaves, Thesprio means to joke Epidicus, by telling him that he requires the lictors — not to do him honor, but to scourge him. two osier bundles of twigs—
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EPIDICUS
28b
Woe unto you! But how say you—?
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29b
THESPRIO
29b
What is it you ask?
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EPIDICUS
29c
Where are the arms Where are the armns: As Thesprio was his armour-bearer, this question cannot be considered as an impertinent one. of Stratippocles?
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THESPRIO
18
I’ faith, they’ve gone over to the enemy.
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EPIDICUS
30b
What, his arms?
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30c
THESPRIO
30c
Aye, and quickly too.
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EPIDICUS
30a
Do you say that seriously?
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THESPRIO
31a
Seriously I say it; the enemy have got them.
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EPIDICUS
19
By my troth, a disgraceful affair.
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THESPRIO
32b
Still, before now, other persons have done the same. This affair will turn out to his honor Will turn out to his honor: Schmieder thinks that in these words there is a covert allusion to the conduct of Terentius Varro, by whose bad management the Romans lost the battle of Cannae, when fighting against Hannibal. The Senate, however, received him with open arms, because he had not despaired of the state..
33b
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EPIDICUS
33b
How so?
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THESPRIO
33c
Because it has been so to others before.
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EPIDICUS
20
Mulciber, I suppose, made the arms which Stratippocles had;
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they flew over to the enemy Flew over to the enemy: Plautus seems here to fancy that the arms made by Mulciber or Vulcan, for Achilles, were taken by Hector from Patroclus, when, in fact, they were made at the request of Thetis, for the purpose of avenging his death. He probably did not care to represent a slave and A camp-follower as being particularly correct in their knowledge of Homer..
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THESPRIO
35b
Why, then, e’en let this son of Thetis lose them; the daughters of Nereus will bring him others.
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EPIDICUS
22
Only this must be looked to, that material may be found for the armourers, if in each campaign he yields a spoil to the enemy.
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THESPRIO
23
Have done now with these matters.
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EPIDICUS
39b
You yourself make an end of them when you please.
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THESPRIO
24
Cease your enquiries then.
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EPIDICUS
40b
Say, where is Stratippocles himself?
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THESPRIO
25
There is a reason, for which reason he has been afraid to come together with me.
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EPIDICUS
41b
Pray, what is it?
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THESPRIO
26
He doesn’t wish to see his father as yet.
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EPIDICUS
42b
For what reason?
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THESPRIO
42c
You shall hear; because he has purchased out of the spoil a young female captive of charming and genteel figure.
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EPIDICUS
44b
What is it I hear from you?
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THESPRIO
44c
That which I’m telling you.
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EPIDICUS
27
Why has he purchased her?
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THESPRIO
45b
To please his fancy.
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EPIDICUS
45c
How many fancies has this man? For assuredly, before he went away from home to the army, he himself commissioned me, that a music-girl whom he was in love with should be purchased of a Procurer for him. That I have managed to accomplish for him.
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THESPRIO
28
Whichever way the wind is at sea, Epidicus, in that direction the sail is shifted.
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EPIDICUS
29
Woe unto wretched me! He has utterly undone me!
50b
50b
THESPRIO
50b
What’s the meaning of this? What’s the matter, pray?
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EPIDICUS
30
Well now—she whom he has bought, at what sum has he purchased her?
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51b
THESPRIO
51b
A very little.
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EPIDICUS
51c
That I don’t ask you.
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THESPRIO
31
What then?
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52b
EPIDICUS
52b
For how many minae?
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52c
THESPRIO
52c
For so many.
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52cc
EPIDICUS
52cc
Part of line 52c in Latin attributed to the prior speaker. Forty minae?
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THESPRIO
32
For that purpose, he borrowed the money on interest of a Banker at Thebes, at a didrachm for each silver mina per day.
54b
54b
EPIDICUS
54b
Surprising!
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THESPRIO
33
This Banker, too, has come together with him, and is dunning for his money.
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EPIDICUS
34
Immortal Gods! now I’m fairly done for!
56b
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THESPRIO
56b
Why so, or.what’s the matter, Epidicus?
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EPIDICUS
57b
He has proved my ruin!
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THESPRIO
57c
Who?
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EPIDICUS
57d
Who? He who lost his arms.
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THESPRIO
35
But why so?
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EPIDICUS
58b
Because he himself was every day sending me letters from the army—but I shall hold my tongue; it’s best to do so.