Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
Are you willing now that I should say something that concerns you?
SANNIO
With all my heart, only so it be something that’s fair.
AESCHINUS
Very fine! a Procurer wishing me not to say what’s unfair.
SANNIO
I am a Procurer,I am a Procurer: Westerhovins supposes this part to be a translation from the works of Diphilus. I confess it—the common bane of youth—a perjurer, a public nuisance; still, no injury has befallen you from me.
AESCHINUS
Why, faith, that remains to come—
190
SANNIO
Pray, Aeschinus, do come back to the point at which you set out.
190
AESCHINUS
You bought her for twenty nine; and may your bargain never thrive! That sum shall be given for her.
SANNIO
What if I don’t choose to sell her to you? Will you compel me?
SANNIO
I was afraid you would.
AESCHINUS
Neither do I think that a woman can be sold who is free; for I claim her by action of freedom.By action of freedom: Asserere liberati causa, was to assert the freedom of a person, with a determination to maintain it at law. The assertor laid hands upon the person, declaring that he or she was free; and till the cause was tried, the person whose freedom was claimed, remained in the hands of the assertor.
Now consider which you choose; take the money, or prepare yourself for the action. Think of it, Procurer, till I return.Till I return: Colman has a curious remark here: I do not remember, in the whole circle of modern comedy, a more natural picture of the elegant ease and indifference of a fine gentleman, than that exhibited in this Scene in the character of Aeschinus.
195
SANNIO
O supreme Jupiter! I do by no means wonder that men run mad through ill usage. He has dragged me out of my house, beaten me, taken my property away against my will, and has given me, unfortunate wretch, more than five hundred blows.
In return for all this ill usage he demands the girl to be made over to him for just the same price at which she was bought. But however, since he has so well deserved of me, be it so: he demands what is his due. Very well, I consent then, provided he only gives the money. But I suspect this; when I have said that I will sell her for so much, he’ll be getting witnesses forthwith that I have sold her.That I have sold her: He means, that if he only names a price, Aeschinus will suborn witnesses to say that be has agreed to sell her, in which case Aeschinus will carry her off with impunity, and the laws will not allow him to recover her; as it will then be an ordinary debt, and he will be put off with all the common excuses used by debtors. As to getting the money, it’s all a dream. Call again by and by; come back to-morrow.
200
I could bear with that too, hard as it is, if he would only pay it. But I consider this to be the fact; when you take up this trade, you must brook and bear in silence the affronts of these young fellows. However, no one will pay me; it’s in vain for me to be reckoning upon that.
205
[Textpart 2]
Say no more; I myself will arrange with him; I’ll make him glad to take the money at once, and
SYRUS
say besides that he has been fairly dealt with. (Addressing SANNIO.) Sannio, how is this, that I hear you have been having some dispute or other with my master?
210
SANNIO
I never saw a dispute on more unequal termsOn more unequal terms: Certationem comparatam. This was a term taken from the combats of gladiators, where it was usual to choose as combatants such as seemed most nearly a match for each other. than the one that has happened to-day between us; I, with being thumped, he, with beating me, were both of us quite tired.
