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Enter SIMO.
SIMO
to himself . I'm going to see what business my Ulysses has transacted; whether he now has the statue1 from the Ballionian citadel. BALLIO
O, lucky man! give me your lucky hand. Takes his hand. SIMO
What's the matter? BALLIO
Now. SIMO
What now? BALLIO
There's nothing at all for you to fear. SIMO
What's the matter? Has that fellow Pseudolus come to you? BALLIO
No. SIMO
What good fortune is there, then? BALLIO
Your twenty minæ are safe and sound which Pseudolus stipulated for from you this day. SIMO
I' faith, I really do wish they were. BALLIO
Ask of me twenty minæ if he this day gets hold of that woman, or gives her to your son this day, as he has promised. On my word, prithee, do demand them of me; I quite long to promise them. And, besides this, keep the woman as a present for yourself, that in every way you may know that your money's safe. SIMO
There's no danger that I know of in making this bargain. According as you have solemnly pledged your word, will you give me twenty minæ? BALLIO
They shall be given. SIMO
This, indeed, is not sa badly done. But have you met the fellow? BALLIO
Aye, both of them together. SIMO
What did he say? What did ho talk about? Prithee, what did he mention to you? BALLIO
Theatrical nonsense; expressions which, in comedies, are wont to be used to a procurer, which boys are acquainted with. He said that I was worthless, and wicked, and forsworn. SIMO
I' faith, he told no lie. BALLIO
'Twas for that reason I wasn't angry. For what matters it for you to speak uncivilly to him who cares not for it, and who don't deny the truth of what you say? SIMO
Why is it that you are in no fear of him? That I'm longing to hear. BALLIO
Because he never will carry the woman off now, nor is he able. Don't you yourself remember that I told you, some time since, that she had been sold to a Macedonian officer? SIMO
I remember. BALLIO
Well, his servant just now brought me the money, and the token with the impression, which had been arranged between himself and me. SIMO
What then? BALLIO
He took away with him the woman, not long since. SIMO
Do you say this in real truth? BALLIO
Whence could I possibly have that quality? SIMO
Do you only take care that he hasn't been playing some trick there. BALLIO
The letter and the impress on the seal make me sure. Indeed, 'twas but just now he took her off for Sicyon. SIMO
Troth now, 'twas well done. Why do I delay to make Pseudolus give a name2 to a colony at the mill-stones? But who's this fellow in the scarf? BALLIO
I don't know, i' faith; however, let's observe whither he's going, and what business he's upon. They stand on one side.
1 Now has the statue: He alludes to Ulysses carrying away the Palladium or statue of Minerva from the citadel of Troy.
2 Give a name: He alludes to the custom of the first colonists giving the name to a colony. He says that he thinks that he must give Pseudolus settlement at the hand-mill, and so make him colonize the place of punishment.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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