Perde 1
[Textpart]
those who areThose who are: It is not unlikely that this and the next three lines are fragments of a Prologue, spoken by Pistoclerus, in which he is complimenting the ingenuity shown by the slave Chrysalus throughout the piece as he is making reference to the punishment of slaves when speaking of chains, rods, and the mill. to which latter place refractory slaves were sent for hard labour. of a thrifty turn of mind, modest, and without servility.
PISTOCLERUS
Chains, rods, and mills; their shocking brutality becomes worse.
She who keeps my friend and me engaged.
1st BACCHIS
I have heardI have heard: This is probably the commencement of a Scene. The First Bacchis is revolving her plans against Pistoclerus, who is wandering through the city in search of the mistress of his friend Mnesilochus. that Ulysses underwent toils innumerable, who, in wanderings, was twenty years away from his native land. But this young man by far outdoes Ulysses; who here in this spot is wandering within the walls of the city.
She was of the same name with myself.
Sweep out the houseSweep out the house: She is evidently ordering the servants to put the house in readiness against the arrival of her sister from abroad. with brooms, work briskly.
that most dirty fellow with the water-pailThe water-pail: Nassiterna was a pail, or water-pot, having three spouts or mouths. and the water.
5
CLEOMACHUS
But if a lifeBut if a life: Here is another Scene. It would appear probable that the Second Bacchis, having heard, on her arrival, that Mnesilochus, by his friend, is in search of her, signifies to the Captain her intention to remain at Athens, and not to accompany him to Elatia in Phocis, on which he reminds her of the sum of money he has given her, and the original terms of the agreement. It would appear that he proceeds to threaten with his wrath any more fortunate rival; and then concludes by inveighing against harlots in general, as limaces, snails, or slugs, in the same way as a Comic writer of our day might style them leeches, or bloodsuckers. It may be remarked, that with the ancients, the avail was the emblem of salacity. of wantonness is perchance preferred by you, consider the price that I agreed to give you that at that age you might not be following me for nought
that from no one else you might be receiving a yearly pay, except from oneself, nor be toying with any man
PISTOCLERUS
As like as milkAs like as milk: Here again is another Scene. Pistoclerus has caught sight of the Second Bacchis, but being unaware that she really is the person whom he is in search of, he remarks upon her strong resemblance to the First Bacchis, with whom, by this time, he has probably had an interview on the subject. His servant then comes and informs him that she is the person whom he is looking for, but that she is under the protection of a mighty Captain, whose breast heaves like a pair of blacksmith’s bellows. is to milk;
SERVANT
The soldier who sells his life for gold
I know that his breath is much stronger than when the bellows of bull’s hide are blowing, when the rocks melt where the iron is made.
PISTOCLERUS
Of what country did he seem to you?
SERVANT
I think he is of PraenesteIs of Praeneste: He has a hit here at the people of Praeneste, whom he has in a former play censured for their bad grammar, and whom he here represents as occupying the same place in Roman estimation, as the Gascons do, whether deservedly or not, in ours.; he was such a boaster.
PISTOCLERUS
The city and I don’t think it is in spurious boastfulness.
1st BACCHIS
My heart, my hopeMy heart, my hope: The First Bacchis seems here to be repeating her first lessons in the attack which she is about to make on the heart of the novice Pistoclerus; she is evidently conning over the flattering things that she intends to say to him.,
my honey, my sweetness, my nutriment, my delight.
