I’ll remember it. (Exit.) DEMAENETUS (to himself) Not any servant can there be more artful than this fellow, nor yet more crafty, nor one that it is more difficult for you to be on your guard against. If you want anything well managed, entrust it to this same fellow; he’d rather he should die in wretchedness, than not have that quite completed which he has promised. For I know that this money is as surely forthcoming for my son, as that I look upon this same walking-stick. But why am I delaying to go to the Forum where I had intended (Exit.) (Enter ARGYRIPPUS, from the house of CLEAERETA, addressing her within.) ARGYRIPPUS Is’t thus it is,—me to be shut out of doors? Is this the reward that’s given to me who deserve so highly of you? To him who deserves well you are unkind, to him who deserves ill you are indulgent. But to your own misfortune, for now from this spot will I go to the Triumvirs To the Triumvirs : The Tresviri, or Triumviri, were in duty bound to receive informations relative to public morals, and were empowered to inflict summary punishment on persons of the rank and occupation of Cleaereta. They have been more fully referred to in a previous Note. It will not be forgotten that, though the scene is in Athens , Plautus is making reference to Roman customs. , and there I’ll take care your names shall be. I’ll punish capitally yourself and your daughter, you enticers, pests, and destruction of young men! For, compared with you, the sea is not the sea; you are a most dangerous sea. For on the sea did I find it, here have I been cleaned out of my wealth. What I have given, and what kindnesses I have done, I find them all valueless for good, and thrown away. But from hence-forth, whatever harm I shall be able to do you, I will do it, and do it at your deserts. I’ faith, I’ll reduce you to the verge of poverty, that state from which you have risen. By my troth, I’ll make you to know what you now are, and what you once were; what you were before I visited that daughter of yours, and, in my passion, bestowed upon her my affection; on coarse bread On coarse bread : Sordido—pane. According to the Commentators, this means brown bread with the bran in it. Terence, in his Eunuchus, calls it panis ater, black bread Juvenal calls it dog’s bread. you were enjoying your life, in rags, and in want. And if these you had, especial thanks did you return to all the Divinities. Now, bad woman, you the same person, when ’tis better with you, don’t know me through whose means it is so. From a wild beast, I’ll make you tame through hunger, only trust me for that Trust me for that : Me specta modo. Literally, only look to me. . But I have no reason to blame your daughter herself; she does not deserve it in the least. She acts by your command; she obeys your bidding; you are her mother, you too her mistress. I’ll revenge myself on you; I’ll ruin you; as you are deserving, and as you merit at my hands. But look now, the hag, how she really doesn’t think me worthy for her to come to and address and deprecate my resentment. But, see, the enticer’s coming out at last, I think. Here. before the door, I’ll address her in my own fashion, as I please, since I’m not allowed to do so within. (Enter CLEAERETA, from her house.) CLEAERETA If any purchaser should come, he could not carry him away from me each single word of those for gold Philippean pieces. What you say wrongfully against us is good gold and silver. Your heart is locked up here with us, at the helm of Cupid. With oars and with sails make haste and fly as fast as you can; the further you betake yourself to sea, the more the tide will bring you back to harbour. ARGYRIPPUS I faith, I’ll be depriving this custom-house officer This custom-house officer : Istum portitorem privabo portitorio. Cleaereta has just mentioned portus, the harbour, meaning her own house, to which, despite of himself, Argyrippus will, by his own passion, be brought back at last. He takes up the metaphor, and says that she, the landing-waiter ( portitor ), or custom-house officer, shall not, however, get her dues; meaning, that he is determined not to let her have any more of his money. of his dues. From henceforth I’ll persist in treating you as you have deserved of me and mine, since you have treated me not as I deserve, in excluding me from your house. CLEAERETA I know that that is rather said with the tongue, than that it will happen in deed. ARGYRIPPUS I alone have brought you from obscurity and from want; if I alone patronize you, you can never return sufficient thanks. CLEAERETA Do you still be the only one to patronize me, if you alone will always give me what I ask. Do you always keep what has been promised you, on this condition, that you surpass others in your presents.