Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
’Twas rightly done, and it is a pleasure this day for me to have given aid to these young women; I have now found some dependants, and both of them of comely looks and youthful age.
DAEMONES
But my plaguy wife is watching me in all ways, lest I should be giving any hint to the young women. But I wonder what in the world my servant Gripus is about, who went last night to the sea to fish. Troth, he had done wiser if he had slept at home;
895
for now he throws away both his pains and his nets, seeing what a storm there now is and was last night. I’ll thoroughly cook upon my fingers what he has caught to-day; so violently do I see the ocean heaving. (A bell rings.) But my wife’s calling me to breakfast; I’ll return home.
900
She’ll now be filling my ears with her silly prating.
905
[Textpart 2]
These thanks do I return to Neptune, my patron, who dwells in the salt retreats, the abode of fishes, inasmuch as he has despatched me finely laden on my return from his retreats, and from his Temples, laden with most abundant booty,
GRIPUS
with safety to my boat, which in the stormy sea made me master of a singular and rich haul. In a wondrous and incredible manner has this haul turned out prosperously for me, nor yet have I this day taken a single ounce weight of fish, but only that which I am here bringing with me in my net.
910
For when I arose in the middle of the night, and without sloth, I preferred profit to sleep and rest; in the raging tempest, I determined to try how I might lighten the poverty of my master and my own servitude, not sparing of my own exertions.
Most worthless is the man that is slothful, and most detestably do I hate that kind of men. It behoves him to be vigilant who wishes to do his duty in good time; for it befits him not to be waiting until his master arouses him to his duties. For those who sleep on for the love of it, rest without profit to themselves and to their own cost.
920
But now I, who have not been slothful, have found that for myself through which to be slothful if I should choose.
(Points to the wallet.) This have I found in the sea to-day; whatever’s in it, it’s something heavy that’s in it; I think it’s gold that’s in it. And not a single person is there my confidant in the matter. Now, Gripus, this opportunity has befallen you, that the Praetor The Praetor: The slave about to be manumitted, or to receive his freedom, was taken before the Praetor, whose lictor laid the vindicta or festuca, the rod of liberty, on the head of the slave, on which he received his freedom. might make you a free man from among the multitude. Now, thus shall I do, this is my determination; I’ll come to my master cleverly and cunningly, little by little I’ll promise money for my freedom, that I may be free.
925
Now, when I shall be free, then, in fine, I’ll provide me land and houses Land and houses: Is not this wonderfully like Alnaschar’s reverie in the Arabian Nights, so aptly quoted in the Spectator? and slaves: I’ll carry on merchandize with large ships: among the grandees I shall be considered a grandee. Afterwards, for the sake of pleasing myself, I’ll build me a ship and I’ll imitate Stratonicus Stratonicus: He was the treasurer of Philip of Macedon and Alexander the Great, and was famed for his wealth among the Greeks, as Crassus was among the Romans., and I’ll be carried about from town to town. When my greatness is far-spread, I shall fortify some great city: to that city I shall give the name of Gripus,
930
a memorial of my fame and exploits, and there I’ll establish a mighty kingdom. I am resolving here in my mind to prepare for mighty matters. At present I’ll hide this booty. But this grandee (pointing to himself) is about to breakfast upon vinegar Upon vinegar: He alludes to the posca, or vinegar and water, which formed the beverage of the slaves, and which is mentioned by Palaestrio in the Miles Gloriosus, l. 836. and salt, without any good substantial meat.
935
[Textpart 3]
Hallo there! stop.
GRIPUS
Why should I stop?
TRACHALIO
While I coil up this rope This rope: This is the first mention of the rudens, or netrope, from which the Play derives its name. for you that you are dragging.
TRACHALIO
Troth, but I’ll assist you. What’s kindly done to worthy men, isn’t thrown away.
GRIPUS
There was a boisterous tempest yesterday; no fish have I, young man; don’t you be supposing I have. Don’t you see that I’m carrying my dripping net without the scaly race?
940
TRACHALIO
I’ faith, I’m not wishing for fish so much as I am in need of your conversation.
GRIPUS
Then, whoever you are, you are worrying me to death with your annoyance.
