The Captivi and the MostellariaPlautus, Titus Maccius
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The Captivi and the Mostellaria
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Latin drama (Comedy); Plautus, Titus Maccius -- Translations into English
SLAVE. Be it so; go you away from here, _you people_. Let's step here,
on one side. (_To the other_ CAPTIVES _and_ SLAVES.) But commence upon a
short conversation _only_.
PHIL. O yes, it was my intention so to do. Step aside this way (_to_
TYNDARUS).
SLAVE (_to the other_ CAPTIVES). Stand apart from them.
TYND. (_to the_ SLAVE). "We are Both greatly obliged to you, by reason
of your doing so, since you allow us to obtain what we are desirous of.
PHIL. Step here then, at a distance now, if you think fit, that no
listeners may be enabled to overhear our discourse, and that this plan
of ours mayn't be divulged before them for a stratagem is no stratagem,
if you don't plan it with art but _it is_ a very great misfortune if it
becomes disclosed. For if you are my master, and I represent myself as
your servant, still there's need of foresight, _and_ need of caution,
that this may be carried out discreetly and without overlookers, with
carefulness and with cautious prudence and diligence. So great is the
matter that has been commenced upon; this must not be carried out in any
drowsy fashion.
TYND. Just as you shall desire me to be, I will be.
PHIL. I trust _so_. TYND. For now you see that for your precious life
I'm setting at stake my own, _as_ dear _to me_.
PHIL. I know it. TYND. But remember to know it when you shall be
enjoying that which you wish for; for mostly, the greatest part of
mankind follow this fashion; what they wish for, until they obtain it,
they are rightminded; but when they have now got it in their power, from
being rightminded they become most deceitful, and most dishonest; now
I do consider that you are towards me as I wish. What I advise you, I
would advise my own father.
PHIL. I' faith, if I could venture, I would call you father; for next to
my own father, you are my nearest father.
TYND. I understand. PHIL. And therefore I remind you the more
frequently, that you may remember it. I am not your master, but your
servant; now this one thing I do beseech you. Inasmuch as the immortal
Gods hare disclosed to us their wishes, that they desire me to have
_once_ been your master, and now to be your fellow-captive; what
formerly of my right I used to command you, now with entreaties do I
beg of you, by our uncertain fortunes, and by the kindness of my father
towards you, _and_ by our common captivity, which has befallen us by the
hand of the enemy, don't you pay me any greater respect than _I did you_
when you were my slave; and don't you forget to remember who you were,
and who you now are.
TYND. I know, indeed, that I now am you, and that you are I.
PHIL. Well, if you are able carefully to remember that, I have _some_
hope in this scheme _of ours_.
[Footnote 1: _Will be lighter_)--Ver. 197. The English proverb
corresponds with this: What can't be cured must be endured.]
SCENE II.--_Enter_ HEGIO, _from his house, speaking to those within._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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