Perde 1
[Textpart 3]
I’ faith, if you now had anything to give, you’d be uttering different remarks; now, since you’ve got nothing, you expect to be having her by means of harsh language.
ARGYRIPPUS
’Tis not my way.
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CLEAERETA
Nor yet mine, indeed, i’ faith, to be sending her to you for nothing; but this shall be done out of regard for your youthful age and your own sake, since you have rather been the cause of profit to us than of reputation to yourself. If two talents of silverTwo talents of silver: The Attic silver, or Solonian talent, contained 73-100th parts of the old Attic talent. It will be observed that the hag is here adding just one hundred minae to her demand; but it is clear that she is only doing so to provoke Argyrippus, and to amuse herself with his mistress. are paid me down, reckoned in my hand, this night will I grant you for nothing, as a present, by reason of my respect for you.
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ARGYRIPPUS
What if I haven’t it?
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CLEAERETA
I’ll believe that you haven’t it—still, she shall go to another.
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ARGYRIPPUS
Where is that which I have given you already?
CLEAERETA
Spent; for if it was remaining to me, the damsel should be sent to you, and I should never ask for anything. Daylight, water, the sun, the moon, the night, these things I purchase not with money; the rest, whatever we wish to enjoy, we purchase on Grecian trustOn Grecian trust: The Greeks were so noted for their want of punctuality in their payments, that it became the general rule among them not to give credit. Consequently, Grecian trust became a proverbial saying for ready money..
When we ask bread of the baker, wine from the wineshop—if they receive the money, they give their wares; the same principle do I go upon. My hands always have eyes in them; they believe what they see. There’s an old saying, trusting is good for noughtTrusting is good for nought: Nihili cocio est. The meaning of this passage is obvious, that trusting is bad; but the signification of the word cocio has puzzled the Commentators. Gronovius, with some probability, suggests that it is the old form of the word cautio; meaning one who goes upon trust. It may either mean that, or trusting, or giving tick, as we familiarly term it; indeed, it is not improbable that the word cocio may have been a cant name for credit. From the remark of Cleaereta, we may conclude that this was a proverbial expression, which had originated in being used by some famous person, or in some celebrated play of that day, all remembrance of which has now perished.; you know whose it is—I say no more.
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ARGYRIPPUS
Now I’m clean stripped, you tell me another tale;
a very different one, I say, you give me now from formerly, when I was making presents; a different one from formerly, when with kindness and good words you used to entice me to your house. Then did your house even smile upon me, when I used to come to you. You used to say that I alone of all loved you and her. When I had given anything, just like the young ones of a pigeon were you both upon my lips;
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and all your likings were according to my own liking. You always kept close to me; whatever I requested, whatever I wished, you used to do; what I didn’t wish and forbade, that, with carefulness, you used to avoid, nor did you first venture to attempt to do it. Now, you jades, you don’t much care either what I do wish or what I don’t wish.
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CLEAERETA
Don’t you know? This calling of ours is very like that of the fowler. The fowler, when he has prepared the spot, sprinkles the food about. The birds are accustomed to the spot. ’Tis necessary for him’Tis necessary for him: Necesse est facere sumptum, qui quaerit merum. Louis the Twelfth, the King of France, was always quoting this proverb; but it has been remarked, that he failed to make it his rule of conduct. to make an outlay, who seeks for gain. They eat often; if they are caught once, they reimburse the fowler.
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So in like manner here with us. Our house is the spot, I am the fowler, the courtesan is the food, the couch is the decoy, the lovers the birds. By kindly welcoming them, by addressing them courteously, by dallying, and by chattering over the wine, and amusing conversation, they are won. If one of them has touched her bosom, that is not without advantage to the fowler. If he has taken a kiss, him you may take without a net. That you should be forgetful of these things, you who have been schooled so long!
ARGYRIPPUS
That’s your own fault, in turning away from you a scholar half instructed.
CLEAERETA
Come back again without hesitation, if you’ve got the pay; for the present, be off.
ARGYRIPPUS
Stay, stay; don’t you hear me? Say what you think it fair that I should give you for her, that for this year she may be with no one else.
CLEAERETA
What, you? Twenty minae. And on this condition: if any other person shall bring them first to me, to you—good-bye.
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ARGYRIPPUS
But I— There’s still something that I wish to say to you before you go.
CLEAERETA
Say what you please.
ARGYRIPPUS
I’m not entirely ruined yet; there’s still something more left for me to come to ruin. I have wherewithal to give you what you ask; but I’ll give it you on my own terms,
