Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
We are both greatly obliged to you, by reason of your doing so, since you allow us to obtain what we are desirous of.
PHILOCRATES
Step here then, at a distance now, if you think fit,
that no listeners may be enabled to overhear our discourse, and that this plan of ours mayn’t be divulged before them for a stratagem is no stratagem, if you don’t plan it with art but it is a very great misfortune if it becomes disclosed. For if you are my master, and I represent myself as your servant,
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still there’s need of foresight, and need of caution, that this may be carried out discreetly and without overlookers, with carefulness and with cautious prudence and diligence. So great is the mutter that has been commenced upon; this must not be carried out in any drowsy fashion.
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TYNDARUS
Just as you shall desire me to be, I will be.
TYNDARUS
For now you see that for your precious life I’m setting at stake my own, as dear to me.
TYNDARUS
But remember to know it when you shall be enjoying that which you wish for; for mostly, the greatest part of mankind follow this fashion; what they wish for, until they obtain it, they are rightminded; but when they have now got it in their power,
from being rightminded they become most deceitful, and most dishonest; now I do consider that you are towards me as I wish. What I advise you, I would advise my own father.
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PHILOCRATES
I’ faith, if I could venture, I would call you father; for next to my own father, you are my nearest father.
TYNDARUS
I understand.
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PHILOCRATES
And therefore I remind you the more frequently, that you may remember it. I am not your master, but your servant; now this one thing I do beseech you. Inasmuch as the immortal Gods have disclosed to us their wishes, that they desire me to have once been your master, and now to be your fellow-captive; what formerly of my right I used to command you, now with entreaties do I beg of you,
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by our uncertain fortunes, and by the kindness of my father towards you, and by our common captivity, which has befallen us by the hand of the enemy, don’t you pay me any greater respect than I did you when you were my slave; and don’t you forget to remember who you were, and who you now are.
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TYNDARUS
I know, indeed, that I now am you, and that you are I.
PHILOCRATES
Well, if you are able carefully to remember that, 1 have some hope in this scheme of ours.
[Textpart 2]
I shall return in-doors just now, when I shall have discovered from these people what I want to know. (To the SLAVES.) Where are those persons whom I ordered to be brought out of doors here, before the house ?
PHILOCRATES
By my faith, I find that you have taken due precaution that we shouldn’t be missed by you, so walled in are we with chains and keepers.
HEGIO
He that takes precaution that he mayn’t be deceived, is hardly on his guard, even while he’s taking precaution; even when he has supposed that he has taken every precaution, full often is this wary man outwitted. Was there not good reason, indeed, for me to watch you carefully, whom I purchased with so large a sum of ready money?
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PHILOCRATES
Troth, it isn’t fair for us to hold you to blame, because you watch us closely;
