Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
I wish you to put these speeches to the test, both by your deeds and your actions;
TYNDARUS
and inasmuch as I have said the less about you than I had wished, I wish you the more to give me your attention, and take you care not to be angry with me by reason of these words. But, I beseech you, reflect that you are sent hence home with a price set upon you at my risk, and that my life is here left as a pledge for you. Do not you forget me the very moment that you have left my presence,
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since you will have left me here behind a captive in captivity for yourself, and don’t consider yourself as free, and forsake your pledgeForsake your pledge: Alluding to himself being left behind, and a surety for his speedy return., and not use your endeavours for you to bring his son home again, in return for me. Understand that you are sent hence valued at twenty minae. Take care to prove scrupulously faithful; take care that you show not a wavering fidelity.
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For my father, I am sure, will do everything that he ought to do. Preserve me as a constant friend to you, and find outAnd find out: Atque hunc inventum inveni. Some would render this, And find this person still as you have found him, making it allude to Hegio; it seems, however, rather to apply to the son of Hegio, and to mean, Do you seek out this person whom we have found out to be in the possession of the physician, Menarchus. this person so lately discovered. These things, by your right hand, holding you with my own right hand, do I beg of you; do not prove less true to me than I have proved to you. This matter do you attend to; you are now my master, you my patron, you my father;
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to you do I commend my hopes and my fortunes.
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PHILOCRATES
You have given injunctions enough. Are you satisfied if I bring back accomplished what you have enjoined?
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PHILOCRATES
According to your wishes, and (to TYNDARUS) according to yours, will I return hither provided. Is there anything else?
TYNDARUS
For you to return back as soon as ever you can.
PHILOCRATES
The business itself reminds me of that.
HEGIO
Follow me, that I may give you your expenses for the journey at my banker’s;
on the same occasion I’ll get a passport from the Praetor.
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TYNDARUS
What passportWhat passport?: Being conscious of the trick which they are playing on the worthy old man, Tyndarus shows some alarm on hearing a passport, or syngraphus, mentioned. Commentators are at a loss to know why he should express such alarm. It is difficult to say, but, probably, as there was in the passport a description of the bearer, who would be Philocrates under the name of Tyndarus, it suddenly comes to the recollection of Tyndarus that they were originally made prisoners under their proper names, and that possibly Philocrates may be recognized as attempting to pass under an assumed name.?
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HEGIO
For him to take with him hence to the army, that he may be allowed to go home from here. (To TYNDARUS.) You go in-doors.
PHILOCRATES
Right heartily, farewell.
HEGIO
I’ faith, I compassed my design, when I purchased these men of the Quaestors out of the spoil. I have released my son from slavery, if so it pleases the Gods;
and yet I hesitated a long time whether I should purchase or should not purchase these persons. Watch that man indoors, if you please, you servants, that he may nowhere move a foot without a guard. I shall soon make my appearance at home; now I’m going to my brother’s, to see my other captives; at the same time I’ll enquire whether any one knows this young man.
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(To PHILOCRATES.) Do you follow, that I may despatch you. I wish attention first to be paid to that matter.
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