Perde 2
PSEUDOLUS
crafty and clever one, who, when he has once taken hold of the beginning, may by his own ingenuity still hold fast upon what it behoves him to do; one, too, who has not often been seen here.
725
CHARINUS
If he is a slave, does that matter at all?
PSEUDOLUS
Why, I’d much rather have him than a free man.
CHARINUS
I think that I’m able to procure for you a cunning and clever fellow,
that has lately come to my father from Carystus From Carystus: This was a city of Eubœa, opposite the Isle of Andros., and hasn’t as yet gone anywhere out the house, and who never visited Athens before yesterday.
730
PSEUDOLUS
You assist in right earnest. But I have need to borrow five minae of silver, which I shall repay this day, for his father (pointing to CALIDORUS) owes it me.
CHARINUS
I’ll lend it; don’t seek it anywhere else.
PSEUDOLUS
O, how convenient a person for me.
I have need of a scarf as well, a sword, and a broad-brimmed hat.
735
CHARINUS
I can provide them from my house.
735
PSEUDOLUS
Immortal Gods! surely this is not Charinus for me, but Abundance. But this servant, who is come here from Carystus, is there anything in him?
CHARINUS
Plenty of the stinking goat The stinking goat: He cannot resist the temptation of a pun, though a somewhat unsavoury one. Pseudolus asks if this servant of Charinus is at all sharp. Quid sapit? The same words also admit of the meaning, does he smell of anything? On which Charinus gives him answer, as though the question had been put in the latter sense, Yes, of the goat under the arm-pits. The Romans, who were fond of giving a name to everything, whether it was worth it or not, called the strong smell produced by the glands of the arm-pits by the name of hircus, the goat, by reason of the rank smell of that animal. in him.
PSEUDOLUS
It befits the fellow, then, to have a tunic with long sleeves Tunic with long sleeves: On this dirty answer being given him, Pesudolus says, Well, then, he must have an under-garment with long sleeves, manuleata tunica, in order to suppress the offensive smell. The use of the long-sleeved tunic was considered to denote great effeminacy. Has the chap anything sharp Anything sharp: Ecquid aceti. Literally, any vinegar. This word sometimes signifies caustic wit or raillery Here it denotes natural shrewdness. in his breast?
CHARINUS
Aye, of the very sharpest.
PSEUDOLUS
But if it is necessary for him to draw forth what is sweet from the same place, has he aught of that?
740
CHARINUS
Do you ask that He has wine of myrrh, sweet raisin wine, spice wine Raisin wine, spice wine: Passum was wine made from grapes dried in the sun. Defrutum was new wine boiled down to one-half with herbs and spices to make it keep. honey wine, sweets of every sort. Why, he once began to set up a hot liquor-shop in his breast.
740
PSEUDOLUS
Bravissimo! Why, Charinus, you beat me cleverly You beat me cleverly: Lamberas. The verb lambero generally signifies to tear in pieces. at my own game. But what am I to say is the name of this servant?
PSEUDOLUS
In a difficulty, does he understand how to twirl about?
745
