Persa, or The Persian (1-753)

TOXILUS

to himself. He who, falling in love, destitute of means, has first entered upon the paths of love, has in his own labours exceeded all the labours of Hercules. For with the lion

[*], and with the Hydra, with the stag, with the Ætolian boar, with the birds of Stamphalus, with Antæus, would I rather contend than with love. So wretched am I become with hunting after money to borrow; and yet, those whom I ask know of nothing to answer me, except "I have got none."

SAGARISTIO

apart. The servant that is desirous faithfully to serve his master, i' troth, it surely does behove him to treasure up full many a thing in his breast which he may think will please his master, both present and abroad. I neither serve with cheerfulness, nor am I quite to my master's satisfaction; but, as though from a running eye, my master is still unable to keep his hands off me, in giving me his commands, in making me the support of his affairs.

TOXILUS

Who's this that's standing opposite to me?

SAGARISTIO

Who's that that's standing opposite to me?

TOXILUS

It's like Sagaristio.

SAGARISTIO

Surely this is my friend Toxilus.

TOXILUS

Certainly it is he.

SAGARISTIO

I think it is he.

TOXILUS

I'll go meet him.

SAGARISTIO

I'll go up and accost him.

TOXILUS

meeting him. O Sagaristio, may the Gods bless you.

SAGARISTIO

O Sagaristio, the Gods grant you what you may desire. How fare you?

TOXILUS

Just as I can.

SAGARISTIO

What's the matter?

TOXILUS

I still live.

SAGARISTIO

Quite then to your satisfaction?

TOXILUS

If the things come to pass which I desire, quite.

SAGARISTIO

You deal with your friends in a very silly fashion.

TOXILUS

How so?

SAGARISTIO

Because you ought to give them your commands.

TOXILUS

As for myself, you were already dead to me, because I haven't seen you.

SAGARISTIO

Business, upon my faith—

TOXILUS

In the iron chain line, perhaps.

SAGARISTIO

For more than a twelvemonth I've been promoted in chains to be commanding officer in the basting line

[*] at the mill.

TOXILUS

Why, that's your old line of service.

SAGARISTIO

Have you been quite well all along?

TOXILUS

Not very.

SAGARISTIO

I' faith, it's with reason then you are so pale.

TOXILUS

I've been wounded in the battles of Venus; Cupid has pierced my heart with his arrow.

SAGARISTIO

Do servants then fall in love here?

TOXILUS

Why, what could I do? Was I to be struggling against the Gods? Was I, like the sons of Titan, to be waging war with the Deities, with whom I am not quite able to cope?

SAGARISTIO

Do you only take care that "catapultæ" made of elm

[*] don't pierce your sides.

TOXILUS

In right royal manner I'm celebrating the feast of Freedom

[*].

SAGARISTIO

How so?

TOXILUS

Because my master's gone abroad.

SAGARISTIO

Do you say so? Is he gone abroad?

TOXILUS

If you can bear to be enjoying yourself, do you come: you shall live with me; you shall be treated with right royal entertainment.

SAGARISTIO

Out upon it rubbing himself; my shoulder-blades are quite itching now, because I've heard you mention these things.

TOXILUS

But this one thing is torturing me.

SAGARISTIO

Why, what is it?

TOXILUS

This day is the very last day, to determine whether my mistress is to be free, or whether she is to endure lasting servitude.

SAGARISTIO

What, then, do you now desire?

TOXILUS

You have it in your power to make me your friend for ever.

SAGARISTIO

In what way?

TOXILUS

In lending me six hundred didrachms, for me to pay the same for her freedom, which I will forthwith refund you in the next three or four days. Come, do be good-natured; give me your help.

SAGARISTIO

With what assurance, you impudent fellow, do you venture to ask so much money of me? Why, if I myself were to be sold all in one lot, it's hardly possible for as much to be received as you are asking me for; for now you are asking for water from a pumice-stone, which is all a-dry itself.

TOXILUS

Ought you to be treating me in this fashion?

SAGARISTIO

What am I to do?

TOXILUS

Do you ask the question? Beg it on loan from somebody.

SAGARISTIO

You do the same as you are asking me.

TOXILUS

I've been trying; I've found it nowhere.

SAGARISTIO

I really will try, if any one will trust me.

TOXILUS

Am I then to consider it

[*] as a thing in possibility?

SAGARISTIO

If I had had it at home, I'd promise it at once. This is in my power, to use my best endeavours.

TOXILUS

Whatever it is, come you home to me.

SAGARISTIO

Still do you try to get it; I'll carefully do the same. If anything shall turn up, I'll let you know at once.

TOXILUS

I entreat you, and entreat over and over again, do give me your stanch help in this.

SAGARISTIO

O dear! you are worrying me to death by your importunity.

TOXILUS

It's through the fault of love, and not my own, that I'm now become a silly prater to you.

SAGARISTIO

Then, i' troth, I'll now be taking my leave of you Moving.

TOXILUS

Are you going away, then? A good walk to you. But betake yourself back as soon as you can, and do take care that I haven't to seek you; I shall be close at home until I have cooked up a mishap for the Procurer. (Exit SAGARISTIO, and TOXILUS goes into the house.)

SATURIO

to himself. The old and ancient calling of my forefathers do I follow, and hold, and cultivate with great care. For never was there any one of my forefathers, but that by acting the parasite they filled their bellies: my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, his father, and his grandfather, just like mice, always fed on the victuals of others, and in love of good eating no one could excel them. Hard Heads

[*] was their surname. From them have I derived this calling, and the station of my forefathers; nor do I wish myself to turn informer [*], nor indeed does it become me, without risk of my own, to go seize upon the goods of other people; nor do those persons please who do so; I'm speaking out. For whoever does this, more for the sake of the public than of his own benefit, my mind can be induced to believe that he is a citizen both faithful and deserving; but if he should not prosecute to conviction the breaker of the laws, let him pay one half of the intended penalty to the public. And let this, too, be written in that law; when an informer has prosecuted any one, let the other in his turn [*] sue him for just as much, and upon equal terms let them come before the Triumvirs [*]. If that were done, assuredly I'd make those nowhere to be seen, who here with their whitened nets [*] lay siege to the property of others. But am I not a simpleton, to be taking care of the public interests when there are the magistrates, whose duty it is to take care of them? Now I'll in-doors here; I'll go look after the scraps from yesterday, whether they have rested well or not; whether they have had a fever [*]; whether they've been well covered up or not, so that no one could creep up to them. But the door is opening; I must pause in my steps.

TOXILUS

to himself. I've hit upon the whole matter, so that with his own money the Procurer may this day make her his fieed-woman. But see, here's the Parasite whose assistance I have need of. I'll make believe as though I didn't see him; in that way I'll allure the fellow. Goes to the door, and calls to the SERVANTS within. Do you attend, you there, and quickly make haste, that I mayn't have any delay when I come in-doors. Mix the honied wine; get ready the quinces and the junkets

[*], that they may be nicely warmed upon the dishes, and throw in some scented calamus [*]. I' faith, that boon-companion of mine, I fancy, will be here just now.

SATURIO

apart. He's meaning me—bravo!

TOXILUS

I think that he'll be here just now from the baths when he has bathed.

SATURIO

apart. How he does keep everything in its due order.

TOXILUS

Take you care that the gravy-cakes

[*] and the cheese-biscuits [*] are hot; don't be giving them to me unbaked.

SATURIO

apart. He's speaking the very fact; they are worth nothing raw, only if you swallow them warm. Then, unless the broth for the gravy-cakes is of a thick consistency, that miserable, thin, pale, transparent stuff, is worth nothing at all. The broth for a gravy-cake ought to be like a soup. I don't want it to be going into my bladder, I want it for my stomach.

TOXILUS

pretending not to see him. Some one, I know not who, is talking near me here.

SATURIO

accosting him. O my earthly Jupiter, your fellow- feaster addresses you.

TOXILUS

O Saturio, you've come opportunely for me.

SATURIO

Upon my faith, you are telling a lie, and it becomes you not; for as Hungerio

[*] I'm come, not as Saturio am I come.

TOXILUS

But you shall have something to eat; for now the creature-comforts for the stomach are smoking away in-doors. I've ordered the remnants to be warmed.

SATURIO

Why, it's the proper thing for the gammon to be served up cold the day after.

TOXILUS

I've ordered it so to be done.

SATURIO

Any caviare

[*]?

TOXILUS

Get out—do you ask the question?

SATURIO

You have a capital notion of what's good

[*].

TOXILUS

But do you at all remember the matter about which I was making mention to you yesterday?

SATURIO

I recollect; that the lamprey and the conger ought not to be made warm; for they are much better stripped of their meat

[*] when cold. But why do we delay to commence the engagement? While it's the morning, it befits all people to eat.

TOXILUS

It's almost too early in the morning.

SATURIO

The business that you begin to do in the morning, that same lasts on throughout the day.

TOXILUS

Prithee, do give your attention to this. For yesterday I mentioned it to you, and entreated you to lend me six hundred didrachms.

SATURIO

I recollect it and am aware, both that you did ask me, and that I hadn't any to lend. A Parasite's good for nothing that has got money at home; he has a longing at once to begin upon an entertainment, and to gobble away at his own expense, if he has anything at home. A Parasite ought to be a right down needy Cynic; he ought to have a leather bottle

[*], a strigil, an utensil [*], a pair of slippers, a cloak, and a purse; and in that a little of the needful, with which he may just cheer up the existence of his own household.

TOXILUS

I don't want money now; lend me your daughter.

SATURIO

By my troth, never to any person whatsoever have I lent her as yet.

TOXILUS

Not for that purpose which you are insinuating.

SATURIO

Why do you want her then?

TOXILUS

You shall know; because she's of a pretty and genteel figure.

SATURIO

Such is the fact.

TOXILUS

This Procurer pointing to the house of DORDALUS neither knows yourself nor your daughter.

SATURIO

How should any one know me, except him who finds me food?

TOXILUS

Such is the fact. This way you can find some money for me.

SATURIO

I' faith, I wish I could.

TOXILUS

Then do you allow me to sell her.

SATURIO

You to sell her?

TOXILUS

Why no, I'll depute another person to sell her, and to say that he is a foreigner; since it isn't six months since that Procurer removed hither from Megara

[*].

SATURIO

The remnants are spoiling; this, however, can be done afterwards.

TOXILUS

Do you understand on what terms it can? Never, on my word, shall you eat here this day, so don't be mistaken, before you declare to me that you'll do this that I'm requesting; and unless you bring your daughter with you hither at once as soon as you can, by my faith, I'll cashier you from this squad. What now? What's the matter? Why don't you say what you will do?

SATURIO

I' troth, prithee sell even myself as well, if you like, so long as you sell me with my stomach full.

TOXILUS

If you are going to do this, do it.

SATURIO

For my part, I'll do what you desire,

TOXILUS

You act kindly. Make haste, be off home; cleverly tutor your daughter beforehand, instruct her cunningly, what she is to say, where she is to declare she was born, who were her parents, how she was kidnapped. But let her declare that she was born at a distance from Athens; and let her shed tears when she makes mention of it.

SATURIO

Now won't you hold your tongue? Three times more artful is she than you would have her be.

TOXILUS

I' troth, you say what's excellent. But do you know what you are to do? Get a tunic and a girdle, and bring a scarf and a broad-brimmed hat for him to wear who is to sell her to this Procurer—

SATURIO

Well-capital!

TOXILUS

As though he were a foreigner.

SATURIO

I approve of it—

TOXILUS

And do you bring your daughter cleverly drest up after a foreign fashion.

SAGARISTIO

"Où sont

[*]" the dresses?

TOXILUS

Borrow them of the chorus-leader

[*]. He ought to lend them; the Ædiles [*] have contracted for them to be found.

SATURIO

I'll have them here just now. But I'm to be acquainted with nothing of these matters?

TOXILUS

I' faith, nothing, in fact. But, when I've got the money, do you at once claim her of the Procurer.

SATURIO

Let him keep her for himself, if I don't immediately carry her off from him.

TOXILUS

Be off and attend to this. Exit SATURIO. In the meantime, I want to send a boy to my mistress; that she may be of good courage, and that I shall manage it to-day. I'm talking too much at length. Goes into the house.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

It were enough to tell an untaught, thoughtless, silly girl the same thing so many times over; really, in fact, I do imagine that I'm quite looked upon by you as a blockhead and a country booby. Although I do drink wine, still I'm not in the habit of swallowing down your commands together with it. I really had fancied that both myself and my ways had now been sufficiently proved by you; for, as for me, I've attended you now these five years; whereas, in that time, a cuckoo even, I do believe, if he had gone to school, could by now have been made to know his letters well; while, in the meantime, whether speaking or not speaking

[*], you have not made yourself acquainted with my disposition. Can you not hold your tongue? Can you not cease advising me? I remember, and I know, and I understand, and I keep in mind; i' faith, you are in love, poor thing; on that account your mind's disturbed. I'll cause that that shall be calmed for you.

LEMNISELENE

Wretched is the person that's in love. Goes into the house.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

to herself. Good for nothing, indeed, he certainly is, who is in love with nothing. What need has that person of life? I ought to go, that I may prove obedient to my mistress; that through my aid she may the sooner become a free woman. I'll go meet this Toxilus, however; his ears I'll stuff with what has been enjoined upon me. Stands aside.

TOXILUS

Are these things quite clear and certain to you—do you quite remember and understand them?

PÆG.

Better than you who have instructed me.

TOXILUS

Say you so, you whip-rascal?

PÆG.

I really do say so.

TOXILUS

What did I say then P

PÆG.

I'll tell it to her all correctly.

TOXILUS

I' faith, you don't know it.

PÆG.

Troth now, lay me a wager that I don't remember and know it all.

TOXILUS

Why, for my part, I'll lay a wager with you on this, whether you know your own self, how many fingers you have this day upon your hand.

PÆG.

Without hesitation—if you are desirous to lose.

TOXILUS

A fair truce rather let there be.

PÆG.

For that reason, then, do you let me go.

TOXILUS

I both bid and permit you. But I wish you so to attend to it, that you are back home while I'm thinking that you are there.

PÆG.

I'll do so. Moves towards their own house.

TOXILUS

Whither are you now going?

PÆG.

Home; that I may be at home while you are thinking that I am there.

TOXILUS

You are a rascal of a boy, and—for this service I'll give you something to add

[*] to your savings.

PÆG.

I'm aware how want of shame is wont to be imputed to a master's word, and that masters cannot ever be compelled to appear before the judge on account of those promises.

TOXILUS

Be off now.

PÆG.

I'll give you reason to command me.

TOXILUS

But, Pægnium, take you care and give that letter to Lemniselene herself, and tell her what I bade you.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

apart. Do I delay to go whither I was sent?

PÆG.

I'm off.

TOXILUS

Then do be off; I'll off home. Take care and manage this business with attention. Fly post haste. Goes into the house.

PÆG.

That's what the ostrich

[*] is wont to do in the Circus He's off from here m-doors there. But who's this woman that's coming towards me?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

advancing. Surely this is Pægnimn.

PÆG.

This is Sophoclidisca, the private servant of her to whom I'm sent.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

aside. There's not a person this day that's reported to be more artful than this boy. I'll accost him.

PÆG.

At this bar

[*] I must come to a stop.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Pægnium, my charmer of a boy, save you; how are you? How do you do?

PÆG.

Sophoclidisca, the Gods will favour me.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Why "me?" Which of us?

PÆG.

I' faith, I don't know. But if they were to do as you deserve, by my troth they'd hold you in hate, and treat you but badly.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Do leave off your abusive talking.

PÆG.

Since I'm saying just as you I'm talking to deserve, properly, not abusively.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

What are you about now?

PÆG.

Standing opposite to you, looking at a worthless woman.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

For my own part, assuredly, I do not know any more good-for-nothing boy than yourself.

PÆG.

What mischief do I do, or to what person do I speak abusively?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I' faith, to every one that you have the opportunity.

PÆG.

Not an individual has ever thought so.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

But, i' faith, full many a one knows that so it is.

PÆG.

Heyday, indeed!

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Heyday, indeed!

PÆG.

According to your own disposition you judge of the ways of others.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I certainly do confess that I'm just as befits one of a Procurer's household to be.

PÆG.

I've now had enough of your chattering.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

What say you? Do you plead guilty to what I take you to be?

PÆG.

If I were so, I should confess it.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Be off then; you've got the victory.

PÆG.

Now then be off with you.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Do you then tell me this—whither are you going?

PÆG.

Whither are you?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Say you.

PÆG.

Say you.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I was the first to ask.

PÆG.

Then you shall be the last to know.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I'm going not far hence.

PÆG.

And I, indeed, not far.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Whither then, you rascal?

PÆG.

Unless I know first of you, you shall never know this of me that you are enquiring.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

On my honor you shall never this day know before I've heard it of you.

PÆG.

Is such the fact?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Is such the fact?

PÆG.

You are a worthless one.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Rogue.

PÆG.

That befits me.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Me then it does not befit.

PÆG.

What do you say? Are you quite determined, you hussy, to conceal whither you are going?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

And are you quite resolved to hide whither you are betaking yourself, you scoundrel?

PÆG.

You are giving answer to what I say like for like; be off with you then, since such is your determination. I don't care at all to know. Good-bye. Moving.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Stop!

PÆG.

But I'm in a hurry.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

And, i' faith, I as well.

PÆG.

Have you got anything? Pointing to her hand.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Have you anything? Pointing likewise.

PÆG.

Really nothing whatever.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Show me your hand then.

PÆG.

showing his right hand. Is this the hand?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Where is that other, the pilfering left hand?

PÆG.

hiding his left hand. Why, it is at home, d'ye see; I've not brought one hither.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

trying to seize his hand. You've got something, what it is I know not.

PÆG.

pushing her away. Don't be mauling me about you she-groper.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

But suppose I'm in love with you.

PÆG.

You employ your pains to no purpose.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Why so?

PÆG.

Why, because you are in love with nothing at all, when you are in love with one who doesn't return it.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

It befits these youthful looks and age to be on the watch for pleasure il good time; so that, when your hair comes to change its hue, you may not be always in a grovelling servitude. Why, really, as yet you are not eighty pounds in weight.

PÆG.

Still, that warfare is waged much more successfully by spirit than by weight. But I'm losing my pains.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Why so?

PÆG.

Because I'm teaching those who know it all. But I'm loitering here. Moves.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

taking hold of him. Do stop.

PÆG.

You are annoying to me.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

And so I shall be then, if I don't find out whither you are betaking yourself.

PÆG.

To your house.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

And I to your house, i' faith.

PÆG.

Why thither?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

What's that to you?

PÆG.

standing before her. Why, you shan't go now, unless, in return, I know.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

You are teazing.

PÆG.

I choose to.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Never, upon my faith, shall you wring this out of me, so as to prove yourself more artful than I am.

PÆG.

It's a misery to contend with you in artfulness.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

You are a mischievous baggage.

PÆG.

What is there for you to fear?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

The very same that there is for you.

PÆG.

Say then, what is it?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

But I'm forbidden to tell this to any person, and am instructed that all the dumb people are to speak of it before myself.

PÆG.

And most especially was I cautioned not to trust this to any person, so that all the dumb people were to mention this before myself.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Still, do you do so; on giving our words, let's trust each other.

PÆG.

I know this—all procuresses are light of faith, and the weight of a water-gnat

[*] is not more light than is the word of a procurer.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Tell me, there's a dear.

PÆG.

Tell me, there's a dear.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I don't want to be your dear.

PÆG.

You'll easily prevail upon me in that.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Keep it yourself.

PÆG.

And you be mum about this. Showing her a letter.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

It shall be kept a secret.

PÆG.

It shall not be known. She shows him a letter.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I'm carrying this letter to Toxilus, your master.

PÆG.

Be off; he's there at home. And I am carrying this pinewood tablet sealed, to Lemniselene, your mistress.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

What's written there.

PÆG.

If you don't know, pretty much like yourself, I don't know, except soft words, perhaps.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

I'm off.

PÆG.

And I'll be off.

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Move on then. They go into the respective houses.

SAGARISTIO

to himself. To Jove the opulent, the renowned, the son of Ops

[*], the strong, the mighty in power, who riches, hopes, kind plenty does bestow, joyously and gratefully do I offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving, inasmuch as in a friendly way they have bestowed for my friend this opportunity of satisfying his necessity and of borrowing the money, so that I can lend him aid in his need. Whereas I no more dreamed, or thought, or imagined that I should have this opportunity—that same has now fallen from heaven as it were. For my master has sent me to Eretria [*]; he has given me the money to purchase some trained oxen for him; but he said that the fair would take place seven days hence; a simpleton to trust this money to me whose propensity he knew; for this money I shall misapply in some other purpose: there were no oxen for me to buy. Now I'll both promote the success of my friend, and will give my inclination full enjoyment. The pleasures that belong to a long time will I serve up in a single day. Crack, crack [*] it will be upon my back; I don't care. Now, to a person that is my friend I shall present these trained oxen from out of my purse; for this, in fact, is a delightful thing, handsomely to bite your thrice-dotted niggardly, antiquated, covetous, spiritless people, who against their servant seal up the saltcellar with the salt. It's a virtue, when occasion prompts, to hold them in contempt. What will he do to me? He'll order me to be beaten with stripes, the fetters to be put on. I may get a beating. Don't let him fancy that I shall go begging to him. Woe be unto him! Nothing new can now be inflicted upon me but what I have already experienced it. But see, here comes Pægnium, Toxilus's boy.

PÆG.

to himself. My task that was set me I've finished; now I'm hastening home.

SAGARISTIO

Stop, although you are in haste—Pægnium, listen to me.

PÆG.

You ought to buy a person, for you to desire to be obedient to you. Moves on.

SAGARISTIO

Stop there, I say.

PÆG.

You'd be giving some trouble, I fancy, if I were to be owing you anything, who are now so troublesome.

SAGARISTIO

You rascal, will you look back then?

PÆG.

I am aware of what age I am; for that reason you shall get off for this abuse with impunity.

SAGARISTIO

Where is Toxilus, your master?

PÆG.

Wherever he pleases, and he don't ask your advice.

SAGARISTIO

Won't you tell me, then, where he is, you villain?

PÆG.

I don't know, I say, you elm-twig spoiler

[*].

SAGARISTIO

You are abusive to your senior.

PÆG.

As you deserved it first, do you put up with it. My master bade me hold my labour at his bidding, my tongue in freedom.

SAGARISTIO

Will you not tell me, where is Toxilus?

PÆG.

I tell you that—you may go to perdition everlasting.

SAGARISTIO

This day you shall be flogged with a rope's end.

PÆG.

On your account, indeed, you cuckoo! I' faith, you carrion, if I were to give you a broken head, I shouldn't be afraid of that.

SAGARISTIO

I understand you, you've been up to

[*] some bad work just now.

PÆG.

So I have. What business is that to you? But I haven't, like yourself, all for nothing.

SAGARISTIO

Assurance!

PÆG.

I' faith, I certainly am; for I am assured that I shall be free; don't be hoping that you'll ever be so.

SAGARISTIO

Can't you cease your impertinence?

PÆG.

That which you are mentioning, you can't do yourself.

SAGARISTIO

Away with you to utter perdition.

PÆG.

And off home with you; for there it's all ready prepared for you.

SAGARISTIO

He summons me

[*] on my recognizances.

PÆG.

I only wish the sureties may be out of the way, so that you may get to prison.

SAGARISTIO

Why's this?

PÆG.

Aye, why is it?

SAGARISTIO

Still abusing me, rascal?

PÆG.

Why, inasmuch as you are a slave, it ought at least to be allowed a slave to abuse you.

SAGARISTIO

And is it so? Just look holding up his fist what I shall give you.

PÆG.

Nothing; for nothing have you.

SAGARISTIO

May all the Gods and Goddesses confound me, if I don't this very day, if I lay hold of you, fell you to the ground with blows.

PÆG.

I am your friend; I trust that what you wish may befall you, and that it may come to pass; if you fell me

[*], may others make you feel yourself fixed to the cross before long.

SAGARISTIO

But you may the Gods and Goddesses—You understand what I was going to say after that, if I hadn't been able to restrain my tongue. Can't you be off?

PÆG.

You drive me off with ease; for already my shadow's getting

[*] a whipping in-doors. Goes into the house.

SAGARISTIO

to himself. May the Gods and Goddesses confound that fellow! just like a crawling serpent he has got a double tongue, and is a wicked one. Upon my faith, I'm glad he's gone. Going towards the door. Open, you door. But look! he's coming from within, the person that I most especially wished to meet with.

TOXILUS

to SOPHOCLIDISCA. Tell her that it's now arranged whence the money is to come. Bid her be of good heart; tell her that I love her exceedingly. When she cheers up, then does she cheer me up. What I've told you to tell her, do you quite understand it?

SOPHOCLIDISCA

Better than your legs

[*] under-stand you, do I understand it.

TOXILUS

Make all haste, be off home. SOPHOCLIDISCA goes into the house of DORDALUS.

SAGARISTIO

apart. Now I'll make myself a perfect droll towards him; I'll carry myself with arms a-kimbo, and assume a lordly air

[*]. Struts along.

TOXILUS

But who's this that's walking like a two-handled jug

[*]?

SAGARISTIO

apart. I'll spit about me in a dignified style. Spits about.

TOXILUS

Why, surely this is Sagaristio. How are you, Sagaristio? How do you do? Is there any tiny hope in you as to that which I entrusted to you?

SAGARISTIO

in a lofty way. Step this way; it shall be seen to; I would have it done. Advance—move forward.

TOXILUS

What's this swelling

[*] here upon your neck? Touches his neck.

SAGARISTIO

It's a tumour; forbear to press it, for when any person touches it with a rude hand, pain is the result.

TOXILUS

When did that first come upon you?

SAGARISTIO

To-day.

TOXILUS

You should order it to be lanced.

SAGARISTIO

I'm afraid to lance it before it's ripe, lest it should cause me more trouble.

TOXILUS

I'd like to examine your complaint. Comes nearer.

SAGARISTIO

retreatinq. Be off, and do be careful, will you, of the horns. TOX. Why so?

SAGARISTIO

Because a couple of oxen are here in the purse.

TOXILUS

Do let them out, please; don't starve them with hunger—do let them go to pasture.

SAGARISTIO

Why, I'm afraid that I mayn't be able to drive them back to their stall, lest they should wander.

TOXILUS

I'll drive them back; be of good heart,

SAGARISTIO

You shall be trusted then; I'll lend them you Follow this way, please taking the purse from his neck; in this there is the money which you were asking me for a short time since.

TOXILUS

What is it you say?

SAGARISTIO

My master has sent me to Eretria to purchase some oxen; at present my Eretria shall be this house of yours.

TOXILUS

You speak quite enchantingly; and I shall very soon return you all the money safe; for now I've arranged and put in readiness all my devices, in which way I'm to get this money out of this Procurer.

SAGARISTIO

So much the better.

TOXILUS

Both for the damsel to be set at liberty, and, still further, for himself to pay the money. But follow me; I have need of your assistance in this affair.

SAGARISTIO

Make use of it just as you please. They go into the house.