Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
By the favour of the Gods and of my forefathers, I am rich enough.
HEGIO
I don’t quite believe that every kind of gain is serviceable to mankind. I know that gain has already made many a man famous; and yet there are occasions when it is undoubtedly better to incur loss than to make gain. Gold I detest: many a one has it persuaded to many an evil course. Now give your attention to this, that you may know as well what my wishes are.
325
My son, taken prisoner. is in servitude at Elis there among your people; if you restore him to me, don’t you give me a single coin besides; both you and him, your servant, I’ll send back from here; on no other terms can you depart hence.
330
TYNDARUS
You ask what’s very right and very just, and you are the very kindest person of all mankind. But whether is he in servitude to a private person or to the publicOr to the public: Some captives were employed in the public service, while others fell into the hands of private individuals.?
HEGIO
In private servitude to Menarchus, a physician.
335
PHILOCRATES
By my faith, that person’s surely his father’s dependant. Why really, that’s down as pat for you, as the shower is when it rains.
335
HEGIO
Do you then cause this person, my son, to be redeemed.
TYNDARUS
I’ll do so: but this I beg of you, Hegio—
HEGIO
Whatever you wish, so that you request nothing against my interest, I’ll do.
TYNDARUS
Listen then, and you’ll know. I don’t ask for myself to be released, until he has returned.
But I beg of you to give me him (pointing to PHILOCRATES) with a price setWith a price set: Aestimatus here means entrusted to a person at a fixed value, and at his risk for the due return of it. upon him, that I may send him to my father, that this person, your son, may be redeemed there.
340
HEGIO
Why no; I’d rather send another person hence, when there shall be a truce, to confer with your father there, and to carry your injunctions which you shall entrust him with, just as you wish.
TYNDARUS
But it’s of no use to send to him one that he doesn’t know; you’d be losing your labour.
Send this person; he’ll have it all completed, if he gets there. And you cannot send any person to him more faithful, nor one in whom he places more confidence, nor who is more a servant after his own mind; nor, in fact, one to whom he would more readily entrust your son. Have no fears; at my own peril I’ll make proof of his fidelity,
345
relying upon his disposition; because he is sensible that I’m kindly disposed towards him.
350
HEGIO
Well then, I’ll send him with a price set upon him, on the surety of your promise, if you wish it.
TYNDARUS
I do wish it; so soon as ever it can, I want this matter to be brought to completion.
HEGIO
What reason is there, then, that if he doesn’t return, you should not pay me twenty minae for him?
HEGIO
Release him now forthwith;
