Aulularia, or The Concealed Treasure (783-820c)

He has now bade me announce to you his refusal of her[*].

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!

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.

May the Gods so grant.

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.

Woe is me! What shocking deed do I hear of you?

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[*]; 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.

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.

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.

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?

Why, surely, I seemed just now to hear the voice of some one speaking here.

Ha! do I not see my master?

Do I see Strobilus now, my servant?

’Tis he himself.

’Tis no other.

I’ll accost him.

I’ll step out[*] towards him. I do think that he has been, as I requested him, to the old woman, the nurse herself of this damsel.

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—

What have you found?

Not that which the boys cry out that they’ve found in the bean[*].

And are you trifling with me then, as you are in the habit of doing?

Master, stop; I’ll speak out then; do listen.

Come then, tell me.

I’ve found to-day, master very great riches.