Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
nor yet for you us, if we go away hence, should there be an opportunity.
260
HEGIO
As you are here, so is my son a captive there among your people.
PHILOCRATES
He, a captive?
PHILOCRATES
We, then, have not proved the only cowardsThe only cowards: He alludes to the notion in the heroic times, that it was the duty of a warrior to conquer or to die, and that it was disgraceful to be made prisoner..
HEGIO
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.
PHILOCRATES
I will not be,
as to that which I shall know; if I shall not know anything, that which I don’t know I’ll tell you of.
265
TYNDARUS
Now is the old fellow in the barber’s shop; now, at this very instant, is Philocrates wielding the razorWielding the razor: It is hard to say whether by the word cultros, in this passage, razors or scissors are meant.. He hasn’t cared, indeed, to put on the barber’s clothTo put on the barber’s cloth: He probably means by thus expression that Philocrates has made no preamble, and shown no hesitation, in commencing at once to dupe the old man., so as not to soil his dress. But whether to say that he’s going to shave him close, or trim himOr trim him: He alludes here to the two kinds of shaving and trimming the beard used by the barbers among the ancients. The one was close strictim, when they shaved to the skin; the other was, when with a pair of scissors they clipped the hair, with the interposition of a comb. The former fashion was called by the Greeks δκάφιον; the latter method, which was borrowed from the Persians, κῆπιος;. Esse in tonstrinâ, to be in the barber’s shop, was a proverbial expression to denote being imposed upon. Tyndarus is wondering to what extent Philocrates is going to impose upon Hegio. through the combThrough the comb: The Greeks and Romans made their combs of boxwood, much of which was imported from Paphlagonia. The Egyptians used them made of wood and of ivory, and toothed on one side only; while those of the Greeks had teeth on both sides., I don’t know; but if he’s wise, he’ll scrape him right well to the very quick.
HEGIO
Which would you? Would you prefer to be a slave, or a free man?—Tell me.
270
PHILOCRATES
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.
TYNDARUS
Capital! I wouldn’t purchase, at a talent’s price even, Thales the MilesianThales the Milesian: A talent would be a low price for such a learned slave as Thales the Milesian, who was one of the seven wise men of Greece. He says, however, that Thales at such a low price would be nothing in comparison with Philocrates for the same money.;
for compared with this man’s wisdom, he was a very twaddler. How cleverly has he suited his language to the slave’s condition.
275
HEGIO
Of what family is this Philocrates born?
PHILOCRATES
The PolyplusianThe Polyplusian: This word is coined by Philocrates for the occasion, as being the name of his family, from the Greek word πολμπλομσιὸς, very wealthy; probably with the idea of raising the expectations of Hegio and making him the more ready to promote an exchange of his own son for a member of so opulent a family.; which one family is flourishing there, and held in highest esteem.
HEGIO
What is he himself? In what esteem is he held there?
PHILOCRATES
In the highest, and that by the very highest men.
HEGIO
Since, then, he is held in such great respect among the Eleans, as you tell of, what substance has he?—Of large amount?
280
PHILOCRATES
Enough for him, even, when an old man, to be melting out the tallowMelting out the tallow: Hegio asks him if his riches are very abundant, and in doing so uses the word opimae, of which the primary meaning was fat; the other answers, Yes, so fat that he can be melting the tallow out of them even when he is an old man; meaning thereby that he is amply provided with means..
HEGIO
What is his father? Is he living?
