Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
How say you, do you still remember anything of the Punic language?
985
AGORASTOCLES
Nothing at all, i’ faith; for tell me, how could I know, who was but six years old when I was stolen away from Carthage?
HANNO
O ye immortal Gods! very many freeborn children have been lost from Carthage after this manner.
AGORASTOCLES
What do you want?
990
MILPHIO
Should you like me to address this person in the Punic tongue?
990
AGORASTOCLES
Do you understand it?
MILPHIO
No Punic man this day is a better Punic than I.
AGORASTOCLES
Go and address him, as to what he wants, why he’s come, who he is, of what country, and whence he comes. Don’t be sparing of your questions.
MILPHIO
Avo! Avo: Hail. Milphio’s knowledge of the Punic dialect was probably but limited, though in the sequel it appears that he does know something of it. The translation of these Punic expressions is from Warner’s Translation, where the Punic is given in a form somewhat different from that found in the modern editions of the text. Of what country are you, or from what city?
HANNO
Hanno Muthumballe bachaëdreanech.
995
AGORASTOCLES
What does he say?
MILPHIO
He says that he is Hanno from Carthage, a Carthaginian, son of Muthumbal.
HANNO
Donni Donni: My masters. Milphio says he is talking about gifts, from the resemblance of the word to the Latin doni, the genitive case of donum, a gift..
MILPHIO
He intends to present you with some donation out of this; what, I don’t know. Don’t you hear him promise?
AGORASTOCLES
Salute him again in Punic, in my name.
1000
MILPHIO
Avo donni he tells me to say to you in his name.
HANNO
Mehar bocca Mehar bocca: This passage has been rendered, Oh! what a son of tears! Milphio says he is talking about his bucca, or cheek, being in pain. An attempt has been made in the Translation to preserve in some slight degree the resemblance.!
