Captivi: The Captives

Perseus Latin · Perseus Latin · 636 sections

2.1.212
That you will give us an opportunity of conversing, without these and yourselves for overlookers.
2.1.214
Be it so; go you away from here, you people. Let’s step here, on one side.
2.1.215
But commence upon a short conversation only.
2.1.215a
O yes, it was my intention so to do. Step aside this way.
2.1.216
Stand apart from them.
2.1.216b
We are both greatly obliged to you, by reason of your doing so, since you allow us to obtain what we are desirous of.
2.1.219
Step here then, at a distance now, if you think fit,
2.1.220
that no listeners may be enabled to overhear our discourse, and that this plan of ours mayn’t be divulged before them for a stratagem is no stratagem, if you don’t plan it with art but it is a very great misfortune if it becomes disclosed. For if you are my master, and I represent myself as your servant,
2.1.225
still there’s need of foresight, and need of caution, that this may be carried out discreetly and without overlookers, with carefulness and with cautious prudence and diligence. So great is the mutter that has been commenced upon; this must not be carried out in any drowsy fashion.
2.1.228b
Just as you shall desire me to be, I will be.
2.1.228c
I trust so.
2.1.229
For now you see that for your precious life I’m setting at stake my own, as dear to me.
2.1.231
I know it.
2.1.231b
But remember to know it when you shall be enjoying that which you wish for; for mostly, the greatest part of mankind follow this fashion; what they wish for, until they obtain it, they are rightminded; but when they have now got it in their power,
2.1.235
from being rightminded they become most deceitful, and most dishonest; now I do consider that you are towards me as I wish. What I advise you, I would advise my own father.
2.1.237
I’ faith, if I could venture, I would call you father; for next to my own father, you are my nearest father.
2.1.240
I understand.
2.1.240b
And therefore I remind you the more frequently, that you may remember it. I am not your master, but your servant; now this one thing I do beseech you. Inasmuch as the immortal Gods have disclosed to us their wishes, that they desire me to have once been your master, and now to be your fellow-captive; what formerly of my right I used to command you, now with entreaties do I beg of you,
2.1.245
by our uncertain fortunes, and by the kindness of my father towards you, and by our common captivity, which has befallen us by the hand of the enemy, don’t you pay me any greater respect than I did you when you were my slave; and don’t you forget to remember who you were, and who you now are.
2.1.249
I know, indeed, that I now am you, and that you are I.
2.1.249b
Well, if you are able carefully to remember that, 1 have some hope in this scheme of ours.
2.2.251
I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want to know. (To the SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brought out of doors here, before the house ?
2.2.253
By my faith, I find that you have taken due precaution that we shouldn’t be missed by you, so walled in are we with chains and keepers.
2.2.255
He that takes precaution that he mayn’t be deceived, is hardly on his guard, even while he’s taking precaution; even when he has supposed that he has taken every precaution, full often is this wary man outwitted. Was there not good reason, indeed, for me to watch you carefully, whom I purchased with so large a sum of ready money?
2.2.259
Troth, it isn’t fair for us to hold you to blame, because you watch us closely;
2.2.260
nor yet for you us, if we go away hence, should there be an opportunity.
2.2.261
As you are here, so is my son a captive there among your people.
2.2.262
He, a captive?
2.2.262b
Even so.
2.2.262c
We, then, have not proved the only cowards.
2.2.263
Step you aside this way, for there are some things that I wish to enquire of you in private, on which subjects I would have you not to be untruthful to me.
2.2.264b
I will not be,
2.2.265
as to that which I shall know; if I shall not know anything, that which I don’t know I’ll tell you of.
2.2.266
Now is the old fellow in the barber’s shop; now, at this very instant, is Philocrates wielding the razor. He hasn’t cared, indeed, to put on the barber’s cloth, so as not to soil his dress. But whether to say that he’s going to shave him close, or trim him through the comb, I don’t know; but if he’s wise, he’ll scrape him right well to the very quick.
2.2.270
Which would you? Would you prefer to be a slave, or a free man?—Tell me.
2.2.271
That which is the nearest to good, and the furthest off from evil, do I prefer; although my servitude hasn’t proved very grievous to me, nor has it been otherwise to me than if I had been a son in the family.
2.2.274
Capital! I wouldn’t purchase, at a talent’s price even, Thales the Milesian;
2.2.275
for compared with this man’s wisdom, he was a very twaddler. How cleverly has he suited his language to the slave’s condition.
2.2.277
Of what family is this Philocrates born?
2.2.277b
The Polyplusian; which one family is flourishing there, and held in highest esteem.
2.2.279
What is he himself? In what esteem is he held there?
2.2.279b
In the highest, and that by the very highest men.
2.2.280
Since, then, he is held in such great respect among the Eleans, as you tell of, what substance has he?—Of large amount?
2.2.281b
Enough for him, even, when an old man, to be melting out the tallow.
2.2.282
What is his father? Is he living?
2.2.282b
When we departed thence, we left him alive; whether he’s living now or not, Orcus, forsooth, must know that.
2.2.284
The matter’s all right; he’s not only lying, but he’s even philosophizing now.
2.2.285
What’s his name?
2.2.285b
Thesaurochrysonicocrœsides.
2.2.286
That name has been given, I suppose, by reason of his wealth, as it were.
2.2.287
Troth, not so, but rather by reason of his avarice and grasping disposition; for, indeed, he was Theodoromedes originally by name.
2.2.289
How say you? Is his father covetous?
2.2.289b
Aye, by my faith, he is covetous.
2.2.290
Why, that you may even understand it the better,—when he’s sacrificing at any time to his own Genius, the vessels that are needed for the sacrifice he uses of Samian ware, lest the Genius himself should steal them; from this, consider how much he would trust other people.
2.2.293
Do you then follow me this way. (Aside.) The things that I desire to know, I’ll enquire of him. (Addressing TYNDARUS.) Philocrates, this person has done as it becomes an honest man to do.
2.2.295
For from him I’ve learnt of what family you are sprung; he has confessed it to me. If you are willing to own these same things (which, however, understand that I already know from him), you will be doing it for your own advantage.
2.2.297b
He did his duty when he confessed the truth to you, although, Hegio, I wished carefully to conceal both my rank and my wealth;
2.2.300
now, inasmuch as I’ve lost my country and my liberty, I don’t think it right for him to be dreading me rather than you. The might of warfare has made my fortunes on a level with himself. I remember the time when he didn’t dare to do it in word; now, in deed, he is at liberty to offend me. But don’t you see? Human fortune moulds and fashions just as she wills.
2.2.305
Myself, who was a free man she has made a slave, from the very highest the very lowest. I, who was accustomed to command, now obey the mandates of another. And indeed, if I meet with a master just such as I proved the ruler in my own household, I shall not fear that he will rule me harshly or severely. With this, Hegio, I wished you to be acquainted, unless perchance you your self wish it not.
2.2.310
Speak boldly out.
2.2.310b
As free a man was I till lately as your son. As much did a hostile hand deprive me of my liberty as him of his. As much is he a slave among my people, as I am now a slave here with yourself. There is undoubtedly a God, who both hears and sees the things which we do. Just as you shall treat me here, in the same degree will he have a care for him.
2.2.315
To the well-deserving will he show favour, to the ill-deserving will he give a like return. As much as you lament your son, so much does my father lament me.
2.2.317
That I am aware of. But do you admit the same that lie has disclosed to me?
2.2.318
I confess that my father has very great wealth at home, and that I am born of a very noble family; but I entreat you, Hegio,
2.2.320
let not my riches make your mind too prone to avarice, lest it should seem to my father, although I am his only son, more suitable that I should be a slave in your house, bountifully supplied at your expense and with your clothing, rather than be living the life of a beggar where ‘twould be far from honorable.
2.2.324
By the favour of the Gods and of my forefathers, I am rich enough.
2.2.325
I don’t quite believe that every kind of gain is serviceable to mankind. I know that gain has already made many a man famous; and yet there are occasions when it is undoubtedly better to incur loss than to make gain. Gold I detest: many a one has it persuaded to many an evil course. Now give your attention to this, that you may know as well what my wishes are.
2.2.330
My son, taken prisoner. is in servitude at Elis there among your people; if you restore him to me, don’t you give me a single coin besides; both you and him, your servant, I’ll send back from here; on no other terms can you depart hence.
2.2.333
You ask what’s very right and very just, and you are the very kindest person of all mankind. But whether is he in servitude to a private person or to the public?
2.2.335
In private servitude to Menarchus, a physician.
2.2.335b
By my faith, that person’s surely his father’s dependant. Why really, that’s down as pat for you, as the shower is when it rains.
2.2.337
Do you then cause this person, my son, to be redeemed.
2.2.337b
I’ll do so: but this I beg of you, Hegio—
2.2.338
Whatever you wish, so that you request nothing against my interest, I’ll do.
2.2.338b
Listen then, and you’ll know. I don’t ask for myself to be released, until he has returned.
2.2.340
But I beg of you to give me him (pointing to PHILOCRATES) with a price set upon him, that I may send him to my father, that this person, your son, may be redeemed there.
2.2.341b
Why no; I’d rather send another person hence, when there shall be a truce, to confer with your father there, and to carry your injunctions which you shall entrust him with, just as you wish.
2.2.344
But it’s of no use to send to him one that he doesn’t know; you’d be losing your labour.
2.2.345
Send this person; he’ll have it all completed, if he gets there. And you cannot send any person to him more faithful, nor one in whom he places more confidence, nor who is more a servant after his own mind; nor, in fact, one to whom he would more readily entrust your son. Have no fears; at my own peril I’ll make proof of his fidelity,
2.2.350
relying upon his disposition; because he is sensible that I’m kindly disposed towards him.
2.2.351
Well then, I’ll send him with a price set upon him, on the surety of your promise, if you wish it.
2.2.351b
I do wish it; so soon as ever it can, I want this matter to be brought to completion.
2.2.353
What reason is there, then, that if he doesn’t return, you should not pay me twenty minae for him?
2.2.354b
Yes—very good.
2.2.354c
Release him now forthwith;
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and, indeed, both of them.
2.2.355b
May all the Gods grant you all your desires, since you have deigned me honor so great, and since you release me from my chains. Really, this is not so irksome now, since my neck is free from the collar-chain.
2.2.358
The kindnesses that are done to the good, thanks for the same are pregnant with blessings. Now, if you are about to send him thither, direct, instruct him, give him the orders
2.2.360
which you wish to be carried to your father. Should you like me to call him to you?
2.2.360b
Do call him.
2.3.361
May this affair turn out happily for myself and for my son, and for yourselves. (To PHILOCRATES.) Your new master wishes you to pay faithful obedience to your former owner in what he wishes. For I have presented you to him, with the price of twenty minae set upon you:
2.3.365
and he says that he is desirous to send you away hence to his father, that he may there redeem my son, and that an exchange may be made between me and him for our respective sons.
2.3.368
My disposition takes its course straight in either direction, both to yourself and to him; as a wheel you may make use of me;
2.3.370
either this way or that can I be turned, whichever way you shall command me.
2.3.371
You yourself profit the most from your own disposition, when you endure slavery just as it ought to be endured. Follow me. (To TYNDARUS.) See here’s your man.
2.3.373b
I return you thanks, since you give me this opportunity and permission
2.3.375
to send this messenger to my parents, who may relate all the matter in its order to my father, what I’m doing here, and what I wish to be done. (To PHILOCRATES.) Now, Tyndarus, thus is it arranged between myself and him, that I’m to send you, valued at a fixed price, to my father in Elis;
2.3.380
so that, if you don’t return hither, I’m to give twenty minae for you.
2.3.381b
I think that you’ve come to a right understanding. For your father expects either myself or some messenger to come from here to him.
2.3.383b
I wish you, then, to mind what message it is I want you to carry hence to my country to my father.

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