Pone Tigellinum, taeda lucebis in illa,Qua stantes ardent, qui fixo gutture fumant.
Describe Tigellinus {an infamous minister of Nero}, and yon shall give a light by those torches, in which those stand and burn who send forth smoke with a stake driven into their throat."}
{Footnote 8:Why are you making signs)—Ver. 617. "Abnutas." The verb "abnuto" means, "to nod to a person that he may desist." Tyndarus thinks that by this time Aristophontes must surely understand the plan that has been devised for the escape of Philocrates; and, as he is about to step aside to speak with Hegio, he makes a sign, requesting him to stop short in his contradiction of what he has asserted.}
{Footnote 9:The dress only)—Ver. 620. By "ornamenta" he means the dress of Tragedy. The dresses of Comedy were essentially different from those of Tragedy. He means to say, "the man is mad; if he had only the Tragic garb on, you might take him for Ajax Telamon in his frenzy." On being refused the arms of Achilles, Ajax became mad, and slaughtered a flock of sheep fancying that they were Ulysses and the sons of Atreus.}
{Footnote 10:The sacrifice and the stone)—Ver. 624. We learn from Livy, that in the most ancient times the animal for sacrifice was killed by being struck with a stone; to stand between the victim and the stone, would consequently imply, to be in a position of extreme danger.}
{Footnote 11:But where is he)—Ver. 645. Tyndarus has probably betaken himself to some corner of the stage, and Aristophontes misses him from his former position.}
{Footnote 12:Cut asunder)—Ver. 646. "Deruncinatus" means, literally, cut asunder with a "runcina," or "saw."}
{Footnote 13:Have they imposed upon me)—Ver. 661. "Os sublevere offuciis." Literally "painted my face with varnish." This expression is probably derived from the practice of persons concealing their defects, by painting over spots or freckles in the face for the purpose of hiding them.}
{Footnote 14:Colaphus, Cordalio, Corax)—Ver. 662. These are the names of slaves. "Colaphus" means, also, "a blow with the fist." "Corax" was the Greek name for a "crow," and was probably given to a black slave.}
{Footnote 15:To gather faggots)—Ver. 663. He asks this question because cords, "lora," were necessary for the purpose of binding up faggots.}
TYND. (whilst theSLAVESare fastening him). What's the matter? What have I done wrong?
HEG. Do you ask the question? You weeder and sower of villanies, and in especial their reaper.
TYND. Ought you not to have ventured to say the harrower first? For countrymen always harrow before they weed.
HEG. Why, with what assurance he stands before me.
TYND. It's proper for a servant, innocent and guiltless, to be full of confidence, most especially before his master.
HEG. (to theSLATES). Bind this fellow's hands tightly, will you.
TYND. I am your own—do you command them to be cut off even. But what is the matter on account of which you blame me?
HEG. Because me and my fortunes, so far as in you singly lay, by your rascallyandknavish stratagems you have rent in pieces, and have districted my affairs and spoiled all my resources and my plans,in thatyou've thus robbed me of Philocrates by your devices. I thought that he was the slave, you the free man. So did you say yourselves, and in this way did you change names between you.
TYND. I confess that all was done so, as you say, and that by a stratagem he has got away from you, through my aid and cleverness; and prithee, now, do you blame me for that, i' faith?
HEG. Why, it has been done with your extreme torturefor the consequence.
TYND. So I don't die by reason of my misdeeds, I care but little. If I do die here, then he returns not, as he saidhe would; but when I'm dead, this act will be remembered to my honor, that I caused my captive master to return from slavery and the foe, a free man, to his father in his native land; and that I preferred rather to expose my own life to peril, than that he should be undone.
HEG. Take care, then, to enjoy that fame at Acheron.
TYND. He who dies for virtue's sake, still does not perish.
HEG. When I've tortured you in the most severe manner, and for your schemes put you to death, let them say either that you have perished or that you have died; so long as you do die, I don't think it matters if they say you live.
TYND. I' faith, if you do do so, you'll do it not without retribution, if he shall return here, as I trust that he will return.
ARIST. (aside). O ye immortal Gods! I understand it now; now I know what the casereallyis. My friend Philocrates is at liberty with his father, in his native land. 'Tis well; nor have I any person to whom I could so readily wish well. But this thing grieves me, that I've done this person a bad turn, who now on account of me and my talking is in chains.
HEG. (toTYNDARUS). Did I not forbid you this day to utter anything false to me?
TYND. You did forbid me. HEG. Why did you dare to tell me lies?
TYND. Because the truth would have prejudiced him whom I was serving; now falsehood has advantaged him.
HEG. But it will prejudice yourself.
TYND. 'Tis very good. Still, I have saved my master, whom I rejoice at being saved, to whom my elder master had assigned me as a protector. But do you think that this was wrongly done?
HEG. Most wrongfully. TYND. But I, who disagree with you, say, rightly. For consider, if any slave of yours had done this for your son, what thanks you would have given him. Would you have given that slave his freedom or not? Would not that slave have been in highest esteem with you? Answer methat.
HEG. I think so. TYND. Why, then, are you angry with me?
HEG. Because you have proved more faithful to him than to myself.
TYND. How now? Did you expect, in a single night and day, for yourself to teachme—a person just made captive, a recentslave, andin his noviciate—that I should rather consult your interest than his, with whom from childhood I have passed my life?
HEG. Seek, then, thanks from him for that. (To theSLAVES.) Take him where he may receive weighty and thick fetters, thence, after that, you shall go to the quarries for cutting stone. There, while the others are digging out eight stones, unless you daily do half as much work again, you shall have the name of the six-hundred-stripe man {1}.
ARIST. By Gods and men, I do entreat you, Hegio, not to destroy this man.
HEG. He shall be taken all care of {2}. For at night, fastened with chains, he shall be watched; in the daytime, beneath the ground, he shall be getting out stone. For many a day will I torture him; I'll not respite him for a single day.
ARIST. Is that settled by you? HEG. Not more settled that I shall die. (To theSLAVES.) Take him away this instant to Hippolytus, the blacksmith; bid thick fetters to be rivetted on him. From there let him be led outside the gate to my freedman, Cordalus, at the stone-quarries. And tell him that I desire this man so to be treated, that he mayn't be in any respect worse off than he who is the most severely treated.
TYND. Why, since you are unwilling, do I desire myself to survive? At your own hazard is the risk of my life. After death, no evil have I to apprehend in death. Though I should live even to extreme age, still, short is the space for enduring what you threaten me with. Farewell and prosper; although you are deserving for me to say otherwise. You, Aristophontes, as you have deserved of me, so fare you; for on your account has this befallen me.
HEG. (to theSLAVES). Carry him off.
TYND. But this one thing I beg, that, if Philocrates should come back here, you will give me an opportunity of meeting him.
HEG. (to theSLAVES). At your peril, if you don't this instant remove him from my sight. (TheSLAVESlay hold ofTYNDARUS,and push him along.)
TYND. I' troth, this really is violence {3}, to be both dragged and pushed at the same time. (He is borne off by theSLAVES.)
{Footnote 1:Six-hundred-stripe man)—Ver. 731. "Sexcentoplago." This is a compound word, coined by the author.}
{Footnote 2:He shall be taken all care of)—Ver. 733. Struck with admiration at his fidelity, Aristophontes begs Hegio not to destroy Tyndarus. As the verb "perduis" might also mean "lose" him, Hegio ironically takes it in the latter sense, and says that there is no fear of that, for he shall be well taken care of; or, in other words, strictly watched.}
{Footnote 3:This really is violence)—Ver. 755. According to Suetonius, Julius Caesar used an exactly similar expression when first attacked by his murderers in the senate-house. On Tullius Cimber seizing bold of his garments he exclaimed, "Ita quidem vis est!" "Why, really, this is violence!"}
HEG. He has been led off straight to prison {1}, as he deserves. Let no one presume to attempt such an enterprise. Had it not been for you who discovered this to me, still would they have been leading me by the bridle with their tricks. Now am I resolved henceforth never to trust any person in anything. This once I have been deceived enough; I did hope, to my sorrow, that I had rescued my son from slavery. That hope has forsaken me. I lost one son, whom, a child in his fourth year, a slave stole from me; and, indeed, never since have I found either slave or son; the elder one has fallen in the hands of the enemy. What guilt is thisof mine? As though I had become the father of children for the purpose of being childless. (ToARISTOPHONTES.) Follow this way. I'll conduct you back where you were. I'm determined to have pity upon no one, since no one has pity upon me.
ARIST. Forth from my chains with evil omen did I come; now I perceive that with like ill omen to my bonds I must return. (Exeunt.
{Footnote 1:To prison)—Ver. 756. "Phylacam." This is a Greek word Latinized, meaning "prison" or "confinement."}
ERG. Supreme Jove! thou dost preserve me, and dost augment my means. Plenty, extreme and sumptuous, dost thou present to me; celebrity, profit, enjoyment, mirth, festivity, holidays, sights, provisions, carousings, abundance, joyousness. And to no man have I now determined with myself to go a-begging; for I'm able either to profit my friend or to destroy my enemy, to such extent has this delightful day heaped delights upon me in its delightfulness. I have lighted upon a most rich inheritance without incumbrances {2}. Now will I wend my way to this old gentleman Hegio, to whom I am carrying blessings as great as he himself prays for from the Gods, and even greater. Now, this is my determination, in the same fashion that the slaves of Comedy {3}are wont, so will I throw my cloak around my neck, that from me, the firstof all, he may learn this matter. And I trust that I, by reason of this news, shall find provision up to the end.
{Footnote 1:Ergasilus) He has just come from the harbour, where he has seen the son of Hegio, together with Philocrates and Stalagmus, landing from the packet-boat. Now, as he speaks still of his intended dinner with Hegio, to which he had been invited in the earlier part of the Play, we must conclude, that since then, Philocrates has taken ship from the coast of Aetolia, arrived in Elis, procured the liberation of Philopolemus, and returned with him, all in the space of a few hours. This, however, although the coast of Elis was only about fifteen miles from that of Aetolia, is not at all consistent with probability; and the author has been much censured by some Commentators, especially by Lessing, on account of his negligence It must, however, be remembered, that Plautus was writing for a Roman audience, the greater part of whom did not know whether Elis was one mile or one hundred from the coast of Aetolia. We may suppose, too, that Philopolemus had already caused Stalagmus, the runaway slave, to be apprehended before the arrival of Philocrates in Elis.}
{Footnote 2:An inheritance without incumbrance)—Ver. 780. "Sine sacra hereditas." The meaning of this expression has been explained in the Notes to the Trinummus, 484.}
{Footnote 3:Slaves of Comedy)—Ver. 783. This was done that, when expedition was required, the cloak might not prove an obstruction to the wearer as he walked. The slaves in Comedies usually wore the "pallium," and as they were mostly active, bustling fellows, would have it tucked tightly around them. The "pallium" was usually worn passed over the left shoulder, then drawn behind the back, and under the left arm, leaving it bare, and then thrown again over the left shoulder.}
HEG. (to himself). The more that I revolve this matter in my breast, the more is my uneasiness of mind increased. That I should have been duped in this fashion to-day! and that I wasn't able to see through it! When this shall be known, then I shall be laughed at all over the city. The very moment that I shall have reached the Forum, all will be saying, "This is that clever old gentleman, who had the trick played him." But is this Ergasilus, that I see coming at a distance? Surely he has got his cloak gathered up; what, I wonder, is he going to do?
ERG. (advancing, and talking to himself). Throw aside from you all tardiness, Ergasilus, and speed on this business. I threaten, and I strictly charge no person to stand in my way, unless any one shall be of opinion that he has lived long enough. For whoever does come in my way, shall stop me upon his face. (He runs along, flourishing his arms about.)
HEG. (to himself). This fellow's beginning to box.
ERG. (to himself). I'm determined to do it; so that every one may pursue his own path, let no one be bringing any of his business in this street; for my fist is a balista, my arm is my catapulta, my shoulder a battering-ram; then against whomsoever I dart my knee, I shall bring him to the ground. I'll make all persons to be picking up their teeth {1}, whomsoever I shall meet with.
HEG. (to himself). What threatening is this? For I cannot wonder enough.
ERG. I'll make him always to remember this day and place, and myselfas well. Whoever stops me upon my road, I'll make him put a stop to his own existence.
HEG. (to himself). What great thing is this fellow preparing to do, with such mighty threats?
ERG. I first give notice, that no one, by reason of his own fault, may be caught—keep yourselves in-doors at home,andguard yourselves from my attack.
HEG. (to himself). By my faith, 'tis strange if he hasn't got this boldness by means of his stomach. Woe to that wretched man, through whose cheer this fellow has become quite swaggering.
ERG. Then the bakers, that feed swine, that fatten their pigs upon refuse bran, through the stench of which no one can pass by a baker's shop; if I see the pig of any one of them in the publicway, I'll beat the bran out of the masters' themselves with my fists.
HEG. (to himself). Royal and imperial edicts does he give out. The fellow is full; he certainly has his boldness from his stomach.
ERG. Then the fishmongers, who supply stinking fish to the public—who are carried about on a gelding, with his galloping galling pace {2}—the stench of whom drives all the loungers in the Basilica {3} into the Forum, I'll bang their heads with their bulrush fish-baskets, that they may understand what annoyance they cause to the noses of other people. And then the butchers, as well, who render the sheep destitute of their young—who agree with you about killing lamb {4}, and then offer you lamb at double the price—who give the name of wethermuttonto a ram—if I shouldonlysee that ram in the public way, I'll make both ram and owner most miserable beings.
HEG. (to himself). Well done! He really does give out edicts fit for an Aedile, and 'tis indeed a surprising thing if the Aetolians haven't made him inspector of markets {5}.
ERG. No Parasite now am I, but a right royal king of kings; so large a stock of provision for my stomach is there at hand in the harbour. Butwhydelay to overwhelm this old gentleman Hegio with gladness? With him, not a person among mankind exists equally fortunate.
HEG. (apart). What joy is this, that he,thusjoyous, is going to impart to me?
ERG. (knocking atHEGIO'Sdoor). Hallo, hallo!—where are you? Is any one coming to open this door?
HEG. (apart). This fellow's betaking himself to my house to dine.
ERG. Open you both these doors {6}, before I shall with knocking cause the destruction, piecemeal, of the doors.
HEG. (apart). I'd like much to address the fellow. (Aloud.) Ergasilus!
ERG. Who's calling Ergasilus?
HEG.Turn round, andlook at me.
ERG. (not seeing who it is). A thing that Fortune does not do for you, noreverwill do, you bid meto do. But who is it.
HEG. Look round at me. 'Tis Hegio.
ERG. (turning round). O me! Best of the very best of men, as many as exist, you have arrived opportunely.
HEG. You've met with some one at the harbour to dine with; through that you are elevated.
ERG. Give me your hand. HEG. My hand?
ERG. Give me your hand, I say, this instant.
HEG. Take it. (Giving him his hand.)
ERG. Rejoice. HEG. Why should I rejoice?
ERG. Because I bid you; come now, rejoice.
HEG. I' faith, my sorrows exceed my rejoicings.
ERG. 'Tis not so,asyou shall find; I'll at once drive away every spot of sorrow {7} from your body. Rejoice without restraint.
HEG. I do rejoice, although I don't at all know why I should rejoice.
ERG. You do rightly;noworder—HEG. Order what?
ERG. A large fire to be made.
HEG. A large fire? ERG. So I say, that a huge one it must be.
HEG. What, you vulture, do you suppose that for your sake I'm going to set my house on fire?
ERG. Don't be angry. Will you order, or will you not order, the pots to be put on,andthe saucepans to be washed out, the bacon and the dainties to be made warm in the heated cooking-stoves, another one,too, to go purchase the fish?
HEG. This fellow's dreaming while awake.
ERG. Another to buy pork, and lamb, and pullets.
HEG. You understand how to feed well, if you had the means.
ERG. Gammons of bacon,too, and lampreys, spring pickled tunny-fish, mackerel, and sting-ray; large fish, too, and soft cheese.
HEG. You will have more opportunity, Ergasilus, here at my house, of talking about these things than of eating them.
ERG. Do you suppose that I'm saying this on my own account?
HEG. You will neither be eating nothing here to-day, nor yet much morethan usual, sodon't you be mistaken. Do you then bring an appetite to my house for your every-day fare.
ERG. Why, I'll so manage it, that you yourself shall wish to be profuse, though I myself should desire you not.
HEG. What, I? ERG. Yes, you.
HEG. Then you are my master. ERG. Yes,anda kindly disposed one. Do you wish me to make you happy?
HEG. Certainly I would, rather than miserable.
ERG. Give me your hand. HEG. (extending his hand) Here is my hand.
ERG. All the Gods are blessing you.
HEG. I don't feel it so. ERG. Why, you are not in a quickset hedge,{8} therefore you don't feel it; but order the vessels, in a clean state, to be got for you forthwith in readiness for the sacrifice, and one lamb to be brought here with all haste, a fat one.
HEG. Why? ERG. That you may offer sacrifice.
HEG. To which one of the Gods?
ERG. To myself, i' faith, for now am I your supreme Jupiter. I likewise am your salvation, your fortune, your life, your delight, your joy. Do you at once, then, make this Divinity propitious to you by cramming him.
HEU. You seem to me to be hungry.
ERG. For myself am I hungry,andnot for you.
HEG. I readily allow of it at your own good will.
ERG. I believe you; from a boy you were in the habit—{9}
HEG. May Jupiter and the Gods confound you.
ERG. I' troth, 'tis fair that for my news you should return me thanks; such great happiness do I now bring you from the harbour.
HEG. Now you are flattering me. Begone, you simpleton; you have arrived behind time, too late.
ERG. If I had come sooner, then for that reason you might rather have said that. Now, receive this joyousnewsof me which I bringyou; for at the harbour I just now saw your son Philopolemus in the common fly-boat, alive, safe and sound, and likewise there that other young man together with him, and Stalagmus your slave, who fled from your house, who stole from you your little son, the child of four years old.
HEG. Away with you to utter perdition! You are trifling with me
ERG. So may holy Gluttony {10} love me, Hegio, and so may she ever dignify me with her name, I did see—
HEG. My son? ERG. Your son, and mygoodGenius.
HEG. That Elean captive, too?
ERG. Yes, by Apollo. {11}
HEG. The slave, too? MyslaveStalagmus, he that stole my son—?
ERG. Yes, by Cora HEG. So long a time ago?
ERG. Yes, by Praeneste! HEG. Is he arrived?
ERG. Yes, by Signia! HEG. For sure?
ERG. Yes, by Phrysinone! HEG. Have a care, if you please.
ERG. Yes, by Alatrium! HEG. Why are you swearing by foreign cities?
ERG. Why, because they are just as disagreable as you were declaring your fare to be.
HEG. Woe be to you! ERG. Because that you don't believe me at all in what I say in sober earnestness. But of what country was Stalagmus, at the time when he departed hence?
HEG. A Sicilian. ERG. But now he is not a Sicilian—he is a Boian; he has got a Boian woman {12}. A wife, I suppose, has been given to him for the sake of obtaining children.
HEG. Tell me, have you said these words to me in good earnest?
ERG. In goodearnest. HEG. Immortal Gods, I seem to be born again, if you are telling the truth.
ERG. Do you say so? Will you still entertain doubts, when I have solemnly sworn to you? In fine, Hegio, if you have little confidence in my oath, go yourself to the harbour and see.
HEG. I'm determined to do so. Do you arrange in-doors what's requisite. Use, ask for, takefrom my larderwhat you like; I appoint you cellarman.
ERG. Now, by my troth, if I have not prophesied truly to you, do you comb me out with a cudgel.
HEG. I'll find you in victuals to the end, if you are telling me the truth.
ERG. Whenceshallitbe? HEG. From myself and from my son.
ERG. Do you promise that? HEG. I do promise it.
ERG. But I, in return, promise {13} you that your son has arrived.
HEG. Manage as well as ever you can.
ERG. A happy walkthereto you, anda happywalk back.
(ExitHEGIO.
{Footnote 1:To be picking up their teeth)—Ver. 803. "Dentilegos." He says that he will knock their teeth out, and so make them pick them up from the ground. We must suppose that while he is thus hurrying on, he is walking up one of the long streets which were represented as emerging on the Roman stage, opposite to the audience.}
{Footnote 2:Galling pace)—Ver. 819. "Crucianti" may mean either "tormenting" the spectator by reason of the slowness of its pace, or galling to the rider. "Quadrupedanti crucianti cauterio" is a phrase, both in sound and meaning, much resembling what our song-books call the "galloping dreary dun."}
{Footnote 3:In the Basilica)—Ver. 820. The "Basilica" was a building which served as a court of law, and a place of meeting for merchants and men of business. The name was perhaps derived from the Greek wordBasileus, as the title of the second Athenian Archon, who had his tribunal or court of justice. The building was probably, in its original form, an insulated portico. The first edifice of this kind at Rome was erected B.C. 184; probably about the period when this Play was composed. It was situate in the Forum, and was built by Porcius Cato, from whom it was called the "Porcian Basilica." Twenty others were afterwards erected at different periods in the city. The loungers here mentioned, in the present instance, were probably sauntering about under the porticos of the Basilica, when their olfactory nerves were offended by the unsavoury smell of the fishermen's baskets.}
{Footnote 4:About killing lamb)—Ver. 824. In these lines he seems to accuse the butchers of three faults—cruelty, knavery, and extortion. The general reading is "duplam," but Rost suggests "dupla," "at double the price." If "duplam" is retained, might it not possibly mean that the butchers agree to kill lamb for you, and bring to you "duplam agninam," "double lamb," or, in other words, lamb twice as old as it ought to be? No doubt there was some particular age at which lamb, in the estimation of Ergasilus and his brother-epicures, was considered to be in its greatest perfection.}
{Footnote 5:Inspector of markets)—Ver. 829. "Agoranomum." The Aediles were the inspectors of markets at Rome, while the "Agoranomi" had a similar office in the Grecian cities.}
{Footnote 6:Both these doors)—Ver. 836. The street-doors of the ancients were generally "bivalve," or "folding-doors."}
{Footnote 7: Every spot of sorrow )—Ver. 846. He alludes, figuratively, to the art of the fuller or scourer, in taking the spots out of soiled garments.}
{Footnote 8:In a quickset hedge)—Ver. 865. Here is a most wretched attempt at wit, which cannot be expressed in a literal translation. Hegio says, "Nihil sentio," "I don't feel it." Ergasilus plays upon the resemblance of the verb "sentio" to "sentis" and "senticetum," a "bramble-bush" or "quickset hedge;" and says, 'You don't feel it so," "non sentis," "because you are not in a quickset hedge,' "in senticeto." }
{Footnote 9:From a boy)—Ver. 872. An indelicate allusion is covertly intended in this line. }
{Footnote 10:So may holy Gluttony—Ver. 882. The Parasite very appropriately deifies Gluttony: as the Goddess of Bellyful would, of course, merit his constant worship.}
{Footnote 11:Yes, by Apollo)—Ver. 885. In the exuberance of his joy at his prospects of good eating, the Parasite gives this, and his next five replies, in the Greek language; just as the diner-out, and the man of bon-mots and repartee, might in our day couch his replies in French, with the shrug of the shoulder and the becoming grimace. He first swears by Apollo, and then by Cora, which may mean either a city of Campania so called, or the Goddess Proserpine, who was called by the Greeks, {Greek: Korae}, "the maiden." He then swears by four places in Campania—Praeneste, Signia, Phrysinone, and Alatrium. As the scene is in Greece, Hegio asks him why he swears by these foreign places; to which he gives answer merely because they are as disagreable as the unsavoury dinner of vegetables which he had some time since promised him. This is, probably, merely an excuse for obtruding a slighting remark upon these places, which would meet with a ready response from a Roman audience, as the Campanians had sided with Hannibal against Rome in the second Punic war. They were probably miserable places on which the more refined Romans looked with supreme contempt.}
{Footnote 12:Got a Boian woman)—Vet. 893. There is an indelicate meaning in the expression "Buiam terere." The whole line is intended as a play upon words. "Boia" means either "a collar," which was placed round a prisoner's neck, or a female of the nation of the Boii in Gaul. "Boiam terere" may mean either "to have the prisoner's collar on," or, paraphrastically, "to be coupled with a Boian woman." Ergasilus having seen Stalagmus in the packet-boat with this collar on, declares that Stalagmus is a Sicilian no longer, for he has turned Boian, having a Boian helpmate.}
{Footnote 13:I, in return, promise)—Ver. 904. Ergasilus says, "Do you really promise me this fine entertainment?" To which, Hegio answers, "Spondeo," "I do promise." On this, Ergasilus replies, "that your son really has returned, I answer you," "respondeo," or, as he intends it to be meant, "I promise you once again," or "in return for your promise."}
ERG. He has gone away from here,andhas entrusted to me the most important concern of catering. Immortal Gods! how I shall now be slicing necks off of sides; how vast a downfall will befall the gammon {1}; how vast a belabouring the bacon! How great a using-up of udders, how vast a bewailing for the brawn! How great a bestirring for the butchers, how great apreparationfor the pork-sellers! But if I were to enumerate the rest of the things which minister to the supply of the stomach, 'twould besheerdelay. Now will I go off to my government, to give laws to the bacon, and, those gammons that are hanging uncondemned, {2} to give aid to them. (Goes into the house.)
{Footnote 1:Befall the gammon)—Ver. 908. An alliteration is employed in these two lines, which cannot be well kept up in a literal translation. As, however, in the translation an attempt is made to give the spirit of the passage, the literal meaning may be here stated. "Pernis pestis," "a plague to the gammons;" "labes larido," "a fall for the bacon;" "sumini absumedo," "a consumption of udder;" "callo calamitas," "destruction to the brawn;" and "laniis lassitudo," "weariness to the butchers." Sows' udder, with the milk in it, first dried, and then cooked in some peculiar manner, was considered a great delicacy by the Roman epicures.}
{Footnote 2:Hanging uncondemned)—Ver. 913. He'll commute the punishment of the gammons and hams, for they shall hang no longer.}
LAD. May Jupiter and the Deities confound you, Ergasilus, and your stomach, and all Parasites, andevery onewho henceforth shall give a dinner to Parasites. Destruction and devastationandruin have just now entered our house. I was afraid that he would be making an attack on me, as though he had been an hungry wolf. And very dreadfully, upon my faith, was I frightened at him; he made such a gnashing with his teeth. On his arrival, the whole larder, with the meat, he turned upside down. He seized a knife, and first cut off the kernels of the neck {1} from three sides. All the pots and cups he broke, except those that held a couple of gallons {2}; of the cook he made enquiry whether the salting pans couldbe set on the fireto be made hot. All the cellars in the house he has broken into, and has laid the store-closet {3} open. (At the door.) Watch him, servants, if you please; I'll go to meet the old gentleman. I'll tell him to get ready some provisions for his own self, if, indeed, he wishes himself to make use of any. For in this place, as this man, indeed, is managing, either there's nothing already, or very soon there will be nothing. (Exit.
{Footnote 1:The kernels of the neck)—Ver. 920. The "glandia" were the kernels or tonsils of the throat, situate just below the root of the tongue. These portions of the dead pig seem to have been much prized as delicate eating. Judging from the present passage, the whole side of the pig, including the half-head, was salted and dried in one piece: The first thing that the Parasite does, is to cut the kernels from off of three sides, which he has relieved from the punishment of hanging.}
{Footnote 2:A couple of gallons)—Ver. 921. "Modiales." Literally, containing a "modius," which contained sixteen sextarii, something more than a peck of dry-measure English.}
{Footnote 3:The store-closet)—Ver. 923. "Armarium" was to called because it was originally a place for keeping arms. It afterwards came to signify a cupboard in a wall, in which clothes, books, money, and other articles of value, were placed. It was generally in the "atrium," or principal room of the house. In this instance it evidently means the store-closet, distinguished from the larder and the}
HEG. To Jove and to the Deities I return with reason hearty thanks, inasmuch as they have restored you to your father, and inasmuch as they have delivered me from very many afflictions, which, while I was obliged to be here without you, I was enduring, and inasmuch as I see that thatfellow(pointing toSTALAGMUS) is in my power, and inasmuch as his word (pointing toPHILOCRATES) has been found true to me.
PHILOP. Enough now have I grieved from my very soul, and enough with care and tears have I disquieted myself. Enough now have I heard of your woes, which at the harbour you told me of. Let us now to this business.
PHIL. What now, since I've kept my word with you, and have caused him to be restored back again to freedom?
HEG. Philocrates, you have acted so that I can never return you thanks enough, in the degree that you merit from myself and my son.
PHILOP. Nay, but you can, father, and you will be able, and I shall be able; and the Divinities will give the means for you to return the kindness he merits to one who deserves so highly of us; as, my father, you are able to do to this person who so especially deserves it.
HEG. What need is there of words? I have no tongue with which to deny whatever you may askof me.
PHIL. I ask of you to restore to me that servant whom I left here as a surety for myself; who has always proved more faithful to me than to himself; in order that for his services I may be enabled to give him a reward.
HEG. Because you have actedthuskindly, the favour shall be returned, the thing that you ask; both that and anything else that you shall ask of me, you shall obtain. And I would not have you blame me, because in my anger I have treated him harshly.
PHIL. What have you done? HEG. I confined him in fetters at the stone-quarries, when I found out that I had been imposed upon.
PHIL. Ah wretched me! That for my safety misfortunes should have happened to that best of men.
HEG. Now, on this account, you need not give me evenonegroat of silver {1} for him. Receive him of me without cost that he may be free.
PHIL. On my word, Hegio, you act with kindness; but I entreat that you will orderthisman to be sent for.
HEG. Certainly. (To the attendants, who immediately obey.) Where are you? Go this instant,andbring Tyndarus here. (To PHILOPOLEMUS and PHILOCRATES.) Do you go in-doors; in the meantime, I wish to enquire of this statue for whipping {2}, what was done with my younger son. Do you go bathe in the meantime.
PHILOP. Philocrates, follow me this way in-doors.
PHIL. I follow you. (They go into the house.)
{Footnote 1:One groat of silver)—Ver. 952. "Libella" was the name of the smallest silver coin with the Romans, being the tenth part of a denarius. Hegio seems to make something of a favour of this, and to give his liberty to Tyndarus in consideration of his punishment; whereas he had originally agreed with Philocrates that, if Philopolemus was liberated, both he and Tyndarus should be set at liberty.}
{Footnote 2:This statue for whipping)—Ver. 956. The same expression occurs in the Pseudolus, I. 911.}
STAL. What is fitting for me to do, when you, such a man as you are, are speaking false? I was never a handsomeora fine,ora good person,oran honest one, nor shall I ever be; assuredly, don't you be forming any hopes that I shall be honest.
HEG. You easily understand pretty well in what situation your fortunes are. If you shall prove truth-telling, you'll make your lot from bad somewhat better. Speak out,then, correctly and truthfully; but never yet truthfully or correctly have you acted.
STAL. Do you think that I'm ashamed to own it, when you affirm it?
HEG. But I'll make you to be ashamed; for I'll cause you to be blushes all over {1}.
STAL. Heyday—you're threatening stripes, I suppose, to me,quiteunaccustomed to them! Away with them, I beg. Tell me what you bring, that you may carry off hence what you are in want of.
HEG. Very fluentindeed. But now I wish this prating to be cut short.
STAL. As you desire, so be it done.
HEG. (to theAUDIENCE). As a boy he was very obedient {2}; now that suits him not. Let's to this business; now give your attention, and inform me upon what I ask. If you tell the truth, you'll make your fortunes somewhat better.
STAL. That'smeretrifling. Don't you think that I know what I'm deserving of?
HEG. Still, it is in your power to escape a small portion of it, if not the whole.
STAL. A small portion I shall escape, I know; but much will befall me, and with my deserving it, because I both ran away, and stole your son and sold him.
HEG. To what person? STAL. To Theodoromedes the Polyplusian, in Elis, for six minae.
HEG. O ye immortal Gods! He surely is the father of this person, Philocrates.
STAL. Why, I know him better than yourself, and have seen him more times.
HEG. Supreme Jove, preserve both myself and my son for me. (He goes to the door, and calls aloud.) Philocrates, by yourgoodGenius, I do entreat you, come out, I want you.
{Footnote 1:Be blushes all over)—Ver. 967. He means that he will have him flogged until he is red all over.}
{Footnote 2:Was very obedient)—Ver. 971. An indelicate remark is covertly intended in this passage.}