EUCLIO What person is it that speaks there? LYCONIDES 'Tis I, wretch that I am. EUCLIO Yes, and so am I, and wretchedly ruined, whose lot is misfortune so great and sorrow. LYCONIDES Be of good courage. EUCLIO How, prithee, can I be so? LYCONIDES Because that deed which is afflicting your mind, I did it, and I confess it. EUCLIO What is it I hear from you? LYCONIDES That which is the truth. EUCLIO What evil, young man, have I deserved, by reason of which you should do thus, and go to ruin both me and my children? LYCONIDES A Divinity was my prompter; he prompted me to do it 
 Prompted me to do it : "Ad illam illexit." Literally, "enticed me to her." The humour of the whole scene turns upon Euclio and Lyconides mistaking the meaning of each other—the former thinking that the latter is speaking about the "aula," or "pot," while the latter fancies that Euclio is amenting the mishap of his daughter. In the Latin language, the word "aula" is or the feminine gender, by reason of which the misunderstanding is much more natural than it would be in the English language. In consequence, some little latitude in the translation is absolutely necessary to sustain the equivoque of the original . EUCLIO How? LYCONIDES I confess that I have done wrong, and I know that I deserve censure; for that reason I'm come to beseech you, that, with feelings assuaged, you will pardon me. EUCLIO Why did you dare do so, to touch that which was not your own?
 LYCONIDES What do you wish to be done? The thing has been done; it can't be undone. I believe that the Gods willed it, for if they hadn't willed it, I know it wouldn't have happened. EUCLIO But I believe that the Gods have willed that I should be the death of you in fetters. LYCONIDES Don't say that! EUCLIO What business then have you to touch what is my own against my will? LYCONIDES Because I did it under the evil influence of wine and love. EUCLIO Most audacious man, that you should dare to come here to me with that speech, you impudent fellow! For if this is lawful, so that you may be able to excuse it—let us openly, in broad daylight, plunder their golden trinkets from ladies—after that, if we are caught, let us excuse ourselves, that we did it when intoxicated, by reason of being in love. Too cheap are wine and love, if one in liquor and in love is allowed to do with impunity whatever he pleases. LYCONIDES But I come to you of my own accord to supplicate you on account of my folly. EUCLIO Persons don't please me, who, when they've done wrong, excuse themselves. You knew that you had no right there; you oughtn't to have touched 
 You oughtn't to have touched : "Tn illam scibas non tuam esse: non attactam aportuit." This literally, speaking of the pot (aula) as of the feminine gender, would mean "you knew that she was not your own; it was not fitting for her to be touched." This of course helps to confirm Lyconides in the impression that Euclio is speaking of his daughter. . LYCONIDES Therefore, inasmuch as I did dare to touch, I make no objection to keep by all means. EUCLIO You, keep what is my own against my will? LYCONIDES Against your will, I do not ask; but I think that that which was yours ought to be mine 
 Ought to be mine : Lyconides here alludes to a law which prevailed at Rome , whereby, when a person had seduced a freeborn female, he was obliged either to marry her himself without a portion, or else to give her such a portion as was suitable to her station. Lyconides means to say that he shall exercise the former right. . Moreover, Euclio, you'll find, I say, that mine it ought to be. EUCLIO Now really, on my word, I'll drag you to the Prætor and take proceedings And take proceedings : "Scribam dicam." "Dica" was a name derived from the Greek, for an "indictment," "writ," or "process," by which in action was commenced. against you, unless you make restitution.
 LYCONIDES Make restitution of what to you? EUCLIO What you've stolen of mine. LYCONIDES I, stolen of yours? Whence, or what is it? EUCLIO So shall Jupiter love you, how ignorant you are about it! LYCONIDES Unless, indeed, you tell me what you are enquiring for. EUCLIO The pot of gold, I say, I'm asking back of you, which you confessed to me that you had taken away. LYCONIDES By my faith, I've neither said so, nor have I done it. EUCLIO Do you deny it? LYCONIDES Yes, I do utterly deny it; for neither the gold nor yet this pot, what it means, do I know or understand. EUCLIO Give me up that pot which you took away from the wood of Sylvanus. Come, give it me back! I would rather give you the one-half of it. Although you are a thief to me, I'll not be hard upon the thief. Give it me back. LYCONIDES You are not in your senses, to call me a thief; I thought, Euclio, that you had come to the knowledge of another matter; as concerns myself, it is a great matter which I wish to speak with you upon at your leisure, if you are at leisure. EUCLIO Tell me, in good faith, have you not stolen that gold? LYCONIDES In good faith, No. EUCLIO Nor know who has taken it away? LYCONIDES In good faith, No, to that as well. EUCLIO But if you should know who has taken it away, will you discover it to me? LYCONIDES I will do so. EUCLIO Nor accept of a share from him, whoever he is, for yourself, nor harbour the thief? LYCONIDES Even so. EUCLIO What if you deceive me? LYCONIDES Then may great Jupiter do unto me what he pleases. EUCLIO I'm satisfied. Come, then, say what you wish. LYCONIDES If you know me but imperfectly, of what family I'm born: Megadorus here is my uncle; Antimachus was my father; my name is Lyconides; Eunomia is my mother.
 EUCLIO I know the family; now, what do you want? LYCONIDES I want to know this. You have a daughter of yours? EUCLIO Why, yes, she's there at home. LYCONIDES You have, I think, recently betrothed her to my uncle? EUCLIO You have the whole matter. LYCONIDES He has now bade me announce to you his refusal of her 
 His refusal of her : "Repudium." The rejection of a person after being betrothed was called "repudium;" while the putting-away of a marned woman by her husband was called "divortium." . EUCLIO A refusal, when the things are got ready, and the wedding's prepared? May all the immortal Gods and Goddesses confound him, so far as is possible, by reason of whom this day, unhappy wretch that I am, I have lost so much gold! LYCONIDES Be of good heart, and speak in kindly terms; now, a thing—may it turn out well and prosperously to you and your daughter.—May the Gods so grant—say. EUCLIO May the Gods so grant. LYCONIDES And for me, too, may the Gods so grant it. Now, then, do you listen. The man that admits a fault is not so much to be despised, if he feels a sense of shame when he excuses himself. Now, Euclio, I do beseech you, that what unawares I have done wrong towards yourself or your daughter, you will grant me pardon for the same, and give her for a wife to me, as the laws demand. I confess that I did violence to your daughter on the festival of Ceres , by reason of wine and the impulse of youth. EUCLIO Woe is me! What shocking deed do I hear of you? LYCONIDES Why do you exclaim? You whom I've made to be a grandfather now at the very wedding of your daughter. For your daughter has just been brought to bed in the ninth month after—calculate the number 
 Calculate the number : "Numeram cape." He probably means by this, "calculate the time" since the festival of Ceres , when this misfortone happened. ; for that reason, in my behalf, has my uncle sent his refusal. Go in-doors; enquire whether it is so or not as I say. EUCLIO I'm undone utterly; so very many misfortunes unite themselves for my undoing. I'll go in-doors, that I may know what of this is true. He goes into his house. 
 LYCONIDES I'll follow you this instant. This matter seems now to be pretty nearly in the haven of safety. Now, where to say my servant Strobilus is, I don't know, but yet I'll wait here still a little while; after that I'll follow this man indoors; now, in the meantime, I'll give him leisure to enquire of the nurse about my doings, the attendant of his daughter, whether she knows the truth. Moves as if going. 
 Enter STROBILUS, at a distance. STROBILUS to himself . Immortal Gods, with what and how great delights do you present me! I've got a four pound pot filled with gold; who there is richer than I? What man is there greater than I at Athens now; any one, I mean, to whom the Gods are propitious? LYCONIDES to himself . Why, surely, I seemed just now to hear the voice of some one speaking here. STROBILUS to himself . Ha! do I not see my master? LYCONIDES to himself . Do I see Strobilus now, my servant? STROBILUS to himself . 'Tis he himself. LYCONIDES to himself . 'Tis no other. STROBILUS to himself . I'll accost him. LYCONIDES to himself . I'll step out I'll step out : It must be supposed that Strobilus is a good way down a street, which emerges on the stage right opposite the Spectators; while Lyconides is in the front of the stage, and consequently beyond the nearer end of the street. towards him. I do think that he has been, as I requested him, to the old woman, the nurse herself of this damsel. STROBILUS to himself . Why don't I tell him that I've found this prize, and speak out? For that reason, I'll beg of him to make me free. I'll go and speak to him. Addressing him. I've found— LYCONIDES What have you found? STROBILUS Not that which the boys cry out that they've found in the bean Found in the bean : This is explained as meaning a little worm or weevil, which boys used to seek for in beans and other pulse, and which they called "Midas" . LYCONIDES And are you trifling with me then, as you are in the habit of doing? He turns as if to go away. 
 
 STROBILUS Master, stop; I'll speak out then; do listen.
 LYCONIDES Come then, tell me. STROBILUS I've found to-day, master very great riches. LYCONIDES Where, pray? STROBILUS A four pound pot 
 A four pound pot : "Quadrilibris" probably alludes to the capacity of the pot, and not its weight. It was probably a jar made to contain four pounds weight of liquid. , I say, full of gold! LYCONIDES What crime is this that I hear of from you? STROBILUS I've stolen it from this old fellow, Euclio. LYCONIDES Where is this gold? STROBILUS In my box at home; I now wish to be made free. LYCONIDES I, make you free, you fellow, brimful of wickedness? STROBILUS Out upon you, master, I know what you would be at. Troth, I've cleverly tried your inclination; you were just getting ready to take it away from me; what would you do, if I had found it? LYCONIDES You can't make good your pretences. Come, give up the gold! STROBILUS I, give up the gold? LYCONIDES Give it up, I say, that it may be given back to him. STROBILUS Where am I to get it from? 
 
 LYCONIDES That which you confessed just now to be in your box. STROBILUS I' faith, I'm in the habit of talking nonsense; 'twas in that way I was speaking. LYCONIDES seizinq him . But do you know what?—
 STROBILUS Even kill me outright, i' faith, you never shall get it hence of me 
 The rest of this Play is unfortunately lost. From the Acrostic Argument which is prefixed to the Play, we learn that Lyconides obtained the gold, and gave it up to Euclio, who presented it to him as a marriage-portion with his daughter. In some of the Editions there is a Supplement to the last Scene, written in a very meagre style by some unknown author, which is not worth presenting to the reader The Supplementby Antonius Codrus Urceus, a learned scholar and professor at Bologna , is certainly somewhat superior, and, such as it is, a translation of it is here presented to the reader. Its chief fault is, that it indicates a greater change in the nature of the miser than is consistent with probability. Though Plautus doubtless depicted him as giving up the gold to his new son-in-law, it was probably on some other ground than a change of disposition. 

 A SUPPLEMENT TO THE AULULARIA BY CODRUS URCEUS. 
 
 STROBILUS — the pot belonging to the old fellow, which I've not got. LYCONIDES I will have it, whether you will or no; when I've tied you up all fours, and torn asunder your body for you tied up to the beam. But why do I delay to rush upon the jaws of this rascal, and why this instant do I not compel his soul to take its journey before its time Before its time : —The expression used here by Urceus is capable of two modes of translation; the most delicate one has been preferred. ? Are you going to give it me or not? STROBILUS I will give it you. LYCONIDES I want you to give it me now, and not at a future time. STROBILUS I'll give it now; but I entreat you to allow me to recover breath. LYCONIDES lets him go. Aha! What is it you want me to give you, master? LYCONIDES Don't you know, you rascal? And do you dare to refuse me the four pound pot full of gold which you just now said you had stolen? Calling at the door. Hallo there! Where now are the flogging men? STROBILUS Master, do hear a few words. Lyc. I won't hear; floggers, hallo there—hallo!
 Enter two FLOGGING SLAVES. SLAVE. What's the matter? LYCONIDES I want the chains to be got ready. STROBILUS Listen to me, I beg of you; afterwards order them to bind me as much as you please. LYCONIDES I will hear you; but hasten the matter very quickly. STROBILUS If you order me to be tortured to death, see what you obtain; in the first place, you have the death of your slave. Then, what you wish for you cannot get. But if you had only allured me by the reward of dear liberty, you would already have obtained your wish. Nature produces all men free, and by nature all desire freedom. Slavery is worse than every evil, than every calamity; and he whom Jupiter hates, him he first makes a slave. LYCONIDES You speak not unwisely STROBILUS Now then hear the rest. Our age has produced masters too grasping, whom I'm in the habit of calling Harpagos, Harpies, and Tantali, poor amid great wealth, and thirsty in the midst of the waters of Ocean; no riches are enough for them, not those of Midas, not of Crœsus; not all the wealth of the Persians can satisfy their Tartarean maw. Masters use their slaves rigorously, and slaves now obey their masters but tardily; so on neither side is that done which would be fair to be done. Their provisions, kitchens, and store-cellars, avaricious old fellows shut up with a thousand keys. Slaves, thievish, doubledealers, and artful, open for themselves things shut up with a thousand keys, which the owners hardly like to be granted to their lawful children, and stealthily do they carry off, consume, and lick them up—fellows that will never disclose their hundred thefts even at the gibbet; thus in laughter and joking do bad slaves take revenge upon their slavery. So then, I come to the conclusion that liberality renders slaves faithful. LYCONIDES Rightly, indeed, have you spoken, but not in a few words, as you promised me. But if I do make you free, will you give me back what I'm asking for? STROBILUS I will give it back; but I wish for witnesses to be present; you'll pardon me, master, I trust you but little. LYCONIDES Just as you please; let there be present even a hundred; then I shouldn't care about it. STROBILUS going to the door of the house of MEGADORUS . Megadorus, and you, Eunomia, please come here, I beg of you; the business finished, you shall return directly.