Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 938 sections

4.4.681d
Every jot.
4.4.681e
We are done for. How came it into your mind to do this deed so foul?
4.4.683
I had a suspicion, Chrysalus, by reason of a charge, that Bacchis and he (pointing to PISTOCLERUS) had been playing me false; for that reason, in my anger, I gave up all the gold
4.4.685
to my father.
4.4.685b
What did you say to your father when you gave up the gold?
4.4.686
That I had at once received this gold from his host, Archidemides.
4.4.686b
Eh! by that speech you have this day consigned Chrysalus to the torture; for, when he shall set eyes on me, the old gentleman will carry me off that instant to the executioner.
4.4.689
I’ve besought my father.
4.4.689b
I suppose, to do, in fact, the thing that I was speaking of?
4.4.690
Nay, not to punish you, or to blame you at all on account of this business. And with some difficulty I’ve prevailed. Now, Chrysalus, this must be your care.
4.4.692
What do you wish should be my care?
4.4.692b
That once again you should make a second inroad upon the old gentleman. Contrive, devise, invent whatever you please; frame your plans, so that this day you may cleverly deceive the old man unawares, and carry off the gold.
4.4.695
It scarcely seems possible to be done.
4.4.695b
Set about it, and you’ll easily effect it.
4.4.696
How the plague easily, for me, whom he has this moment caught out in a lie? Should I entreat him not to believe me at all, he would not venture even to believe me in that.
4.4.698
Aye, and if you were to hear what things he said about you in my presence.
4.4.699
What did he say?
4.4.699b
That if you were to say that this sun was the sun,
4.4.700
he would believe it was the moon, and that that is the night which is now the day.
4.4.701
By my troth, I’ll bamboozle the old chap right well this very day, so that he shan’t have said that for nothing.
4.4.702
Now, what would you have us do?
4.4.702b
Why, nothing, except that I beg you’ll still love on. As for the rest, ask of me as much gold as you please; I’ll find it you. Of what use is it for me to have the name of Chrysalus, unless I give proofs by fact?
4.4.705
But now, tell me, Mnesilochus, how much gold is requisite for you.
4.4.706
There’s occasion for two hundred pieces at once, to pay the Captain for Bacchis.
4.4.707
I’ll find it you.
4.4.707b
Then we have need of some for current expenses.
4.4.707c
Aye, aye, I wish us to do each thing deliberately; when I’ve accomplished the one, then I’ll set about the other. First, for the two hundred pieces, I shall direct my engine of war against the old gentleman.
4.4.710
If with that engine I batter down the tower and the outworks, straight at the gate that instant I’ll attack the old town and the new one; if I take it, then carry to your friends the gold in baskets, just as your heart wishes.
4.4.713b
Our hearts are with you, Chrysalus.
4.4.714
Now, do you go in-doors to Bacchis, Pistoclerus, and quickly bring out—
4.4.715
What?
4.4.715b
A pen, some wax, tablets, and some cord.
4.4.715c
I’ll have them here this instant.
4.4.716
What now are you about to do? Do tell me that.
4.4.716b
Let a breakfast be prepared; there will be you two, and your mistress will make a third with you.
4.4.718
Just as you say.
4.4.718b
Pistoclerus has no mistress?
4.4.718c
O yes, she’s here; he’s in love with the one sister, I with the other, both of the name of Bacchis.
4.4.720
What were you going to say?
4.4.720b
This; how we are to manage.
4.4.720c
Where are your couches laid out?
4.4.721b
Why o you ask that?
4.4.721c
So the matter stands; I wish to be informed. You know not what I am about to do, nor what a great exploit I shall attempt.
4.4.723
Give me your hand, and follow me close, to the door. Peep in.
4.4.724
Hurra! ’Tis a very pretty place, this, and exactly as I could wish it to be.
4.4.726
The things that you ordered—what’s ordered for a good purpose is forthwith done by the obedient.
4.4.727
What have you brought?
4.4.727b
Everything that you bade me bring.
4.4.728
Do you take the pen at once, and these tablets.
4.4.728b
What then?
4.4.729
Write there what I shall bid you; for I wish you to write for this reason,
4.4.730
that your father may know the hand when he reads it.
4.4.731
Write now.
4.4.731b
What shall I write?
4.4.731c
Health to your father, in your own language.
4.4.732
Suppose he were to write disease and death, in preference, that would be much better.
4.4.733
Don’t you interrupt us.
4.4.733b
What you have ordered is now written on the wax.
4.4.733c
Tell me in what terms.
4.4.734
Mnesilochus sends health to his father.
4.4.734b
Write this, too, quickly:
4.4.735
My father, Chrysalus is always and everywhere talking at me, and in no measured terms, because I gave you up the gold, and because I did not cheat you of it.
4.4.737
Stop till he has written it.
4.4.737b
It befits the hand of a lover to be active.
4.4.738
I’ faith, that hand is more active by far at lavishing than at writing.
4.4.739
Say on; that’s written down.
4.4.739b
Now, my dear father, do you henceforth be on your guard against him,
4.4.740
for he is forming knavish plans to deprive you of the gold, and has declared that he will have it beyond a doubt. Write legibly.
4.4.742
You only dictate.
4.4.742b
And he promises that he will give this gold to me, for me to give away to naughty women, and to consume it and live like a Greek in dens of infamy. But, father, do you take care that he does not impose on you this day; I entreat you, do beware.
4.4.745
Only say on.
4.4.745b
Just write on, then.
4.4.745c
Only say what I am to write
4.4.746
But, father, what you promised me I beg that you will remember, that you will not beat him, but keep him in chains at your house at home. Do you give me the wax and cord forthwith. Come, fasten it, and seal it in an instant.
4.4.749
Prithee, what use is there in this writing after such a fashion,
4.4.750
that he is to give no credence to you, and to keep you in chains at home?
4.4.751
Because it pleases me so. Can’t you possibly take care of your own self, and have no thought about me? In confidence in myself I undertook the task, and at my own peril do I carry on the matter.
4.4.753
You say what’s true.
4.4.753b
Give me the tablets.
4.4.753c
Take them.
4.4.753d
Give attention now; Mnesilochus, and you, Pistoclerus, do you take care that each of you goes at once and reclines on his couch
4.4.755
with his mistress; so ’tis requisite; and on that same spot where the couches are now laid, do you forthwith commence to carouse.
4.4.757
Anything else?
4.4.757b
This, and this especially: when you shall have once taken your places together, don’t you arise anyhow, until the signal shall be given by me.
4.4.759
O skilful commander!
4.4.759b
You ought by this time to have taken your second draught.
4.4.760
Capital; let’s go.
4.4.760b
Do you take care of your duty, and I’ll do mine.
4.5.761
A tremendously great business am I undertaking, and I have my fears how in this one day I may accomplish it. But now I have occasion for the old blade to be fierce and savage at me. For it suits not this plan of mine
4.5.765
that the old fellow should be calm when he has beheld me in his presence. I’ll turn him about this day, finely, if I live. I’ll have him parched as well as ever pea was parched. I’ll walk before the door, that when he comes out, at once as he comes up, I may put the letters in his hand.
4.6.770
This is a matter of great vexation to me, that Chrysalus has thus escaped me this day.
4.6.772
I’m all right: the old fellow is in a passion. Now’s my time for me to accost my man.
4.6.773b
Who speaks hard by? (Looking round.) Why surely this is Chrysalus, I think.
4.6.774b
I’ll accost him.
4.6.775
My honest servant, hail to you. What’s doing now? How soon do I set sail for Ephesus, to bring back the gold home from Theotimus? What—silent? I swear by all the Gods, if I didn’t love my son so much as to wish everything done for him that he desires
4.6.779_780
that your sides should be wealed now right well with rods, and that in irons at the mill you should be lingering out your life. I’ve learnt of Mnesilochus all your wicked pranks.
4.6.783
Has he accused me? ’Tis very good; I am a bad one, I am a cursed one—a wicked one. Only reflect upon the matter. I’ll utter not one word.
4.6.785b
What? Hangdog, do you even threaten me?
4.6.786c
You’ll find out before long what sort of man he is. He ordered me just now to carry this letter to you. He requested that that which is there written may be done.
4.6.789
Give it me.

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