The Captivi and the MostellariaPlautus, Titus Maccius
General
The Captivi and the Mostellaria
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Latin drama (Comedy); Plautus, Titus Maccius -- Translations into English
[Footnote 13: _Towards me_)--Ver. 822. "Ad me." Theuropides thinks he
means, "in my direction;" whereas Tranio really means, "look 'at me,'
and you will see the crow;" though he does not intend that his master
shall take it in that sense.]
[Footnote 14: _It's as gentle_)--Ver. 840. This, probably, is intended
to refer to the statue of a dog lying down in the vestibule, and not
a real one. Pictures of dogs, with "cave canem" written beneath, were
sometimes painted on the wall near the door.]
ACT IV.--SCENE I.
_Enter_ PHANISCUS.
PHA. (_to himself_). Servants who, though they are free from fault,
still stand in awe of punishment, those same are wont to be serviceable
to their masters. But those who fear nothing, after they have merited
punishment, hit upon foolish plans for themselves: they exercise
themselves in running; they take to flight. But, if they are caught,
they acquire from punishment a hoard, which by good means they cannot.
They increase from a very little, _and_ from that they lay by a
treasure. The resolution that's in my mind is to be determined to be on
my guard against punishment, before my back comes to lose its state of
soundness. As hitherto it has been, so does it become my hide _still_ to
be, without a bruise, and such that I should decline its being beaten.
If I have any control over it, I shall keep it well covered up [1]. When
punishment is being showered down on others, don't let it be showered
down on me. But as servants wish their master to be, such is he wont to
be. He is good to the good, bad to the bad. But now at our house at home
there do live so many rogues, lavish of their property [2], bearers of
stripes. When they are called to go fetch their master, "I shan't go;
don't be plaguing _me_; I know where you are hurrying off to," _is the
reply_. "Now, faith, you mule, you're longing to go to pasturage out of
doors [3]." With better deserts, this advantage have I reaped from them,
_and_, in consequence, I have come from home. I alone, out of _so_ many
servants, am going to fetch my master. When, to-morrow, my master comes
to know this, in the morning he will chastise them with bull's-hide
spoils. In fine, I care less for their backs than for my own. Much
rather shall they be bull's-hide-scourged than I be rope-scourged [4].
(_Moves on._)
_Enter another_ SERVANT.
SER. Hold you and stop this instant. Phaniscus! look round, I say!
PHA. (_not turning round_). Don't be annoying to me.
SER. Do see how scornful the monkey is!
PHA. I am so for myself; I choose to be. Why do you trouble yourself
about it? (_Walking on._)
SER. Are you going to stop this instant, you dirty parasite? PHA.
(_turning round_). How am I a parasite?
SER. Why, I'll tell you: you can be drawn anywhere by victuals. Do you
give yourself airs, because your master's so fond _of you_?
PHA. (_rubbing his eyes_). O dear, my eyes do ache [5].
SER. Why so?
PHA. Because the smoke's _so_ troublesome.
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