Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
Aye, and even sooner than directly. For there’s a Captain coming here just now—
CHRYSALUS
A Captain, indeed!
PISTOCLERUS
Who is demanding some gold here for relinquishing Bacchis.
CHRYSALUS
Let him come when he pleases, and so there be no delay.
The money’s at home; I fear not for myself, nor do I go begging to any man; so long, at least, as this heart of mine shall be armed with its inventiveness. Go in; I’ll manage here. Do you tell them in-doors, that Mnesilochus is coming to Bacchis.
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PISTOCLERUS
I’ll do as you request.
CHRYSALUS
The money business belongs to me.
From Ephesus we have brought twelve hundred golden Philippeans, which our entertainer owed to our old gentleman. Hence, some contrivanceSome contrivance: Machinabor machinam is an Atticism borrowed by Plautus, probably from the original. With us it would be literally will machinate a machine will I this day contrive, to procure gold for this son of my master thus in love. But there’s a noise at our door—who’s coming out of doors, I wonder?
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[Textpart 3]
To the Piraeus will I go; I’ll go see whether any merchant-ship has come into harbour from Ephesus. For my mind misgives me; my son lingers there so long, and does not return.
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CHRYSALUS
Now, I’ll finely unravel him, if the Gods are propitious.
There must be no sleeping; gold is requisiteGold is requisite: Opus est chryso Chrysalo. He borrows the Greek word χρυσὸσ gold, and plays on his own name, which has that word for its origin. for Chrysalus. I’ll accost him, whom for sure this day I’ll make a ram of PhryxusRam of Phryxus: The Ram with the golden fleece carried Phryxus in safety over the Hellespont; but his sister Helle fell off its back on the passage, from which that arm of the sea derived its name. Jason recovered the golden fleece by the aid of Medea. The story of Helle and Phryxus is related at length in the Fasti and the Metamorphoses of Ovid. of; so, even to the quickEven to the quick: Ad vivam cutem—literally, to the living skin., will I shear him of his gold. (Accosting him.) His servant Chrysalus salutes Nicobulus.
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NICOBULUS
O, immortal Gods! where is my son?
CHRYSALUS
Why don’t you return the salutation first, which I gave you?
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NICOBULUS
Well, save you. But where on earth is Mnesilochus?
CHRYSALUS
He is alive and well.
NICOBULUS
Is he not come?
NICOBULUS
Hurra! you’ve brought me toYou’ve brought me to: Aspersisti aquam—literally, you have sprinkled water on me, in allusion to the refreshing effects of water in cases of faintness. my senses. And has he all along been well?
CHRYSALUS
Aye, well as a boxerWell as a boxer: Pancratice atque athletice—literally, boxing-like and wrestler-like. and an athlete.
NICOBULUS
But what as to this—the business on account or which I sent him hence to Ephesus?
