Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 938 sections

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Dramatis Personae SILENUS, the Divinity, who speaks the Prologue. NICOBULUS, an aged citizen of . MNESILOCHUS, his son. PHILOXENUS, another aged citizen of . PISTOCLERUS, his son. LYDUS, servant of Philoxenus, and tutor of Pistoclerus. CHRYSALUS, servant of Nicobulus. CLEOMACHUS, a Captain of . A PARASITE of Cleomachus. BOY, servant of Cleomachus. SERVANT of Pistoclerus (in the introductory fragment). ARTAMO, servant of Nicobulus. FIRST BACCHIS Twin-sisters, Courtesans. SECOND BACCHIS
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Scene—Athens: before the houses of the FIRST BACCHIS and of PHILOXENUS which are in the same street.)
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THE SUBJECT. MNESILOCHUS, when absent at Ephesus, writes and requests his friend, Pistoclerus, to search for his mistress, Bacchis, who has left Athens with a military Captain. Having discovered her on her return to Athens, Pistoclerus falls in love with her twin-sister, whose name is also Bacchis, and is severely reproved by his tutor, Lydus, for so doing. Mnesilochus returns to Athens, and discovers from Lydus that his friend Pistoclerus is in love with a female of the name of Bacchis. He thereupon imagines that he has supplanted him with his own mistress, and in his anger resolves to restore to his father some money of his which he had gone to Ephesus to recover, and a part of which he had contrived, through a scheme of the servant Chrysalus, to retain, in order that he might redeem his mistress from the Captain. Having afterwards discovered the truth, he greatly repents that he has done so, as the officer threatens to carry Bacchis off instantly, if the money is not paid. On this, Chrysalus contrives another stratagem against Nicobulus, his aged master, and makes him, through fear of the Captain’s threats, pay the required sum. Having gained not only this but a still further sum of money, the young men regale themselves at the house of Bacchis. Nicobulus afterwards discovers from the Captain the trick that has been played upon him, and he and Mnesilochus repair to the house of Bacchis to demand their sons. The damsels, hereupon, apply themselves to coaxing the old men, who are at last persuaded to forgive their sons and Chrysalus and to go into the house and join the entertainment.
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THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. MNESILOCHUS is inflamed with love for Bacchis (Bacchidis). But, first of all, he goes to Ephesus, to bring back some gold (Aurum). Bacchis sails for Crete (Cretam), and meets with (Convenit) the other Bacchis; thence she returns to Athens; upon this (Hinc), Mnesilochus sends a letter to Pistoclerus, that he may seek for her (Illam). He returns; he makes a quarrel while (Dum) he supposes that his own mistress is beloved by Pistoclerus; when they have discovered the mistake as to the twin-sisters, Mnesilochus pays the gold to that (Ei) Captain; equally are the two in love. The old men (Senes), while they are looking after their sons, join the women, and carouse.
prologue.pr.p1
’Tis a wonder if the spectators on the benches this day don’t hiss, and cough, and make a snorting noise at this ridiculous sight, furrow their brows, and, with cries with one consent, shout all aloud, and mutter imprecations.
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Hardly in their youth can beardless actors, or mimics with their beards plucked out, find room upon the stage. Why comes forth this aged and lethargic go-between, who is borne upon the ass’s back? Listen, I pray, and give me your attention,
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while I tell you the name of this quiet Comedy. ’Tis proper for you to make silence for a Divinity. It befits not those to use the resources of the voice, who come here not to exclaim, but to be spectators. Give me attentive ears; but not into my hands I mean;
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I wish my voice, as it flies, to strike these vacant ears. What do you fear? Are those blows more hurtful which open what is shut, or which close what is open? You’re very kind; the inhabitants of heaven do love you deservedly. There is profound silence—even the children are still—
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and now, attend to a new-come messenger, on a new errand. Who I am—why I am come to you—I’ll tell you in a few words; at the same time, I’ll disclose to you the name of this Comedy. Now, behold, I shall tell you what you wish to know; do you then give me your attention.
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I am a God of Nature, the foster-father of most mighty Bromius, him who, with a female army, gained a kingdom. Whatever about him renowned nations relate, some part, at least, has been accomplished by my advice. That which pleases me is never displeasing to him.
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’Tis right if one father another father does obey. Ass-borne do the Ionian multitudes style me, because I am borne on an ass for my conveyance. Who I am, you understand: if you understand, allow me now to tell the name of this quiet play;
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at the same time, you may learn why I have come to you. Philemon formerly produced a play in Greek; this, those who speak the Greek language call Evantides. Plautus, who speaks the Latin, calls it Bacchides. ’Tis not to be wondered, then, if hither I have come.
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Bacchus sends to you the Bacchides—the Bacchanalian Bacchanals. I am bringing them unto you. What! Have I told a lie? It don’t become a God to tell a lie; but the truth I tell—I bring not them; but the salacious ass, wearied with its journey, is bringing to you three, if I remember right.
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One you behold; see now, what on my lips I bring—to wit, two Samian sisters, Bacchanalians, merry Courtesans, born of the same parents, at one time, at a twin-birth; not less alike than milk to milk, if you compare it,
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or water to water; were you to see them you would think them halved; so much would you confuse your sight, that you would not be able to distinguish which was which. What remains you long to hear. Now give attention: the story of this Play I will disclose.
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What country Samos is, is known to all; for seas, lands, mountains, and islands, have your legions made easy of access. There, Sostrata bore to her husband, Pyrgoteles Pyrocles, twin daughters at one birth;
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and it pleased them, being initiated at the triennial festival of Bacchus, to call after his name the damsels of which they were the parents. The parents, as often happens, gave a turn to their future fortunes. A Captain carried one of them with him to Crete. The other of the twins sailed for Athens .
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As soon as Mnesilochus, the son of Nicobulus, beheld her, he began to love her, and frequently paid her visits. Meantime, his father sent the youth to Ephesus, to bring back thence some gold, which he himself, some time before, had deposited with Archidemides,
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an ancient friend of his, an aged Phœnician. When, for two years he had stayed at Ephesus, he received the sad news that Bacchis was gone from Athens, for some sailors of his acquaintance sent him word that she had set sail.
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On this, he writes a letter to Pistoclerus, his only friend, the son of Philoxenus, entreating him to seek the fugitive with care and earnestness. While Pistoclerus is devoting his services to his friend, the twin-sisters, who have just returned to Athens, arouse a passion in the seeker.
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The one wins Pistoclerus for herself; the other longs for the coming of Mnesilochus. What wonder if two bewitching, merry, pretty Bacchantes, should attract to themselves two unfledged Bacchanalians, and if they should ensnare their decrepit, most aged fathers, fit subjects for the undertaker, bowed down by the weight of their years?
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But, see, here’s Pistoclerus, who is returning to the Bacchides so lately found, and in his simplicity is blowing in himself the sparks of passion so lately kindled. Now I’m off—do you attend.
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those who are of a thrifty turn of mind, modest, and without servility.
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Chains, rods, and mills; their shocking brutality becomes worse.
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She who keeps my friend and me engaged.
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I have heard that Ulysses underwent toils innumerable, who, in wanderings, was twenty years away from his native land. But this young man by far outdoes Ulysses; who here in this spot is wandering within the walls of the city.
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She was of the same name with myself.
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Sweep out the house with brooms, work briskly.
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Will some one call
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that most dirty fellow with the water-pail and the water.
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But if a life of wantonness is perchance preferred by you, consider the price that I agreed to give you that at that age you might not be following me for nought
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that from no one else you might be receiving a yearly pay, except from oneself, nor be toying with any man
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like slugs upon a man.
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As like as milk is to milk;
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whatever is her name
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The soldier who sells his life for gold
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I know that his breath is much stronger than when the bellows of bull’s hide are blowing, when the rocks melt where the iron is made.
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Of what country did he seem to you?
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I think he is of Praeneste; he was such a boaster.
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The city and I don’t think it is in spurious boastfulness.
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My heart, my hope,
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my honey, my sweetness, my nutriment, my delight.
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Let me bestow on you my love
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the Arabian
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Has Cupid or has love overpowered you?
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Perhaps to suspect that you are in love.
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Get money from that quarter
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for I really do believe that with ease you can enchant the heart of any man.
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And suppose it is much better that you should hold your peace, and I should speak?
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With pleasure; you may proceed.
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When my memory shall fail me, then do you take care to aid me, sister.
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I’ faith, I’m more afraid that I shan’t have the choice of prompting you.
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Troth, I’m afraid the little nightingale may lose her powers of song. Follow this way.
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What are these two Courtesans, the namesake-sisters, about?
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Nothing is there more wretched than a woman.
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What, say you, is there more worthy of it?
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What have you been planning in your consultation?
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What’s proper?
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I’ faith, that doesn’t belong to the Courtesan.
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This sister of mine entreats me so to find some person to protect her against this Captain; that when she as served her time he may bring her back home. Do you, I entreat you, be her protector.
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Why should I protect her?
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That she may be brought home again,
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when she has fulfilled her engagement to him, so that he may not take her as a servant for himself. But, if she had the gold to pay him back again, gladly would she do so.
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Where now is this person?
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I expect that he’ll be here just now. But this you’ll be able to arrange better among ourselves; and sitting there, you shall wait until he comes. So you will drink some wine, and so, I’ll give you a kiss when you have drunk it.
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Your coaxing is mere birdlime.
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How so?
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Because, in fact, I understand how you two are aiming at one poor pigeon, myself; (aside) very nearly is the limed reed breaking my feathers. Madam, I judge that such deeds befit me not.
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Why so, I pray?
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Bacchis, it is, because I dread you Bacchantes, and your Bacchanalian den.
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What is it that you dread? Surely, not that the couch in my house may lead you into mischief?
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Your allurements, more than your couch, do I dread. You’re a mischievous serpent. But, madam, a lurking-place does not befit this youthful age.
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Should you wish at my house to do anything that’s unwise, I myself should hinder it. But, when the Captain comes, I wish you to be at my house for this reason; because, when you are present, no one will do her and me any injury.
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You will prevent that, and by the same means you will be aiding your friend; this Captain, too, on arriving, will suspect that I am your mistress. Why are you silent, pray?
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Because these things are pleasant in the talking of; but in the practice, and when you make trial, the same are armed with stings. They pierce the feelings, goad one’s fortune, and wound one’s merits and character.
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What do you dread from her?
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What do I dread, do you ask? Am I a person in my youth to enter a place of exercise of such a nature, where people sweat to their undoing?—where for the quoit I rereive a loss, disgrace, too, for my running?
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How charmingly you do talk.
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Where I’m to take a turtle-dove instead of a sword, and where another puts into my hand the goblet instead of the cestus; the drinking-cup is in place of the helmet, the wreathed garland instead of the crest,
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the dice in place of the lance. For the coat of mail I should have to assume a soft cloak; where, too, in place of a horse a couch must be given me,—for shield, a strumpet may be lying by me. Avaunt from me—avaunt!
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O, you’re too fierce.
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I am attending to my own interests.
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You must be softened down; and, in fact, I offer you my aid in this.
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But you are too expensive an assistant.
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Do pretend that you are in love with me.
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Whether should I be pretending that in jest, or seriously?
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Well said! better to do the last. When the Captain comes here, I want you to embrace me.
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What need is there of my doing that?
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I want him to see you. I know what I’m about?
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And I, i’ faith, I know not what I’m in fear of. But what say you—?
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What’s the matter now?
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Well, suppose perchance on a sudden a breakfast or a drinking bout,
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or else a dinner, should take place at your house, just as is the wont in such places of resort; where, then, should I take my place?
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Near myself, my life, that with a she wit a he wit may be reclining at the repast. A place here, at our house, should you come late, is always at your service. When you wish right merrily to disport yourself, my rosebud, you say to me, Do let me enjoy myself to-day, I’ll provide you a delightful place where it may be so.
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Here is a rapid stream; not without hazard can this way be passed.
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And, by my troth, something must you lose amid this stream. (Aloud.) Give me your hand and follow me.
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O, by no means.
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Why so?
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Because to a man in his youth nothing can be more alluring than these—night, women, wine.
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Away, then, with you; for my part, I don’t at all care for it, but for your own sake.

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