Rudens, or The Fisherman's Rope (741-776c)

No; born at Athens in Attica, bred and educated there.

Prithee, aged sir, do protect your countrywomen.

O daughter, when I look on her, separated from me you remind me of my miseries: (aloud) she who was lost by me when three years old; now, if she is living, she’s just about as tall, I’m sure, as she.

I paid the money down for these two, to their owners, of whatever country they were. What matters it to me whether they were born at Athens or at Thebes, so long as they are rightfully in servitude as my slaves?

Is it so, you impudent fellow? What, are you, a cat prowling after maidens, to be keeping children here kidnapped from their parents and destroying them in your disgraceful calling?

But as for this other one, I really don’t know what her country is; I only know that she’s more deserving than yourself, you most abominable rascal.

Are these women your property?

Come to the trial, then, which of the two according to his back is the more truthful; if you don’t bear more compliments[*] upon your back than any ship of war[*] has nails, then I’m the greatest of liars.

Afterwards, do you examine mine, when I’ve examined yours; if it shall not prove to be so untouched, that any leather flask maker[*] will say that it is a hide most capital and most sound for the purposes of his business, what reason is there why I shouldn’t mangle you with stripes, even till you have your belly full? Why do you stare at them? If you touch them I’ll tear your eyes out.

Yet notwithstanding, although you forbid me to do so, I’ll at once carry them off both together with me.

What will you do?

I’ll bring Vulcan; he is an enemy to Venus[*].

Whither is he going?

Hallo! Is there anybody here? Hallo! I say.

If you touch the door, that very instant, upon my faith, you shall get a harvest upon your face with fists for your pitchforks[*].

We keep no fire, we live upon dried figs.

I’ll find the fire, if only I have the opportunity of kindling it upon your head.

Faith, I’ll go somewhere to look for some fire.

What, when you’ve found it?

I’ll be making a great fire here.

What, to be burning[*] a mortuary sacrifice for yourself?

No, but I’ll burn both of these alive here upon the altar.

I’d like that. For, by my troth, I’ll forthwith seize you by the head and throw you into the fire,

and, half-roasted, I’ll throw you out as food for the great birds. (Aside.) When I come to a consideration of it with myself, this is that ape, that wanted to take away those swallows from the nest against my will, as I was dreaming in my sleep.

Aged sir, do you know what I request of you? That you will protect these females and defend them from violence, until I fetch my master.

Go look for your master, and fetch him here.

But don’t let him—

At his own extreme peril, if he touches them, or if he attempts to do so.

Take care.

Due care is taken; do you be off.