Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 938 sections

4.8.903b
Demand it, and go hang yourself; don’t you suppose, you worthless fellow, that we shall be entreating of you. (Exit CLEOMACHUS.)
4.8.905
He’s taken himself off. Permit me, master, I entreat you by the immortal Gods, to go in-doors here to your son.
4.8.907
But why go in there?
4.8.907b
That with many words I may rebuke him, since after this fashion he has been going on this way.
4.8.909
Well, I beg you will do so, Chrysalus; and I entreat you not to spare him in your talking to him.
4.8.910b
And do you instruct even myself? Isn’t it sufficient, if this day he shall hear from me more harsh things than ever Clinias heard from Demetrius?
4.8.913
This servant of mine is very like a running eye; if you have it not, you don’t wish for it or desire it;
4.8.915
if you have it, you can’t keep off from rubbing it. But if he hadn’t, by lucky chance, been here to-day, the Captain would have surprised Mnesilochus with his wife, and have killed him as an adulterer detected in the fact. Now, in a manner have I ransomed my son with the two hundred Philippeans
4.8.920
which I have promised to give to the Captain; which, however, I shall not rashly pay him down, before I have met with my son. By my troth, I’ll never rashly give credence in anything to Chrysalus. But I have a mind even once again to read over this letter; ’tis right that when a letter is sealed we should give credence to it.
4.9.925
The two brothers, the sons of Atreus, are said to have done a most famous deed, when, with arms, and horses, and an army, and with chosen warriors, and with ships a thousand in number, after the tenth year, they subdued Pergamus, the native land of Priam, founded by hands divine. Not more decidedly did it fall by the engine of war, than I shall storm my master here,
4.9.930
without a fleet, and without an army and so great array of soldiers. I have won, I have taken by storm this gold from his father for my master’s son, in his amour. Now, before the old man comes here, I wish to lament until he does come out. O Troy! O my country! O Pergamus! O Priam! old man, you are undone, you, who’ll be wretchedly and shockingly choused out of four hundred golden Philippeans.
4.9.935
For those tablets, sealed on the one side and on the other, they are not tablets, but the horse which the Greeks sent, of wood. Pistoclerus is the Epeus; from him were these received. Mnesilochus is the Simon left behind. Behold him! not in Achilles’ tomb, but on a couch he reclines: he has Bacchis with him; just as the other formerly had the fire with which to give the signal;
4.9.940
so now does she inflame himself. I am Ulysses, by whose advice they do these things. Then, the characters which there are written, are the soldiers in this horse, armed and of high courage. So even thus far has the matter prospered with me. This horse, too, will be making his attack, not on a citadel, but on a coffer A ruin, a destruction, a cleaner-out of the old man’s gold, will this horse prove this day.
4.9.945
To this silly old man of ours, in fact, I give the name of Ilium; the Captain is Menelaüs; I, Agamemnon; I, too, am Ulysses, the son of Laërtes; Mnesilochus is Alexander, who will be the destruction of his father’s fortunes; he has borne off the Helen, on whose account I am now carrying on the siege of Ilium. For there I have heard say that Ulysses was both bold and full of mischief, just as I am.
4.9.950
I have been detected in my tricks—he, discovered in a beggar’s guise, had almost perished, while he was spying out there the doings of the Trojans. Similarly has it happened to myself to-day. I have been bound, but by my devices I have redeemed myself; he, too, preserved himself by artifice. I have heard that there were three destinies attending Troy, which were fatal to it; if the statue should be lost from the citadel; whereas the second was the death of Troilus;
4.9.955
the third was when the upper lintel of the Phrygian gate should be demolished. Just so are there three fatalities for this Troy of ours, corresponding with those three; for, first of all, when, a short time since, as I told our old gentleman the lying story about his host, and the gold, and the bark, then, that instant, did I steal the statue from the citadel. And even then two fatalities were remaining, and no further had I taken this city.
4.9.960
Afterwards, when I carried the letter to the old man, then I killed my Troilus. When he supposed, just now, that Mnesilochus was with the Captain’s wife, from that, with difficulty, did I disengage myself. And that danger do I compare to what they say, how that Ulysses, recognized by Helen, was betrayed to Hecuba. But as, in olden time, by his coaxing arts, he liberated himself from her, and persuaded her to let him go,
4.9.965
so I, by my devices, have rescued myself from the danger, and have deceived the old man. Afterwards, I engaged with the blustering Captain, who, unarmed, takes cities with his words, and there I repulsed my man. Then I engaged in fight with the old gentleman; straightway by one lying device did I vanquish him; by one blow, in a moment, did I take the spoils away from him. He now will give the two hundred Philippean pieces to the Captain,
4.9.970
which he has promised that he will give. Now, I have occasion for another two hundred, to be distributed when Ilium is taken, that there may be the usual draught of honeyed wine with which the soldiers may celebrate their triumph. But this Priam is far superior to him of old. Not fifty sons only has he, but four hundred, and all choice ones, without a blemish;
4.9.975
all these this day will I cut off at two single blows. Now, if there were any purchaser for this Priam of ours, I would sell the old fellow in the lump, whom I have on sale the moment that J shall have taken the city. But, lo! I see our Priam standing before the door; I’ll go and speak to him.
4.10.979
Pray, whose voice is it that sounds near me?
4.10.979b
O Nicobulus!
4.10.979c
What’s the matter?
4.10.980a
O, capital!
4.10.980
Well, have you done aught of what I sent you upon?
4.10.980b
What—ask you that? Step closer this way.
4.10.980c
Well, I do come closer.
4.10.981
I am an excellent pleader. By rebuking him, and by whatever hard language I really was able to think of, I forced the fellow to tears.
4.10.982b
What did he say?
4.10.982c
He uttered not a word: crying, he listened in silence to what I was saying; in silence he wrote down on his tablets; these sealed he gave to me;
4.10.985
he bade me deliver them to you. (Gives him the tablets.) But I am afraid that they sing to the same tune that the former ones did. Observe the seal, is it his?
4.10.986b
I recognize it. I’d like to read them over.
4.10.986c
Read them through. (Aside.) Now is the upper lintel being cut down, now is the destruction of Troy near at hand. The wooden horse is shaking it right cleverly.
4.10.988b
Chrysalus, just step here while I am reading these through.
4.10.988a
Prithee, what need is there for me to be near you?
4.10.989
That you may know what’s written here.
4.10.989a
I don’t care, and I don’t wish to know.
4.10.990
Still, do come here.
4.10.990b
What need is there?
4.10.990c
Hold your tongue.
4.10.990ab
I’ll stay.
4.10.993
I won’t, I say.
4.10.993b
But I will, I say.
4.10.993c
What need is there?
4.10.993d
Still do you only do that which I bid you.
4.10.994
I’ll come. ’Tis right to do so; your own servant ought to be obedient at your command.
4.10.996
Heyday! he hasn’t been sparing of his wax or pen. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through. Attend to me, please, this very instant.
4.10.995b
When you choose, read on; I devote to you the attention of my ears.
4.10.991
Bless me! the letters are small.
4.10.991b
To one, indeed, who cannot see well with his eyes but they are quite large enough for one who can see well.
4.10.995
Give your attention then.
4.10.997
(He reads.) Father, I beseech you, do give two hundred Philippeans to Chrysalus, if you wish me to be safe or alive for you—
4.10.999
By my troth, really a very great mistake,
4.10.999b
I tell you.
4.10.999c
What’s the matter?
4.10.1000
He hasn’t first written the salutation to you.
4.10.1000b
I don’t see it anywhere.
4.10.1006
Even from its very commencement the letter is an impertinent one.
4.10.1001
If you are wise, you’ll not give it; but at the best, if you give it him, why, let him find out some other porter for himself, if he is wise; for I won’t carry it if you order me ever so much. I’ve been quite enough suspected as it is, when I was guiltless of a fault.
4.10.1005
Listen on now, while I read through what’s written.
4.10.1007
(Reading.) I am ashamed, father, to appear before you in your presence; such disgraceful conduct of mine have I heard that you are aware of, that I have formed an intercourse with the wife of a strange Captain.
4.10.1010
By my troth, you are not joking there; for I have saved your life from the consequences of this foul deed with two hundred golden Philippeans.
4.10.1012
There’s not a particle of these things but what I’ve told him.
4.10.1013
I confess that I have acted foolishly. But I beseech you, father, do not forsake me, if, in my folly, I have transgressed.
4.10.1015
Of fierce desires, and eyes uncontrolled, have I been; I have been urged on to do a deed of which I am now ashamed. It were proper, then, that you should have taken heed before you were ashamed.
4.10.1018
All these very same words did I say to him only just now.
4.10.1019
I beseech you, father, to consider that it is enough that Chrysalus
4.10.1020
has reproached me with many cutting words, and by his advice has made me a better man, so that ’tis right that you should return him sincere thanks.
4.10.1023
Is that written there?
4.10.1023b
Look and see, then you’ll know.
4.10.1024
He that has so offended, how humble to all he is, and of his own accord.
4.10.1025
Now, father, if even yet I may be allowed to ask anything of you, do give me two hundred Philippean pieces, I do entreat you.
4.10.1027
By my troth, now, not one even, if you are wise.
4.10.1027b
Let me read on. (Reading.) In set form I have taken an oath that I would give this to the woman this day before nightfall,
4.10.1030
ere she leaves me. Now, father, have a care that I be not forsworn, and take me hence away from her as soon as you can, on whose account I have incurred so much loss and guilt. Take care and let not the two hundred pieces be a cause of annoyance to you; I will repay you innumerable times as much, if I live.
4.10.1035
Farewell, and do attend to these matters. Now, Chrysalus, what do you think?
4.10.1036
I won’t give you one bit of advice this day, and I won’t run the risk, that if any mistake is made, you should say that you had done it by my counsel. But, as I conceive, if I were in your place,
4.10.1040
I would rather give the gold than suffer him to be corrupted. There is a twofold choice consider which you would adopt; either to lose the gold, or for a lover to be forsworn. I neither order you, nor forbid you, nor do I persuade you.
4.10.1044
I’m sorry for him.
4.10.1044b
You don’t do anything surprising—he is your son.
4.10.1045
If still more must be lost, ’tis better for it to go, than for this disgrace to be everywhere proclaimed.
4.10.1047
By my troth, I certainly had much rather he had been at Ephesus, so long as he was well, than that he had returned home. But why don’t I hasten to get rid of that which is doomed to be squandered away?
4.10.1050
I’ll bring you just now from in-doors twice two hundred Philippeans, both those which, a little time since, to my sorrow, I promised to the Captain, and these others. Wait there; I’ll be out to you, Chrysalus, this instant.
4.10.1053
Troy is laid waste, the chiefs have razed Pergamus. I knew some time ago that I should be the ruin of Pergamus.
4.10.1055
I’ faith I wouldn’t dare make a bet with him who should say that I was deserving of severe torture; so great confusion am I making. But the door makes a noise; the plunder’s being brought forth from Troy. For the present I’ll hold my tongue.
4.10.1059
Take you this gold, Chrysalus; go, carry it to my son.
4.10.1060
But I’ll go hence to the market-place to pay this to the Captain.
4.10.1061
For my part, I’ll not receive it; do you seek somebody at once to take it. I won’t have it entrusted to me.
4.10.1062b
But do take it; you’re worrying me now.
4.10.1063
For my part, I’ll not take it.
4.10.1063b
But, prithee do.
4.10.1063c
I am telling you what is the fact.
4.10.1064
You are delaying me.
4.10.1064b
I don’t want, I say, the gold to be entrusted to me. At all events, find some person to keep a watch upon me.
4.10.1065b
You’re plaguing me.
4.10.1066
Well, give it me, if it must be so.
4.10.1066b
Take care of it. I’ll be back here just now.
4.10.1067
I’ve taken care—that you shall be a most wretched old fellow; this is bringing an undertaking to a fair ending; even as it has proved my lot to go rejoicing, laden with the spoil.
4.10.1070
With safety to myself, and the city taken by stratagem, I now bring home my whole army unhurt. But, Spectators, don’t you now be surprised that I don’t go in triumph; ’tis such a common thing, I don’t care for it. Still however, the soldiers shall be received with the usual honeyed wine.
4.10.1075
Now I’ll carry off all this booty at once to the Quaestor.

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0119.phi004.perseus-eng2. Via the Perseus Digital Library / Open Greek and Latin TEI corpora. Licence: Available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source.