Perde 4
[Textpart 2]
he that gave me these letters said his name was Callicles.
875
CHARMIDES
In fact, this fellow is looking for my own son Lesbonicus and my friend Callicles, to whom I entrusted both my children and my property.
A SHARPER.
Let me know, respected sir Respected sir: Pater, literally. father., if you are acquainted with it, where these persons live.
CHARMIDES
Why are you inquiring for them? Or who are you?—Or whence are you?—Or whence do you cone?
A SHARPER.
I gave the return correctly to the Censor To the Censor: Juratori. It was the duty of the Censor, among the Romans, to make these inquiries of every person when taking the Census. As the Censors were bound by an oath to the faithful discharge of their duties they were, in common with all persons so bound, called juratores, oathsmen. The Sharper gives Charmides an impudent answer, saying that he has answered the Censor on these points, and that is enough., when I was questioned by him—
You ask a number of things in the same breath; I know not which in especial to inform you upon. If you will ask each thing singly, and in a quiet manner, I’ll both let you know my name, and my business, and my travels.
880
CHARMIDES
I’ll do as you desire. Come then; in the first place, tell me your name.
A SHARPER.
You begin by demanding an arduous task.
A SHARPER.
Because, respected sir,
if you were to begin before daylight, i’ faith, to commence at the first part of my name Beginning of my name: He probably alludes to his varied calling, commensurate with everything in the line of roguery. See the Note to line 815., ’twould be the dead of the night before you could get to the end of it.
885
CHARMIDES
According to your story, a person should have a long journey’s provision crammed tightly in for your name.
A SHARPER.
I have another name somewhat less,—about the size of a wine-casks Size of a wine cask: He alludes, probably, to the amphora, or large earthen jar, in which wine was kept. This was, perhaps, a cant saying, just as if we should say, As little as a hogshead..
CHARMIDES
What is this name of yours, young man?
A SHARPER.
Hush, that’s my name Hush, that is my name: Pax. This word was used to enjoin silence, like our word Hush, or Whist. He seems to allude to his own thieving avocation, which often required him to be as mute as a mouse. Some of the editions nave tax, as though from tango, to prig, or steal. This, Thornton renders Touchit.;
that’s my every-day one.
890
CHARMIDES
I’ faith, ’tis a scampish name; just as though Just as though: This passage is of obscure signification. A note of exclamation ought to be inserted after pax, and then the meaning of the old man seems to be, that, as in conversation a stop is instantly put to the discourse on saying hush! so, if anything is entrusted to him, it is as easily done for (periisse), and that it vanishes the instant you call him by his name. Thin is the explanation given by Lindemann. Ritschel reads pax, but most of the old Commentators have tax, which seems the more probable reading. The passage is thus rendered in Thornton’s translation: SHARP. ’Tis Touchit;—that, sir, is my name. A common one. CHARM. A very knavish name: As though you meant to say if anything Was trusted to you, touch it, and ’tis gone. you were to say, Hush, if I were confiding anything to you, and then it is at an end forthwith. (Aside.) This fellow is evidently a sharper. What say you, young man—?
890
A SHARPER.
What is it now?
CHARMIDES
Speak out; what do these persons owe you whom you are seeking?
A SHARPER.
The father of this young man, Lesbonicus, delivered to me these two letters;
