Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters (742b-786c)

And he promises that he will give this gold to me, for me to give away to naughty women, and to consume it and live like a Greek[*] in dens of infamy. But, father, do you take care that he does not impose on you this day; I entreat you, do beware.

Only say on.

Just write on, then.

Only say what I am to write

But, father, what you promised me I beg that you will remember, that you will not beat him, but keep him in chains at your house at home. Do you give me the wax and cord forthwith. Come, fasten it, and seal it in an instant.

Prithee, what use is there in this writing after such a fashion,

that he is to give no credence to you, and to keep you in chains at home?

Because it pleases me so. Can’t you possibly take care of your own self, and have no thought about me? In confidence in myself I undertook the task, and at my own peril do I carry on the matter.

You say what’s true.

Give me the tablets.

Take them.

Give attention now; Mnesilochus, and you, Pistoclerus, do you take care that each of you goes at once and reclines on his couch

with his mistress; so ’tis requisite; and on that same spot where the couches are now laid, do you forthwith commence to carouse.

Anything else?

This, and this especially: when you shall have once taken your places together, don’t you arise anyhow, until the signal shall be given by me.

O skilful commander!

You ought by this time to have taken your second draught.

Capital; let’s go.

Do you take care of your duty, and I’ll do mine.

A tremendously great business am I undertaking, and I have my fears how in this one day I may accomplish it. But now I have occasion for the old blade to be fierce and savage at me. For it suits not this plan of mine

that the old fellow should be calm when he has beheld me in his presence. I’ll turn him about[*] this day, finely, if I live. I’ll have him parched as well as ever pea was parched[*]. I’ll walk before the door, that when he comes out, at once as he comes up, I may put the letters[*] in his hand.

This is a matter of great vexation to me, that Chrysalus has thus escaped me this day.

I’m all right: the old fellow is in a passion. Now’s my time for me to accost my man.

Who speaks hard by? (Looking round.) Why surely this is Chrysalus, I think.

I’ll accost him.

My honest servant, hail to you. What’s doing now? How soon do I set sail for Ephesus, to bring back the gold home from Theotimus? What—silent? I swear by all the Gods, if I didn’t love my son so much as to wish everything done for him that he desires ⋯

that your sides should be wealed now right well with rods, and that in irons at the mill you should be lingering out your life. I’ve learnt of Mnesilochus all your wicked pranks.

Has he accused me? ’Tis very good; I am a bad one, I am a cursed one—a wicked one. Only reflect upon the matter. I’ll utter not one word.

What? Hangdog, do you even threaten me[*]?

You’ll find out before long what sort of man he is. He ordered me just now to carry this letter to you. He requested that that which is there written may be done.