by Plautus
MESSENIO
I hope I shall.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I too hope that it will be so.
MESSENIO
to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus . How say you? I think you said that you are called Menaechmus?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I did so indeed.
MESSENIO
pointing to his master . His name, too, is Menaechmus. You said that you were born at Syracuse, in Sicily; he was born there. You said that Moschus was your father; he was his as well. Now both of you can be giving help to me and to yourselves at the same time.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
You have deserved that you should beg nothing but what you should obtain that which you desire. Free as I am, I’ll serve you as though you. had bought me for money.
MESSENIO
I have a hope that I shall find that you two are twin-born brothers, born of one mother and of one father on the same day.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
You mention wondrous things. I wish that you could effect what you’ve promised.
MESSENIO
I can. But attend now, both of you, and tell me that which I shall ask.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Ask as you please, I’ll answer you. I’ll not conceal anything that I know.
MESSENIO
Isn’t your name Menaechmus?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I own it.
MESSENIO
Isn’t it yours as well?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
It is.
MESSENIO
Do you say that Moschus was your father?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Truly, I do say so.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
And mine as well.
MESSENIO
Are you of Syracuse?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Certainly.
MESSENIO
And you?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Why not the same?
MESSENIO
Hitherto the marks agree perfectly well. Still lend me your attention. To MENAECHMUS. Tell me, what do you remember at the greatest distance of time in your native country?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
When I went with my father to Tarentum to traffic; and afterwards how I strayed away from my father among the people, and was carried away thence.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Supreme Jupiter, preserve me!
MESSENIO
to MENAECHMUS SOSICLES . Why do you exclaim? Why don’t you hold your peace? To MENAECHMUS. How many years old were you when your father took you from your native country?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Seven years old; for just then my teeth were changing for the first time. And never since then have I seen my father.
MESSENIO
Well, how many sons of you had your father then?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
As far as I now remember, two.
MESSENIO
Which of the two was the older — you or the other?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Both were just alike in age.
MESSENIO
How can that be?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
We two were twins.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
The Gods wish to bless me.
MESSENIO
to MENAECHMUS SOSICLES . If you interrupt, I shall hold my tongue.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Rather than that, I’ll hold my tongue.
MESSENIO
Tell me, were you both of the same name?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
By no means; for my name was what it is now Menaechmus; the other they then used to call Sosicles.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
embracing his brother . I recognize the proofs, I cannot refrain from embracing him. My own twin-brother, blessings on you; I am Sosicles.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
How then was the name of Menaechmus afterwards given to you?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
After word was brought to us that you ... and that my father was dead, my grandfather changed it; the name that was yours he gave to me.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I believe that it did so happen as you say. But answer me this.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Ask it of me.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What was the name of our mother?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Teuximarcha.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
That quite agrees. He again embraces him. O welcome, unhoped-for brother, whom after many years I now behold.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
And you, whom with many and anxious labours I have ever been seeking up to this time, and whom I rejoice at being found.
MESSENIO
to his master . It was for this reason that this Courtesan called you by his name; she thought that you were he, I suppose, when she invited you to breakfast.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why, faith, to-day I ordered a breakfast to be got ready here pointing to EROTIUM’S house for me, unknown to my wife; a mantle which a short time since I filched from home, to her I gave it.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Do you say, brother, that this is the mantle which I’m wearing?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
How did this come to you?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
The Courtesan who took me here pointing to EROTIUM’S house to breakfast, said that I had given it to her. I breakfasted very pleasantly; I drank and entertained myself with my mistress; she gave me the mantle and this golden trinket. Showing the bracelet. ...
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ faith, I’m glad if any luck has befallen you on my account; for when she invited you to her house, she supposed it to be me.
MESSENIO
Do you make any objection that I should be free as you commanded?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
He asks, brother, what’s very fair and very just Do it for my sake.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
touching MESSENIO’S shoulder . Be thou a free man.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I am glad, Messenio, that you are free.
MESSENIO
Why, better auspices were required that I should be free for life. ...
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Since these matters, brother, have turned out to our wishes, let us both return to our native land.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Brother, I’ll do as you wish. I’ll have an auction here, and sell whatever I have. In the meantime, brother, let’s now go in-doors.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Be it so.
MESSENIO
Do you know what I ask of you?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What?
MESSENIO
To give me the place of auctioneer.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
It shall be given you.
MESSENIO
Would you like the auction, then, to be proclaimed at once? For what day?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
On the seventh day hence.
MESSENIO
coming forward, and speaking in a loud voice . An auction of the property of Menaechmus will certainly take place on the morning of the seventh day hence. His slaves, furniture, house, and farms, will be sold. All will go for whatever they’ll fetch at ready money prices. His wife, too, will be sold as well, if any purchaser shall come. I think that by the entire sale Menaechmus will hardly get fifty hundred thousand sesterces. To the SPECTATORS. Now, Spectators, fare you well, and give us loud applause.
MERCATOR
Translated by Henry Thomas Riley
Mercator (The Merchant) is based on a Greek play by Philemon, (c. 362 BC – c. 262 BC), who was a
n Athenian poet and playwright of the New Comedy. Philemon was born either at Soli in Cilicia or at Syracuse in Sicily, but moved to Athens some time before 330 BC, when he is known to have been producing plays. He attained remarkable popularity, for he repeatedly won victories over his younger contemporary and rival Menander, whose delicate wit was apparently less to the taste of the Athenians of the time than Philemon’s comedy. In later times his successes over Menander were so unintelligible as to be ascribed to the influence of malice and intrigue.
The plot of Mercator concerns a young man named Charinus, who has fallen in love with Pasicompsa while on a business trip for his father and so he has brought her back to Athens. Charinus’ father Demipho comes to the boat while it is docking with Pasicompsa on board, and Charinus is away. To explain the girl’s presence, Acanthio, a slave of Charinus, devises a story that Charinus bought her to be a slave for his mother. Demipho falls for the girl as well and hatches a plot to get her for himself, leading to hilarious consequences…
CONTENTS
THE SUBJECT.
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.
ACT I.
ACT II.
ACT III.
ACT IV.
ACT V.
THE SUBJECT.
THIS Play (which is thought by some not to have been the composition of Plautus) describes the follies of a vicious old man and his son. Two years before the period when the Play opens, Charinus has been sent by his father Demipho to traffic at Rhodes. Returning thence, he brings with him a young woman, named Pasicompsa, who is in reality his mistress, but whom he pretends to have purchased for the purpose of her being an attendant upon his mother. Demipho, in the absence of his son, goes down to the ship, and seeing the young woman there, falls desperately in love with her. He then pretends to Charinus that she is too handsome to be brought into the house as a servant, and that she must be sold again. Insisting upon this, he persuades his friend, Lysimachus, to purchase her for him in his own name, and to take her to his own house. This being done, and the damsel brought to the house, the wife of Lysimachus unexpectedly returns home from the country, and finds her there. In the meanwhile, Charinus, being reduced to despair on losing his mistress, determines to leave the country. His friend Eutychus, the son of Lysimachus, having discovered his friend’s mistress in his father’s house, stops him just as he is about to depart, and informs him where she has been found. He then reconciles his own parents, and the Play concludes with his very just censure of Demipho for his vicious conduct.
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.
[Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.]
A YOUNG man, being sent (Missus) by his father to traffic, buys (Emit) a damsel of remarkable beauty, and brings her home. The old man, after he has seen her, makes enquiry (Requirit) who she is. The servant pretends (Confingit) that she has been bought by the son as an attendant for his mother. The old man falls in love with (Amat) her, and pretending that he has sold her, gives her in the charge of (Tradit) his neighbour. His wife thinks that he has brought (Obduxe) a mistress home. Then his friend stops (Retrahit) Charinus in his flight, after he has discovered his mistress.
ACT I.
The PROLOGUE, spoken by CHARINUS.
CHARINUS
Two things have I now resolved to do at the same time; both the subject and my own amours will I disclose. I am not doing like as I have seen other lovers do in Comedies, who relate their woes either to the night or to the day, or to the Sun or to the Moon; who, faith, I don’t suppose pay much regard to the complaints of mortals, either what they wish or what they don’t wish. To yourselves in preference will I now relate my woes. In the Greek this Play is called the Emporos of Philemon; the same in the Latin is the Mercator of Marcus Accius. My father sent me hence to trade at Rhodes. Two years have now passed since I left home. There I began to love a fair one of remarkable beauty. But how I was captivated by her, I’ll tell you, if you’ll lend ear, and if you’ll have the kindness to give your attention to this. And yet in this, but little have I followed the method of our forefathers in my own person, and on the spot as a tell- tale of my own amours am I represented before you. But all these failings are wont to attend on love — care, trouble, and refinement overmuch. Not only him who loves, but every one to whom this latter fault extends, him with a great and weighty evil does it affect; nor by my troth, in fact, does any one aim at refinement, beyond what his means allow of, without heavy disaster. But to love as well are these evils incident, which I have not as yet recounted — sleeplessness, a troubled mind, confusion, terror, and apprehension, trifling, and folly even, rashness too, thoughtlessness, foolhardy impudence, wantonness, lust, and malevolence; covetousness is inherent as well, idleness, injustice, want, contumely and wastefulness, talkativeness or moody silence. This latter is the fact, because things which relate not to the purpose, nor are of utility, the same does the lover give utterance to full oft at an unseasonable moment; and yet again, this moody silence for this reason do I commend, because no lover is ever so skilled in eloquence, as to be enabled to give utterance to that which is for his own interest. You, then, must not be offended with myself for my babbling; Venus bestowed it upon me on that same day on which this passion. To that point am I resolved to return, that what I commenced upon I may disclose. In the first place, when in life I had passed from my boyish days, and my disposition was weaned from childish pursuits, I began distractedly to love a Courtesan in this place. Forthwith, unknown to my father, my means went to be wasted upon her; an exacting Procurer, the owner of this damsel, by every method that he could, grasped everything into his own possession. Night and day my father censured me for this; represented the perfidy, the wickedness of Procurers; how that his own property was being forcibly rent in pieces, while that of this Procurer was increasing; this too in the loudest tones; sometimes muttering to himself; refusing to speak to me; even denying that I was his child; crying aloud through all the city and proclaiming that all should withhold from trusting me when desiring to borrow; that love had allured many a one to ruin; that I, passing all bounds, regardless of decency, and acting wrongfully, laid hands upon and tore whatever I could from him at home; that ’twas a most vile system that those choice possessions which he, by enduring every hardship, had acquired, should all be squandered away and parted with through the violence of my desire. That now for so many years he had supported myself, a reproach to him; that were I not ashamed, I ought not to desire to live. That he himself, at the very moment after he had passed his boyish days, did not, like me, devote his attention to love or indolence in slothfulness, nor, indeed, had he the control of himself, so very strictly by his father was he held in check; that in the various sordid pursuits of the country he was employed, and that only every fifth year even was he then enabled to visit the city, and that immediately after he had had a sight of the Festival, back again instantly into the country was he wont to be driven by his father. That there by far the most of all the household did he toil, while thus his father would say to him: “For yourself you are ploughing, for yourself you harrow, for yourself you sow, for your own self too do you reap; for yourself, in fine, will this labour be productive of happiness.” That after life had left his father’s body, he had sold the farm, and with that money had bought for himself a bark of fifteen tons, and with the same had transported merchandize to every quarter, even until he had acquired the property which he then possessed. That I ought to do the same, if I would be as it behoved me to be. I, when I found that I was disliked by my father and was an object of hate to him whom I was bound to please, distracted and in love as I was, resolutely made up my mind. I said that I would go to traffic, if he pleased; that I would renounce my amour, so as to be obedient to him. He gave me thanks, and praised my good feeling, but failed not to exact my promise; he built a merchant-ship, and purchased merchandize; the ship ready, he placed it on board; besides, to myself with his own hand he paid down a talent of silver; with me he sent a servant, who formerly had
been my tutor from the time when I was a little child, to be as though a guardian to me. These things completed, we set sail; we came to Rhodes, where the merchandize which I had brought I sold to my mind according as I wished; I made great profits, beyond the estimate of the merchandize which my father had given me; and so I made a large sum. But while in the harbour I was walking there, a certain stranger recognized me, and invited me to dinner. I went, and took my place at table, being merrily and handsomely entertained. When at night we went to rest, behold, a female came to me, than whom not another female is there more charming. That night, by order of my entertainer, did she pass with me; consider your own selves, how very much he gratified me. Next day, I went to my host; I begged him to sell her to me; I said that for his kindnesses I should ever be grateful and obliged. What need is there of talking? I bought her, and yesterday I brought her hither. I don’t wish my father to come to know I’ve brought her. For the present, I’ve left her and a servant in the harbour on board the ship. But why do I see my servant running hither from the harbour, whom I forbade to leave the ship? I dread what the reason may be. Stands aside.
Enter ACANTHIO, at a distance, in haste.
ACANTHIO
to himself . With your utmost power and might always try and endeavour that your younger master may by your aid be preserved. Come then, Acanthio, away with weariness from you; take care and be on your guard against sloth. At the same time put an end to this panting; troth, I can hardly fetch my breath; at the same time, too, drive right full against all those persons who come in the way, shove them aside, and push them into the road. This custom here is a very bad one; no one thinks it proper for him to give way to one who is running and in haste; and thus three things must be done at the same moment, when you have commenced upon but one; you must both run and fight, and squabble as well, upon the road.
CHARINUS
apart . What’s the reason of this, that he’s requiring speed for himself at a rate so rapid? I have some anxiety, what the business is, or what news he brings.