Truculentus
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
133
that I’m here. Do go at once, and persuade her that she has bathed long enough by this.
134
134
ASTAPHIUM
134
Very well.
331b
331b
DINARCHUS
331b
And do you hear as well?
331c
331c
ASTAPHIUM
331c
What do you want?
331d
331d
DINARCHUS
331d
May the Gods confound me for calling you back. I had nothing to say to you, only do be off.
135
135
ASTAPHIUM
135
Why did you call me back then, you worthless and good-for-nothing fellow? A delay to me which has produced fully a mile’s delay to you.
136
136
DINARCHUS
136
But yet why was she standing here so long before the house? Some one, I don’t know who, she certainly was waiting for; the Captain, I suppose. That’s it; see now, how, just like vulturesJust like vultures: Vultures were supposed, some days beforehand, to scent out a place where a dead carcase was about to be. Pliny the Elder mentions this belief., a whole three days beforehand they foresee on what day they are to have a feast. They’re all agape for him; on him are all their minds fixed.
137
No one will be giving any more attention to myself, when he comes, than if I had been dead two hundred years ago. How delightful a thing it is to keep one’s money! Ah wretched me! after it’s done I’m punished, who lost what I once had.
138
But now, if any great and splendid fortune should chance to fall to my lot, now, after I know it, what sweets and what bitters come of money, by my troth, I’d so keep it, I’d live in a manner so sparing, that—in a few days I’d make there to be none at all. I’d then confute those who now censure me.
139
But I perceive that this tide-like door is opening (the door of PHRONESIUM’S house is opened), which sucks up whatever comes within its bolts.
140
140
PHRONESIUM
140
Please now, is my door apt to biteApt to bite: Taubmann has a notion that this remark refers to the inscription often set up in the Roman vestibules: Cave canem, Beware of the dog., that you are afraid to come in, my love?
353b
353b
DINARCHUS
353b
Behold the spring! How all blooming it is! how fragrantly does it smell! how brightly does it shine.
141
141
PHRONESIUM
141
Why so ill-mannered, as not, on your arrival from Lemnos From Lemnos : This may be intended as a hit at the people of Lemnos, who were remarkable for their rude and unpolished manners., to give a kiss to your mistress, my Dinarchus?
142
142
DINARCHUS
142
O dear, by my troth, I’m being punished now, and most terribly—
143
143
PHRONESIUM
143
Why do you turn yourself away?
358b
358b
DINARCHUS
358b
My greetings to you, Phronesium.
144
144
PHRONESIUM
144
Greetings to you as well. Will you dine here to-day, as you’ve arrived in safety?
145
145
DINARCHUS
145
I’m engaged.
360b
360b
PHRONESIUM
360b
Where will you dine then?
360c
360c
DINARCHUS
360c
Wherever you request me; here.
146
146
PHRONESIUM
146
You’ll give me pleasure by doing so.
361b
361b
DINARCHUS
361b
I’ troth, myself still more. You’ll give me your company to-day, I suppose, my Phronesium?
147
147
PHRONESIUM
147
If it could possibly be done, I would.
363b
363b
DINARCHUS
363b
Give me my shoesGive me my shoes: Soleas. These were a kind of slipper or sandal much in use among the Romans in the house; but it was considered effeminate to wear them in the street. They were taken off when persons reclined on the triclinia, or couches, at meals. Dinarchus is calling to the servant to fetch his slippers, as he is going to leave the entertainment given him on his return by Phronesium. This appears to be set out on the stage in the front of the house; but there is probably some portion of the Play lost here, in which Phronesium orders it to be laid out. The last Scene in the Asinaria is somewhat similar. then—make haste, remove the table.
364b
364b
PHRONESIUM
364b
Are you in your senses, pray?
148
148
DINARCHUS
148
By heavens, I cannot drink now; so sick at heart am I.
149
149
PHRONESIUM
149
Stay; something shall be done. Don’t go.
366b
366b
DINARCHUS
366b
Ah, you’ve refreshed me with cold water! My senses have now returned. Take off my shoesTake off my shoes: This he says to the servant whose duty it was to take off the slippers of the guests before they reclined. Limiers suggests, most probably incorrectly, that this is going on inside of Phronesium’s house, and that the door is opened wide, so that the Audience can see in.; give me something to drink.
150
150
PHRONESIUM
150
By my faith, you are just the same that you used to be. But tell me, have you sped successfully?
369b
369b
DINARCHUS
369b
I’ troth, successfully enough, indeed, hither to you, inasmuch as I enjoy the opportunity of seeing you.
370b
370b
PHRONESIUM
370b
Embrace me then.
151
151
DINARCHUS
151
With pleasure. (He embraces her.) Oh, this is honey sweeter than sweet honey. In this, Jove, my fortune does exceed thine own!
152
152
PHRONESIUM
152
Won’t you give me a kiss?
373b
373b
DINARCHUS
373b
Aye, ten even.
373c
373c
PHRONESIUM
373c
You are not niggardly in that. You promise more than I ask of you.
153
153
DINARCHUS
153
I only wish that from the first I had been as sparing of my property, as you are now thrifty of your kisses.
376b
376b
PHRONESIUM
376b
If I could possibly cause you any saving, i’ troth, I could wish it done.
154
154
DINARCHUS
154
Have you bathed then?
378b
378b
PHRONESIUM
378b
I’ troth, indeed I have then, to my own satisfaction and that of my eyes. Do I seem to be loathsome to you?
379b
379b
DINARCHUS
379b
I’ faith, not to myself indeed;
155
but I remember that there was once a time when between ourselves we were loathsomeWere loathsome: Sorderemus unus alteri; he to her because he had spent all his money, she to him for her covetousness and ill-nature., the one to the other. But what doing of yours is this I’ve heard upon my arrival? What new matter have you been scheming here in my absence?
156
156
PHRONESIUM
156
Why, what is it?
384b
384b
DINARCHUS
384b
In the first place, that you’ve been blessed with children,
157
and that you’ve safely got over it, I’m delighted.
158
158
PHRONESIUM
158
Go you away from there into the house, and shut the door. (They go in, and shut the door.) You now alone are left to be present at my communication; to you I’ve ever entrusted my designs. For my own part, I’ve neither had any child nor have I been pregnant;
159
but I’ve pretended that I was pregnant; I wasn’t though.
160
160
DINARCHUS
160
For what reason, O my life?
391b
391b
PHRONESIUM
391b
On account of a Babylonian Captain, who kept me as though his wife for a year, while he was here.
393b
393b
DINARCHUS
393b
That I knew. But what means this? For what purpose was your design in pretending this?
161
161
PHRONESIUM
161
That there might be a certain bond and tieAnd tie: Redimiculum. The redimicula were, properly strings or ribbons which fell on the shoulders from the mitra or headdress of females, and were probably used for the purpose of tying it under the chin. They hung down on each side, over the breast. for him to be returning to me again. Now he has lately sent me a letter hither, that he’ll make trial how much I value him. If I should raise and bring up the child which I should bear,
162
that then I should have all his property.
400b
400b
DINARCHUS
400b
I listen with pleasure. In fine, what is it you are contriving?
401b
401b
PHRONESIUM
401b
My mother ordered the servant-maids, since now the tenth month is arriving close at hand, each to go in some different direction, to seek out and bespeak a boy or a girl, to be passed off as my own.
163
Why need I make many words? You know Syra, the female hair-dresserThe female hair-dresser: Tonstricem. Warner translates the word tonstrix, tire-woman; but the real meaning is, a female hair-dresser or barber. They were women who used to cut the hair and pare the nails of females., who now lives hard by our house?
164
164
DINARCHUS
164
I know her.
407b
407b
PHRONESIUM
407b
She, with the utmost care, went about among the families, and secretly found out a child, and brought it to me. She said it was given to her.
409b
409b
DINARCHUS
409b
O shocking traffic!
165
She then hasn’t borne this child who at first did bear it, but you who come afterwards.
411b
411b
PHRONESIUM
411b
You have the whole matter in its order. Now, as the Captain has sent a message before to me, he’ll be here no long time hence.
413b
413b
DINARCHUS
413b
Now, in the mean time, you are treating yourself here as though one who had just lain in?
414b
414b
PHRONESIUM
414b
Why not,
166
when, without trouble, the matter can be nicely managed? It’s proper that every one should be alive at his own trade.
167
167
DINARCHUS
167
What’s to become of me when the Captain comes? Forsaken, can I live without you?
418b
418b
PHRONESIUM
418b
When I’ve got from him that which I want, I shall easily find a way how
168
to create discord and a separation between us; after that, my delight, I shall be always at your side.
422b
422b
DINARCHUS
422b
Aye, faith, but I’d rather it were at my couchAt my couch: Adcubuo. There is a play on the resemblance of this word to that used by her, adsiduo, at your side..
169
169
PHRONESIUM
169
Moreover, I wish to sacrifice to-day to the Deities for the child, on this the fifth dayOn this the fifth day: The Greeks sacrificed to the Gods and named their children on the fifth day after their birth; the Romans on the ninth, if a male, on the eighth, if a female., as is proper to be done.
424b
424b
DINARCHUS
424b
I think you ought.
170
170
PHRONESIUM
170
Can’t you venture to give me some trifling present?
171
171
DINARCHUS
171
Upon my faith, my delight, I seem to be making a gain for myself when you ask anything of me.
427b
427b
PHRONESIUM
427b
And I, when I’ve got it.
172
172
DINARCHUS
172
I’ll take care it shall be here just now. I’ll send my servant hither.
173
173
PHRONESIUM
173
Do so.
429b
429b
DINARCHUS
429b
But whatever it shall be, do take it in good part.
174
174
PHRONESIUM
174
I troth, I’m sure that you’ll give all attention to your present, of which I shan’t be ashamed so long as you send it to me.
175
175
DINARCHUS
175
Do you wish anything else of me?
432b
432b
PHRONESIUM
432b
That, when you have leisure, you’ll come again to see me.
433a
433a
DINARCHUS
433a
Fare you well.Perhaps part of line 433 (?).
433b
433b
PHRONESIUM
433b
Farewell.
176
176
DINARCHUS
176
O immortal Gods! ’twere the part not of a woman in love,
177
but of a partner of kindred feelings and confiding, to do what she just now has done for me, in disclosing to me the palming of the child upon the Captain,—a thing that a sister entrusts not to her own born sister. She discloses herself now to me from her very soul,
178
that she will never prove faithless to me so long as she exists. Ought I not to love her? Ought I not to wish her well? I’ll rather not love myself, than that love should be wanting for her. Shall I not send her a present? This instant, then, I’ll order five minae to be brought to her from my house,
179
besides catering to the amount of a mina at least. Much rather shall kindness be shown to her who wishes kindly to me, than to myself, who do every mischief to myself.
180
180
PHRONESIUM
180
Give the breast to that child. (To herself, coming forward.) How wretchedly
449.450
and anxiously are mothersAnxiously are mothers: This, of course, she says ironically, with a smile on her face. distressed in mind. I’ faith, ’twas craftily contrived; and when I revolve this matter in my mind, we are accounted to be much less artful than we naturally are in disposition. I’m now speaking of what, but lately, for the first time, I’ve been taught at home;
454.455
how great is my anxiety of mind, what pangs I do feel in my heart, lest through the death of the child the plot should fail. Because I’m styled its mother, for that reason am I the more anxious for its life, who have ventured thus secretly to attempt a stratagem so great. In my avarice, for the sake of gain, have I entered on this disgraceful scheme;
181
the pangs of others have I falsely shammed for myself. You must attempt nothing by craftiness, unless you would carry it out with cunning and with care. (To the AUDIENCE.) You yourselves now see in what garb In what garb: She alludes to the dress she is wearing— that of a woman who has just lain in. I go; I’m now pretending that I’m an invalid from having lain in.
182
A thing that a woman attempts to do in fraud, unless she is perfect in carrying it out, that same is as bad as disease to her, that same is as bad as old age to her, that to her, wretched creature, is wretchedness: if she begins to do what’s right, soon does weariness of it overtake her. How very few are tired who have commenced to do what’s wrong; how very few carry it out, if they have commenced to do anything aright.
183
To a female it is a much less burden to do bad than good. In that I’m an artful one, through the agency of my motherAgency of my mother: This may, perhaps, mean the Procuress who had instructed her in her evil ways. These wretches were generally thus called by their disciples. and my own artful disposition am I artful, who have thus feigned to the Babylonian Captain that I am pregnant. I wish now the Captain may find this artful plot concocted well. He’ll be here no long time hence, I suppose; forewarned of that I’m now forearmed,
184
and I’m wearing this garb, as though I had just lain in in pregnancy. (Calls to the SERVANTS within.) Bring me hither some myrrh and fire for the altar, that I may pay adoration to my Lucina. (They bring it.) Place it here (pointing to an altar near the door), and go out of my sight. Ho there! Pithecium, help me to lay me down. Come hither; thus is it proper to help one who has just lain in. (A couch is brought in by ASTAPHIUM and two HANDMAIDS, and she lays herself down.) Take off my sandals; throw a coverlet here over me, Archylis.
185
Astaphium, where are you? Bring me hither, holy herbs, frankincense, and sweetmeats. Bring water for my hands. (The SERVANTS go and fetch the things as ordered.) Now, i’ faith, I could wish that the Captain should come.
186
186
STRATOPHANES
186
Don’t you be expecting, Spectators, that I should recount my combats; with my hands in battle I’m wont to recount them, and not in words. I know that many a soldier have told lies;
187
both the Homeric poetlingsHomeric poetlings: By. Homeronidae, he probably means wretched imitators of Homer., and a thousand others besides them could be named, who have been both convicted and condemned for their sham battles. He’s not to be commended who trusts another any further than he sees. It pleases me not when those commend more who hear than those who see; of more value is one eye-witness than ten hearsays.
188
Those who hear, speak of what they’ve heard; those who see, know beyond mistake. I like him not whom the town-gossipsWhom the town-gossips: He does not admire those would-be heroes whose praises are in the mouths of the gossips about town (scurrae), but whose achievements are never witnessed by the soldiers who serve under their command (manipulares). are praising, and the men of his maniple are mum about; nor yet those whose tongues at home make blunt the edgeMake blunt the edge: This remark might, perhaps, with some justice he applied to some of the senators of modern times; whose fault it certainly is not if their tongues fail to blunt the edge of the swords of their countrymen when fighting the battles of their fellow-citizens who live at home at ease. of our swords. The valiant are much more serviceable to the public than the eloquent and skilled. Valour easily finds for itself a fluent eloquence;
189
without valour, for my own part, I esteem an eloquent citizen as a hired mournerA hired mourner: The praeficae were the women who chanted the naenia. See the Note to l. 213., who praises other people, but can’t do the same for herself. Now, after ten months, am I come to Athens of Attica to see my mistress, how she gets on, whom I left pregnant by my embrace.
190
190
PHRONESIUM
190
See who’s talking.
499b
499b
ASTAPHIUM
499b
The Captain’s now close at hand, my mistress Phronesium:
191
Stratophanes is coming to you. (In a low voice.) Now is it requisite for you to pretend yourself an invalid.
500b
500b
PHRONESIUM
500b
Hold your tongue. What, the plague, de I want you for as an adviser in this matter? Is it possible to excel myself in craftiness?
192
192
STRATOPHANES
192
Madam’s brought to bed, as I fancy.