Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
Inasmuch as, my business prosperously carried on, I am returned safe home, thanks do I return to Neptune and to his tempests; to Mercury as wellTo Mercury as well: Mercury was the God of traffic and gain, and the guardian of tradesmen He was said to receive his name from merx, traffic or merchandise. See the comical prayer of the cheating tradesman to his tutelar Divinity, in the Fasti of Ovid, B. 5, l. 675 et seq., who in my traffic
EPIGNOMUS
has aided me, and by my profits has rendered my property fourfold. Those whom formerly I affected with sorrow at my departure, the same shall I now make joyous at my arrival. But already have I met my connexion Antipho, and from bad terms have I returned to friendship with him.
405
See, prithee, what money can effect. Since, my affairs prospering, he sees that I’ve returned, and brought home great wealth, without any mediators, there on board the ship, upon the deck, we have returned to friendship and good feeling.
410
Both he and my brother dine with me this day; for yesterday we were both in the same harbourIn the same harbour: He here alludes to the custom in those times of lying at anchor during the night, and sailing in the day-time only, as it is clear that reference cannot here be made to the harbour from which they originally set out, as that was in Asia, and they could not have reached Athens from Asia within twenty-four hours. Epignomus and his brother appear to have freighted two ships with the valuable property which they had acquired in partnership. together; but to-day my ship weighed anchor a little the soonest. Take these people in-doors, Stichus, whomThese people whom: He alludes to the female slaves which have been already mentioned, consisting of harpers and music-girls, one of whom we shall shortly find to have attracted the admiration of Antipho. I’ve brought with me.
415
STICHUS
Master, whether I’m silent or speak, I’m sure you know
how many hardships I’ve endured in your service; now, on my arrival home, I wish to spend in freedomTo spend in freedom: Eleutheria. This is, originally, a Greek word. It was also the name of the Goddess of Liberty. this one day after these many hardships.
420
EPIGNOMUS
You ask what’s just and right. Stlchus, you may take this day for yourself; I don’t object to it. Go where you like.
A cask, too, of old wine, I give you to drink.
425
STICHUS
O, grand! I’ll have my mistress this day.
425
EPIGNOMUS
Even ten, so long as it is at your own expense.
EPIGNOMUS
Where do you dine to-day?
430
STICHUS
This plan have I thus resolved upon. I have a mistress here in the neighbourhood, Stephanium, the servantmaid of your brother. I’m going to invite her; I’ll take her to a pic-nic entertainmentA pic-nic entertainment: Symbola was the name given to an entertainment to which each of the guests contributed in money or kind; similar in principle, to what we call a pic-nic entertainment. at her fellow-servant’s, Sagarinus We both have the same mistress; we are rivals.
430
EPIGNOMUS
Come then, conduct them in. I grant you this day.
435
STICHUS
Hold me to blame if I don’t make the most of itMake the most of it: Excruciavero. Literally, torment it. He seems to allude to the word dedo, used by his master in the preceding line, I surrender to you this day; that word being especially applied to the surrender or giving-up of prisoners; on which Stichus rejoins, As the day is surrendered to me, I’ll torment it like a real prisoner—meaning I won’t let it pass in quietness. He fully keens his word.. Troth now, I’ll pass through the garden to my mistress, to engage her beforehand for me this evening; at the same time I’ll give my contribution, and bid the dinner to be cooked at Sagarinus’s,
or else I’ll go myself and make my marketing as caterer. Sagarinus, a servant for my with stripes to take him home well thrashed,
440
I’ll make all things to be in readiness here; but I’m delaying myself. And don’t you be surprisedDon’t you be surprised: He apologises for introducing slaves carousing on the Roman stage, by reminding the Spectators that the scene is at Athens. where greater freedom and indulgence was allowed to slaves than at Rome. (to the AUDIENCE) that men, who are slaves, drink, court, and give invitations to dinner? This is allowed us at Athens. But when I think of it, rather than meet with censure, there’s here, too,
445
