Captivi: The Captives (898b-948b)

From myself and from my son.

Do you promise that?

I do promise it.

But I, in return, promise[*] you that your son has arrived.

Manage as well as ever you can.

A happy walk there to you, and a happy walk back.

He has gone away from here, and has entrusted to me the most important concern of catering. Immortal Gods how I shall now be slicing necks off of sides; how vast a downfall will befall the gammon[*]; how vast a belabouring the bacon! How great a using-up of udders, how vast a bewailing for the brawn!

How great a bestirring for the butchers, how great a preparation for the porksellers! But if I were to enumerate the rest of the things which minister to the supply of the stomach, ‘twould be sheer delay. Now will I go off to my government, to give laws to the bacon, and, those gammons that are hanging uncondemned,[*] to give aid to them.

May Jupiter and the Deities confound you, Ergasilus, and your stomach,

and all Parasites, and every one who henceforth shall give a dinner to Parasites. Destruction and devastation and ruin have just now entered our house. I was afraid that he would be making an attack on me, as though he had been an hungry wolf. And very dreadfully, upon my faith, was I frightened at him; he made such a gnashing with his teeth. On his arrival, the whole larder, with the meat, he turned upside down.

He seized a knife, and first cut off the kernels of the neck[*] from three sides. All the pots and cups he broke, except those that held a couple of gallons[*]; of the cook he made enquiry whether the salting pans could be set on the fire to be made hot. All the cellars in the house he has broken into, and has laid the store-closet[*] open. (At the door.) Watch him, servants, if you please; I’ll go to meet the old gentleman.

I’ll tell him to get ready some provisions for his own self, if, indeed, he wishes himself to make use of any. For in this place, as this man, indeed, is managing, either there’s nothing already, or very soon there will be nothing.

To Jove and to the Deities I return with reason hearty thanks, inasmuch as they have restored you to your father, and inasmuch as they have delivered me from very many afflictions,

which, while I was obliged to be here without you, I was enduring, and inasmuch as I see that that fellow (pointing to STALAGMUS) is in my power, and inasmuch as his word (pointing to PHILOCIATES) has been found true to me.

Enough now have I grieved from my very soul, and enough with care and tears have I disquieted myself. Enough now have I heard of your woes, which at the harbour you told me of.

Let us now to this business.

What now, since I’ve kept my word with you, and have caused him to be restored back again to freedom?

Philocrates, you have acted so that I can never return you thanks enough, in the degree that you merit from myself and my son.

Nay, but you can, father, and you will be able, and I shall be able; and the Divinities will give the means for you

to return the kindness he merits to one who deserves so highly of us; as, my father, you are able to do to this person who so especially deserves it.

What need is there of words? I have no tongue with which to deny whatever you may ask of me.

I ask of you to restore to me that servant whom I left here as a surety for myself; who has always proved more faithful to me than to himself;

in order that for his services I may be enabled to give him a reward.

Because you have acted thus kindly, the favour shall be returned, the thing that you ask; both that and anything else that you shall ask of me, you shall obtain. And I would not have you blame me, because in my anger I have treated him harshly.

What have you done?

I confined him in fetters at the stone-quarries,

when I found out that I had been imposed upon.

Ah wretched me! That for my safety misfortunes should have happened to that best of men.

Now, on this account, you need not give me even one groat of silver[*] for him. Receive him of me without cost that he may be free.

On my word, Hegio, you act with kindness; but I entreat that you will order this man to be sent for.