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
375
let him come himself straight up to me here just as he chooses.
376
If he does come, for very sure, i’ faith, I’ll do him to-day with some cunning tricks.
377
377
STRATOPHANES
377
That I should loveThat I should love: Eo mi amare. It is much more easy to guess at the sense of this passage, than at what is really the proper reading of it as it is evidently corrupt. for this! I’m taking an atonement for my offences to my mistress! That that may be taken by her in kindly part which I’ve squandered before, I’ll add this as well.
378
But what’s this? I see the mistress and her maid before the house. I must accost her. (Addressing them.) What are you doing here?
896b
896b
PHRONESIUM
896b
Don’t speak to me.
896c
896c
STRATOPHANES
896c
You are too angry.
379
379
PHRONESIUM
379
Leave me alone. Can’t you possibly cease to be an annoyance to me?
897b
897b
STRATOPHANES
897b
What is the matter, my dear little Astaphium?
380
380
ASTAPHIUM
380
I’ faith, she’s angry with you with good reason.
898b
898b
PHRONESIUM
898b
What, I? I’m not even half spiteful enough to. wards that fellow.
899b
899b
STRATOPHANES
899b
My love, if I have at all offended before,
381
I present you with this mina of gold. If you smile upon me, deign me a look.
382
382
PHRONESIUM
382
My hand forbids me to believe anything, before it holds in its possession. We require food for the child; we require it for the dameFor the dame: Matri. Literally, the mother. as well, that bathes the child; we require it for the nurseFor the nurse: Even in those days, nurses were famed for their toping propensities. See the Andria of Terence, l. 229., as well, that she may have a leather bottle full of old wine in ample style, that night and day she may tipple; we stand in need of fire; we want coals, too;
383
we want swathes, napkins, the cradle, the cradle-bed; oil we want; the child requires flour, for pap; all day we are wanting something; never, in the same one day, can our task be performed, but what there’s always need of something; for the children of officers cannot be reared upon medlarsUpon medlars: It is not known whether setanium or setanum here means medlars or onions. Some Commentators think it means an inferior kind of pulse, used as food for the children of the poor..
384
384
STRATOPHANES
384
Look upon me then. Take this (presenting the money), with which to satisfy these necessities.
385
385
PHRONESIUM
385
Give it me, although it’s very little.
386
386
STRATOPHANES
386
Whatever you shall order, shall be given at your demand. Give me a kiss now. (Tries to kiss her.)
387
387
PHRONESIUM
387
Leave me alone, I say! You are a nuisance!
912b
912b
STRATOPHANES
912b
It’s no use, I’m not loved by her; the day wears apace. More than ten pounds of silver have I lost in this short time by reason of my passion.
388
388
PHRONESIUM
388
Take this, and carry it away in-doors. (ASTAPHIUM carries it in.) (Enter STRABAX, from the house.)
914b
914b
STRABAX
914b
Where in the world is my mistress?
389
I get on with no business, either in the country or here, at this rate; I’m spoiling with mouldiness, I’m grown so dreadfully numbed with lying waiting here upon the couch. But look, I perceive her. Hallo! sweetheart, what are you about?
917b
917b
STRATOPHANES
917b
What fellow is that?
390
390
PHRONESIUM
390
One that, upon my honor, I love far more than yourself.
918b
918b
STRATOPHANES
918b
Than myself? In what way?
391
391
PHRONESIUM
391
Why, this way, that you are not to be troublesome to me. (Moves as if going.)
919b
919b
STRATOPHANES
919b
Are you going now, after you’ve got the gold?
392
392
PHRONESIUM
392
What you’ve given me, I’ve put away in-doors.
920b
920b
STRABAX
920b
Come here, sweetheart; I’ve got something to say to you.
393
393
PHRONESIUM
393
Why, I was just coming to you.
921a
921a
STRABAX
921a
To me, my charmer?Appears to be part of 921 in the Latin.
921b
921b
PHRONESIUM
921b
In serious truth, i’ faith.
394
394
STRABAX
394
Although I seem a simpleton to you, I like myself to have a bit of recreation. For pretty though you are, you are so to your own loss, unless I amuse myself a bit with you.
395
395
PHRONESIUM
395
Should you like me to embrace you and give you a kiss?
924b
924b
STRABAX
924b
Do whatever you like, I’ll deem it agreable.
396
396
STRATOPHANES
396
What, shall I suffer her to be embracing other men before my eyes? I’ faith, ’twere better that I were dead. Woman, take your hands off of him, unless, perhaps, by this sword of mine, won from the enemy, you wish yourself and him to die.
397
397
PHRONESIUM
397
There’s no use in badinageNo use in badinage: φλυαρεῖν, to trifle, to play upon; almost exactly corresponding with our use of the French term badinage., Captain. If you want yourself to be loved, with gold, Stratophanes, not with iron, may you prevent him from loving me.
398
398
STRATOPHANES
398
How, the plague, are you pretty or witty, to be fond of a fellow of that description?
399
399
PHRONESIUM
399
Don’t it come to your recollection what an actor once said upon the stage? All people have an eye to their profit, and are not over delicate.
400
400
STRATOPHANES
400
That you could possibly caress this fellow, so dirty and foul!
401
401
PHRONESIUM
401
Although he is dirty, although he is foul, still, he’s pretty to me.
402
402
STRATOPHANES
402
Didn’t I give you some gold?
935b
935b
PHRONESIUM
935b
To me? You gave money for the child’s food.
403
403
STRABAX
403
Now, if you hope to have her, another mina of gold is requisite.
404
404
STRATOPHANES
404
A sore mishap upon these people, and a weighty one!
937a
937a
STRABAX
937a
By all means, keep that by way of provision for your own journey. Part of line 937 in the Latin.
405
405
STRATOPHANES
405
What does she owe you?
938b
938b
STRABAX
938b
Three things.
938c
938c
STRATOPHANES
938c
What, pray?
938d
938d
STRABAX
938d
Perfumes, her favours, and kisses.
406
406
PHRONESIUM
406
He answers him like for like. (To STRATOPHANES.) But now, at all events, if you do love me,
407
do you give me some little trifle from your most abundant treasures.
408
408
STRATOPHANES
408
Do say, there’s a dear, what it is that I’m to give you; only say. If I have it left, you shall have it.
409
409
PHRONESIUM
409
Mere kickshawsMere kickshaws: Κάμπας. This is from the Greek καμπὴ, a caterpillar, and means nonsensical, trifling stuff. He gives her a hint, in the next line, to beware of the great teeth of the countrymen. you’re talking about. Be off, be off.
410
410
STRATOPHANES
410
I’ve considered this over with myself.Part of line 942 in the Latin. A corrupt passage. My good sir, take you care, will you, that she don’t inflict a wound upon you, whose teeth are made of iron.
411
She’s allowing access to her to all in common.
944b
You take your hand off of her.
412
412
STRABAX
412
Then, by my troth, do you take that, with a hearty punch, warlike man!
413
413
STRATOPHANES
413
I’ve given her gold.
946b
946b
STRABAX
946b
And I, silver.
946c
946c
STRATOPHANES
946c
And I a mantle and a purple garment.
414
414
STRABAX
414
And I, sheep and wool; and many other things that she shall ask for I’ll give. ’Twere better for you to contest it with me with minae than with menacesWith minae than with menaces: Melius, te minis certare mecum, quam minaciis. He plays upon the resemblance of the word minis, with minae, to minaciis, with threats, and means that money is more likely than menaces to have weight with Phronesium..
415
415
PHRONESIUM
415
Upon my faith you are a funny mortal, my Strabax. Prithee, do proceed—
416
(Aside.) A fool and a madman are contending for their ruin; I’m all right.
417
417
STRATOPHANES
417
Come, younker, do you offer something first.
951b
951b
STRABAX
951b
Why no; do you squander first, and come to ruin.
418
418
STRATOPHANES
418
Well, here’s a talent of silver for you. It’s in Philippean coins. Take it for yourself.
419
419
PHRONESIUM
419
So much the better. Be one of our family, but live at your own expense.
420
420
STRATOPHANES
420
Where is that which you are going to give? Open your purse-stringsOpen your purse-strings: Solve zonam. Literally, loosen your girdle. The girdle was sometimes used as the purse itself. At other times the purse was placed there for safety.
954a
954a
PHRONESIUM
954a
That’s a challenge.Part of line 954 in the Latin.
954aa
954aa
STRATOPHANES
954aa
What are you afraid of?Part of line 954 in the Latin.
421
421
STRABAX
421
You are from abroadYou are from abroad: He alludes to the alleged service of Stratophanes in the Babylonian army, and implies that he hesitates to answer to the challenge because he does not know whether Stratophanes may not turn out to be a sharper.. I live here (points to his FATHER’S house). I am afraid.
955a
955a
STRATOPHANES
955a
I am not. Walk off, then.Part of line 955 in the Latin.
422
422
STRABAX
422
I’m bringing her some sheep fastened in a purse to my neck.
423
423
STRATOPHANES
423
Because I gave that, how I did flounder the fellowFlounder the fellow: Stratophanes plumes himself with the idea that, he having given the money to Phronesium, the other will not dare to answer his challenge..
957b
957b
STRABAX
957b
Why no, indeed, it’s I, who am going to give.
424
424
PHRONESIUM
424
Come in-doors now, prithee, and (to STRABAX) do you then stay with me here.
958a
958a
STRATOPHANES
958a
You will give me your company then?Part of line 958 in the Latin.
959a
959a
STRABAX
959a
What say you?Part of line 959 in the Latin.
959aa
959aa
PHRONESIUM
959aa
What?Part of line 959 in the Latin.
425
425
STRABAX
425
What do you say? What, with this fellow? Am I to be postponed?
960a
960a
STRATOPHANES
960a
I have made my present.Part of line 960 in the Latin.
426
426
PHRONESIUM
426
You have given; (pointing to STRABAX) he’s going to give just now; the one I’ve got, the other I expect. But each of the two shall be indulged to his heart’s content.
427
427
STRABAX
427
So be it. As I see the matter stands, that must be taken that’s offered.
428
428
STRATOPHANES
428
Indeed, I shall assuredly not be letting you take possession of my couch.
429
429
PHRONESIUM
429
I’ faith, I’ve cleverly netted them, and quite to my satisfaction.
430
(To the AUDIENCE.) And as I see my affairs successfully managed, yours likewiseYours likewise: There has been some doubt as to the meaning of this and the next two lines; but, on examination, it is clear that they have an indecent signification. would I successfully manage. I’ll caress you in reality. If you are disposed to be doing anything, take care, will you, and let me know at once. For the sake of Venus, applaud; this Play is in her honor. Spectators, kindly farewell; grant applause, and then rise upThen rise up: Cicero, in his Treatise On Old Age, informs us that this Play was a favourite one of Plautus. It is difficult to see for what reason, as, compared with many of the others, it seems to be deficient in plot, and the Churl from whom it takes its name has scarcely, any part in the business of it..