Captivi: The Captives

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 636 sections

front.cast
Dramatis Personae HEGIO, an Aetolian, father of Philopolemus. PHILOCRATES, an Elean, captive in Aetolia. TYNDARUS, his servant. ARISTOPHONTES, an Elean, captive in Aetolia. PHILOPOLEMUS, an Aetolian, captive in Elis. ERGASILUS, a Parasite. STALAGMUS, the servant of Hegio. A SLAVE of Hegio. A LAD, the same.
front.scene
(Scene—A place in Aetolia, before the house of Hegio)
front.subject
THE SUBJECT. HEGIO, a wealthy native of Aetolia, had two sons, one of which was stolen by a slave when four years old, and being carried away to Elis, was sold there; the father being unable for many years to learn what has become of him. A war having commenced between the Eleans and the Aetolians, Phiiopolemus, the other son of Hegio, is taken prisoner by the Eleans. The Aetolians having taken many Elean prisoners, Hegio commences to traffic in captives, with the view of thereby redeeming his son from the Eleans, in exchange for some prisoner of rank. A this conjuncture the Play commences. Among the captives whom Hegio has purchased, Philocrates is one, having been taken prisoner, together with his servant, Tyndarus. With the object of deceiving Hegio, Philocrates and Tyndarus change their clothes, and having exchanged names as well, Philocrates pretends to be the servant of Tyndarus. Hegio being desirous to procure the exchange of his son, Philocrates (in the character of the servant of his fellowcaptive) is sent to Elis for that purpose. After his departure, Aristophontes, another captive, accidentally puts Hegio in the way of discovering the manner in which he has been deceived. On this, the old man, losing all hope of obtaining the liberation of his son, sends Tyndarus in chains to the stone-quarries. Shortly after, Philocrates returns, and brings with him Philopolemus, the son of Hegio, and Stalagmus, the runaway slave, that had stolen his other son. It is then discovered that Stalagmus had sold the child to the father of Philocrates, and that he is no other than Tyndarus, the slave; on which, Tyndarus is sent for, and is informed that he is the lost son of Hegio. Stalagmus is then condemned to the chains from which Tyndarus is liberated.
front.argument
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. One son of Hegio has been made prisoner (Captus) in battle. A runaway slave has sold the other (Alium) when four years old. The father (Pater) traffics in Elean captives, only (Tantum) desirous that he may recover his son, and (Et) among these he buys his son that was formerly lost. He (Is), his clothes and his name changed with his master, causes that (Ut) he is lost to Hegio; and he himself is punished. And (Et) he brings back the captive and the runaway together, through whose information (Indicio) he discovers his other son.
prologue.pr.1
THESE two captives (pointing to PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS), whom you see standing here, are standing here because—they are both standing, and are not sitting. That I am saying this truly, you are my witnesses. The old man, who lives here (pointing to HEGIO’S house), is Hegio— his father (pointing to TYNDARUS.)
prologue.pr.5
But under what circumstances he is the slave of his own father, that I will here explain to you, if you give attention. This old man had two sons; a slave stole one child when four years old, and flying hence, he sold him in Elis,
prologue.pr.10
to the father of this captive (pointing to PHIILOCRATES.) Now, do you understand this? Very good. I’ faith, that man at a distance there (pointing) says, no. Come nearer then. If there isn’t room for you to sit down, there is for you to walk; since you’d be compelling an actor to bawl like a beggar. I’m not going to burst myself for your sake, so don’t you be mistaken.
prologue.pr.15
You who are enabled by your means to pay your taxes, listen to the rest; I care not to be in debt to another. This runaway slave, as I said before, sold his young master, whom, whom he fled, he had carried off, to this one’s father. He, after he bought him, gave him as his own
prologue.pr.20
private slave to his son of his, because they were of about the same age. He is now the slave at home of his own father, nor does his father know it. Verily, the Gods do treat us men just like footballs. You hear the manner now how he lost one son. Afterwards, the Aetolians are waging war with the people of Elis,
prologue.pr.25
and, as happens in warfare, the other son is taken prisoner. The physician Menarchus buys him there in Elis. On this, this Hegio begins to traffic in Elean captives, if, perchance, he may be able to find one to change for that captive son of his. He knows not that this one who is in his house is his own son.
prologue.pr.30
And as he heard yesterday that an Elean knight of very high rank and very high family was taken prisoner, he has spared no expense to rescue his son. In order that he may more easily bring him back home, he buys both of these of the Quaestors out of the spoil.
prologue.pr.35
Now they, between themselves, have contrived this plan, that, by means of it, the servant may send away hence his master home. And therefore among themselves they change their garments and their names. He, there (pointing), is called Philocrates; this one (pointing), Tyndarus; he this day assumes the character of this one, this one of him.
prologue.pr.40
And this one to-day will cleverly carry out this plot, and cause his master to gain his liberty; and by the same means he will save his own brother, and without knowing it, will cause him to return back a free man to his own country to his father. Just as often now, on many occasions,
prologue.pr.45
a person has done more good unknowingly than knowingly. But unconsciously, by their devices, they have so planned and devised their plot, and have so contrived it by their design, that this one is living in servitude with his own father.
prologue.pr.50
And thus now, in ignorance, he is the slave of his own father. What poor creatures are men, when I reflect upon it! This plot will be performed by us—a play for your entertainment. But there is, besides, a thing which, in a few words, I would wish to inform you of. Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.
prologue.pr.55
’Tis not composed in the hackneyed style, nor yet like other plays, nor are there in it any ribald lines unfit for utterance: here is neither the perjured procurer, nor the artful courtesan, nor yet the braggart captain. Don’t you be afraid because I’ve said that there’s war between the Aetolians and the Eleans.
prologue.pr.60
There (pointing), at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost impossible for a Comic establishmen, that we should at a moment attempt to be acting Tragedy. If, therefore, any one is looking for a battle, let him commence the quarrel;
prologue.pr.65
if he shall find an adversary more powerful, I’ll cause him to be the spectator of a battle that isn’t pleasant to him, so that hereafter he shall hate to be a spectator them all. I now retire. Fare ye well, at home, most upright judges, and in warfare most valiant combatants.
1.1.69
The young men have given me the name of the mistress,
1.1.70
for this reason, because invocated I am wont to attend at the banquet. I know that buffoons say that this is absurdly said, but I affirm that it is rightly said. For at the banquet the lover, when he throws the dice, invokes his mistress. Is she then invocated, or is she not? She is, most clearly.
1.1.75
But, i’ faith, we Parasites with better reason are so called, whom no person ever either invites or invokes, and who, like mice, are always eating the victuals of another person. When business is laid aside, when people repair to the country, at that same moment is business laid aside for our teeth.
1.1.80
Just as, when it is hot weather, snails lie hidden in secret, and live upon their own juices, if the dew doesn’t fall; so, when business is laid aside, do Parasites lie hidden in retirement, and miserably live upon their own juices, while in the country the persons are rusticating whom they sponge upon.
1.1.85
When business is laid aside, we Parasites are greyhounds; when business recommences, like mastiffs, we are annoying-like and very troublesome-like. And here, indeed, unless, i’ faith, any Parasite is able to endure cuffs with the fist, and pots to be broken about his head,
1.1.90
why he may e’en go with his wallet outside the Trigeminian Gate. That this may prove my lot, there is some danger. For since my patron has fallen into the hands of the enemy—(such warfare are the Aetolians now waging with the Eleans; for this is Aetolia; this Philopolemus has been made captive in Elis, the son of this old man Hegio
1.1.95
who lives here (pointing to the house)—a house which to me is a house of woe, and which so oft as I look upon, I weep). Now, for the sake of his son, has he commenced this dishonorable traffic, very much against his own inclination.
1.1.100
He buys up men that have been made captives, if perchance he may be able to find some one for whom to gain his son in exchange. An object which I really do much desire that he may gain. For unless he finds him, there’s nowhere for me to find myself. I have no hopes in the young men; they are all too fond of themselves.
1.1.105
He, in fine, is a youth with the old-fashioned nanners, whose countenance I never rendered cheerful without a return. His father is worthily matched, as endowed with like manners. Now I’ll go to him;—but his door is opening, the door from which full oft I’ve sallied forth drunk with excess of cheer.
1.2.110
Now, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon them chains of light weight; take off those greater ones with which they are bound. Permit them to walk, if they wish, out of doors, or if in-doors,
1.2.115
but so that they are watched with the greatest care. A captive at liberty is like a bird that’s wild; if opportunity is once given for escaping, ‘tis enough; after that, you can never catch him.
1.2.119
Doubtless we all are free men more willingly than we live the life of slaves.
1.2.120b
You, indeed, don’t seem to think so.
1.2.121
If I have nothing to give, should you like me to give myself to flight?
1.2.122
If you do so give yourself, I shall at once have something to be giving to you.
1.2.123
I’ll make myself just like the wild bird you were telling of.
1.2.124
’Tis just as you say; for if you do so, I’ll be giving you to the cage.
1.2.125
But enough of prating; take you care of what I’ve ordered, and be off. (The SLAVE goes into the house.) I’ll away to my brother’s, to my other captives; I’ll go see whether they’ve been making any disturbance last night. From there I shall forthwith betake myself home again.
1.2.129
It grieves me that this unhappy old man is following the trade of a slave-dealer,
1.2.130
by reason of the misfortune of his son. But, if by any means he can be brought back here, I could even endure for him to become an executioner.
1.2.133
Who is it that’s speaking?
1.2.133b
’Tis I, who am, pining at your affliction, growing thin, waxing old, and shockingly wasting away. Wretched man that I am,
1.2.135
I’m but skin and bone through leanness; nor does anything ever do me good that I eat at home; even that ever so little which I taste out of doors, the same refreshes me.
1.2.138
Ergasilus, save you!
1.2.138b
May the Gods kindly bless you, Hegio!
1.2.139
Don’t weep.
1.2.139b
Must I not weep for him? Must I not weep for such a young man?
1.2.140b
I’ve always known you to be a friend to my son, and I have understood him to be so to you.
1.2.142
Then at last do we men know our blessings, when we have lost those things which we once had in our power. I, since your son fell into the power of the enemy,
1.2.145
knowing by experience of what value he was, now feel his loss.
1.2.146
Since you, who are no relation, bear his misfortune so much amiss, what is it likely that I, a father, should do, whose only son he is?
1.2.148
I, no relation to him? He, no relation to me? Oh, Hegio! never do say that, nor come to such a belief.
1.2.150
To you he is an only child, but to me he is even more only than an only one.
1.2.151
I commend you, in that you consider the affliction of your friend your own affliction. Now be of good heart.
1.2.152b
O dear!
1.2.153
’Tis this afflicts him, that the army for guttling is now disbanded.
1.2.154
Meanwhile, have you found no one to command for you the army that you mentioned as disbanded?
1.2.156
What do you think? All to whom it used to fall are in the habit of declining that province since your son Philopolemus was taken prisoner.
1.2.158
I’ faith, ‘tisn’t to be wondered at, that they are in the habit of declining that province. You have necessity for numerous troops, and those of numerous kinds.
1.2.160
Well, first you have need of the Bakerians. Of these Bakerians there are several kinds, You have need of Roll-makerians, you have need too of Confectionerians, you have need of Poultererians, you have need of Beccaficorians; besides, all the maritime forces are necessary for you.
1.2.165
How the greatest geniuses do frequently lie concealed! How great a general now is this private individual!
1.2.167
Only have good courage; for I trust that in a few days I shall bring him back home. For see now; there’s a captive here, a young man of Elis,
1.2.170
born of a very high family, and of very great wealth; I trust that it will come to pass that I shall get my son in exchange for him.
1.2.172
May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so!
1.2.173
But are you invited out anywhere to dinner?
1.2.173b
Nowhere that I know of. But, pray, why do you ask me?
1.2.174b
Because this is my birthday;
1.2.175
for that reason I’d like you to be invited to dinner at my house.
1.2.176
’Tis kindly said.
1.2.177
But if you can be content to eat a very little—
1.2.177b
Aye, even ever so little; for on such fare as that do I enjoy myself every day at home.
1.2.179a
Come, then, please, set yourself up for sale.
1.2.179
I’ll put myself up for purchase, just like a landed estate, unless any one shall privately make a better offer that pleases myself and my friends more, and to my own conditions will I bind myself.
1.2.182
You are surely selling me a bottomless pit, and not a landed estate. But if you are coming, do so in time.
1.2.183b
Why, for that matter, I’m at leisure even now.
1.2.184
Go then, and hunt for a hare; at present, in me you have but a ferret,
1.2.185
for my fare is in the way of frequenting a rugged road.
1.2.186
You’ll never repulse me by that, Hegio, so don’t attempt it. I’ll come, in spite of it, with teeth well shod.
1.2.188
Really, my viands are but of a rough sort.
1.2.188b
Are you in the habit of eating brambles?
1.2.189
Mine is an earthy dinner.
1.2.189b
A pig is an earthy animal.
1.2.190
Earthy from its plenty of vegetables.
1.2.190b
Treat your sick peoples at home with that fare? Do you wish anything else?
1.2.191b
Come in good time.
1.2.191c
You are putting in mind one who remembers quite well.
1.2.192
I’ll go in-doors, and in the house I’ll make the calculation how little money I have at my banker’s; afterwards I’ll go to my brother’s, whither I was saying I would go.
2.1.195
If the immortal Gods have so willed it that you should undergo this affliction, it becomes you to endure it with equanimity; if you do so, your trouble will be lighter. At home you were free men, I suppose; now if slavery has befallen you, ‘tis a becoming way for you to put up with it, and by your dispositions to render it light, under a master’s rule.
2.1.200
Unworthy actions which a master does must be deemed worthy ones.
2.1.200a
Alas! alas! alas!
2.1.201
There’s no need for wailing; you cause much injury to your eyes. In adversity, if you use fortitude of mind, it is of service.
2.1.203
But we are ashamed, because we are in bonds.
2.1.203b
But in the result it might cause vexation to our master, if he were to release you from chains,
2.1.205
or allow you to be loose, whom he has purchased with his money.
2.1.206
What does he fear from us? We know our duty, what it is, if he allows us to be loose.
2.1.208
Why, you are meditating escape. I know what it is you are devising.
2.1.209
We, make our escape? Whither should we escape?
2.1.209b
To your own country.
2.1.209c
Out upon you; it would ill befit us to be following the example of runaways.
2.1.210b
Why, faith, should there be an opportunity, I don’t advise you not.
2.1.211
Do you allow us to make one request.
2.1.211b
What is it, pray?

Perseus Latin. CTS URN phi0119.phi005.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.