Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters (975-996)

all these this day will I cut off at two single blows. Now, if there were any purchaser for this Priam of ours, I would sell the old fellow in the lump[*], whom I have on sale the moment that J shall have taken the city. But, lo! I see our Priam standing before the door; I’ll go and speak to him.

Pray, whose voice is it that sounds near me?

O Nicobulus!

What’s the matter?

O, capital!

Well, have you done aught of what I sent you upon?

What—ask you that? Step closer this way.

Well, I do come closer.

I am an excellent pleader. By rebuking him, and by whatever hard language I really was able to think of, I forced the fellow to tears.

What did he say?

He uttered not a word: crying, he listened in silence to what I was saying; in silence he wrote down on his tablets; these sealed he gave to me;

he bade me deliver them to you. (Gives him the tablets.) But I am afraid that they sing to the same tune that the former ones did. Observe the seal, is it his?

I recognize it. I’d like to read them over.

Read them through. (Aside.) Now is the upper lintel[*] being cut down, now is the destruction of Troy near at hand. The wooden horse is shaking it right cleverly.

Chrysalus, just step here while I am reading these through.

Prithee, what need is there for me to be near you?

That you may know what’s written here.

I don’t care, and I don’t wish to know.

Still, do come here.

What need is there?

Hold your tongue.

I’ll stay.

I won’t, I say.

But I will, I say.

What need is there?

Still do you only do that which I bid you.

I’ll come. ’Tis right to do so; your own servant ought to be obedient at your command.

Heyday! he hasn’t been sparing[*] of his wax or pen. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through. Attend to me, please, this very instant.