Complete Works of Plautus
Page 80
SYNCERASTUS
You mention everything that can render it the more easy; let him assert their freedom, his own countrywomen, in an action on their freedom.
MILPHIO
Only do keep silence and hold your tongue.
SYNCERASTUS
He certainly will bring the Procurer to a backgammon, if he gets them away.
MILPHIO
Nay but, I’ll cause him to be ruined before he moves one foot; ’tis so contrived already.
SYNCERASTUS
May the Gods grant it so, that I don’t continue the slave of this Procurer.
MILPHIO
On the contrary, upon my faith, I’ll cause you to be a free man with myself, if the Gods are willing.
SYNCERASTUS
May the Gods grant it so! Do you detain me for anything else, Milphio?
MILPHIO
Fare you well, and may happiness attend you.
SYNCERASTUS
I’ faith, that lies in the power of yourself and your master. Farewell, and mind that these things have been told in secrecy.
MILPHIO
This has not been mentioned even. Farewell.
SYNCERASTUS
But really it’s of no use, unless this is done while it is warm.
MILPHIO
You are right in your advice, and so it shall be done.
SYNCERASTUS
There’s excellent material, if you provide an excellent workman.
MILPHIO
Can’t you hold your tongue?
SYNCERASTUS
I’ll hold my tongue and be off.
MILPHIO
A grand opportunity you’ve made for me. SYNCERASTUS goes into the house of LYCUS. He’s gone from here. The immortal Gods do will my master to be preserved, and this Procurer utterly ruined; a mischief so great is impending upon him. Is it not the fact, before one weapon has been launched, then another presses upon him? I’ll go in-doors, that I may recount these matters to my master. For if I were to call him out hither before the house, and, what you’ve to the AUDIENCE just heard, if I were now here to repeat the same, it would be folly. I’d rather in-doors be an annoyance to my master singly, than be so here to all of you. Immortal Gods, what misfortunes, what great calamities do this day await this Procurer. But now there’s no reason why I should delay. This business is resolved upon; no pausing is allowed; for both this must be cleverly managed, which has just now been entrusted to me, and that plan as well which was formed at home must be attended to. If there’s any delay, he who sends me a heavy mischance will be acting rightly. Now I’ll off in-doors; until my master comes from the Forum, I’ll wait at home. Goes into the house of AGORASTOCLES.
ACT V.
Enter HANNO, followed at a distance by his SERVANTS.
HANNO
to himself . Hyth alonim vualonuth sicorathi si ma com sith, Chi mach chumyth mumys tyal mictibariim ischi, Lipho canet luth bynuthi ad ædin bynuthii. Birnarob syllo homalonin uby misyrthoho Bythym mothym noctothii velech Antidasmachon. Yssidele berim thyfel yth chylys chon, tern, lyphul Uth bynim ysdibut thinno cuth ru Agorastocles Ythe manet ihy * * chyrsæ lycoch sith naso Byuni id chil luhili gerbylim lasibit thym Bodyalyth herayn nyn nuys lym moncoth lusim. [Exalonim volanus succuratim mistim Atticum esse Concubitum a bello cutim beant lalacant chona Enus es huiec silec panesse Athidamascon Alem * * induberte felono * * buthume Celtum comucro lueni, at enim avoso uber Bent hyach Aristoclem et se te aneche nasoctelia Elicos alemus [in] duberter mi comps vespiti Aodeanee lictor bodes jussum limnicolus.]
Enter AGORASTOCLES, from his house, followed by MILPHIO.
AGORASTOCLES
in a loud voice . Do you say, Milphio, that Syncerastus told you that both of these women were freeborn, and stolen away from Carthage?
MILPHIO
I do say so; and if you were willing to act wisely, you’d at once assert their liberty by an action on their freedom. For it’s a disgrace to you for you to allow your own country-people to be slaves before your eyes, who were free women at home.
HANNO
overhearing, apart . O ye immortal Gods, I do entreat your aid! What speech is this that my ears devour! Surely the words of these persons are made of chalk; how have they cleansed away all the dark spots of woe from me!
AGORASTOCLES
If you’ve got witnesses of this matter, I’ll do as you bid me.
MILPHIO
Why speak you to me about witnesses? Why don’t you stoutly insist upon it? Some way or other, Fortune will be your assistant.
AGORASTOCLES
It’s much more easy to begin a thing than to bring it about.
MILPHIO
catching sight of HANNO, attended by his SERVANTS . But what bird is this, pray, that’s coming hither with the tunic on? Is he from the baths, I wonder, enveloped in his cloak? I’ faith, the countenance is surely Carthaginian. The man’s a Gugga. I’ faith, he certainly has got some ancient and antiquated servants.
AGORASTOCLES
How do you know?
MILPHIO
Don’t you see the fellows following, loaded with luggage? And, as I fancy, they’ve got no fingers on their hands.
AGORASTOCLES
Why so?
MILPHIO
Why, because they go with their rings in their ears. I’ll approach them, and address them in the Punic language: if they answer, I’ll continue to speak in the Punic tongue if not, then I’ll adapt my language to their usage. How say you, do you still remember anything of the Punic language?
AGORASTOCLES
Nothing at all, i’ faith; for tell me, how could I know, who was but six years old when I was stolen away from Carthage?
HANNO
apart . O ye immortal Gods! very many freeborn children have been lost from Carthage after this manner.
MILPHIO
How say you?
AGORASTOCLES
What do you want?
MILPHIO
Should you like me to address this person in the Punic tongue?
AGORASTOCLES
Do you understand it?
MILPHIO
No Punic man this day is a better Punic than I.
AGORASTOCLES
Go and address him, as to what he wants, why he’s come, who he is, of what country, and whence he comes. Don’t be sparing of your questions.
MILPHIO
addressing HANNO and his SERVANTS. Avo! Of what country are you, or from what city?
HANNO
Hanno Muthumballe bachaëdreanech.
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say?
MILPHIO
He says that he is Hanno from Carthage, a Carthaginian, son of Muthumbal.
HAN. Avo! MIL.
He salutes us.
HANNO
Donni.
MILPHIO
He intends to present you with some “ donation” out of this; what, I don’t know. Don’t you hear him promise?
AGORASTOCLES
Salute him again in Punic, in my name.
MILPHIO
to HANNO . “Avo donni” he tells me to say to you in his name. Pointing to AGORASTOCLES.
HANNO
Mehar bocca!
MILPHIO
Be that for yourself rather than me!
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say?
MILPHIO
He declares that his “box” for his teeth is painful. Perhaps he takes us to be doctors.
AGORASTOCLES
If it is so, tell him that we are not; I don’t wish a stranger to be mistaken.
MILPHIO
to HANNO . Hear you. Rufen nuco istam.
AGORASTOCLES
This is my wish, that in fact everything should be explained to him just as it is. Ask him whether he has need of anything.
MILPHIO
to HANNO . You who have got no girdle, why have you come to this city, or what is it you seek?
HANNO
Muphursa.
AGORASTOCLES
What is it he says?
HANNO
Moin lechianna.
AGORASTOCLES
Why has he come?
MILPHIO
Don’t you hear? He declares that he is wishful to give African mice to the Ædiles as a show at the games.
HANNO
Lalech lachananim liminichot.
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say now?
MILPHIO
He says he has brought latchets, water- channels, and nuts; he’s now begging that you’ll lend him your assistance in having them sold.
AGORASTOCLES
He is a merchant, I suppose?
HANNO
Is amar binam.
AGORASTOCLES
What is it he says?
HANNO
Palum erga dectha.
AGORASTOCLES
Milphio, what is he saying now?
MILPHIO
He says that he has got spades and forks given him for sale, for digging the garden and reaping the corn.
AGORASTOCLES
What is that to me?
MILPHIO
He wishes you to be informed of it, so that you mayn’t suppose that he has taken anything secretly and by stealth. He has really, I do believe, been sent here to your harvesting.
HANNO
Muphonium sucoraim.
MILPHIO
So there! do take care, please, how you do what he’s begging of you.
AGORASTOCLES
What is he saying, or what is he begging? Explain it.
MILPHIO
For you to order him to be placed beneath a hurdle, and for many stones to be heaped upon it, so as to put him to death.
HANNO
Gunebel balsamen ierasan!
AGORASTOCLES
Tell me what it is that he’s saying.
MILPHIO
I’ faith, now I really don’t at all know.
HANNO
speaking in their own language . But that you may know, now from this moment henceforth will I speak Latin. To MILPHIO. Upon my faith, you must be a worthless and bad servant, to be laughing at a person, a foreigner and a stranger.
MILPHIO
But, i’ faith, at yourself a person that’s both a swindler and a cheat, who have come here to take us in, you half-and-half Lybian, you double-tongue, just like a crawling reptile.
AGORASTOCLES
to MILPHIO . Away hence with your abusiveness! do restrain your tongue. You’ll keep it from uttering abuse, if you are prudent; I don’t want you to be speaking harshly to my kinsmen. I was born at Carthage; do you remember that.
HANNO
O my fellow-countryman, greetings to you!
AGORASTOCLES
And you, troth, whoever you are; and if you have need of anything, pray mention it, and command me for the sake of our common country.
HANNO
I return you thanks; but I’ve got a place of entertainment here; I’m in search of the son of Antidamas; do point me out Agorastocles, if you know him. Do you know any young man here named Agorastocles?
AGORASTOCLES
If, indeed, you are in search of the adopted son of Antidamas, I am the very person whom you are in search of.
HANNO
starting . Hah! what’s that I hear?
AGORASTOCLES
That I am the son of Antidamas.
HANNO
If so it is, if you would like to compare the token of hospitality, see here, I’ve brought it. Shows him the ticket.
AGORASTOCLES
Come then, show it here. He takes it in his hand, and looks at it. It is exactly true; for I’ve got the counterpart at home.
HANNO
O my host, hail to you right earnestly; for it was your father, then, Antidamas, that was my own and my father’s guest; this was my token of hospitality with him.
AGORASTOCLES
Then here at my house shall hospitality be shown you; for I don’t reject either Hospitality or Carthage, from which I sprang.
HANNO
May the Gods grant you all you may desire. How say you? How could it happen that you were born at Carthage, but had a father of Ætolia here?
AGORASTOCLES
I was stolen away from there; this Antidamas, your guest, bought me, and adopted me as his son.
HANNO
He himself, likewise, was adopted by Demarchus, But about him I say no more, and return to you. Tell me, de you at all remember the names of your parents?
AGORASTOCLES
I remember my father and my mother’s name.
HANNO
Repeat them, then, to me, to see if I know them, perchance, or if they are relatives of mine.
AGORASTOCLES
Ampsigura was my mother, and Iachon my father.
HANNO
I could wish that your father and mother were alive.
AGORASTOCLES
Are they dead?
HANNO
So it is, a thing which I bore with much grief; for your mother Ampsigura was my cousin-german; your father — he was my uncle’s son, and when he died he made me his heir; of whom being deprived by death, I am greatly affected. But if it is the fact that you really are the son of Sachon, there ought to be a mark upon your left hand, a bite which an ape gave you when a child, playing with it. Show it, that I may look at it; open your hand.
AGORASTOCLES
opening his hand. Look, if you like; see, there it is. My kinsman, welcome to you!
HANNO
And welcome to you, Agorastocles! I seem to myself to be born again, in having found you.
MILPHIO
By my troth, I’m delighted that this matter has fallen out so happily foryou. To HANNO. And would you decline to take advice?
HANNO
Really, I should wish to be advised.
MILPHIO
His father’s property ought to be restored to the son; it’s fair that he should have the property which his father possessed.
HANNO
I wish no otherwise; everything shall be restored. I’ll give his own property to him all safe, when he comes there.
MILPHIO
Take care and restore it, will you, even though he should live here still.
HANNO
Nay but, he shall have my own as well, if anything should happen to me.
MILPHIO
A pleasant project has just now come into my mind,
HANNO
What’s that?
MILPHIO
There’s need of your assistance.
HANNO
Tell me what you wish. Really, you shall have my services just as you please. What is the business?
MILPHIO
Can you act the cheat?
HANNO
Towards an enemy, I can; to a friend, it would be mere folly.
MILPHIO
I’ faith, it is an enemy of his. Pointing at AGORASTOCLES.
HANNO
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
MILPHIO
He’s in love with a person who belongs to a Procurer.
HANNO
I deem that he acts discreetly.
MILPHIO
This Procurer lives close at hand.
HANNO
I could do him a mischief with pleasure.
MILPHIO
He has two slave girls, courtesans, sisters; one of these he is desperately in love with, nor has he ever taker any liberties with her.
HANNO
It’s an unhappy kind of passion.
MILPHIO
The Procurer plays upon him.
HANNO
He’s enhancing his own profits thereby.
MILPHIO
He wishes to do him an evil turn.
HANNO
He’s right, if he does do it.
MILPHIO
Now I adopt this plan, and prepare this contrivance, that we should. cite you; you are to affirm that they are your
daughters, and that they were stolen when little from Carthage, and to maintain the cause of both in an action on their freedom, as though they were both your own daughters. Do you understand?
HANNO
On my faith, I do understand; for I likewise did have two daughters who were stolen away when little children, together with their nurse.
MILPHIO
Upon my word, you do feign it cleverly. At the very commencement this amuses me.
HANNO
aside, weeping . Much more, i’ troth, than I could wish.
MILPHIO
aside to AGORASTOCLES . Dear me! a subtle person, upon my word, artful and knowing, both tricky and crafty! How he does whimper, in order that with his gestures he may effect this all the more easily. Even myself, now, the master-workman, does he excel in skill.
HANNO
But their nurse, of what appearance was she? Tell me.
MILPHIO
Of stature not tall, of a dusky complexion.
HANNO
’Tis the very person.
MILPHIO
Of agreable form, with a small mouth, and very dark eyes.
HANNO
I’ faith, you really have depicted her form exactly in your words.
MILPHIO
Should you like to see her?
HANNO
I’d rather see my daughters. Still, go and call her out of doors. If they are my daughters, if she is their nurse, she’ll recognize me at once.
MILPHIO
knocking at the door of the PROCURER’S house . Hallo there! is there any one here? Tell Giddeneme to come out of doors; there’s a person wants to see her.
Enter GIDDENEME and a BOY, from the house.
GIDDENEME
Who is it that knocks?
MILPHIO
One that’s a near acquaintance of yours.
GIDDENEME
What do you want?
MILPHIO
Come now pointing to HANNO , do you know that person in the tunic, who it is?
GIDDENEME
Why, whom do I behold? O supreme Jupiter! this sure is my master, the father of my foster-children, Hanno, the Carthaginian!
MILPHIO
Now, do see the cunning hussey this Carthaginian is really a clever juggler; he has brought all over to his own opinion.
GIDDENEME
running up to HANNO . O my master! welcome to you, Hanno! most unhoped for by myself and your daughters, welcome to you! But look you, don’t be wondering, or gazing so intently upon me. Don’t you know Giddeneme, your female slave?
HANNO