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Enter HEGIO, PHILOPOLEMUS, PHILOCRATES, and behind them, STALAGMUS.
HEGIO
To Jove and to the Deities I return with reason hearty thanks, inasmuch as they have restored you to your father, and inasmuch as they have delivered me from very many afflictions, which, while I was obliged to be here without you, I was enduring, and inasmuch as I see that that fellow pointing to STALAGMUS is in my power, and inasmuch as his word pointing to PHILOCIATES has been found true to me. PHILOPOLEMUS
Enough now have I grieved from my very soul, and enough with care and tears have I disquieted myself. Enough now have I heard of your woes, which at the harbour you told me of. Let us now to this business. PHILOCRATES
What now, since I've kept my word with you, and have caused him to be restored back again to freedom? HEGIO
Philocrates, you have acted so that I can never return you thanks enough, in the degree that you merit from myself and my son. PHILOPOLEMUS
Nay, but you can, father, and you will be able, and I shall be able; and the Divinities will give the means for you to return the kindness he merits to one who deserves so highly of us; as, my father, you are able to do to this person who so especially deserves it. HEGIO
What need is there of words? I have no tongue with which to deny whatever you may ask of me. PHILOCRATES
I ask of you to restore to me that servant whom I left here as a surety for myself; who has always proved more faithful to me than to himself; in order that for his services I may be enabled to give him a reward. HEGIO
Because you have acted thus kindly, the favour shall be returned, the thing that you ask; both that and anything else that you shall ask of me, you shall obtain. And I would not have you blame me, because in my anger I have treated him harshly. PHILOCRATES
What have you done? HEGIO
I confined him in fetters at the stone-quarries, when I found out that I had been imposed upon. PHILOCRATES
Ah wretched me! That for my safety misfortunes should have happened to that best of men. HEGIO
Now, on this account, you need not give me even one groat of silver1 for him. Receive him of me without cost that he may be free. PHILOCRATES
On my word, Hegio, you act with kindness; but I entreat that you will order this man to be sent for. HEGIO
Certainly. To the attendants, who immediately obey. Where are you? Go this instant, and bring Tyndarus here. To PHILOPOLEMUS and PHILOCRATES. Do you go in-doors; in the meantime, I wish to enquire of this statue for whipping2, what was done with my younger son. Do you go bathe in the meantime. PHILOPOLEMUS
Philocrates, follow me this way in-doors. PHILOCRATES
I follow you. They go into the house.
1 One groat of silver: "Libella " was the name of the smallest silver coin with the Romans, being the tenth part of a denarius. Hegio seems to make something of a favour of this, and to give his liberty to Tyndarus in consideration of his punishment; whereas he had originally agreed with Philocrates that, if Philopolemus was liberated, both he and Tyndarus should be set at liberty.
2 This statue for whiyping: The same expression occurs in the Pseudolus, l. 911.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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