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AGORASTOCLES, LYCUS, HANNO, ANTHEMONIDES, ADELPHASIUM, and ANTERASTYLIS.1
AGORASTOCLES
What is it you are about, Captain? Why does it please you to speak rudely to my relative? Don't be surprised that the damsels do follow after him; he has just now discovered that both of them are his own daughters. LYCUS
starting . Hah! what speech was it that reached my ears? Now I am undone! To AGORASTOCLES. From what house were these females lost? AGORASTOCLES
They are Carthaginians. LYCUS
Then I am ruined. I was always in dread of that, lest some one should recognize them, a thing which has now come to pass. Woe unto wretched me! My eighteen minæ are lost, I guess, which I paid for them. AGORASTOCLES
And you yourself are lost, Lycus. HANNO
Who is this? AGORASTOCLES
Which you please, he's either the Procurer or Lycus. He has been keeping your daughters in servitude, and from myself he has stolen some gold. HANNO
A pretty fellow for you to be acquainted with! AGORASTOCLES
Procurer, I always deemed you to be avaricious, but they know you to be a thief as well, who know more of you. LYCUS
I'll approach him. He falls on the ground before AGORASTOCLES. By your knees I do beseech you, and by him pointing to HANNO , whom I understand to be your relative; since you are deserving persons, as it befits deserving persons to do, do then come to the aid of your suppliant! Indeed, already did I know them to be free women, and was waiting for some one to claim their freedom, for really they are none of mine. Then besides, I'll restore your gold that I've got in my house, and I'll make oath that I have done nothing, Agorastocles, with ill intent. AGORASTOCLES
As it's right for me to do, I shall still consult my own notions. Let go of my knees. LYCUS
I'll let them go, if such is your determination. He rises from the ground, and retires to a distance. AGORASTOCLES
Hark you! Procurer. LYCUS
What do you want with a Procurer amid business? AGORASTOCLES
You to restore me my money before I take you hence to be laid in fetters. LYCUS
May the Gods grant better things! AGORASTOCLES
Even so; you'll be dining away from home. I see Gold, silver, and your neck, Procurer, the three things are you now owing to me all at once. HANNO
What it befits me to do in this matter, I'm considering with myself. If I should attempt to take vengeance on this fellow, I shall be engaging in litigation in a strange city. So far as I hear, his disposition and manners, of the nature that they are---- ADELPHASIUM
My father, do have no dealings with this man, I conjure you. ANTERASTYLIS
Do listen to my sister. Come, put an end to your strife with the rascal. HANNO
Attend to this, will you, Procurer. Although I know that you deserve to come to ruin, I'll not try the matter with you. AGORASTOCLES
Nor I, if you restore me my gold; Procurer, when let go from the fetters--you may get thrust into prison. LYCUS
What, your old habit still? ANTHEMONIDES
Carthaginian, I wish to excuse myself to you. If I have said anything in my passion against the inclination of your feelings, I beg that you will pardon it; and as you have found these daughters of yours, so may the Deities bless me, it is a pleasure to me. HANNO
I both forgive and believe you. ANTERLASTYIS
Procurer, do you take care either to find me a mistress, or return me the mina of gold. LYCUS
Should you like to have my music-girl? ANTHEMONIDES
I don't care for a music-girl; you don't know which is the greater, their cheeks or their bosoms. LYCUS
I'll find one to please you. ANTHEMONIDES
Mind that, LYCUS
to AGORASTOCLES . To-morrow I'll bring back your gold to your house. AGORASTOCLES
Take care that you keep that in memory. Captain, follow me. ANTHEMONIDES
Yes, I'll follow you. LYCUS goes into his house. AGORASTOCLES
to HANNO . How say you, kinsman? When are you thinking of leaving here for Carthage?--for I'm determined to go together with you. HANNO
As soon as ever I can, that instant I shall go. AGORASTOCLES
It's necessary for you to stop here some days, until I've had an auction. HANNO
I'll do just as you wish. AGORASTOCLES
Come, please, let's be off; let's enjoy ourselves To the AUDIENCE. Grant us your applause.]
1 Many of the ancient MSS. contain this additional Scene, which is generally supposed not to have been the composition of Plautus. It is not improbable that at some period the last Scene may have been lost, and that the present one may have been composed to supply its place, as it is evidently not the composition of a person who was aware of the existence of the Scene which precedes it.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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