Trinummus: The Three Pieces of Money (576-602)

The Gods will prosper all your plans.

So I wish.

Come this way with me, Lesbonicus, that a day may be agreed on for the nuptials, in the presence of Lysiteles: this agreement we will ratify on that same day.

Now, Stasimus, go you there (points to the house which he has sold to CALLICLES) to the house of Callicles, to my sister; tell her how this matter has been arranged.

I will go.

And congratulate my sister.

Very well.

Tell Callicles to meet me—

But rather do you go now—

That he may see what is necessary to be done about the portion.

Do go now.

For I have determined not to give her without a portion.

But rather do you go now.

And I will never allow it to be a detriment to her by reason of—

Do be off now.

My recklessness—

Do go now[*].

It seems by no means just, but that, since I have done wrong—

Do go now.

It should be chiefly a detriment to myself.

Do go now.

O my father!

and shall I ever see you again?

Do go now. Go—go now.

I am going.

Do you take care of that which I have asked you. I shall be here directly. (Exit LESBONICUS.)

At length I have prevailed on him to go. In the name of the immortal Gods, i’ faith, ’tis a matter well managed by wrongful means of performance, inasmuch as our piece of land is safe; although even now ’tis still a very doubtful matter what may be the result of this affair.

But, if the land is parted with, ’tis all over[*] with my neck; I must carry a buckler in foreign lands, a helmet too, and my baggage. He will be running away from the city when the nuptials have been celebrated; he will be going hence to extreme and utter ruin, somewhere or other, to serve as a soldier, either to Asia or to Cilicia [*].

I will go there (looking at the door of the house bouight by CALLICLES), where he has ordered me to go, although I detest this house ever since he has driven us out of our abode.

To what effect were you speaking about this, Stasimus?