Truculentus, or The Churl (858a-890b)

She’s going, in whose hands are all my fortune and my children.

I see him who has constituted me the guardian of his property.

Madam, here am I.

It certainly is he. What’s the matter, my love?

No love; cease your trifling. I’ve nothing now to do with that subject.

By my faith, I know what you want, and what you desire, and what you ask for. You want to see me; you desire to caress me; you ask for the child.

Immortal Gods! how plain she speaks. How, in a few words, has she hit upon the very point!

As for me, I know that you are betrothed, and that you have a son by your betrothed, and that a wife is now going to be married by you; that now your thoughts are elsewhere, that myself you are going to consider as forsaken. But still consider, the little mouse, how sagacious an animal it is, which never entrusts its life to one hole only;

inasmuch as, if one hole is blocked up, it seeks another as a place of refuge.

When there’s leisure, then I’ll talk to you on those matters more at large; at present, give me up the child.

No; do, there’s a dear, let it be at my house the few next days.

Certainly not.

Do, there’s a dear.

What occasion is there?

It’s for my interest. This for the next three days at least, until the Captain is circumvented somehow;

for that same purpose. If I get anything, it shall be for your own advantage as well. If you take the child away, all hope in the Captain will evaporate from my heart.

I would have that done; but, when it’s taken home, to do it again[*], if I were to wish it, I have not the opportunity. Now make use of the child, and take care of it, because you have the means by which to take care of it.

Upon my faith, I do love you much for this matter. When you shall be afraid of a scolding at home,

do you take shelter here in my house. At least, prove a friend, to help me to a profitable speculation.

Kindly farewell, Phronesium.

Won’t you any longer call me apple of your eye?

That name too, meanwhile, shall be repeated full oft.

Do you wish for anything else?

Fare thee well; when I have leisure, I’ll come to your house.

Well, he’s gone away from here, and has taken his departure; we may say here whatever we please.

’Tis a true proverb that’s quoted, Where the friends are, there are the riches. Through him, there’s still some hope that the Captain may be duped to-day; whom, by the powers, I love better than my own self,—so long as I get out of him what I want: since, when we have got much, not much of it is seen that has been given. Such are the brilliant prospects of Courtesans!

Hush! hush! be quiet.

Prithee, what is it?

The father of the child is coming.

Well, let him come here. Let him, if it only is he,