Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
I’m awaiting in what way my plot is to proceed. I’m bent upon ruining this Procurer, since he torments my afflicted master; but he in his turn beats me, and strikes me with his fist and heels.
MILPHIO
It’s a misery to be in the service of one who is in love, especially one who is debarred from the object which he woos. Heyday! I see Syncerastus, the Procurer’s servant, betaking himself from the Temple. I’ll listen to what he has to say.
820
[Textpart 2]
It’s quite clear that Gods and men neglect the benefit of him who has a master like a person of such character as I have for a master.
SYNCERASTUS
There’s not another person anywhere in the world more perjured or more wicked than is my master, nor one so filthy or so defiled with dirt. So may the Gods bless me, I’d rather pass my life either in the stone quarries or at the mill, with my sides hampered with heavy irons, than pass this servitude with a Procurer. What a race this is!
825
What corruptors of men they are! Ye Gods, by our hopes in you, every kind of men you may see there, just as though you had come to Acheron —horse and foot, a freed-man, a thief, or a runaway, if you choose, one whipped, chained, or condemned to slavery. He who has got money to pay, whatever sort of person he is—all kinds are taken in; throughout all the house, in consequence,
830
are darkened spots and hiding-places: drinking and eating are going on, just as though in a cookshop, and in no less degree. There may you see epistles written in letters inscribed on pottery Inscribed on pottery: He alludes to the marks denoting the age of wine, which were placed upon the amphorae or cadi, the earthenware casks. These were stopped tight with wood or cork, made impervious to the atmosphere with pitch (as here mentioned), or with clay, or a composition of gypsum. On the outside the title of the wine was either painted, or inscribed in earthenware letters, which are here alluded to. The date of the vintage was denoted by the names of the Consuls then in office. When the vessels were of glass, small tickets, called pittacia, were suspended from them stating to a similar effect., and sealed with pitch: the names are upon them in letters a cubit long; such a perfect levy on vintners Levy of vintners: He calls the worthless characters who are skulking in his master’s house vinarii, vintners, from their love for wine, of which the Procurer seems to be in possession of a choice stock. have we got at our house.
835
MILPHIO
Upon my faith, it is quite wonderful, if his master doesn’t make him his heir;
for really, the way he soliloquizes, he’s making a speech over him as though dead and gone. I’d both like to accost the fellow, and yet I listen to him with extreme delight.
840
SYNCERASTUS
When I see these things going on, I’m vexed that slaves, purchased at the heaviest price, should at our house be robbed of the savings Robbed of the savings: Expeculiatas. He alludes to those slaves who, having run away from their masters, are lurking in the Procurer’s house, where they spend all their savings (peculium), which, by rights, should go to their masters towards the purchase of their freedom. which ought to go to their masters. But at last nothing is left visible: badly gotten, badly gone.
MILPHIO
This man goes on talking quite as though he himself were an honest fellow, when, upon my faith, he himself is able to make worthlessness more worthless.
845
SYNCERASTUS
Now I’m taking home these vessels from the Temple of Venus, where with his sacrifice my master has not been able to propitiate Venus on her festive day.
SYNCERASTUS
But our Courtesans, with their first victims, appeased Venus in an instant.
MILPHIO
O charming Venus, once again!
850
SYNCERASTUS
Now I’ll go home.
MILPHIO
Hallo! Syncerastus!
SYNCERASTUS
Who’s calling Syncerastus?
SYNCERASTUS
You don’t act like a friend, in causing me delay when I’ve got a burden.
MILPHIO
But in return for this matter I’ll lend you my aid, when you please, and when you give me your commands. Consider the agreement signed.
