Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
Wretched is that man who is in search of something to eat, and finds that with difficulty; but more wretched is he who both seeks with difficulty, and finds nothing at all; most wretched is he, who, when he desires to eat, has not that which he may eat. But, by my faith, if I only could, I’d willingly tear out the eyes of this day;
ERGASILUS
—with such enmity has it filled all people towards me. One more starved out I never did see, nor one more filled with hungerFilled with hunger: This paradoxical expression is similar to the one used in the Aulularia, l. 45, inaniis oppletae, filled with emptiness., nor one who prospers less in whatever he begins to do. So much do my stomach and my throat take rest on these fasting holidaysFasting holidays: He means to say, that as on feast days and holidays people abstain from work, so at present his teeth and stomach have no employment.. Away with the profession of a Parasite to very utter and extreme perdition!
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so much in these days do the young men drive away from them the needy drolls. They care nothing now-a-days for these Laconian menThese Laconian men: The Parasites, when there was not room for them on the triclinia, or couches at table, were forced to sit on subsellia, or benches, at the bottom of the table. This was like the custom of the Spartans, or Laconians, who, eschewing the luxury of reclining, always persisted in sitting at meals. The Spartans, also, endured pain with the greatest firmness; a virtue much required by Parasites, in order to put up with the indignities which they had to endure from the guests, who daubed their faces, broke pots about their heads, and boxed their ears. of the lowest benches—these whipping-posts, who have their clever sayings without provision and without money. They now-a-days seek those who, when they’ve eaten at their pleasure, may give them a return at their own houses. They go themselves to market, which formerly was the province of the Parasites.
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They go themselves from the Forum to the procurers with face as exposedWith face as exposed: People, with any sense of decency, would resort to these places either in masks, or with a hood thrown over the face. as the magistrates in courtIn court: In tribu. He alludes to the trials which took place before the Roman people in the Comitia Tributa, or assemblies of the tribes, where the Tribunes and Aediles acted as the accusers. The offences for which persons were summoned before the tribes, were, bad conduct of a magistrate in performance of his duties, neglect of duty, mismanagement of a war, embezzlement of the public money, breaches of the peace, usury, adultery, and some other crimes. The Comitia Tributa were used as courts of appeal, when a person protested against a fine imposed by a magistrate., with face exposed, condemn those who are found guilty; nor do they now value buffoons at one farthingAt one farthing: Literally, at a teruncius, which was a small coin among the Romans, containing three unciae, twelfth parts or one quarter of the as, which we generally take as equivalent to a penny.; all are so much in love with themselves. For, when, just now, I went away from here, I came to some young men in the Forum: Good morrow, said I; whither are we going together to breakfast? On this, they were silent.
475
Who says, ‘here, at my house,’ or who makes an offer? said I. Just like dumb men, they were silent, and didn’t smile at me. Where do we dine? said I. On this they declined. I said one funny saying out of my best bon mots, by which I formerly used to get feasting for a month; not an individual smiled; at once I knew that the matter was arranged by concert.
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Not even one was willing to imitate a dog when provoked; if they didn’t laugh, they might, at least, have grinned with their teethGrinned with their teeth: That is, by showing their teeth and grinning. This is not unlike the expression used in the Psalms (according to the translation in our Liturgy) —Ps. lix., ver. 6—They grin like a dog and run about through the city.. From them I went away, after I saw that I was thus made sport of. I went to some others; then to some others I came; then to some others—the same the result. All treat the matter in confederacy, just like the oil-merchants in the VelabrumIn the Velabrum: The Via Nova, or New Street, at Rome, led from the interior of the city to the Velabra. The greater and the less Velabrum lay between the Palatine and the Capitoline Hills, where fruits and other commodities were sold in booths, or under awnings, from which (vela) the streets probably derived their name. Varro, however, says that they were so called from the verb veho, to carry; because in early times those spots were traversed in boats, which mode of carriage was called velatura. From the present passage, it appears that the oil-merchants in the Velabra acted in confederacy not to sell their oils under a certain price..
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Now, I’ve returned thence, since I see myself made sport of there. In like manner do other Parasites walk to and fro, to no purpose, in the Forum. Now, after the foreign fashionAfter the foreign fashion: Some suppose that barbaricâ lege here means the foreign or Roman law, and that he refers to the Lex Vinnia, introduced at Rome by Quintus Vinnius, which was said to have been passed against those persons who confederated for the purpose of keeping up the high prices of provisions. It is, however, somewhat doubtful if there really was such a law; and the better opinion seems to be that the word lege means fashion or custom; and that he refers to the Roman method of trial. He will accuse his former entertainers of a conspiracy to starve him. He will name a day for trial, diem dicet; he will demand damages or a penalty. irrogabit mulctam; and thus will he proceed at law against them, sic egerit. Rost has written at great length on the meaning of this passage., I’m determined to enforce all my rights. Those who have entered into a confederacy, by which to deprive us of food and life,—for them I’ll name a day. I’ll demand, as the damages, that they shall give me ten dinners
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at my own option, when provisions are dear: thus will I do. Now I’ll go hence to the harbour. There, is my only hope of a dinner; if that shall fail me, I’ll return here to the old gentleman, to his unsavoury dinner.
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[Textpart 2]
What is there more delightful than to manage one’s own interests well for the public goodFor the public good: It is possible that he may here refer to his purchase of Philocrates, whose high position among the Eleans would probably tend, on his return to his native country, to promote peace between it and the people of Aetolia., just as I did yesterday,
HEGIO
when I purchased these men. Every person, as they see me, comes to meet me, and congratulates me on this matter. By thus stopping and detaining unlucky me, they’ve made me quite tired. With much ado have I survivedWith much ado have I survived: Vix eminebam. Literally, I hardly kept myself above water. He means that he was almost overpowered by the crowds of people congratulating him. from being congratulated, to my misfortune.
500
At last, to the Praetor did I get. There, scarcely did I rest myself. I asked for a passport; it was given me: at once I delivered it to Tyndarus. He started for home. Thence, straightway, after that was done, I passed by my house; and I went at once to my brother’s, where my other captives are. I asked about Philocrates from Elis, whether any one of them all knew the person.
505
This man (pointing to ARISTOPHONTES) called out that he had been his intimate friend; I told him that he was at my house. At once he besought and entreated me that I would permit him to see him. Forthwith I ordered him to be released from chains. Thence have I come. (To ARISTOPHONTES.) Now, do you follow me,
510
that you may obtain what you have besought of me, the opportunity of meeting with this person.
[Textpart 3]
Now stands the matter so, that I would much rather that I had once existed, than that I still exist; now do my hopes, my resources, and my succour, desert me and spurn themselves. This is that day, when, for my life, no safety can be hoped; nor yet is death my end; nor hope is there, in fact, to dispel this fear for me;
TYNDARUS
nor cloak have I anywhere for my deceitful stratagems; nor for my devices or my subterfuges is there anywhere a screen presented to me. No deprecating is there for my perfidy; no means of flight for my offences. No refuge is there anywhere for my trusting; and no escape for my cunning schemes. What was concealed is now exposed; my plans are now divulged.
520
The whole matter is now laid open; nor is there any ado about this matter, but that I must perish outright, and meet with destruction, both on behalf of my master and myself. This Aristophontes has proved my ruin, who has just now come into the house. He knows me. He is the intimate friend and kinsman of Philocrates. Not Salvation herselfNot Salvation herself: This was a proverbial expression among the Romans. Salus, Safety or Salvation, was worshipped as a Goddess at Rome. It is well observed, in Thornton’s translation, that the word Salus may, without irreverence, be translated Salvation, on no less authority than that of Archbishop Tillotson. If, says he, men will continue in their sins, the redemption brought by Christ will be of no advantage to them; such as obstinately persist in an impenitent course, ipsa si velit Salus, servare non potest, Salvation itself cannot save them. can save me now, even if she wishes; nor have I any means of escape,
525
unless, perchance, I devise some artifice in my mind. (He meditates.) Plague on it!-how? What can I contrive?—what can I think of? Some very great folly and trifling I shall have to begin with. I’m quite at a loss.
530
[Textpart 4]
Whither am I to say, now, that this man has betaken himself from the house out of doors?
TYNDARUS
Now, for a very certainty, I’m done for; the enemies are coming to you, Tyndarus!
What shall I say?—what shall I talk of? What shall I deny, or what confess? All matters are reduced to uncertainty. How shall I place confidence in my resources? I wish the Gods had destroyed you, before you were lost to your own country, Aristophontes, who, from a plot well concerted, are making it disconcerted. This plan is ruined outright, unless I find out for myself some extremely bold device.
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