Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
What’s there for you to fear?
PISTOCLERUS
There’s nothing; all nonsense. Madam, I resign myself to you. I’m yours; to you do I devote my services.
1st BACCHIS
You are a dear man. Now I wish you to do this. To-day I want to give a welcome entertainmentA welcome entertainment: Caena viatica was an entertainment offered to a person by his friends immediately on his arrival from a voyage or journey. to my sister.
For that purpose I shall at once order the moneyOrder the money: This she says artfully, well knowing that he will at once offer to bear the expense of the entertainment. to be brought you from in-doors. Do you take care and cater for us a splendid entertainment.
95
PISTOCLERUS
No, I’ll stand treat; for it would be a shame, that on my account you both should take trouble for me, and by reason of that trouble should pay the expense from your own means.
1st BACCHIS
But I can’t allow you to give anything.
1st BACCHIS
Well, I’ll let you, if you choose.
Prithee, do make haste.
100
PISTOCLERUS
I shall be here again, before I cease to love you.
100
2nd BACCHIS
You entertain me pleasantly upon my return, my sister.
1st BACCHIS
How so, prithee?
2nd BACCHIS
Because, in my way of thinking, this day a lucky haul has fallen to your lot.
1st BACCHIS
He’s mine, assuredly. Now, sister, with respect to Mnesilochus, I’ll give you my aidGive you my aid: They will try to get Mnesilochus to advance the-money to redeem her from the Captain., that here at home you may be receiving gold, rather than be going hence together with the Captain.
2nd BACCHIS
That’s my desire.
105
1st BACCHIS
My aid shall be given you. The water’s warm; let’s go in, that you may bathe. For, as you have travelled on board ship, you are faint, I think.
105
2nd BACCHIS
A little so, sister. (PISTOCLERUS is seen at a distance.) Besides, he’s beginning to cause I don’t know what bustle. Let’s begone hence.
1st BACCHIS
Follow me this way in-doors to bathe, that you may relieve your weariness.
[Textpart 2]
For some time, Pistoclerus, I’ve been following you in silenceFollowing you in silence: We must not be surprised to find Lydus a Lydian slave, as his name imports, acting as the paedagogus, or tutor, of Pistoclerus. Among the wealthy, the sons of the family were committed to the paedagogi at their sixth or seventh year, and of course that officer was selected from the most trustworthy and most learned among the slaves. The youths remained under the tutor till they reached the years of puberty. His duty was rather to watch and protect them and accompany them to their school and the gymnasium or palaestra, the place of exercise, than to instruct them himself; indeed; the praeceptores, or teachers, are expressly distinguished by Quintilian from the paedagogi, or conductors of the youths. Eunuchs were sometimes appointed to this office. Among the Romans, a tutor attended on both boys and girls very frequently, as they were not confined at home according to the Grecian custom. During the Empire, much care was taken in the training of the paedagogi.,
LYDUS
watching what you were doing in this dressIn this dress: He has put on the malacum pallium, the soft garment, mentioned in l. 71, as being about to join the entertainment which he is providing.. For, so may the Gods favour me, even Lycurgus himselfLycurgus himself: He says that such company is enough to corrupt Lycurgus himself, a man of the most moral and strict habits. He was the lawgiver of Sparta. seems to me as if he could be led into debauchery here. Whither now are you betaking yourself hence in an opposite direction with such a train?
110
