ARCTURUSArcturus
: This is a star near the tail of the Great Bear, whose rising and setting was supposed to be productive of great tempests. The name is derived from its situation, from the Greek words αρκτὸσ and οὐρὰ, "the Bear's tail." It rises in the beginning of October. Pliny mentions it as rising on the 12th, and Columella on the 5th of that month. We may here remark, that the Play is called "the Fisherman's Rope" in consequence of the important part which, towards the close, the rope acts in bringing the wallet to shore in the net. The scenery of this Play must have been much more picturesque than that of those of Plautus in general. At the end of the stage is a prospect of the sea, interspersed with rocks in the distance, while others project upon the front of the stage. The City of Cyrene is also seen in the distance; while nearer to the Audience is the Temple of Venus, with an altar in front of it; and adjoining the Temple is the cottage of Dæmones. Some other cottages are also seen at a distance. If the comparison may be made, it bears some slight resemblance to the Tempest of Shakspeare.
WITH him who sways all nations, seas, and lands, I am a fellow-citizen in the realms of the Gods. I am, as you see
As you see
: The actor is supposed here to point to a star placed on his forehead, or on the head-dress which he wears., a bright and shining star, a Constellation that ever in its season rises here on earth and in the heavens. Arcturus is my name. By night, I am glittering in the heavens and amid the Gods, passing among mortals in the day. Other Constellations, too, descend from the heavens upon the earth; Jove, who is the ruler of Gods and men—he disperses us here in various directions among the nations, to observe the actions, manners, piety, and faith of men, just as the means of each avail him. Those who commence villanous suits at law upon false testimony, and those who, in court, upon false oath deny a debt, their names written down, do we return to Jove. Each day does he learn who here is calling for vengeance. Whatever wicked men seek here to gain their cause through perjury, who succeed before the judge in their unjust demands, the same case adjudged does he judge over again, and he fines them in a penalty much greater than the results of the judgment they have gained. The good men written down on other tablets
Written down on other tablets
: This is not unlike the words of the Psalmist, Psalm lvi., 8: "Thou tellest my wanderings; put thou my tears into thy bottle. Are they not in thy book?" does he keep. And still these wicked persons entertain a notion of theirs, that they are able to appease Jupiter with gifts, with sacrifice; both their labour and their cost they lose. This, for this reason, is so, because no petition of the perjured is acceptable to Him. If any person that is supplicating the Deities is pious, he will more easily procure pardon for himself than he that is wicked. Therefore I do advise you this, you who are good and who pass your lives in piety and in virtue—still persevere, that one day you may rejoice that so you did. Now, the reason for which I've come hither, I will disclose to you. First, then, Diphilus
Diphilus
: He was a Greek Comic Poet, from whom Plautus is supposed to have borrowed the plot of several of his Plays. has willed the name of this city to be Cyrene
Cyrene
: This was a famous city of Libya, said to have been founded by Aristæus, the son of the Nymph Cyrene. It was situate in a fertile plain, about eleven miles from the Mediterranean, and was the capital of a district called "Pentapolis," from the five cities which it contained.. There pointing to the cottage dwells Dæmones, in the country and in a cottage very close adjoining to the sea, an old gentleman who has come hither in exile from Athens, no unworthy man. And still, not for his bad deserts has he left his country, but while he was aiding others, meanwhile himself he embarrassed: a property honorably acquired he lost by his kindly ways. Long since, his daughter, then a little child, was lost; a most villanous fellow bought her of the thief, and this Procurer
This Procurer
: "Leno." The calling of the "lenones" was to traffic in young female slaves, to whom they gave an accomplished education, and then sold them or let them out for the purposes of prostitution. The "lenones" were deservedly reckoned infamous. brought the maiden hither to Cyrene. A certain Athenian youth, a citizen of this city, beheld her as she was going home from the music-school. He begins to love her; to the Procurer he comes; he purchases the damsel for himself at the price of thirty minæ, and gives him earnest, and binds the Procurer with an oath. This Procurer, just as befitted him, did not value at one straw his word, or what, on oath, he had said to the young man. He had a guest, a fit match for himself, an old man of Sicily, a rascal from Agrigentum
Agrigentum
: This was a town of Sicily, on Mount Acragas, about two miles from the sea. Its inhabitants were famed for their luxurious mode of living., a traitor to his native city; this fellow began to extol the beauty of that maiden, and of the other damsels, too, that were belonging to him. On this he began to persuade the Procurer to go together with himself to Sicily; he said that there the men were given to pleasure; that there he might be enabled to become a wealthy man; that there was the greatest profit from courtesans. He prevails. A ship is hired by stealth. Whatever he has, by night the Procurer carries it on board ship from his house; the young man who purchased the damsel of him he has told that he is desirous of performing a vow to Venus. This is the Temple of Venus, here pointing at it, and here, for that reason, has he invited the youth hither to a breakfast
To a breakfast
: — This probably refers to the meal which took place after the sacrifice, for which certain portions of the victim, particularly the entrails, were reserved. See the Miles Gloriosus, l. 712.. From there at once did he embark on board ship, and he carried off the courtesans. Some other persons informed the young man what things were going on, how that the Procurer had departed. When the young man came to the harbour, their ship had got a great way out to sea. When I beheld how that the maiden was being carried off, I brought at the same instant both relief to her and destruction to the Procurer; the storm I rebuked, and the waves of the sea I aroused. For the most violent Constellation of them all am 1, Arcturus; turbulent I am when rising, when I set, more turbulent still. Now, cast ashore there, both the Procurer and his guest are sitting upon a rock; their ship is dashed to pieces. But this maiden, and another as well, her attendant, affrighted, have leaped from the ship into a boat. At this moment the waves are bringing them from the rocks to land, to the cottage of this old man, who is living here in exile, whose roof and tiles the storm has stript off. And this is his servant who is coming out of doors. The youth will be here just now, and you shall see him, who purchased the maiden of the Procurer. Now, fare ye well, and may your foes
May your foes
: The Carthaginians are alluded to; this Play having been written during the second Punic war. distrust themselves. (Exit.)
Enter PLESIDIPPUS, at a distance, talking with three CITIZENS.PLESIDIPPUS I have both withdrawn you from your avocations, and that has not succeeded on account of which I've brought you; I could not catch the Procurer down at the harbour. But I have been unwilling to abandon all hope by reason of my remissness; on that account, my friends, have I the longer detained you. Now hither to the Temple of Venus am I come to see, where he was saying that he was about to perform a sacrifice.
SCEPARNIOaloud to himself, at a distance. If I am wise, I shall be getting ready this clay that is awaiting me. Falls to work digging.
PLESIDIPPUSlooking round. Some one, I know not who, is speaking near to me.
Enter DÆMONES, from his house.
DÆM. Hallo! Sceparnio!
SCEPARNIO Who's calling me by name?
DÆM. He who paid his money for you.
SCEPARNIOturning round. As though you would say, Dæmones, that I am your slave.
DÆM. There's occasion for plenty of clayPlenty of clay
: He probably means clay for the purpose of drying and making tiles with it., therefore dig up plenty of earth. I find that the whole of my cottage must be covered; for now it's shining through it, more full of holes than a sieve.
PLESIDIPPUSadvancing. Health to you, good father, and to both of you, indeed. DÆM. Health to you.
SCEPARNIOto PLESIDIPPUS, who is muffled up in a coat. But whether are you male or female, who are calling him father?
PLESIDIPPUS Why really, I'm a man.
DÆM. Then, man, go seek a father elsewhere. I once had an only daughter, that only one I lost. Of the male sex I never had a child.
PLESIDIPPUS But the Gods will give—
SCEPARNIOgoing on digging. A heavy mischance to you indeed, i' faith, whoever you are, who are occupying us, already occupied, with your prating.
PLESIDIPPUSpointing to the cottage. Pray are you dwelling there?
SCEPARNIO Why do you ask that? Are you reconnoitring the place for you to come and rob there?
PLESIDIPPUS It befits a slave to be right rich in his savings, whom, in the presence of his master, the conversation cannot escape, or who is to speak rudely to a free man.
SCEPARNIO And it befits a man to be shameless and impudent, for him to whom there's nothing owing, of his own accord to come to the house of another person annoying people.
DÆM. Sceparnio, hold your tongue. To PLESIDIPPUS. What do you want, young man?
PLESIDIPPUS A mishap to that fellow, who is in a hurry to be the first to speak when his master's present. But, unless it's troublesome, I wish to make enquiry of you in a few words.
DÆM. My attention shall be given you, even though in the midst of business.
SCEPARNIOto PLESIDIPPUS. Rather, be off with you to the marsh, and cut down some reedsSome reeds
: From this we learn that the cottage of Dæmones was covered with a kind of thatch. This and l. 18 of the Miles Gloriosus are probably the earliest instances in which thatched roofs are mentioned., with which we may cover the cottage, while it is fine weather.
DÆM. Hold your tongue. Do you tell me to PLESIDIPPUS if you have need of anything.
PLESIDIPPUS Inform me on what I ask you; whether you have seen here any frizzle-headed fellow, with grey hair, a worthless, perjured, fawning knave.
DÆM. Full many a one; for by reason of fellows of that stamp am I living in misery.
PLESIDIPPUS Him, I mean, who brought with him to the Temple of Venus here two young women, and who was to make preparations for himself to perform a sacrifice either to-day or yesterday.
DÆM. By my faith, young man, for these very many days past I haven't seen any one sacrificing there; and yet it can't be unknown to me if any one does sacrifice there. They are always asking here for water, or for fire, or for vessels, or for a knife, or for a spit, or for a pot for cooking
A pot for cooking
: "Aula extaris." Literally, "a pot for holding the entrails" of the animals sacrificed., or something or other. What need is there of words? I procured my vessels and my well, for the use of Venus, and not my own. There has now been a cessation of it for these many days past.
PLESIDIPPUS According to the words you utter, you tell me I'm undone.
DÆM. Really, so far as I'm concerned, i' faith, you may be safe and sound.
SCEPARNIOstopping in his digging. Hark you, you that are roaming about Temples for the sake of your stomach, 'twere better for you to order a breakfast to be got ready at home. Perhaps you've been invited hereBeen invited here
: It was the custom of Parasites to prowl about the Temples, for the purpose of joining in the feasts which sometimes took place at the conclusion of the sacrifice. to breakfast. He that invited you, hasn't he come at all?
PLESIDIPPUS 'Tis the fact.
SCEPARNIO There's no risk then in your betaking yourself hence home without your breakfast. It's better for you to be a waiter upon Ceres than upon Venus; the latter attends to love, Ceres attends to wheat.
PLESIDIPPUSto DÆMONES. This fellow has been making sport of me in a digraceful manner.
DÆM.looking out at the side. O ye immortal Gods, Sceparnio, what means those people near the sea-shore?
SCEPARNIO According to my notion, they've been invited to a parting breakfast
To a parting breakfast
: "Prandium propter viam." Thornton has the following Note here: "This is a sorry joke, even for Sceparnio, on so serious and melancholy an occasion, and cannot be well expressed in our tongue. When the ancients were about to undertake any voyage, they used to make a sacrifice to Hercules before they set off, which was for that reason called 'propter viam;' and the custom was to burn all they didn't eat. Wherefore Sceparnio says 'laverunt,' which signifies 'they have consumed their all' as well as they have bathed.' alluding to the ship being lost.".
DÆM. How so?
SCEPARNIO Why, because, after dinner, I fancy, they yesterday washed themselves clean; their ship has gone to pieces out at sea.
DÆM.looking steadfastly. Such is the fact.
SCEPARNIO But, i' faith, on dry land our cottage and tiles have done the same.
DÆM. Oh dear! what unfortunate creatures you are; to SCEPARNIO how the shipwrecked people are swimming.
PLESIDIPPUS Prithee, where are these people?
DÆM.pointing to the distance. This way, to the right; don't you see them near the shore?
PLESIDIPPUSlooking the same way. I see them; to his FRIENDS follow me. I only wish it may be he that I'm seeking, that most accursed fellow. To DÆMONES and SCEPARNIO. Fare you well.
SCEPARNIO If you hadn't put us in mind, we should have thought of that ourselves. (Exeunt PLESIDIPPUS and FRIENDS. SCEPARNIO looks out towards the sea.). But, O Palæmon
Palæmon
: This was one of the names of Melicerta. or Portunus, the son of Athamas and Ino. Athamas being about to slay him and Ino, they leaped into the sea, where they became sea Divinities., hallowed associate of Neptune, who art said to be the partner of Hercules, what shocking thing do I see?
DÆM. What do you see?
SCEPARNIO I see two young women sitting in a boat alone. How the poor things are being tossed about That's good, that's good, well done. The surge is driving the boat away from the rock towards the shore. Not a pilot could have ever done it better. I don't think that I ever saw billows more huge. They are saved, if they can escape those waves. Now, now's the danger; it has sent one overboard! See you that one whom the waves have thrown out of the boat? Still, she's in a shallow place; she'll easily wade through it now. O capital! now she's safe; she has escaped from the water; she's now on shore. But that other one has now sprung towards the land from the boat—from her alarm she has fallen into the waves upon her knees. She has got up again; if she takes this direction, the matter's safe; a pause but she has taken to the right, to utter destruction. Ah, she will be wandering all the day—
DÆM. What signifies that to you?
SCEPARNIO If she should fall down from that rock towards which she is wending her way, she'll be putting a period to her wandering.
DÆM. If you are about to dine this evening at their expense, I think you may then be concerned for them, Sceparnio; if you are going to eat at my house, I wish your services to be devoted to myself.
SCEPARNIO You ask what's good and proper.
DÆM. Then follow me this way.
SCEPARNIO I follow
I follow
: The Scene of the wreck, previously described by Sceparnio, was probably not visible to the Audience, but was depicted by him while directing his view towards the side. of the stage.. (Exeunt.)
Enter PALÆSTRA, at a distance, with her clothes torn and drenched.PALAESTRAto herself. By heavens, the mishaps of mortals are spoken of as much less bitter than * * * * * * * the sharp pangs that are inflicted in the experience of them * * * * Has this then pleased the Deity, that I, clad in this guise, should, in my terror, be cast upon a spot unknown? Shall I then declare that I have been born to this wretched lot? Do I receive this meed in return for my exemplary piety? For to me it would not prove a hardship to endure this laborious lot, if I had conducted myself undutifully towards my parents or the Gods; but if studiously I have exerted myself to beware of that, then, unduly and unjustly, Deities, you send upon me this. For what henceforth shall the glaringly impious receive, if after this fashion you pay honor to the guiltless? But if I knew that I or my parents had done anything wicked, now should I have grieved the less. But the wickedness of this master of mine is pressing hard upon me, his impiety is causing my woes; everything has he lost in the sea; these are the remains looking at her dress of his property. Even she, who was carried together with me in the boat, was washed out by the violence of the waves; I am now alone. If she at least
If she at least
: Exactly the same sentiment occurs to Defoe's hero, Robinson Crusoe, when he visits the Spanish ship wrecked off his island: "I cannot explain by any possible energy of words what a strange longing or hankering of desires I felt in my soul upon this sight, breaking out sometimes thus, 'O that there had been but one or two, nay, or but one soul saved out of this ship, to have escaped to me, that I might have had one companion, one fellow-creature to have spoken to me and to have conversed with!" had been saved for me, through her aid my affliction here would have been lighter to me. Now, what hope or aid or what counsel shall I receive, a spot so lonesome here have I lighted upon alone? Here are the rocks, here roars the sea, and not one individual comes across my path. This dress that I am clothed in forms all my riches quite entirely; nor know I with what food or roof I am to be provided. What hope have I through which to desire to live? Neither am I acquainted with the place, nor was I ever here before. At least I could have wished for some one who would point out to me either a road or a path from these spots; so much am I now at a loss for advice whether to go this way or that; neither, indeed, do I see
Neither, indeed, do I see
: She is unable to see the Temple of Venus and the house of Dæmones, by reason of the high crags among which she is wandering, some of which are represented in the front of the stage. anywhere near here a cultivated spot. Cold, distraction, and alarm, have taken possession of all my limbs. My parents, you know not of this, that I am now thus wretched; I that was born a woman entirely free, was so to no purpose. Am I at all the less in servitude now, than if I had been born a slave? And never in any way has it been a profit to those who for their own sakes reared me up. She advances forward, and rests on one side against the cliff.
Enter AMPELISCA, at a distance, on the other side of the stage, in a similar condition.AMPELISCAto herself. What is there better for me, what more to my advantage, than to shut out life from my body? So wretched am I in my existence, and so many deadening cares are there in my breast; so despicable is my lot; I care not for my life; I have lost the hope with which I used to comfort myself. All places have I now rambled about, and through each covert spot have I crawled along, to seek my fellow-slave with voice, eyes, ears, that I might trace her out. And still I find her nowhere, nor have I yet determined whither to go, nor where to seek her, nor, in the meantime, do I find any person here to give me an answer, of whom I might make enquiry. No place, too, is there on earth more solitary than are these spots and this locality. And yet, if she lives, never while I exist will I cease before I discover her alive.
PALAESTRAaloud. Whose voice is it that sounds close by me here?
AMPELISCAstarting. I am alarmed. Who's speaking near me?
PALAESTRA Prithee, kind Hope, do come to my aid.
AMPELISCA It's a woman: a woman's voice reaches my ears. Will you not rescue wretched me from this alarm?
PALAESTRA Surely a woman's voice reached my ears. Prithee is it Ampelisca?
AMPELISCA Is it you, Palæstra, that I hear?
PALAESTRA But why don't I call her by her own name, that she may hear me? With a loud voice. Ampelisca!
AMPELISCA Ha! who's that?
PALAESTRA 'Tis I.
AMPELISCA Is it Palæstra?
PALAESTRA It is.
AMPELISCA Tell me where
Tell me where
: It must be remembered that they are still separated by the crags upon the stage, though they are both visible to the Audience. you are.
PALAESTRA Troth, I'm now in the midst of a multitude of woes.
AMPELISCA I am your partner; and no less is my own share than yours. But I long to see you.
PALAESTRA In that wish you are my rival.
AMPELISCA Let's follow our voices with our steps; where are you?
PALAESTRA See, here am I. Step onward towards me, and come straight on to meet me.
AMPELISCA I'm doing so with care. They meet in front of the stage.
PALAESTRA Give me your hand.
AMPELISCA Take it.
PALAESTRA Are you still alive Prithee, tell me.
AMPELISCA You, indeed, make me now wish to live, since I'm empowered to touch you. How hardly can I persuade myself of this, that I am holding you. Prithee, do embrace me they embrace, my only hope; how you are now easing me of all my woes.
PAL. You are beforehand with me in using expressions which belong to me. Now it befits us to be going hence.
AMPELISCA Prithee, whither shall we go?
PALAESTRA Let's keep along this sea-shore. Pointing to the shore. AMP. Wherever you please, I'll follow.
PALAESTRA Shall we go along thus with our wet clothing?
AMPELISCA That which exists, the same must of necessity be borne. Looking up at the Temple. But, pray, what's this?
PALAESTRA What is it?
AMPELISCA Prithee, don't you see this Temple? Pointing towards it.
PALAESTRA Where is it?
AMPELISCA On the right hand.
PALAESTRA I seem to be looking at a place becoming the Divinities.
AMPELISCA There must be people not far hence; it is so delightful a spot. Whoever the God is, I pray him to relieve us from these troubles, and to succour us females, wretched, helpless, and in distress. They advance towards the Temple, and kneel down before it.
Enter PTOLEMOCRATIA, the Priestess, from the Temple of Venus.PTOLEMOCRATIA Who are these, that in their prayers are soliciting aid from my Patroness? For the voice of suppliants has brought me hither out of doors. They pay suit to a kind and compliant Goddess and a Patroness that makes no difficulties, and one who is very benevolent.
PALAESTRA Mother, we bid you hail.
PTOLEMOCRATIA Maidens, hail to you. But, prithee, whence am I to say that you are hither come with your wet garments, thus wofully arrayed?
PALAESTRA Just now, we came from a place there pointing towards the shore, not a great way from this spot; but it is a great way off from here, whence we have been brought hither.
PTOLEMOCRATIA Have you been borne, do you mean, by a ship, the wooden steed
The wooden steed
: Homer calls ships "horses of the sea.", over the azure paths?
PALAESTRA Even so.
PTOLEMOCRATIA Then it were more fitting that you should have come arrayed in white and provided with victims; it isn't the practice for people to come to this Temple in that fashion. Pointing at their dresses.
PALAESTRA Prithee, whence would you have us, who have been both cast away at sea, to be bringing victims hither? Now, in want of assistance, do we embrace your knees, we who are of hopes undefined in places unknown, that you may receive us under your roof and shelter us, and that you will pity the miseries of us both, who have neither any place of refuge nor hope at hand, nor have anything whatever of our own beyond that which you see.
PTOLEMOCRATIA Give me your hands, arise, both of you, from off your knees; no one among women is more compassionate than I. They arise from the ground. But, maidens, my circumstances are poor and limited; with difficulty I support my own existence; Venus I serve for my maintenance.
AMPELISCA Prithee, is this a Temple of Venus?
PTOLEMOCRATIAI will admit it; I am styled the Priestess of this Temple. But whatever it is, it shall be done by me with a hearty welcome, so far as my means shall suffice. Come with me this way.
PALAESTRA Kindly and attentively, mother, do you show your attentions to us.
PTOLEMOCRATIA So I ought to do. They go into the Temple.
Enter TRACHALIO, at a distance, in haste.TRACHALIOto himself. I've carefully given all attention that I mightn't pass my master anywhere; for when some time since he went out of the house, he said that he was going to the harbour, and he ordered me to come here to meet him at the Temple of Venus. But see, opportunely do I espy some people standing here of whom I may enquire; I'll accost them. Goes up to the FISHERMEN. Save you, thieves of the sea, shellfish-gatherers and hook-fishers
Shellfish- gatherers and hook-fishers
: "Conchitæ — hamistæ." These words are supposed to have been coined by Plautus for the occasion., hungry race of men, how fare ye? How perish apace
How perish apace
: Thornton has this Note here: "There is an humour in the original which could not be preserved in our language. Instead of asking the fishermen 'Ut valetis? which was the common phrase of salutation, Trachalio addresses them in the opposite term, 'Ut peritis?'—prooably un allusion to their perilous calling."?
FISHERMEN of Cyrene. Just as befits a fisherman with hunger, thirst, and expectation.
TRACHALIO Have you seen to-day, while you've been standing here, any young man, of courageous aspect, ruddy, stout, of genteel appearance, come by this way, who was taking with him three men in scarfs, with swords?
FISHERMEN of Cyrene. We know of no one coming this way of that appearance which you mention.
TRACHALIO Have you seen any old fellow, bald on the forehead and snub-nosed, of big stature, pot-bellied, with eyebrows awry, a narrow forehead, a knave, the scorn of Gods and men, a scoundrel, one full of vile dishonesty and of iniquity, who had along with him two very pretty-looking young women?
FISHERMEN of Cyrene. One who has been born with qualities and endowments of that sort, 'twere really fitter for him to resort to the executioner than to the Temple of Venus.
TRACHALIO But tell me if you have seen him.
FISHERMEN of Cyrene. Really, no one has passed this way. Fare you well.
TRACHALIO Fare ye well. (Exeunt FISHERMEN.)
TRACHALIOto himself. I thought so; it has come to pass as I suspected; my master has been deceived; the cursed Procurer has taken himself off to distant lands. He has embarked on board ship, and carried the women away; I'm a wizard. He invited my master here to breakfast, as well, this very spawn of wickedness. Now what is better for me than to wait here in this spot until my master comes? At the same time, if this Priestess of Venus knows anything more, if I see her, I'll make enquiries; she'll give me the information.
Enter AMPELISCA, from the Temple.AMPELISCAto the PRIESTESS, within. I understand; here at this cottage pointing to it, which is close by the Temple of Venus, you've requested me to knock and ask for water.
TRACHALIO Whose voice is it that has flown to my ears?
AMPELISCA Prithee, who's speaking here? Who is it that I see?
TRACHALIO Isn't this Ampelisca that's coming out from the Temple?
AMPELISCA Isn't this Trachalio that I see, the servant of Plesidippus?
TRACHALIO It is she.
AMPELISCA It is he; Trachalio, health to you.
TRACHALIO Health, Ampelisca, to you; how fare you?
AMPELISCA In misery I pass a life not far advanced
Not far advanced
: She seems to mean that, in the prime of life her misfortunes are greater than might have been anticipated by one so young.
TRACHALIO Do give some better omen.
AMPELISCA Still it behoves all prudent persons to confer and talk together. But, prithee, where's your master, Plesidippus?
TRACHALIO Marry, well said, indeed; as if he wasn't within there. Pointing to the Temple.
AMPELISCA By my troth, he isn't, nor, in fact, has he come here at all.
TRACHALIO He hasn't come?
AMPELISCA You say the truth.
TRACHALIO That's not my way, Ampelisca. But how nearly is the breakfast got ready?
AMPELISCA What breakfast, I beg of you?
TRACHALIO The sacrifice, I mean, that you are performing here.
AMPELISCA Prithee, what is it you are dreaming about?
TRACHALIO For certain, Labrax invited Plesidippus hither to a breakfast, your master, my master.
AMPELISCA By my troth, you're telling of no wondrous facts: if he has deceived Gods and men, he has only acted after the fashion of Procurers.
TRACHALIO Then neither yourselves nor my master are here performing a sacrifice.
AMPELISCA You are a wizard.
TRACHALIO What are you doing then?
AMPELISCA The Priestess of Venus has received here into her abode both myself and Palæstra, after many mishaps and dreadful alarm, and from being in danger of our lives, destitute of aid and of resources.
TEACH. Prithee, is Palæstra here, the beloved of my master?
AMPELISCA Assuredly.
TRACHALIO Great joyousness is there in your news, my dear Ampelisca. But I greatly long to know what was this danger of yours.
AMPELISCA Last night our ship was wrecked, my dear Trachalio.
TRACHALIO How, ship? What story's this?
AMPELISCA Prithee, have you not heard in what way the Procurer intended secretly to carry us away hence to Sicily, and how, whatever there was at home, he placed on board ship? That has all gone to the bottom now.
TRACHALIO O clever Neptune, hail to thee! Surely, no dicer is more skilful than thyself. Decidedly a right pleasant throw
Right pleasant throw
: There is a joke here, which depends on the double meaning of "jacere bolum" and "perdere." The former signifies, "to cast a net" and "to cast a throw of dice." "Perdere" signifies, "to cause to perish," and "to break" or "ruin," in the gamester's sense. hast thou made; thou didst break a-villain. But where now is the Procurer Labrax?
AMPELISCA Perished through drinking, I suppose; Neptune last night invited him to deep potations.
TRACHALIO By my troth, I fancy it was given him to drink by way of cup of necessity
Cup of necessity
: "Anancæum," "the cup of necessity," which derived its name from the Greek word ἀ ναγκή, "necessity," was so called from the custom, in feasts, of handing round a large goblet, which all were obliged to empty, without losing a drop. Trachalio alludes to the large draught of salt water which he supposes Labrax has had to swallow at the bidding of Neptune.. How much I do love you, my dear Ampelisca; how pleasing you are; what honied words you do utter. But you and Palæstra, in what way were you saved?
AMPELISCA I'll let you know. Both in affright, we leapt from the ship into a boat, because we saw that the ship was being borne upon a rock; in haste, I unloosed the rope, while they were in dismay. The storm separated us from them with the boat in a direction to the right. And so, tossed about by winds and waves, in a multitude of ways, we, wretched creatures, during the livelong night * * * * * * * half dead, the wind this day has scarce borne us to the shore.
TRACHALIO I understand; thus is Neptune wont to do; he is a very dainty Ædile
Very dainty Ædile
: -4. It was the duty of the Ædiles at Rome to visit the markets and inspect the wares, like the Agoranomus, or "marketofficer," of the Greeks. See the Miles Gloriosus, l. 727, and the Note.; if any wares are bad, over he throws them all.
AMPELISCA Woe to your head and life!
TRACHALIO To your own, my dear Ampelisca. I was sure that the Procurer would do that which he has done; I often said so. It were better I should let my hair grow
Let my hair grow
: It is supposed to have been the custom of soothsayers and diviners to let their hair grow to a greater length than usual, and set up for a soothsayer.
AMPELISCA Did you not take care then, you and your master, that he shouldn't go away, when you knew this?
TRACHALIO What could he do?
AMPELISCA If he was in love, do you ask what he could do? Both night and day he should have kept watch; he should have been always on his guard. But, by my troth, he has done like many others; thus finely has Plesidippus taken care of her.
TRACHALIO For what reason do you say that?
AMPELISCA The thing is evident.
TEACH. Don't you know this? Even he who goes to the bath to bathe, while there he carefully keeps an eye upon his garments, still they are stolen; inasmuch as some one of those that he is watching is a rogue; the thief easily marks him for whom he's upon the watch; the keeper knows not which one is the thief. But bring me to her; where is she?
AMPELISCA Well then, go here into the Temple of Venus; you'll find her sitting there, and in tears.
TRACHALIO How disagreable is that to me already. But why is she weeping?
AMPELISCA I'll tell you; she's afflicting herself in mind for this; because the Procurer took away a casket from her which she had, and in which she kept that by which she might be enabled to recognize her parents; she fears that this has been lost.
TRACHALIO Where was that little casket, pray?
AMPELISCA There, on board the ship; he himself locked it up in his wallet, that there mightn't be the means by which she might recognize her parents.
TRACHALIO O scandalous deed! to require her to be a slave, who ought to be a free woman.
AMPELISCA Therefore she now laments that it has gone to the bottom along with the ship. There, too, was all the gold and silver of the Procurer.
TRACHALIO Some one, I trust, has dived and brought it up.
AMPELISCA For this reason is she sad and disconsolate, that she has met with the loss of them.
TRACHALIO Then have I the greater occasion to do this, to go in and console her, that she mayn't thus distress herself in mind. For I know that many a lucky thing has happened to many a one beyond their hopes.
AMPELISCA But I know too that hope has deceived many who have hoped.
TRACHALIO Therefore a patient mind is the best remedy for affliction. I'll go in, unless you wish for anything. Goes into the Temple.
AMP. GO.To herself. I'll do that which the Priestess requested me, and I'll ask for some water here at the neighbour's; for she said that if I asked for it in her name, they would give it directly. And I do think that I never saw a more worthy old lady, one to whom I should think that it is more befitting for Gods and men to show kindness. How courteously, how heartily, how kindly, how, without the least difficulty, she received us into her home, trembling, in want, drenched, shipwrecked, half dead; not otherwise, in fact, than if we had been her own offspring. How kindly did she herself, just now, tucking up her garments, make the water warm for us to bathe. Now, that I mayn't keep her waiting, I'll fetch some water from the place where she requested me. Knocking at the door of DÆMONES.
Hallo, there, is there any one in the cottage? is any one going to open this door? Will any one come out?
Enter SCEPARNIO, from the cottage of DÆMONES.SCEPARNIO Who is it so furiously making an attack upon our door?
AMPELISCA It's I.
SCEPARNIO Well now, what good news is there? Aside. Dear me, a lass of comely appearance, i' troth.
AMPELISCA Greeting to you, young man.
SCEPARNIO And many greetings to you, young woman.
AMPELISCA I'm come to you—
SCEPARNIO I'll receive you with a welcome, if you come in the evening, by-and-by, just such as I could like; for just now I've no means
For just now I've no means
: This line has greatly puzzled the Commentators. Sceparnio, however, seems to mean that at present he is busy, and cannot attend to her, but that in the evening he will be at her service. It has been suggested that a double entendre is meant; and such may possibly be the case, though the pungency of the passage is lost by reason of the hiatus in the next line. The meaning may, however, be harmless, and he may intend to say that at present he is busy thatching the house, but that at nightfall he will have finished, when she may count upon being hospitably entertained. to receive you, a damsel, thus early in the morning * * * But what have you to say, my smiling, pretty one. Chucks her under the chin.
AMPELISCA Oh, you're handling me too familiarly. Moves away.
SCEPARNIO O ye immortal Gods! she's the very image of Venus. What joyousness there is in her eyes, and, only do see, what a skin 'tis of the vulture's tintOf the vulture's tint
: There is a poor joke here upon the words "subaquilum" and "subvulturium." Sceparnio means to describe the complexion of Ampelisca as somewhat resembling the colour of an eagle. By mistake, he happens to mention "a vulture," and immediately corrects himself, as, from its sordid habits, he may be deemed to be paying her an ill compliment.,—rather, the eagle's, indeed, I meant to say. Her breasts, too, how beautiful; and then what expression on her lips! Takes hold of her.
AMPELISCAstruggling. I'm no common commodity for the whole townshipNo common commodity for the whole township
: "Pollucta pago." The portion of the sacrifice to Hercules which was given to the common people was said to be "pollucta," whence the present adaptation of the epithet. Echard seems to have contemplated translating this, "I'm no pie for every one's cutting up!"; can't you keep your hands off me?
SCEPARNIOpatting her. Won't you let me touch you, gentle one, in this manner, gently and lovingly? * * * * * * * *
AMPELISCA When I have leisure, then I'll be giving my attention to toying and dalliance to please you; for the present, prithee, do either say me "Yes" or "No" to the matter for which I was sent hither.
SCEPARNIO What now is it that you wish?
AMPELISCApointing to her pitcher. To a shrewd person, my equipment would give indications of what it is I want.
SCEPARNIO To a shrewd woman, this equipment, too, of mine, would give indication of what it is I want.
AMPELISCApointing to the Temple. The Priestess there of Venus, requested me to fetch some water from your house here.
SCEPARNIO But I'm a lordly sort of person; unless you entreat me, you shan't have a drop. We dug this well with danger to ourselves, and with tools of iron. Not a drop can be got out of me except by means of plenty of blandishments.
AMPELISCA Prithee, why do you make so much fuss about the water—a thing that even enemy affords to enemy?
SCEPARNIO Why do you make so much fuss about granting a favour to me, that citizen grants to citizen?
AMPELISCA On the contrary, my sweet one, I'll even do everything for you that you wish.
SCEPARNIO O charming! I am favoured; she's now calling me her sweet one. The water shall be given you, so that you mayn't be coaxing me in vain. Give me the pitcher.
AMPELISCA Take it gives it to him: make haste and bring it out, there's a dear.
SCEPARNIO Stay a moment; I'll be here this instant, my sweet one. Goes into the cottage. * * * * * * * * * * *
AMPELISCA What shall I say to the Priestess for having delayed here so long a time? * * * * * * * How, even still, in my wretchedness do I tremble, when with my eyes I look upon the sea. She looks towards the shore. But what, to my sorrow, do I see afar upon the shore? My master, the Procurer, and his Sicilian guest. both of whom wretched I supposed to have perished in the deep. Still does thus much more of evil survive for us than we had imagined. But why do I delay to run off into the Temple, and to tell Palæstra this, that we may take refuge at the altar before this scoundrel of a Procurer can come hither and seize us here? I'll betake myself away from this spot; for the necessity suddenly arises for me to do so. Runs into the Temple.