Perde 4
[Textpart 2]
Just now, you were not he who you were, now you are become he who then you were not.
980
CHARMIDES
Come, despatch, if you are going to do it.
A SHARPER.
What am I to do?
CHARMIDES
Give me back the gold.
A SHARPER.
You are dreaming, old gentleman.
CHARMIDES
Did you own that Charmides delivered the gold to you?
A SHARPER.
Yes—in writing Yes, in writing: This, of course, was the fact, as Megaronides and Callicles would know better than entrust the fellow with any money. It probably means that he was entrusted with a letter to Callicles, enclosing a counterfeit bill at sight, or order on the Athenian bankers for payment of a thousand Philippeans to Callicles. This, Callicles was to show to Lesbonicus, to put him off the scent as to the treasure whence the money really was taken. The Sharper has told Charmides that he has the money with him, merely by way of boasting of his trustworthy character..
CHARMIDES
Are you making haste or not, you night-robber, to be off with all speed this very instant from this neighbourhood, before I order you to be soundly cudgelled on the spot?
A SHARPER.
For what reason?
985
CHARMIDES
Because I am that self-same Charmides about whom you have been thus lying, and who you said gave the letters to you.
985
A SHARPER.
How now; prithee, are you really he?
CHARMIDES
I really am he.
A SHARPER.
Say you so, pray? Are you really he himself?
A SHARPER.
Are you his own self?
CHARMIDES
His own self, I say. I am Charmides.
A SHARPER.
And are you then his own self?
CHARMIDES
His own very self. Begone hence out of my sight.
A SHARPER.
Since you really have made your appearance here thus late,
you shall be beaten both at my own award At my own award: He means to tell Charmides, that by delaying his return thus late, he has spoilt his prospect of a lucrative job; and he then adds, that he deserves a thrashing, equally with the actor who came on the stage too late. The actors in early times, being often slaves, were liable to punishment if they offended the audience. The Aediles were the officers under whose superintendence the plays were performed; and probably with them lay the decision whether the actor should be punished for coming late on the stage, after he had been pronounced deserving of it in the opinion (arbitratus) of the spectators. See the Note to l. 707. and that of the new Aediles.
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