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Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 938 sections

1. 4.10.1076

   The more I revolve it in my breast, what disturbances my son has raised, into what a course of life, and into what habits he unwittingly has headlong plunged himself, the greater is my concern, and the more do I dread lest he may be ruined or corrupted. I know it; I once was of the same age, and I did all these things; but in a quiet way.

2. 4.10.1080

   I was gay, I had my mistress, I drank, I feasted, I made presents, but still it was seldom I did so. The methods, too, please me not which I see parents in general employ towards their sons. I have determined to give some latitude to my son, that he may have some scope for his inclinations. I think that’s right; but still, I don’t wish him to give way too much to sloth and wantonness. Now I’m going to Mnesilochus,

3. 4.10.1084a

   to see whether, as I requested, by his endeavours he has turned him for me to virtue and to sobriety; as, indeed, I am sure he has done if he has met him, of such a disposition is he by nature.

4. 5.1.1087

   Whoever there are in any place whatsoever, whoever have been, and whoever shall be, in time to come, fools, blockheads, idiots, dolts, sots, oafs, lubbers, I singly by far exceed them all in folly and absurd ways.

5. 5.1.1090

   I’m undone. I’m ashamed of myself; that I at this time of life should disgracefully have been twice made a fool of! The more I think of this confusion which my son has made, the more am I incensed. I’m ruined, and I’m utterly destroyed; I’m distracted in every possible way. All plagues harass me, by all modes of death do I perish. This day has Chrysalus rent me in pieces; Chrysalus has plundered wretched me;

6. 5.1.1095

   he, the villain, by his clever tricks, has shaved, to the very quick, simple me, just as he has pleased. For the Captain says that she is a Courtezan, whom that fellow said was his wife; and he has informed me of everything, as each particular happened; how that she had been hired by him for this year; how that that much gold was left to be repaid, which I, most simple man, had promised him. ’Tis this, this, I say, through which my breast boils with indignation; ’tis this, in fine, by which I am distracted;

7. 5.1.1100

   that I, at my time of life, should be made a fool of, aye, by Heaven, so made a very sport of, and with my hoary head and white beard, that wretched I should be bamboozled out of my gold. Undone am I, inasmuch as this slave of mine has dared in this way to set not the value of a nutshell upon me. And I—if any other way I had lost a greater sum—I should have taken it less amiss, and have deemed it less of a loss to me.

8. 5.1.1104

   For sure, some person, I know not who, seems to be talking near to me. But who’s this I see?

9. 5.1.1105

   Really, ’tis the father of Mnesilochus.

10. 5.1.1105b

    Hah! I see a partner in affliction. Save you, Philoxenus!

11. 5.1.1106b

    And you; whence are you betaking yourself?

12. 5.1.1106c

    From a place whence comes a wretched and a luckless mortal.

13. 5.1.1107

    Why, troth, I’m surely on the earth, the spot where it befits a wretched and a luckless mortal to be.

14. 5.1.1108

    We now, as we are of like age, are meeting with similar fortunes.

15. 5.1.1108b

    So it is. But as to yourself, what’s the matter with you?

16. 5.1.1109b

    I’ faith, mine’s the same mishap as your own.

17. 5.1.1110

    Does this misfortune in any way relate to your son?

18. 5.1.1111

    Such is the fact.

19. 5.1.1111b

    The same disease exists in my own breast.

20. 5.1.1112

    Aye, and that very worthy fellow, Chrysalus, has been ruining my son, myself, and all my fortunes.

21. 5.1.1114

    Pray now, what is this mishap of yours about your son?

22. 5.1.1114b

    You shall know:

23. 5.1.1115

    together with your own son he’s undone; both of them are keeping mistresses alike.

24. 5.1.1116

    How do you know?

25. 5.1.1116b

    I have seen them.

26. 5.1.1116c

    Ah! wretch that I am! I’m ruined outright.

27. 5.1.1117

    Why do we hesitate a moment to knock and to call them both hither out of doors.

28. 5.1.1118

    I don’t object.

29. 5.1.1118b

    Hallo there! Bacchis! Bid the door to be opened this instant, if you please, unless you had rather the door and the posts be knocked to bits with hatchets.

30. 5.2.1120

    Who is it that calls out my name with such a noise and tumult, and is knocking so hard at the door?

31. 5.2.1121

    I and this person here.

32. 5.2.1121b

    Pray, what’s the matter now? Who has been driving these sheep to us?

33. 5.2.1122

    These most shocking hussies call us sheep.

34. 5.2.1122b

    Their shepherd’s asleep, as they come straying thus from the flock.

35. 5.2.1124

    But, i’ faith, they are not white; they both look dirty.

36. 5.2.1125

    Because they have both been shorn just now.

37. 5.2.1125b

    How they seem to be laughing at us.

38. 5.2.1126b

    Let them, just as long as they please.

39. 5.2.1127

    Don’t you think that these sheep are shorn three times a year?

40. 5.2.1128

    I’ faith, to-day one of them has been already shorn twice, that’s sure.

41. 5.2.1129

    They are old and fleeceless, both of them.

42. 5.2.1129b

    But I think they have been in good plight once.

43. 5.2.1130

    Prithee, do you see how they are looking with a sheep’s eye at us?

44. 5.2.1131

    By my troth, I really do believe they are without any ill design.

45. 5.2.1132

    This happens to us deservedly, for having come here.

46. 5.2.1133

    Well, let them be driven in-doors to fold.

47. 5.2.1133b

    I don’t know what occasion there is for that, as they have neither milk nor wool. Let them stand as they are.

48. 5.2.1135

    Of whatever value they have been, they are now out of date; all their fruit has fallen off them by this. Don’t you see, how, straying unattended, they are ranging about at liberty? Why, I fancy that they must be dumb with age; they don’t bleat even, though they are absent from the rest of the flock.

49. 5.2.1139

    They seem both silly and worthless.

50. 5.2.1140

    Let’s return in-doors, sister.

51. 5.2.1140b

    Stay where you are, both of you; these sheep want you.

52. 5.2.1141

    Why, surely this is a prodigy; sheep are addressing us with a human voice.

53. 5.2.1142

    These sheep will return you the heavy and great injury which they owe to you.

54. 5.2.1143

    If you owe me aught, I forgive it you; keep it to yourself; I’ll never demand it of you. But what is the reason that you are threatening mischief to us?

55. 5.2.1145

    Because they say that our two lambs are shut up here.

56. 5.2.1146

    And besides those lambs, my dog is there concealed that bites. If they are not now produced to us and sent out of the house, we shall be furious rams; we shall attack you forthwith.

57. 5.2.1149

    Sister, I have something to say to you in private.

58. 5.2.1149b

    How now, prithee?

59. 5.2.1149c

    Whither are they going?

60. 5.2.1150

    Sister, I give to you that old fellow that’s farthest off, that you may have him cleverly smoothed down; I’ll now attack this other one that’s angry; if we can only entice them here indoors.

61. 5.2.1152

    I’ll manage my task with cleverness, although ’tis to caress an old skeleton.

62. 5.2.1153

    Take care and do your best.

63. 5.2.1153b

    Be quiet; do you do yours; I’ll manage what I have said.

64. 5.2.1154

    Why are these two women holding a council here in private?

65. 5.2.1155

    What say you, my good fellow—?

66. 5.2.1155b

    What would you with me?

67. 5.2.1155a

    I really am ashamed to tell you a certain thing.

68. 5.2.1156

    What is it that you’re ashamed about?

69. 5.2.1156b

    Still, as you are a person, a friend of mine, I’m determined to entrust you with what I could wish. (Whispers.) I’m good for nought.

70. 5.2.1157b

    I’ve known that this long time; but tell me why you’re good for nought?

71. 5.2.1158

    I’ve been terribly touched with birdlime: troth, my heart is pierced by the goad.

72. 5.2.1159b

    I’ faith, ’twere much better if your flanks were goaded, you worthless fellow.

73. 5.2.1160

    But what is it? Although I suspect that I myself pretty well know already what it is; still, I should even like to hear it from yourself.

74. 5.2.1161b

    Do you see that woman?

75. 5.2.1161c

    I see her.

76. 5.2.1161d

    She’s not an uncomely person.

77. 5.2.1162

    Troth, but she is decidedly uncomely; and you are a good-for-nothing fellow.

78. 5.2.1162b

    Why more? I’m in love.

79. 5.2.1162c

    You, in love?

80. 5.2.1162d

    ’Pon honor.

81. 5.2.1163

    And do you, you rotten creature, presume to become a lover at your time of life?

82. 5.2.1163b

    Why not?

83. 5.2.1164

    Because it’s a disgrace.

84. 5.2.1164b

    What need of words? I am not vexed with my son, nor yet is it right you should be vexed with yours: if they are in love, they do wisely.

85. 5.2.1166

    Follow me this way.

86. 5.2.1166b

    See, they are moving at last, these allurers and enticers to disgrace. (To the women.) How now? Do you this instant restore us our sons and my servant, or am I to try rougher means with you?

87. 5.2.1168b

    Won’t you away with you? You surely are not a man, to address a pretty woman so rudely in that fashion.

88. 5.2.1170

    Most worthy old gentleman, by whatsoever is upon the earth, let me entreat this of you, that you will cease to attack this error with such great vehemence.

89. 5.2.1172

    If you don’t away with you, although you are so handsome, I’ll be doing you some great mischief just now.

90. 5.2.1172b

    I shall endure it; I don’t apprehend that any blow that you can give, will cause me any pain.

91. 5.2.1173b

    How smooth of speech she is. O me! I am in alarm.

92. 5.2.1174b

    He’s more calm already.

93. 5.2.1175

    (Aloud.) Step this way with me in-doors; and there, if you choose, correct your son.

94. 5.2.1176

    Avaunt from me, abomination!

95. 5.2.1176b

    Do, my love, let me prevail upon you.

96. 5.2.1176c

    You, prevail upon me?

97. 5.2.1177

    For sure, I shall prevail, at all events, upon this gentleman.

98. 5.2.1177b

    Yes, I beg of you to show me in-doors.

99. 5.2.1178

    What a dear man you are.

100. 5.2.1178b

     But do you know on what condition you are to show me in-doors?

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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.