Perde 3
[Textpart 5]
Take care, then, to enjoy that fame at Acheron.
TYNDARUS
He who dies for virtue’s sake, still does not perish.
690
HEGIO
When I’ve tortured you in the most severe manner, and for your schemes put you to death, let them say either that you have perished or that you have died; so long as you do die, I don’t think it matters if they say you live.
TYNDARUS
I’ faith, if you do do so, you’ll do it not without retribution, if he shall return here, as I trust that he will return.
695
ARISTOPHONTES
O ye immortal Gods! I understand it now; now I know what the case really is. My friend Philocrates is at liberty with his father, in his native land. ’Tis well;
nor have I any person to whom I could so readily wish well. But this thing grieves me, that I’ve done this person a bad turn, who now on account of me and my talking is in chains.
700
HEGIO
Did I not forbid you this day to utter anything false to me?
TYNDARUS
You did forbid me.
HEGIO
Why did you dare to tell me lies?
TYNDARUS
Because the truth would have prejudiced him whom I was serving; now falsehood has advantaged him.
705
HEGIO
But it will prejudice yourself.
TYNDARUS
’Tis very good. Still, I have saved my master, whom I rejoice at being saved, to whom my elder master had assigned me as a protector. But do you think that this was wrongly done?
TYNDARUS
But I, who disagree with you, say, rightly. For consider, if any slave of yours had done this for your son, what thanks you would have given him. Would you have given that slave his freedom or not? Would not that slave have been in highest esteem with you?
710
TYNDARUS
Why, then, are you angry with me?
715
HEGIO
Because you have proved more faithful to him than to myself.
TYNDARUS
How now? Did you expect, in a single night and day, for yourself to teach me—a person just made captive, a recent slave, and in his noviciate—that I should rather consult your interest than his,
with whom from childhood I have passed my life?
720
