Rudens, or The Fisherman's Rope (1-1357)

ARCTURUS

[*]

WITH him who sways all nations, seas, and lands, I am a fellow-citizen in the realms of the Gods. I am, as you see

[*], a bright and shining star, a Constellation that ever in its season rises here on earth and in the heavens. Arcturus is my name. By night, I am glittering in the heavens and amid the Gods, passing among mortals in the day. Other Constellations, too, descend from the heavens upon the earth; Jove, who is the ruler of Gods and men—he disperses us here in various directions among the nations, to observe the actions, manners, piety, and faith of men, just as the means of each avail him. Those who commence villanous suits at law upon false testimony, and those who, in court, upon false oath deny a debt, their names written down, do we return to Jove. Each day does he learn who here is calling for vengeance. Whatever wicked men seek here to gain their cause through perjury, who succeed before the judge in their unjust demands, the same case adjudged does he judge over again, and he fines them in a penalty much greater than the results of the judgment they have gained. The good men written down on other tablets [*] does he keep. And still these wicked persons entertain a notion of theirs, that they are able to appease Jupiter with gifts, with sacrifice; both their labour and their cost they lose. This, for this reason, is so, because no petition of the perjured is acceptable to Him. If any person that is supplicating the Deities is pious, he will more easily procure pardon for himself than he that is wicked. Therefore I do advise you this, you who are good and who pass your lives in piety and in virtue—still persevere, that one day you may rejoice that so you did. Now, the reason for which I've come hither, I will disclose to you. First, then, Diphilus [*] has willed the name of this city to be Cyrene [*]. There pointing to the cottage dwells Dæmones, in the country and in a cottage very close adjoining to the sea, an old gentleman who has come hither in exile from Athens, no unworthy man. And still, not for his bad deserts has he left his country, but while he was aiding others, meanwhile himself he embarrassed: a property honorably acquired he lost by his kindly ways. Long since, his daughter, then a little child, was lost; a most villanous fellow bought her of the thief, and this Procurer [*] brought the maiden hither to Cyrene. A certain Athenian youth, a citizen of this city, beheld her as she was going home from the music-school. He begins to love her; to the Procurer he comes; he purchases the damsel for himself at the price of thirty minæ, and gives him earnest, and binds the Procurer with an oath. This Procurer, just as befitted him, did not value at one straw his word, or what, on oath, he had said to the young man. He had a guest, a fit match for himself, an old man of Sicily, a rascal from Agrigentum [*], a traitor to his native city; this fellow began to extol the beauty of that maiden, and of the other damsels, too, that were belonging to him. On this he began to persuade the Procurer to go together with himself to Sicily; he said that there the men were given to pleasure; that there he might be enabled to become a wealthy man; that there was the greatest profit from courtesans. He prevails. A ship is hired by stealth. Whatever he has, by night the Procurer carries it on board ship from his house; the young man who purchased the damsel of him he has told that he is desirous of performing a vow to Venus. This is the Temple of Venus, here pointing at it, and here, for that reason, has he invited the youth hither to a breakfast [*]. From there at once did he embark on board ship, and he carried off the courtesans. Some other persons informed the young man what things were going on, how that the Procurer had departed. When the young man came to the harbour, their ship had got a great way out to sea. When I beheld how that the maiden was being carried off, I brought at the same instant both relief to her and destruction to the Procurer; the storm I rebuked, and the waves of the sea I aroused. For the most violent Constellation of them all am 1, Arcturus; turbulent I am when rising, when I set, more turbulent still. Now, cast ashore there, both the Procurer and his guest are sitting upon a rock; their ship is dashed to pieces. But this maiden, and another as well, her attendant, affrighted, have leaped from the ship into a boat. At this moment the waves are bringing them from the rocks to land, to the cottage of this old man, who is living here in exile, whose roof and tiles the storm has stript off. And this is his servant who is coming out of doors. The youth will be here just now, and you shall see him, who purchased the maiden of the Procurer. Now, fare ye well, and may your foes [*] distrust themselves. (Exit.)

SCEPARNIO

to himself. O ye immortal Gods, what a dreadful tempest has Neptune sent us this last night! The storm has unroofed the cottage. What need of words is there? It was no storm, but what Alcmena met with in Euripides

[*]; it has so knocked all the tiles from off the roof; more light has it given us, and has added to our windows.

PLESIDIPPUS

I have both withdrawn you from your avocations, and that has not succeeded on account of which I've brought you; I could not catch the Procurer down at the harbour. But I have been unwilling to abandon all hope by reason of my remissness; on that account, my friends, have I the longer detained you. Now hither to the Temple of Venus am I come to see, where he was saying that he was about to perform a sacrifice.

SCEPARNIO

aloud to himself, at a distance. If I am wise, I shall be getting ready this clay that is awaiting me. Falls to work digging.

PLESIDIPPUS

looking round. Some one, I know not who, is speaking near to me. Enter DÆMONES, from his house.

DÆM.

Hallo! Sceparnio!

SCEPARNIO

Who's calling me by name?

DÆM.

He who paid his money for you.

SCEPARNIO

turning round. As though you would say, Dæmones, that I am your slave.

DÆM.

There's occasion for plenty of clay[*], therefore dig up plenty of earth. I find that the whole of my cottage must be covered; for now it's shining through it, more full of holes than a sieve.

PLESIDIPPUS

advancing. Health to you, good father, and to both of you, indeed. DÆM. Health to you.

SCEPARNIO

to PLESIDIPPUS, who is muffled up in a coat. But whether are you male or female, who are calling him father?

PLESIDIPPUS

Why really, I'm a man.

DÆM.

Then, man, go seek a father elsewhere. I once had an only daughter, that only one I lost. Of the male sex I never had a child.

PLESIDIPPUS

But the Gods will give—

SCEPARNIO

going on digging. A heavy mischance to you indeed, i' faith, whoever you are, who are occupying us, already occupied, with your prating.

PLESIDIPPUS

pointing to the cottage. Pray are you dwelling there?

SCEPARNIO

Why do you ask that? Are you reconnoitring the place for you to come and rob there?

PLESIDIPPUS

It befits a slave to be right rich in his savings, whom, in the presence of his master, the conversation cannot escape, or who is to speak rudely to a free man.

SCEPARNIO

And it befits a man to be shameless and impudent, for him to whom there's nothing owing, of his own accord to come to the house of another person annoying people.

DÆM.

Sceparnio, hold your tongue. To PLESIDIPPUS. What do you want, young man?

PLESIDIPPUS

A mishap to that fellow, who is in a hurry to be the first to speak when his master's present. But, unless it's troublesome, I wish to make enquiry of you in a few words.

DÆM.

My attention shall be given you, even though in the midst of business.

SCEPARNIO

to PLESIDIPPUS. Rather, be off with you to the marsh, and cut down some reeds

[*], with which we may cover the cottage, while it is fine weather.

DÆM.

Hold your tongue. Do you tell me to PLESIDIPPUS if you have need of anything.

PLESIDIPPUS

Inform me on what I ask you; whether you have seen here any frizzle-headed fellow, with grey hair, a worthless, perjured, fawning knave.

DÆM.

Full many a one; for by reason of fellows of that stamp am I living in misery.

PLESIDIPPUS

Him, I mean, who brought with him to the Temple of Venus here two young women, and who was to make preparations for himself to perform a sacrifice either to-day or yesterday.

DÆM.

By my faith, young man, for these very many days past I haven't seen any one sacrificing there; and yet it can't be unknown to me if any one does sacrifice there. They are always asking here for water, or for fire, or for vessels, or for a knife, or for a spit, or for a pot for cooking

[*], or something or other. What need is there of words? I procured my vessels and my well, for the use of Venus, and not my own. There has now been a cessation of it for these many days past.

PLESIDIPPUS

According to the words you utter, you tell me I'm undone.

DÆM.

Really, so far as I'm concerned, i' faith, you may be safe and sound.

SCEPARNIO

stopping in his digging. Hark you, you that are roaming about Temples for the sake of your stomach, 'twere better for you to order a breakfast to be got ready at home. Perhaps you've been invited here

[*] to breakfast. He that invited you, hasn't he come at all?

PLESIDIPPUS

'Tis the fact.

SCEPARNIO

There's no risk then in your betaking yourself hence home without your breakfast. It's better for you to be a waiter upon Ceres than upon Venus; the latter attends to love, Ceres attends to wheat.

PLESIDIPPUS

to DÆMONES. This fellow has been making sport of me in a digraceful manner.

DÆM.

looking out at the side. O ye immortal Gods, Sceparnio, what means those people near the sea-shore?

SCEPARNIO

According to my notion, they've been invited to a parting breakfast

[*].

DÆM.

How so?

SCEPARNIO

Why, because, after dinner, I fancy, they yesterday washed themselves clean; their ship has gone to pieces out at sea.

DÆM.

looking steadfastly. Such is the fact.

SCEPARNIO

But, i' faith, on dry land our cottage and tiles have done the same.

DÆM.

Oh dear! what unfortunate creatures you are; to SCEPARNIO how the shipwrecked people are swimming.

PLESIDIPPUS

Prithee, where are these people?

DÆM.

pointing to the distance. This way, to the right; don't you see them near the shore?

PLESIDIPPUS

looking the same way. I see them; to his FRIENDS follow me. I only wish it may be he that I'm seeking, that most accursed fellow. To DÆMONES and SCEPARNIO. Fare you well.

SCEPARNIO

If you hadn't put us in mind, we should have thought of that ourselves. (Exeunt PLESIDIPPUS and FRIENDS. SCEPARNIO looks out towards the sea.). But, O Palæmon

[*], hallowed associate of Neptune, who art said to be the partner of Hercules, what shocking thing do I see?

DÆM.

What do you see?

SCEPARNIO

I see two young women sitting in a boat alone. How the poor things are being tossed about That's good, that's good, well done. The surge is driving the boat away from the rock towards the shore. Not a pilot could have ever done it better. I don't think that I ever saw billows more huge. They are saved, if they can escape those waves. Now, now's the danger; it has sent one overboard! See you that one whom the waves have thrown out of the boat? Still, she's in a shallow place; she'll easily wade through it now. O capital! now she's safe; she has escaped from the water; she's now on shore. But that other one has now sprung towards the land from the boat—from her alarm she has fallen into the waves upon her knees. She has got up again; if she takes this direction, the matter's safe; a pause but she has taken to the right, to utter destruction. Ah, she will be wandering all the day—

DÆM.

What signifies that to you?

SCEPARNIO

If she should fall down from that rock towards which she is wending her way, she'll be putting a period to her wandering.

DÆM.

If you are about to dine this evening at their expense, I think you may then be concerned for them, Sceparnio; if you are going to eat at my house, I wish your services to be devoted to myself.

SCEPARNIO

You ask what's good and proper.

DÆM.

Then follow me this way.

SCEPARNIO

I follow

[*]. (Exeunt.)

PALAESTRA

to herself. By heavens, the mishaps of mortals are spoken of as much less bitter than * * * * * * * the sharp pangs that are inflicted in the experience of them * * * * Has this then pleased the Deity, that I, clad in this guise, should, in my terror, be cast upon a spot unknown? Shall I then declare that I have been born to this wretched lot? Do I receive this meed in return for my exemplary piety? For to me it would not prove a hardship to endure this laborious lot, if I had conducted myself undutifully towards my parents or the Gods; but if studiously I have exerted myself to beware of that, then, unduly and unjustly, Deities, you send upon me this. For what henceforth shall the glaringly impious receive, if after this fashion you pay honor to the guiltless? But if I knew that I or my parents had done anything wicked, now should I have grieved the less. But the wickedness of this master of mine is pressing hard upon me, his impiety is causing my woes; everything has he lost in the sea; these are the remains looking at her dress of his property. Even she, who was carried together with me in the boat, was washed out by the violence of the waves; I am now alone. If she at least

[*] had been saved for me, through her aid my affliction here would have been lighter to me. Now, what hope or aid or what counsel shall I receive, a spot so lonesome here have I lighted upon alone? Here are the rocks, here roars the sea, and not one individual comes across my path. This dress that I am clothed in forms all my riches quite entirely; nor know I with what food or roof I am to be provided. What hope have I through which to desire to live? Neither am I acquainted with the place, nor was I ever here before. At least I could have wished for some one who would point out to me either a road or a path from these spots; so much am I now at a loss for advice whether to go this way or that; neither, indeed, do I see [*] anywhere near here a cultivated spot. Cold, distraction, and alarm, have taken possession of all my limbs. My parents, you know not of this, that I am now thus wretched; I that was born a woman entirely free, was so to no purpose. Am I at all the less in servitude now, than if I had been born a slave? And never in any way has it been a profit to those who for their own sakes reared me up. She advances forward, and rests on one side against the cliff.

AMPELISCA

to herself. What is there better for me, what more to my advantage, than to shut out life from my body? So wretched am I in my existence, and so many deadening cares are there in my breast; so despicable is my lot; I care not for my life; I have lost the hope with which I used to comfort myself. All places have I now rambled about, and through each covert spot have I crawled along, to seek my fellow-slave with voice, eyes, ears, that I might trace her out. And still I find her nowhere, nor have I yet determined whither to go, nor where to seek her, nor, in the meantime, do I find any person here to give me an answer, of whom I might make enquiry. No place, too, is there on earth more solitary than are these spots and this locality. And yet, if she lives, never while I exist will I cease before I discover her alive.

PALAESTRA

aloud. Whose voice is it that sounds close by me here?

AMPELISCA

starting. I am alarmed. Who's speaking near me?

PALAESTRA

Prithee, kind Hope, do come to my aid.

AMPELISCA

It's a woman: a woman's voice reaches my ears. Will you not rescue wretched me from this alarm?

PALAESTRA

Surely a woman's voice reached my ears. Prithee is it Ampelisca?

AMPELISCA

Is it you, Palæstra, that I hear?

PALAESTRA

But why don't I call her by her own name, that she may hear me? With a loud voice. Ampelisca!

AMPELISCA

Ha! who's that?

PALAESTRA

'Tis I.

AMPELISCA

Is it Palæstra?

PALAESTRA

It is.

AMPELISCA

Tell me where

[*] you are.

PALAESTRA

Troth, I'm now in the midst of a multitude of woes.

AMPELISCA

I am your partner; and no less is my own share than yours. But I long to see you.

PALAESTRA

In that wish you are my rival.

AMPELISCA

Let's follow our voices with our steps; where are you?

PALAESTRA

See, here am I. Step onward towards me, and come straight on to meet me.

AMPELISCA

I'm doing so with care. They meet in front of the stage.

PALAESTRA

Give me your hand.

AMPELISCA

Take it.

PALAESTRA

Are you still alive Prithee, tell me.

AMPELISCA

You, indeed, make me now wish to live, since I'm empowered to touch you. How hardly can I persuade myself of this, that I am holding you. Prithee, do embrace me they embrace, my only hope; how you are now easing me of all my woes.

PAL. You are beforehand with me in using expressions which belong to me. Now it befits us to be going hence.

AMPELISCA

Prithee, whither shall we go?

PALAESTRA

Let's keep along this sea-shore. Pointing to the shore. AMP. Wherever you please, I'll follow.

PALAESTRA

Shall we go along thus with our wet clothing?

AMPELISCA

That which exists, the same must of necessity be borne. Looking up at the Temple. But, pray, what's this?

PALAESTRA

What is it?

AMPELISCA

Prithee, don't you see this Temple? Pointing towards it.

PALAESTRA

Where is it?

AMPELISCA

On the right hand.

PALAESTRA

I seem to be looking at a place becoming the Divinities.

AMPELISCA

There must be people not far hence; it is so delightful a spot. Whoever the God is, I pray him to relieve us from these troubles, and to succour us females, wretched, helpless, and in distress. They advance towards the Temple, and kneel down before it.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

Who are these, that in their prayers are soliciting aid from my Patroness? For the voice of suppliants has brought me hither out of doors. They pay suit to a kind and compliant Goddess and a Patroness that makes no difficulties, and one who is very benevolent.

PALAESTRA

Mother, we bid you hail.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

Maidens, hail to you. But, prithee, whence am I to say that you are hither come with your wet garments, thus wofully arrayed?

PALAESTRA

Just now, we came from a place there pointing towards the shore, not a great way from this spot; but it is a great way off from here, whence we have been brought hither.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

Have you been borne, do you mean, by a ship, the wooden steed

[*], over the azure paths?

PALAESTRA

Even so.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

Then it were more fitting that you should have come arrayed in white and provided with victims; it isn't the practice for people to come to this Temple in that fashion. Pointing at their dresses.

PALAESTRA

Prithee, whence would you have us, who have been both cast away at sea, to be bringing victims hither? Now, in want of assistance, do we embrace your knees, we who are of hopes undefined in places unknown, that you may receive us under your roof and shelter us, and that you will pity the miseries of us both, who have neither any place of refuge nor hope at hand, nor have anything whatever of our own beyond that which you see.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

Give me your hands, arise, both of you, from off your knees; no one among women is more compassionate than I. They arise from the ground. But, maidens, my circumstances are poor and limited; with difficulty I support my own existence; Venus I serve for my maintenance.

AMPELISCA

Prithee, is this a Temple of Venus?

PTOLEMOCRATIA

I will admit it; I am styled the Priestess of this Temple. But whatever it is, it shall be done by me with a hearty welcome, so far as my means shall suffice. Come with me this way.

PALAESTRA

Kindly and attentively, mother, do you show your attentions to us.

PTOLEMOCRATIA

So I ought to do. They go into the Temple.

A FISHERMAN.

Persons who are poor live wretchedly in every way, especially those who have no calling and have learned no art. Of necessity must that be deemed enough, whatever they have at home. From our garb, then, you pretty well understand how wealthy we are. These hooks and these rods here are as good to us as a calling and as our clothing. Each day from the city do we come out hither to the sea to seek for forage. Instead of exertion in the wrestling-school and the place for exercise, we have this: sea-urchins, rock-mussels, oysters, limpets

[*], cockles, sea-nettles, sea-mussels and spotted crabs [*], we catch. After that, we commence our fishing with the hook and among the rocks, and thus we take our food from out of the sea. If success does not befall us, and not any fish is taken, soaked in salt water [*] and thoroughly drenched, we quietly betake ourselves home, and without dinner go to sleep. And since the sea is now in waves so boisterous, no hopes have we; unless we take some cockles, without a doubt we've had our dinners. Now let's adore good Venus here, that she may kindly befriend us to-day. They advance towards the door of the Temple.

TRACHALIO

to himself. I've carefully given all attention that I mightn't pass my master anywhere; for when some time since he went out of the house, he said that he was going to the harbour, and he ordered me to come here to meet him at the Temple of Venus. But see, opportunely do I espy some people standing here of whom I may enquire; I'll accost them. Goes up to the FISHERMEN. Save you, thieves of the sea, shellfish-gatherers and hook-fishers

[*], hungry race of men, how fare ye? How perish apace [*]?

FISHERMEN of Cyrene.

Just as befits a fisherman with hunger, thirst, and expectation.

TRACHALIO

Have you seen to-day, while you've been standing here, any young man, of courageous aspect, ruddy, stout, of genteel appearance, come by this way, who was taking with him three men in scarfs, with swords?

FISHERMEN of Cyrene.

We know of no one coming this way of that appearance which you mention.

TRACHALIO

Have you seen any old fellow, bald on the forehead and snub-nosed, of big stature, pot-bellied, with eyebrows awry, a narrow forehead, a knave, the scorn of Gods and men, a scoundrel, one full of vile dishonesty and of iniquity, who had along with him two very pretty-looking young women?

FISHERMEN of Cyrene.

One who has been born with qualities and endowments of that sort, 'twere really fitter for him to resort to the executioner than to the Temple of Venus.

TRACHALIO

But tell me if you have seen him.

FISHERMEN of Cyrene.

Really, no one has passed this way. Fare you well.

TRACHALIO

Fare ye well. (Exeunt FISHERMEN.)

TRACHALIO

to himself. I thought so; it has come to pass as I suspected; my master has been deceived; the cursed Procurer has taken himself off to distant lands. He has embarked on board ship, and carried the women away; I'm a wizard. He invited my master here to breakfast, as well, this very spawn of wickedness. Now what is better for me than to wait here in this spot until my master comes? At the same time, if this Priestess of Venus knows anything more, if I see her, I'll make enquiries; she'll give me the information.

AMPELISCA

to the PRIESTESS, within. I understand; here at this cottage pointing to it, which is close by the Temple of Venus, you've requested me to knock and ask for water.

TRACHALIO

Whose voice is it that has flown to my ears?

AMPELISCA

Prithee, who's speaking here? Who is it that I see?

TRACHALIO

Isn't this Ampelisca that's coming out from the Temple?

AMPELISCA

Isn't this Trachalio that I see, the servant of Plesidippus?

TRACHALIO

It is she.

AMPELISCA

It is he; Trachalio, health to you.

TRACHALIO

Health, Ampelisca, to you; how fare you?

AMPELISCA

In misery I pass a life not far advanced

[*].

TRACHALIO

Do give some better omen.

AMPELISCA

Still it behoves all prudent persons to confer and talk together. But, prithee, where's your master, Plesidippus?

TRACHALIO

Marry, well said, indeed; as if he wasn't within there. Pointing to the Temple.

AMPELISCA

By my troth, he isn't, nor, in fact, has he come here at all.

TRACHALIO

He hasn't come?

AMPELISCA

You say the truth.

TRACHALIO

That's not my way, Ampelisca. But how nearly is the breakfast got ready?

AMPELISCA

What breakfast, I beg of you?

TRACHALIO

The sacrifice, I mean, that you are performing here.

AMPELISCA

Prithee, what is it you are dreaming about?

TRACHALIO

For certain, Labrax invited Plesidippus hither to a breakfast, your master, my master.

AMPELISCA

By my troth, you're telling of no wondrous facts: if he has deceived Gods and men, he has only acted after the fashion of Procurers.

TRACHALIO

Then neither yourselves nor my master are here performing a sacrifice.

AMPELISCA

You are a wizard.

TRACHALIO

What are you doing then?

AMPELISCA

The Priestess of Venus has received here into her abode both myself and Palæstra, after many mishaps and dreadful alarm, and from being in danger of our lives, destitute of aid and of resources.

TEACH.

Prithee, is Palæstra here, the beloved of my master?

AMPELISCA

Assuredly.

TRACHALIO

Great joyousness is there in your news, my dear Ampelisca. But I greatly long to know what was this danger of yours.

AMPELISCA

Last night our ship was wrecked, my dear Trachalio.

TRACHALIO

How, ship? What story's this?

AMPELISCA

Prithee, have you not heard in what way the Procurer intended secretly to carry us away hence to Sicily, and how, whatever there was at home, he placed on board ship? That has all gone to the bottom now.

TRACHALIO

O clever Neptune, hail to thee! Surely, no dicer is more skilful than thyself. Decidedly a right pleasant throw

[*] hast thou made; thou didst break a-villain. But where now is the Procurer Labrax?

AMPELISCA

Perished through drinking, I suppose; Neptune last night invited him to deep potations.

TRACHALIO

By my troth, I fancy it was given him to drink by way of cup of necessity

[*]. How much I do love you, my dear Ampelisca; how pleasing you are; what honied words you do utter. But you and Palæstra, in what way were you saved?

AMPELISCA

I'll let you know. Both in affright, we leapt from the ship into a boat, because we saw that the ship was being borne upon a rock; in haste, I unloosed the rope, while they were in dismay. The storm separated us from them with the boat in a direction to the right. And so, tossed about by winds and waves, in a multitude of ways, we, wretched creatures, during the livelong night * * * * * * * half dead, the wind this day has scarce borne us to the shore.

TRACHALIO

I understand; thus is Neptune wont to do; he is a very dainty Ædile

[*]; if any wares are bad, over he throws them all.

AMPELISCA

Woe to your head and life!

TRACHALIO

To your own, my dear Ampelisca. I was sure that the Procurer would do that which he has done; I often said so. It were better I should let my hair grow

[*], and set up for a soothsayer.

AMPELISCA

Did you not take care then, you and your master, that he shouldn't go away, when you knew this?

TRACHALIO

What could he do?

AMPELISCA

If he was in love, do you ask what he could do? Both night and day he should have kept watch; he should have been always on his guard. But, by my troth, he has done like many others; thus finely has Plesidippus taken care of her.

TRACHALIO

For what reason do you say that?

AMPELISCA

The thing is evident.

TEACH.

Don't you know this? Even he who goes to the bath to bathe, while there he carefully keeps an eye upon his garments, still they are stolen; inasmuch as some one of those that he is watching is a rogue; the thief easily marks him for whom he's upon the watch; the keeper knows not which one is the thief. But bring me to her; where is she?

AMPELISCA

Well then, go here into the Temple of Venus; you'll find her sitting there, and in tears.

TRACHALIO

How disagreable is that to me already. But why is she weeping?

AMPELISCA

I'll tell you; she's afflicting herself in mind for this; because the Procurer took away a casket from her which she had, and in which she kept that by which she might be enabled to recognize her parents; she fears that this has been lost.

TRACHALIO

Where was that little casket, pray?

AMPELISCA

There, on board the ship; he himself locked it up in his wallet, that there mightn't be the means by which she might recognize her parents.

TRACHALIO

O scandalous deed! to require her to be a slave, who ought to be a free woman.

AMPELISCA

Therefore she now laments that it has gone to the bottom along with the ship. There, too, was all the gold and silver of the Procurer.

TRACHALIO

Some one, I trust, has dived and brought it up.

AMPELISCA

For this reason is she sad and disconsolate, that she has met with the loss of them.

TRACHALIO

Then have I the greater occasion to do this, to go in and console her, that she mayn't thus distress herself in mind. For I know that many a lucky thing has happened to many a one beyond their hopes.

AMPELISCA

But I know too that hope has deceived many who have hoped.

TRACHALIO

Therefore a patient mind is the best remedy for affliction. I'll go in, unless you wish for anything. Goes into the Temple.

AMP. GO.

To herself. I'll do that which the Priestess requested me, and I'll ask for some water here at the neighbour's; for she said that if I asked for it in her name, they would give it directly. And I do think that I never saw a more worthy old lady, one to whom I should think that it is more befitting for Gods and men to show kindness. How courteously, how heartily, how kindly, how, without the least difficulty, she received us into her home, trembling, in want, drenched, shipwrecked, half dead; not otherwise, in fact, than if we had been her own offspring. How kindly did she herself, just now, tucking up her garments, make the water warm for us to bathe. Now, that I mayn't keep her waiting, I'll fetch some water from the place where she requested me. Knocking at the door of DÆMONES. Hallo, there, is there any one in the cottage? is any one going to open this door? Will any one come out?

SCEPARNIO

Who is it so furiously making an attack upon our door?

AMPELISCA

It's I.

SCEPARNIO

Well now, what good news is there? Aside. Dear me, a lass of comely appearance, i' troth.

AMPELISCA

Greeting to you, young man.

SCEPARNIO

And many greetings to you, young woman.

AMPELISCA

I'm come to you—

SCEPARNIO

I'll receive you with a welcome, if you come in the evening, by-and-by, just such as I could like; for just now I've no means

[*] to receive you, a damsel, thus early in the morning * * * But what have you to say, my smiling, pretty one. Chucks her under the chin.

AMPELISCA

Oh, you're handling me too familiarly. Moves away.

SCEPARNIO

O ye immortal Gods! she's the very image of Venus. What joyousness there is in her eyes, and, only do see, what a skin 'tis of the vulture's tint[*],—rather, the eagle's, indeed, I meant to say. Her breasts, too, how beautiful; and then what expression on her lips! Takes hold of her.

AMPELISCA

struggling. I'm no common commodity for the whole township

[*]; can't you keep your hands off me?

SCEPARNIO

patting her. Won't you let me touch you, gentle one, in this manner, gently and lovingly? * * * * * * * *

AMPELISCA

When I have leisure, then I'll be giving my attention to toying and dalliance to please you; for the present, prithee, do either say me "Yes" or "No" to the matter for which I was sent hither.

SCEPARNIO

What now is it that you wish?

AMPELISCA

pointing to her pitcher. To a shrewd person, my equipment would give indications of what it is I want.

SCEPARNIO

To a shrewd woman, this equipment, too, of mine, would give indication of what it is I want.

AMPELISCA

pointing to the Temple. The Priestess there of Venus, requested me to fetch some water from your house here. ⋯

SCEPARNIO

But I'm a lordly sort of person; unless you entreat me, you shan't have a drop. We dug this well with danger to ourselves, and with tools of iron. Not a drop can be got out of me except by means of plenty of blandishments.

AMPELISCA

Prithee, why do you make so much fuss about the water—a thing that even enemy affords to enemy?

SCEPARNIO

Why do you make so much fuss about granting a favour to me, that citizen grants to citizen?

AMPELISCA

On the contrary, my sweet one, I'll even do everything for you that you wish.

SCEPARNIO

O charming! I am favoured; she's now calling me her sweet one. The water shall be given you, so that you mayn't be coaxing me in vain. Give me the pitcher.

AMPELISCA

Take it gives it to him: make haste and bring it out, there's a dear.