Miles Gloriosus

Plautus, Titus Maccius

Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.

  1. I was entreated to come here.
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. How did you dare? There’s for you, take that. Strikes him.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. O! O! I’ve had enough. Prithee, now.
CARIO
  1. Am I to begin cutting him up at once?
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. As soon as you like. Stretch the fellow out, and spread out his pinions[*](Spread out his pinions: Dispennite.He means, stretch him out as you would spread out to their utmost length the wings of a bird.) in opposite ways.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. By heavens, prithee, do hear my words before he cuts me.
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. Speak before you’re made of no sex.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. I supposed that she was a widow; and so her maid, who was her go-between, informed me.
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. Now take an oath that you won’t injure any person for this affair, because you have been beaten here today, or shall be beaten hereafter, if we let you go safe hence, you dear little grandson of Venus[*](Grandson of Venus: This is an allusion to the Captains own boast in Act IV. s. 4, that he was the grandson of Venus.).
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. I swear by Dione[*](By Dione: Dione, according to Homer, was the name of the mother of Venus; but the name is much more frequently used, as in the present instance, to signify Venus herself. He appropriately swears by these guardian Deities of intrigue. The translation of l. 1416 is somewhat modified.) and Mars that I will hurt no one because I have been beaten here this day; and I think that it was rightfully done; and if I don’t go hence further injured, I am rightly punished for the offence.
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. But what if you don’t do so?
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Then, may I always have my word not to be trusted[*](Not to be trusted: Intestabilis.A gross pun is here intended, and in l. 1420 as well. The word here signifies forsworn, or perjured, so infamous, that his testimony will never be received in a Court of justice.)
CARIO
  1. Let him be beaten once more; after that I think he may be dismissed.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. May the Gods ever bless you, since you so kindly come as my advocate.
CARIO
  1. Give us a golden mina[*](A golden mina: The golden minawas worth ten silver ones, or one thousand drachmae, of about ninepence three-farthings each.), then.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. For what reason?
CARIO
  1. That we may now let you go hence unmaimed, you little grandson of Venus; otherwise you shall not escape from here; don’t you deceive yourself.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. It shall be given you.
CARIO
  1. You’re very wise. As for your tunic, and your scarf[*](And your scarf: The chlamyswas an outer garment worn among the Greeks and Oriental nations, somewhat resembling our scarfs. That worn by the Captain would probably be of great value, which of course would tempt the cupidity of his persecutors. The translation of l. 1426 is somewhat modified.), and sword, don’t at all hope for them; you shan’t have them.