Epidicus
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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that he has been provoked by my running away By my running away: Pedibus. Literally, by my feet.. I’ll away in-doors; I’ve been talking too long.
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PERIPHIANES
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Hasn’t this fellow quite made a laughing-stock of us two decrepit old people Decrepit old people: Decrepitos. From the verb decrepo, to crackle, or make a sputtering, as a candle does when going out, or the wick of a lamp when the oil fails.?
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APAECIDES
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Why yes, I’ faith, you’ve really kept me plagued in a shocking fashion.
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PERIPHIANES
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Now do hold your tongue. Only let me catch the fellow!
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APAECIDES
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I’ll tell you now, that you may know it. It’s best for you to seek another companion; so much, while I’ve been following you,
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has the congested blood, from weariness, come down into the knees of poor me.
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PERIPHIANES
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After how many fashions has this fellow made sport of me and you to-day! besides, how he has disembowelled my silver resources for me!
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APAECIDES
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Away with him from me; for surely he’s the son of Vulcan in his wrath: wherever he touches, he sets all on fire; if you stand by him, he scorches you with his heat.
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EPIDICUS
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More than the twelve Gods, the immortal Gods as many as are in the heavens, are now assistants in my rescue, and are fighting on my side. As to whatever I have offended in, I have aid and assistance at home Assistance at home: He alludes to Stratippocles, Telestis, Philippa, Thesprio, and probably Chaeribulus, who are all ready to take his part; and, indeed, have good reason to do so, from the opportune discovery which he has just made.. All my enemies I quite spurn by the heels Spurn by the heels: Ἀπολακτιζώ. It has been more than once remarked that the use of Greek words was much affected by the Romans, in the same way that we make use of French phrases..
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PERIPHIANES
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Where in the world shall I look for him?
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APAECIDES
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So long as you look for him without me, you may look for him even in the middle of the sea, as far as I’m concerned.
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EPIDICUS
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Why are you looking for me? Why are you taking this trouble? Why are you worrying him? (Pointing to APAECIDES.) See, here I am. Have I run away from you? Have I betaken myself from the house? Have I hid myself from your sight? I don’t entreat you either. Do you wish to bind me? Look then, I present my hands. (Holding out his hands.) You have got thongs; I saw you purchase them. Why do you delay now? Do bind me!
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PERIPHIANES
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It’s all over It’s all over: Ilicet. Literally, you may begone; the word used when judicial proceedings had terminated.. He gives bail to me of his own accord for his appearance.
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EPIDICUS
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Why don’t you bind me?
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APAECIDES
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A wicked slave, upon my faith!
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EPIDICUS
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Really, Apaecides, I don’t want you to intercede for me.
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APAECIDES
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You easily obtain your wish, Epidicus.
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EPIDICUS
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Are you going to do anything?
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PERIPHIANES
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What, at your pleasure?
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EPIDICUS
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Troth, at my own, indeed, and not at yours, are these hands to be bound by you to-day.
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PERIPHIANES
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But I don’t choose; I shan’t bind them.
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APAECIDES
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He’s preparing to throw a dragnet over you; he’s framing some plan, I know not what.
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EPIDICUS
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You are causing delay to yourself, while I stand unbound; bind them, I tell you, bind them together.
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PERIPHIANES
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But I choose rather to question you unbound.
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EPIDICUS
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But you shall know nothing.
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PERIPHIANES
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What am I to do?
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APAECIDES
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What are you to do? Let him be complied with.
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EPIDICUS
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You are a worthy person, Apaecides.
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PERIPHIANES
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Hold out your hands then.
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EPIDICUS
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They don’t at all object; bind them fast together too.
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Don’t be afraid.
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I’m submissive.
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When the job is done, then pronounce your judgment Pronounce your judgment: Arbitraminor seems a better reading than arbitramino..
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PERIPHIANES
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There, that is good.Part of line 696 in the Latin.
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EPIDICUS
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Now then, to the point, with your enquiries of me; ask me what you please.
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PERIPHIANES
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In the first place, with what assurance did you presume to say that she who was bought the day before yesterday was my daughter?
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EPIDICUS
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I chose to; on that assurance.
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PERIPHIANES
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Do you say so? You chose to?
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EPIDICUS
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I do say so. Even lay me a wager that she is not the daughter—
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PERIPHIANES
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A woman whom the mother declares she doesn’t know?
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EPIDICUS
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Then, if she isn’t the daughter of her mother, make me a bet about it, my didrachm to your talent My didrachm to your talent: The moderate odds of three thousand to one..
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PERIPHIANES
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Why, that’s a mere catch. But who is this woman?
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EPIDICUS
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The mistress of your son, that you may know the whole matter.
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PERIPHIANES
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Did I not give you the thirty minae for my daughter?
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EPIDICUS
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I confess that they were given, and that with that money I purchased this Music-girl, your son’s mistress,
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instead of your daughter. As to those thirty minae, in fact, I imposed upon you.
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PERIPHIANES
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For what reason did you play a trick upon me about that hired Music-girl?
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EPIDICUS
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I’ faith, I really did do it, and I think it was rightly done.
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PERIPHIANES
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In the last place, what has been done with the silver I gave you?
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EPIDICUS
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I’ll tell you; I gave it to a person neither bad nor yet good Nor yet good: Indigno is read here in some editions for benigno, and is, perhaps, a better reading; though Epidicus may, possibly, as Post suggests, intend to allude satirically to the undecided and versatile character of Stratippocles.—your son Stratippocles.
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PERIPHIANES
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Why did you dare to give it him?
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EPIDICUS
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Because it pleased me.
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PERIPHIANES
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Plague on it! what insolence is this?
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EPIDICUS
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Am I to be bawled at just as if I were a slave?
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PERIPHIANES
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As you are a free man, I rejoice.
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EPIDICUS
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I have deserved to become so.
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PERIPHIANES
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You—deserved?
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EPIDICUS
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Go look in-doors; I’ll let you know that this is the truth.
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PERIPHIANES
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What’s the matter?
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EPIDICUS
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The thing itself will tell you so at once. Only do go in-doors.
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PERIPHIANES
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Aye, aye! this is not without its meaning.
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Do you keep an eye on him, Apaecides.
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APAECIDES
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What’s the meaning of this, Epidicus?
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EPIDICUS
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I’ faith, it’s with the greatest injustice that I’m standing here bound, through whose aid his daughter has been discovered to-day.
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APAECIDES
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Do you say that you have found his daughter?
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EPIDICUS
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I have found her, and she is at home. But how hard it is, when, for services done, you reap a harvest of evil.
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APAECIDES
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What, her whom this day we’ve both been weary with seeking throughout the city?
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EPIDICUS
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I’m weary with finding, you weary with seeking.
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PERIPHIANES
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Why do you entreat me thus earnestly in his behalf? For I find that he does deserve that I should be pleased to act according to his deserts. (To EPIDICUS.) Hold out your hands, you, that I may unbind them.
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EPIDICUS
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Don’t you touch them.
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PERIPHIANES
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But do you present them to me.
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EPIDICUS
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I don’t choose.
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PERIPHIANES
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You don’t do right.
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EPIDICUS
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Upon my faith, I’ll never allow myself to be unbound this day, unless you give me satisfaction.
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PERIPHIANES
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You ask what’s very fair and very just. Shoes, a tunic, and a cloak I’ll give you.
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EPIDICUS
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What next, after that?
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PERIPHIANES
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Your freedom.
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EPIDICUS
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But after that? There’s need for a new-made freed-man to pick a bit To pick a bit: Pappet. Pappo properly signifies to eat pap, as children do..
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PERIPHIANES
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It shall be given; I’ll find you food.
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EPIDICUS
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On my word, never this day shall you release me, unless you beg my pardon.
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PERIPHIANES
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I do entreat you, Epidicus, to forgive me, if unawares in fault I’ve done anything wrong.
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But by way of return for this matter, be a free man.
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EPIDICUS
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Against my inclination do I grant you this pardon, but I’m compelled by necessity. Unbind them then, if you choose.
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(coming forward.) This is that man who by his roguery By his roguery: — Malitia, artfulness. trickery. has gained his freedom. Clap your hands, and fare you well! Stretch your loins, and rise from your seats.