Prologos
[Textpart pr]
nor ever taken her home to his house; nor has that Procurer been willing to send her there. Because he sees that he is in love, he wishes to touch this man for a good haul. A certain Captain, who is desperately in love with her, is desirous to buy this younger one to be his mistress. But their father, the Carthaginian, since he lost them,
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PROLOGUE
has been continually seeking them in every quarter, by sea and land. When he has entered any city, at once he seeks out all the courtesans, wherever each of them is living; he gives her gold, and prolongs the night in his enquiries; after that he asks whence she comes, of what country, whether she was made captive or kidnapped,
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born of what family, who her parents were. So diligently and so skilfully does he seek for his daughters. He knows all languages, too; but, though he knows them, he pretends not to know them: what need is there of talking? He is a Carthaginian all over A Carthaginian all over: This is intended as a reflection upon the proverbial faithlessness of the Carthaginians. Punica fides, Punic faith, was a common proverb with the Romans.. He, in the evening of yesterday, came into harbour here on board ship.
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The father of these girls, the same is the father’s cousin of this young man. Now d’ye take D’ye take: There seems to be an equivocal meaning here in the word tenetis, which may mean either to understand, or to take hold with the hand. Dirumpatis also may mean either break off a rope or cord, or interrupt. Though Lambinus thinks that some indecent allusion is intended, this much more probable that Scaliger is right in supposing that allusion is made to the boyish diversion of two parties pulling at the ends of a rope till it either breaks, or one side lets go. this? If you do take it, draw it out: take care not to break it asunder; pray, let it proceed. (Moving as if to go.) Dear me! I had almost forgotten to say the rest. He who adopted this young man as his own son,
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the same was the guest of that Carthaginian, this old man’s father. He will come here to-day, and discover his daughters here, and this person, his cousin’s son, as indeed I’ve learnt. He, I say, who’ll come to-day, will find his daughters
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and this his cousin’s son. But after this, farewell!—attend; I’m off; I now intend to become another man Become another man: He will go to dress for a part in the Play; that of Agorastocles, as some have suggested.. As to what remains, some others remain who’ll explain all to you. I’ll go and dress. With kindly feelings do you then recognize me. Farewell! and give me your aid, that Salvation may prove propitious to you.
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