by Plautus
NICOBULUS
Troth, I’m undone; that bark breaks my heart.
CHRYSALUS
This was held in partnership by your host and some pirates.
NICOBULUS
And that I should be such a blockhead as to trust him, when his very name of Archidemides cried aloud to me that he would deprive me of it, if I should entrust anything to him.
CHRYSALUS
This bark was lying in wait for our ship. I began to watch them, to see what business they were about. Meanwhile, from harbour our ship set sail. When we had fully left the harbour, these fellows began to follow with their oars; nor birds, nor winds more swiftly. As I discovered what scheme was being carried out, at once we dropped anchor. As they beheld us stopping, they began to keep their vessel back in harbour.
NICOBULUS
Wicked wretches, by my troth. What did you do at last?
CHRYSALUS
We returned again into harbour.
NICOBULUS
’Twas cleverly done by you. What after that?
CHRYSALUS
At nightfall they returned ashore.
NICOBULUS
Troth now, they intended to carry off the gold; they were attempting that plan, no doubt.
CHRYSALUS
It didn’t escape me; I discovered it: I was almost terrified to death by it. As I saw that a scheme was being laid against the gold, forthwith on this we came to this determination; the next day we carried away all the gold thence in their presence, openly and publicly, that they might know it was done.
NICOBULUS
Skilfully managed, i’ faith. Tell me, what did they?
CHRYSALUS
Chopfallen at once, — soon as ever they saw us leaving the harbour with the gold, shaking their heads, they hauled their bark ashore. We deposited all the gold with Theotimus, who is a priest there of Ephesian Diana.
NICOBULUS
Who is this Theotimus?
CHRYSALUS
The son of Megalobyzus, who is now living at Ephesus, a man most dear to the Ephesians.
NICOBULUS
By my troth, he’ll surely turn out very much more dear to me if he shall chouse me out of all that gold.
CHRYSALUS
But it is stowed away in the very temple itself of the Goddess Diana; there they keep guard at the public expense.
NICOBULUS
You kill me outright; much more safely would it have been kept in private hands. But haven’t you brought any of the gold home here?
CHRYSALUS
O yes; but how much he has brought, I don’t know.
NICOBULUS
How’s that? — not know?
CHRYSALUS
Because Mnesilochus went privately by night to Theotimus; and didn’t wish to entrust it to me, nor to any one in the ship. For that reason I don’t know how much he has brought, but he hasn’t brought very much.
NICOBULUS
Do you think it was even a half?
CHRYSALUS
By my troth, I know not; but I don’t think it.
NICOBULUS
Does he bring a third part?
CHRYSALUS
Troth, I think not; but I do not know the truth. Indeed, I know nothing at all about the gold, except that I do know nothing about it. Now, you yourself must take a voyage there on board ship, to carry home this gold from Theotimus; and, hearkye —— Takes him by the arm.
NICOBULUS
What do you want?
CHRYSALUS
Take care and remember to carry your son’s ring.
NICOBULUS
What need is there of the ring?
CHRYSALUS
Because that is the token agreed on with Theotimus, that the person who brings it to him, to him he is to give up the gold.
NICOBULUS
I’ll remember it, and you advise me well. But is this Theotimus rich?
CHRYSALUS
What, do you ask that? Why, hasn’t he the soles fastened to his shoes with gold?
NICOBULUS
Why does he thus despise it?
CHRYSALUS
He has such immense riches; he doesn’t know what to do with his gold.
NICOBULUS
I wish he’d give it me. But in whose presence was this gold delivered to Theotimus?
CHRYSALUS
In presence of the people; there’s not a person in Ephesus but what knows it.
NICOBULUS
My son at least did wisely there, in entrusting that gold to a rich man to keep. From him it may be recovered even at a moment’s notice.
CHRYSALUS
Aye, and look here, he’ll never keep you waiting even thus much shows his finger-nail from receiving it on the very day you arrive there.
NICOBULUS
I thought that I had escaped a seafaring life, and that, at length, an old man of my years, I shouldn’t be sailing about. But now I find that I’m not allowed to have the choice whether I would or no; ’tis my fine host Archidemides has done me this. Where, then, is my son, Mnesilochus, at present?
CHRYSALUS
He has gone to the market-place to pay his respects to the Deities and his friends.
NICOBULUS
Then I’ll go hence to meet him as soon as I can. (Exit NICOBULUS.)
CHRYSALUS
He’s right well loaded, and carries more than his proper burden. Not so very badly has this web been commenced by me, that I may find means for the son of my master in his amour. I’ve managed it so, that he may take as much of the gold as he chooses, and give up to his father as much as he may like to give up. The old gentleman will be going hence to Ephesus to fetch his gold; here our life will be spent in a delicious manner, since the old man will leave me and Mnesilochus here, and not be taking us along with him. O! what a kick-up I shall be making here. But what’s to be done, when the old gentleman shall have discovered this? When he shall have found out that he has made his journey thither to no purpose, and that we have misspent his gold, what will become of me after that? I’ faith, I think upon his arrival he’ll be changing my name, and at once be making me Crucisalus instead of Chrysalus. Troth, I’ll run away, if there shall be a greater necessity for it. If I’m caught, I’ll plague him for a punishment; if his rods are in the fields, still my back’s at home. Now I’ll be off, and tell my master’s son this contrivance about the gold, and about his mistress Bacchis who has been found. (Exit.)
ACT III.
Enter LYDUS from the house of BACCHIS.
LYDUS
Open and throw back straightway this gate of hell, I do entreat. For, really, I do deem it nothing else; inasmuch as no one comes here but he whon all hopes have deserted, that he may yet be a decent person. Bacchis — no, not Bacchis is their name, but they are most determined Bacchanals. Avaunt from me, you sisters, who suck the blood of men. Richly and elegantly furnished is this house — for destruction. Soon as I beheld all this, at once I straight-way way betook myself to my heels. And ought I to carry these things concealed in secrecy? Ought I, Pistoclerus, to conceal from your father your excesses, or your misdeeds, or your places of resort? by which you are aiming to drive your father and myself, and your own self and all your friends, to disgrace, and shame, and ruin altogether, and to destroy us all. Within yourself you entertain no awe of either me or your own self on account of the deeds which you are doing by which you have made your own father and myself as well, your friends and your connexions, to be abettors in the disgrace of your excesses. Now, before you add this mischief to the rest, I am resolved at once to tell your parent. This instant from myself will I remove this blame, and shall disclose the matter to the old gentleman, that he may forthwith draw forth his son out from this loathsome pollution. (Exit.)
Enter MNESILOCHUS.
MNESILOCHUS
In many ways have I thought it over with myself, and thus I think it is; a man your friend, who is a friend such as the name imports — except the Gods — nothing does excel him. By fact hav
e I experienced it so to be. For when I departed hence to Ephesus (’tis now almost two years ago it happened), from Ephesus I sent letters hither to my friend Pistoclerus, requesting that he would find out my mistress Bacchis for me. I hear that he has found her, as my servant Chrysalus has brought me word. How aptly, too, has he framed a device against my father about the gold, that I may have abundance in my amour. I see ’tis right that I should make a due return. ’Tis better for you to be styled extravagant than ungrateful; but, i’ faith, in my way of thinking at least, there’s nothing more extravagant than the ungrateful man. The former the good will praise, the latter even the bad will censure. ‘Twere better for an ill-doer to escape than for a benefactor to be deserted. For this reason, then, it behoves me to take the greater care; I needs must be on the watch. Now, Mnesilochus, the sample is on view, now the contest is being decided, whether you are or are not such as you ought to be; good or bad, of whichever kind; just or unjust, penurious or liberal, fretful or complying. Take you care, if you please, lest you let your servant exce. you in doing well. Whatever you shall prove, I warn you, you shall not be concealed. But see, I perceive my friend’s father and his tutor coming this way. I’ll listen what matter ’tis they are upon. He retires aside.
Enter LYDUS and PHILOXENUS.
LYDUS
I’ll now make trial, whether your heart is sharpened by wisdom in your breast. Follow me.
PHILOXENUS
Whither shall I follow? Whither are you now leading me?
LYDUS
To her who has undone, utterly destroyed your single, only son.
PHILOXENUS
How now, Lydus; those are the wiser who mode-rate their passion. ’Tis less to be wondered at if this age does some of these things than if it does not do so; I, as well, did the same in my youth.
LYDUS
Ah me! ah me! this over-indulgence has proved his ruin. For had he been without you, I should have had him trained up to moral rectitude; now, by reason of you and your trusting disposition, Pistoclerus has become abandoned.
MNESILOCHUS
aside . Immortal Gods! he names my friend. What means this, that Lydus is thus exciting his master, Pistoclerus?
PHILOXENUS
’Tis but a little time, Lydus, that a man has a desire to indulge his inclinations; the time will soon come, when he will hate himself even. Humour him; so that care is taken that he offends not beyond the line of honor, e’en suffer him.
LYDUS
I’ll suffer him not, nor, for my part, while I’m alive, will I allow him to be corrupted. But you, who are pleading his cause for a son so profligate, was this same your own training, when you were a young man? I declare that for your first twenty years you had not even this much liberty, to move your foot out of the house even a finger’s length away from your tutor. When it did happen so, this evil, too, was added to the evil; both pupil and preceptor were esteemed disgraced. Before the rising of the sun had you not come to the school for exercise, no slight punishment would you have had at the hands of the master of the school. There did they exercise themselves rather with running, wrestling, the quoit, the javelin, boxing, the ball, and leaping, rather than with harlots or with kissing; there did they prolong their lives, and not in secret-lurking holes. Then, when from the hippodrome and school of exercise you had returned home, clad in your belted frock, upon a stool by your masters would you sit; and there, when you were reading your book, if you made a mistake in a single syllable, your skin would be made as spotted as your nurse’s gown.
MNESILOCHUS
(aside). I’m sorely vexed, to my sorrow, that on my account these things should be said about my friend. In his innocence he incurs this suspicion for my sake.
PHILOXENUS
The manners, Lydus, now are altered.
LYDUS
That, for my part, I know full well. For formerly, a man used to receive public honors by the votes of the people, before he ceased to be obedient to one appointed his tutor. But now-a-days, before he is seven years old, if you touch a boy with your hand, at once the child breaks his tutor’s head with his tablet. When you go to complain to the father, thus says the father to the child: “Be you my own dear boy, since you can defend yourself from an injury.” The tutor then is called for; “Hallo! you old good-for-nothing, don’t you be touching the child for this reason, that he has behaved so boldly;” and thus the despised tutor becomes just like a lantern with his oiled linen rags. Judgment pronounced, they go away thence. Can this preceptor then, on these terms, keep up his authority, if he himself is to be beaten the first?
MNESILOCHUS
aside . This is a severe accusation. So far as I understand his words, ’tis strange if Pistoclerus has never thumped Lydus with his fists.
LYDUS
seeing MNESILOCHUS . But who is it that I see standing here before the door? O Philoxenus, I would not prefer for myself to behold even the propitious Gods rather than him.
PHILOXENUS
Who’s this?
LYDUS
Why, he’s Mnesilochus, the friend of your son. He is not of a like turn of mind with him who reclines and takes his meals in brothels. Fortunate Nicobulus! who begot him for himself.
PHILOXENUS
(advancing). My greetings to you, Mnesilochus; I’m glad that you have arrived safe.
MNESILOCHUS
May the Gods favour you, Philoxenus.
LYDUS
He, now, was born at a lucky moment for his father; he goes to sea, attends to the interests of his family, takes care of the house, is obedient and attentive to the wish and commands of his father. He, when but a boy, was the companion of Pistoclerus in his boyhood; ’tis not by three days that he is the older in age, but his disposition is more improved by thirty years than that of the other.
PHILOXENUS
Beware of a mischief, and forbear to speak of him unjustly.
LYDUS
Hold your peace. You’re a foolish man, who cannot bear to have him badly spoken of who does badly. But I would rather have him draw upon my mishaps than upon my savings.
PHILOXENUS
Why so?
LYDUS
Because, if he were to draw upon my mishaps, he would each day be making them less.
MNESILOCHUS
Why, Lydus, are you censuring your pupil, my friend?
LYDUS
Your friend is ruined.
MNESILOCHUS
May the Gods forbid it.
LYDUS
’Tis so as I say. And further, I myself saw it when he was undone; I am not censuring him from hearsay.
MNESILOCHUS
What has been done by him?
LYDUS
He is disgracefully doting upon a harlot.
MNESILOCHUS
Won’t you be silent now?
LYDUS
She, too, like a tide, most voraciously swallows all up, whenever she has touched any one.
MNESILOCHUS
Where does this woman live?
LYDUS
Here. (Points to the house.)
MNESILOCHUS
Whence do they say she comes?
LYDUS
From Samos.
MNESILOCHUS
What’s her name?
LYDUS
Bacchis.
MNESILOCHUS
You are wrong, Lydus; I know the whole affair, just as it is. You are blaming Pistoclerus without reason, and in his innocence. For he is carefully performing the business enjoined on him by his friend and companion, his sincere well-wisher. Neither is he himself in love, nor do you suppose him so.
LYDUS
Is it necessary for him carefully to perform the business enjoined upon him by his friend in this fashion — for himself, sitting down, to hold a damsel in his lap who is kissing him? Can the business thus entrusted be in no way transacted unless ever and anon he is placing his hand upon the bosom of Bacchis, or never withdraws his lips from hers? But I’m ashamed to make mention
of other things which I have seen him do; when, in my presence, I saw him take most unbecoming liberties with the person of Bacchis, and yet not be at all ashamed. What need of words is there? My pupil, your friend, his son pointing to PHILOXENUS , is ruined. For I say that he is ruined, whose modesty in fact is lost. What need of words is there? Had I been willing to wait only a little time, that I might have had a better opportunity of viewing him, I then should, I think, have seen more than would have been proper for me to see, and for him to do.
MNESILOCHUS
(aside). Friend, you have undone me. And ought I not to punish this woman with death? I should prefer that I should perish after some dreadful fashion. Isn’t it the fact, you know not whom to deem faithful to yourself, or in whom to put your trust?
LYS.
Don’t you see how much he grieves that your son, his friend, has been corrupted? and how he is afflicting himself with sorrow?
PHILOXENUS
Mnesilochus, I beg this of you, that you will influence his feelings and his disposition. Preserve for yourself a friend as well as a son for me.
MNESILOCHUS
I fain would do so.
LYDUS
to PHILOXENUS . Much better, too, would you leave me here together with him.
PHILOXENUS
Mnesilochus has cares, more than enough.
LYDUS
Rate the man soundly, who disgraces me, yourself his friend, and others, by his excesses.
PHILOXENUS
to MNESILOCHUS . Upon you do I impose all this responsibility. Lydus, follow me this way.
LYDUS
I follow you. (Exeunt PHILOXENUS and LYDUS.)
MNESILOCUHS, alone.
MNESILOCHUS
Which of the two now I should think to be my greater enemy, my companion or Bacchis, is extremely doubtful. Has she chosen him in preference? Let her keep him, that’s the best. Surely, by my troth, she has done this to her own loss. For never let any one entrust to me aught that is sacred, if I don’t by an abundant example, and —— as-suredly love her. I’ll make her not to say that she has got hold of a person to make a fool of. But I’ll go home now and pilfer something from my father. Even to such straits will I force her, that beggary shall be the lot of —— my father. But do I really now possess my wits with a mind unimpaired, who am in this fashion prating here of these things that are to come to pass? I’ faith, I’m of opinion that I’m in love, inasmuch as I know for sure I am. But still, than that she, from my abundance, should, by the scraping of a single feather, grow the richer, I’d rather outvie a beggar in begging. Never, by Heaven, while I live, shall she make a laughing-stock of me. For I have made up my mind to pay down all the gold at once to my father. Upon me, therefore, needy and penniless, shall she fawn, at the time, when it shall be for her advantage not a whit the more than if she were saying her pretty things to a dead man at his tomb. Beyond a doubt, ’tis my fixed determination to give the gold up to my father. Likewise, I’ll entreat that, for my sake, my father won’t hurt Chrysalus, nor censure him at all on my account with respect to the gold which he has deceived him about. For ’tis right that I should have a care for him, who, for my sake, has told this falsehood. (To some ATTENDANTS) Do you follow me, Goes into his father’s house.