{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/perseus_phi0119_phi006_phi0119.phi006.perseus-eng2/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/perseus_phi0119_phi006_phi0119.phi006.perseus-eng2","id":"perseus_phi0119_phi006_phi0119.phi006.perseus-eng2","license":"CC-BY-SA-4.0","rights_basis":"perseus_github_repo_license_cc_by_sa_4.0","source":"perseus","source_url":"https://github.com/PerseusDL/canonical-latinLit/blob/master/data/phi0119/phi006/phi0119.phi006.perseus-eng2.xml","summary":null,"tags":["Plautus"],"text":"Dramatis Personae STALINO, an aged Athenian. CHALINUS, the armour-bearer of Euthynicus, son of . OLYMPIO, bailiff of . ALCESIMUS, a neighbour of . A COOK. MALE SLAVES. CLEOSTRATA, wife of . PARDALISCA, her maid-servant. MYRRHINA, wife of Alcesimus. TWO MAID-SERVANTS of Cleostrata. (Scene\u2014 Athens before the houses of STALINO and ALCESIMUS) THE SUBJECT. A SERVANT, having obtained from a woman a female infant which was about to be exposed, brings it to his mistress, Cleostrata, who brings it up with the greatest care. The child is called Casina; and when she grows up, both Stalino, the husband, and Euthynicus, the son of Cleostrata, fall in love with her. Cleostrata, being aware of this, and favouring the passion of Euthynicus, is desirous to give Casina in marriage to Chalinus, his armour-bearer, as a covert method of putting her in the power of Euthynicus. On the other hand, Stalino wishes her to be married to Olympio, the bailiff of his farm, as a means of getting her into his own possession. It is at last arranged that the matter shall be decided by lot, which being drawn, Olympio is the winner. Cleostrata then resorts to a stratagem to defeat her husband\u2019s plan. With the assistance of Myrrhina and her own female servants, she dresses up Chalinus to represent Casina, who is taken by the bridegroom Olympio to a house in the vicinity, which has been secretly engaged by Stalino. The Play concludes with Olympio and Stalino rushing out of the house in dismay, after having been soundly beaten by Chalinus. Stalino implores pardon of his wife, which, at the intercession of Myrrhina, is granted. It is then discovered that Casina is really the daughter of Alcesimus, and the Audience is informed that she is to be given in marriage to Euthynicus. THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.] Two fellow-servants seek their fellow-servant (Conservam) as a wife; the old man prompts the one (Alium), his son the other. A decision by lot (Sors) favours the old man; but he is deceived by a stratagem; and so (Ita) for him, in place of the damsel, a rascally (Nequam) servant is substituted, who thrashes his master and the bailiff. The young man (Adolescens) marries Casina, when known to be a citizen. THE PROLOGUE. THE PROLOGUEThe Prologue: This Prologue appears to have been written many years after the death of the author, and indeed bears internal marks of having been composed at a period nearer to the Augustan age than the time of Plautus. Judging, however, from the fourteenth line, there were, at the time when it was written, some persons still surviving who had been present at the original representation of the Play. I bid you, most worthy Spectators, welcome; who most highly esteem the Goddess FaithFaith: She was worshipped under the name of Fides. Further reference is made to her in the Aulularia, where her Temple is represented., and Faith esteems you. If I have said the truth, then give me loud applause, that even now, from the very beginning forward, I may know that you are favourably disposed towards me. Those who make use of aged wine, I deem to be wise; and those as well, who, through choice, are the spectators of ancient Plays. Since antique works and words are pleasing to you, \u2019tis just that ancient Plays should in preference please you; for the new Comedies which come out now-a-days are much more worthless than the new-coined moneyThe new-coined money: He seems to refer to the circulation of some coin of a base or alloyed character, probably much to the annoyance of the public.. We, since we have heard the report in public, that you ardently wish for the Plays of Plautus, have brought forward this ancient Comedy of his, which you, who are among the older ones, have formerly approved. But I am aware that those who are among the younger ones are not acquainted with it; still, that they may make acquaintance with it, we will carefully use our best endeavours. When this was first represented, it surpassed all other Plays. In those days there was the very elite of the poets, who have now departed hence to the place common to all. But though departed, yet do they prove of advantage to those who are still existing. All of you, with the greatest earnestness, I would have entreated that you\u2019ll kindly lend attention to this our company. Dismiss from your thoughts cares and monies due; let no man stand in dread of his duns. \u2019Tis a holiday this\u2014to the bankers a holiday has been given. \u2019Tis now a calm; about the Forum these are Halcyon daysHalcyon days: Alcedonia, days of calm. This figure is derived from the circumstance that by the ancients the sea was supposed to be always calm when the female kingfisher (alcedo) was sitting; and the saying became proverbial. Ovid, in the Metamorphoses, B. 11, speaking of Ceyx and Halcyon, who were changed into kingfishers, says, 1. 744 et seq., Nor, when now birds, is the conjugal tie dissolved; they couple and they become parents; and for seven calm days, in the winter-time, does Halcyone brood upon her nest, floating on the sea. Then the passage of the deep is safe; Aeolus keeps the winds in, and restrains them from sallying forth, and secures a smooth sea for his descendants.. Reasonably do they act: during the gamesDuring the games: The public games, or shows, at Rome, were represented on days that were nefasti, when no law-suits were carried on, and no person was allowed to be arrested for debt. they ask no man for money; but during the games to no one do they pay. If your ears are disengaged, give me your attention; I wish to mention to you the name of the Play. ClerumenaeClerumenae: The Greek word \u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c1\u03bf\u1f7b\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, the lot-drawers. This passage is considered by some Commentators to prove that the Greek \u03bf\u03b9 was pronounced like the Latin ae. this Comedy is called in Greek; in Latin, Sortientes. Diphilus wrote it in Greek, and after that, over again, Plautus with the barking nameWith the barking name: It is not fully ascertained whether the barking name alludes to that of Plautus or of Casina; the former is, most probably, the case. Indeed, Festus tells us that plautus actually was the name of a species of dog with long, loose ears, which hung down. Some Commentators reject this explanation, and think that the au in Plautus suggested the notion, from its resemblance to the baying of a dog. This is, however, very problematical. in Latin afresh. (Pointing to the house of STALINO.) An old married man is living here; he has a son; he, with his father, is dwelling in this house. He has a certain slave, who with disease is confined\u2014aye, faith, to his bed, he really is, that I may tell no lie. But sixteen years ago, it happened that on a time this servant, at early dawn, beheld a female child being exposed. He went at once to the woman who was exposing it, and begged her to give it to himself. He gained his request: he took it away, and carried it straight home. He gave it to his mistress, and entreated her to take care of it, and bring it up. His mistress did so; with great care she brought it up, as though it had been her own daughter, not much different. Since then she has grown up to that age to be able to prove an attraction to the men; but this old gentleman loves this girl distractedly, and, on the other hand, so does his son as well. Each of them now, on either side, is preparing his legions, both father and son, each unknown to the other. The father has deputed his bailiff to ask her as his wife; he hopes that, if she\u2019s given to him, an attraction out of doors will be, unknown to his wife, provided for him. But the son has deputed his armour-bearer to ask her for himself as a wife. He knows that if he gains that request, there will be an object for him to love, within his abode. The wife of the old gentleman has found out that he is gratifying his amorousness; for that reason, she is making common cause together with her son. But this father, when he found out that his son was in love with this same woman, and was a hindrance to him, sent the young man hence upon business abroad. His mother, understanding this, still lends him, though absent, her assistance. Don\u2019t you expect it; he will not, in this Play, to-day, return to the city. Plautus did not choose it: he broke down the bridge that lay before him in the way. There are some here, who, I fancy, are now saying among themselves, Prithee, what means this, i\u2019 faith?\u2014the marriage of a slaveMarriage of a slave: The ingenious Rost suggests this explanation of the passage: The slaves at Rome were not allowed to contract marriages petween themselves, or what was in legal terms called matrimonium. They were, however, permitted to live together in contubernium, or what was in common parlance called quasi matrimonium. This he supposes to have in time come to be styled, in common parlance, matrimonium by the lower classes, and consequently to have given great offence to some martinets, who insisted on giving, on all occasions, the strict legal term to the unions of slaves. He therefore excuses this shock to their feelings, by pleading the example of the Greeks, Carthaginians, and Apulians. Are slaves to be marrying wives, or asking them for themselves? They\u2019ve introduced something new\u2014a thing that\u2019s done nowhere in the world. But I affirm that this is done in Greece Done in Greece : Rost remarks, that in reality, matrimonium, or marriage, in the strict legal sense, was no more permitted by the Greeks to their slaves than it was by the Romans. He is of opinion, however. that Plautus here refers to the superior humanity and kindliness of the Greeks, who did not object to call the union of slaves by the name of marriage, in common parlance, although those unfortunate persons were denied all the immunities of married people. As to the usage among the Carthaginians and Apulians, with relation to the intermarriages of slaves, no account has come down to us., and at Carthage, and here in our own country, and in the Apulian country; and that the marriages of slaves are wont to be solemnized there with more fuss than even those of free persons. If this is not the fact, if any one pleases, let him bet with me a stake towards a jug of honied wineJug of honied wine: As he only ventures to wager a jug of mulsum on his correctness, it is not improbable that the speaker of the Prologue is not very careful in what he asserts as to the customs of other nations., so long as a Carthaginian is the umpire in my cause, or a Greek in fact, or an Apulian. (A pause.) What now? You don\u2019t take it? No one\u2019s thirsty, I find. I\u2019ll return to that foundling girl, whom the two slaves are, with all their might, contending for as a wife. She\u2019ll be found to be both chaste and free, of freeborn parents, an Athenian girl, and assuredly of no immodesty at all will she be guiltyWill she be guilty: Warner thinks that these words imply that in the Greek Comedy, from which the present one was taken, Casina was introduced on the stage, and represented as acting immodestly. in this Comedy at least. But i\u2019 faith, for sure, directly afterwards, when the Play is over, if any one offers the money, as I guess, she\u2019ll readily enter into matrimony with him, and not wait for good omens. Thus much I have to say. Farewell; be prosperous in your affairs, and conquer by true valour, as hitherto you\u2019ve doneHitherto you\u2019ve done: The conclusion of this Play is similar to that of the Cistellaria.. (Enter OLYMPIO, CHALINUS following him.This Play is named after Casina, the female slave; and it is rather singular that neither she nor Euthynicus, two of the parties most interested, appear as characters in it. OLYMPIO Isn\u2019t it to be allowed me for myself to speak and think about my own affairs by myself, just as I choose, without you as an overlooker? Why the plague are you following me about? CHALINUS Because I\u2019m resolved, just like your shadow, wherever you go, to follow you about. Why troth, even if you are ready to go to the cross, I\u2019m determined to follow you. Hence judge of the sequel, whether you can or not, by your artifices, slily deprive me of Casina for a wife, just as you are attempting. OLYMPIO What business have you with me? CHALINUS What say you, impudence? Why are you creeping about in the city, you bailiffYou bailiff: The villicus was an upper slave, who had the management of the country farm, and all the business on it, except that relative to the cattle. His duty was to watch over the other slaves; never to leave the farm but for the purpose of going to market; to take care of the implements of husbandry, keep an account of the stock, distribute food and clothing to the labourers, perform the sacrifices, buy what was necessary for the household, and sell the produce of the farm. Cato says that it was especially a part of his duty to avoid Soothsayers. Of course he would be of more use in the country than in town., so very valuable in this place? OLYMPIO Because I choose. CHALINUS But why ain\u2019t you in the country, at your post of command? Why don\u2019t you rather pay attention to the business that has been entrusted to you, and keep yourself from meddling in city matters? Have you come hither to deprive me of my betrothed? Be off to the country\u2014be off to your place of command, and be hanged to you. OLYMPIO Chalinus, I have not forgotten my duty. I\u2019ve given charge to one who will still take care that all\u2019s right in the country. When I\u2019ve got that for which I came hither to the city, to take her as my wife whom you are dying for\u2014the fair and charming Casina, your fellow-servant\u2014when I\u2019ve carried her off with myself into the country as my wife, I\u2019ll then stick fast in the country, at my post of command. CHALINUS What, you marry her? By my faith, \u2019twere better I should die by a halter, than that you should be the winner of her. OLYMPIO She\u2019s my prize; do you put yourself in a halter at once. CHALINUS Fellow, dug up from your own dunghill, is she to be your prize? OLYMPIO You\u2019ll find that such is the fact. Woe be unto you! in what a many ways, if I only live, I\u2019ll have you tormented at my wedding! CHALINUS What will you do to me? OLYMPIO What will I do to you? In the first place of all, you shall hold the lighted torch for this new-made bride of nine; that always, in future, you may be worthlessMay be worthless: It has been suggested by Muretus that this refers to some superstition among the ancients, that those who had carried a torch before the bride at a wedding were doomed to be unlucky in future life; perhaps, however, there is no ground for this supposition, beyond the present passage; as it is not likely that they would have found any free persons to undertake the duty of torchbearer, if they were to be afterwards considered as of such ominous character., and not esteemed. Then next after that, when you get to the country-house, a single pitcherA single pitcher: To be drawers of water, as well as hewers of wood, was the lot of the unfortunate slave, from the earliest ages of the world. shall be found you, and a single path, a single spring, a single brass cauldron, and eight casks; and unless these shall be always kept filled, I\u2019ll load you with lashes. I\u2019ll make you so thoroughly bent with carrying water, that a horse\u2019s crupper might be manufactured out of you. And then, in future, unless in the country you either feed on pulse, or, like a worm, upon the soil, should you require to taste of any better food, never, upon my faith, is hunger as full of hungriness as I\u2019ll make you to be in the country. After that, when you\u2019re tired out, and starved with famine, care shall be taken that, at night, you go to bed as you deserve. CHALINUS What will you do? OLYMPIO You shall be shut up fast in a nook with bars, where you can listen while I\u2019m caressing her, while she is saying to me, My soul, my own Olympio, my life, my sweet, my delight, do let me kiss your dear eyes, my love! do, there\u2019s a dear, let yourself be loved! my own day of happiness, my sparrow-chick, my own dove, my leveret! When these expressions shall be being uttered to me, then will you, you villain, be wriggling about like a mouse in the middle of the wall. Now, that you mayn\u2019t be trying to give me an answer, I\u2019ll off in-doors; I\u2019m tired of your talk. (Goes into the house of STALINO.) CHALINUS I\u2019ll follow you. Here, indeed, on my word, assuredly you shall do nothing without me for an overlooker. (Follows him into the house.) (Enter CLEOSTRATA and PARDALISCA, from the house of STALINO.) CLEOSTRATA (at the door, to the SERVANTS, within.) Seal fast the store-roomsSeal fast the store-rooms: This passage bears reference to the common practice of the ancients, who were in the habit of sealing boxes and cupboards with the impression of their signets, stamped on wax. So in St. Matthew, xxvii, 66: So they went and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch; and in Daniel, vi., 17: A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords., bring back the signet to me. I\u2019m going here to my next door neighbour; if my husband wants me for anything, take care and send for me thence. PARDALISCA The old gentleman ordered a breakfast to be got ready for him to-day. CLEOSTRATA Tut! Hold your tongue, and be off. (PARDALISCA goes into the house.) I don\u2019t prepare it, and it shan\u2019t be cooked; since he sets himself against myself and his son, for the sake of his passion and his appetite. A disgraceful fellow that! I\u2019ll punish this lover with hunger, I\u2019ll punish him with thirst, with abuse, with hardships. By my faith, I\u2019ll thoroughly worry him with disagreable speeches; I\u2019ll make him to pass a life in future just as he deserves\u2014fit food for Acheron, a hunter after iniquity, a stable of infamy! Now I\u2019ll away hence to my neighbours, to lament my lot. But the door makes a noise; and see, she\u2019s coming out of doors herself. On my word, I\u2019ve not started for my call at a convenient time. (Enter MYRRHINA, from the house of ALCESIMUS.) MYRRHINA (to her SERVANTS, at the door.) Follow me, my attendantsMy attendants: It was considered unbecoming for women of rank and character to appear abroad without their attendants., here next door. You there! Does any one hear this that I say? I shall be here, if my husband or any person shall seek me. Did I order my distaff to be taken there? For when I\u2019m at home alone, drowsiness takes effect uponTakes effect upon: Calvitur Literally, baulks or impedes. my hand. CLEOSTRATA Myrrhina, good morrow. MYRRHINA Good morrow, my dear Cleostrata. But, prithee, why are you sad? CLEOSTRATA So all are wont to be who are unfortunately married; at home and abroad, there\u2019s always enough to make them sad. But I was going to your house. MYRRHINA And, troth, I was coming here to yours. But what is it that now distresses your mind? For the thing that distresses you, that same is a trouble to me. CLEOSTRATA On my word, I do believe you. For with good reason no female neighbour of mine do I love better than yourself, nor any one with whom I have more ties of intimacy, to afford me pleasure. MYRRHINA I thank you kindly, and I long to know what this is. CLEOSTRATA My husband has put slights upon me in a most unworthy manner. MYRRHINA Hah! What is it? Prithee, repeat that same again; for, on my word, I don\u2019t in my mind sufficiently comprehend your complaints. CLEOSTRATA My husband has put slights upon me in a most unworthy manner, and I have not the advantage of enjoying my own rights. MYRRHINA \u2019Tis surprising, if you say the truth; for husbands can scarce obtain from their wives what\u2019s their own right. CLEOSTRATA Why, against my will, he demands a female servant of me, who belongs to myself, and was brought up at my own expense, for him to give to his bailiff. But he is in love with her himself. MYRRHINA Pray, do hold your tongue. CLEOSTRATA (looking round.) But here we may speak at present; we are alone\u2014 MYRRHINA It is so. But whence did you get her? For a good wife ought to have no property unknown to her husband; and she who has got any, it is not to her credit, for she must either have purloined it from her husband, or obtained it by unfaithfulness. Whatever is your own, all that I take to be your husband\u2019s. CLEOSTRATA Surely, you\u2019re saying all this out of opposition to your friend. MYRRHINA Do hold your tongue, will you, simpleton, and attend to me. Do you forbear to oppose him, will you. Let him love on; that which he chooses let him do, so long as nothing\u2019s denied you at home. CLEOSTRATA Are you quite in your senses? For really, you are saying these things against your own interest. MYRRHINA Silly creature, do you always take care and be on guard against this expression from your husband\u2014 CLEOSTRATA What expression? MYRRHINA Woman! out of doors with you!Woman! out of doors with you: I foras, mulier. This was the technical form used on occasions of divorce or separation. CLEOSTRATA (in a low voice.) \u2019St! be quiet. MYRRHINA What\u2019s the matter? CLEOSTRATA Hush! (Looks in a particular direction.) MYRRHINA Who is it that you see? CLEOSTRATA Why look, my husband\u2019s coming; go you in-doors. Make all haste; be off, there\u2019s a dear. MYRRHINA You easily prevail; I\u2019m off. CLEOSTRATA At a future time, when you and I shall have more leisure, then I\u2019ll talk to you. For the present, adieu! MYRRHINA Adieu! (Goes into her house. CLEOSTRATA stands aside.) (Enter STALINO.) STALINO (to himself.) I do believe that love excels all things and delights that are exquisite. It is not possible for anything to be mentioned, that has more relish and more that\u2019s delicious in it. Really, I do much wonder at the cooks, who employ sauces so many, that they don\u2019t employ this one seasoning, which excels them all. For where love shall be the seasoning, that I do believe will please every one; nor can there be anything relishing or sweet, where love is not mixed with it. The gall which is bitter, that same it will make into honey; a man from morose into one cheerful and pleasant. This conjecture do I form rather from myself at home than from anything I\u2019ve heard; who, since I\u2019ve been in love with Casina, more than in my young days have excelled Neatness herself in neatness; I give employment to all the perfumers; wherever an unguent is excellent, I perfume myself, that I may please her. And I do please her, as I think. But inasmuch as she keeps living on, my wife\u2019s a torment. (Catches sight of his WIFE, and speaks in a low voice.) I espy her standing there in gloominess. This plaguy baggage must be addressed by me with civility. (Going towards her.) My own wife and my delight, what are you about? (Takes hold of her.) CLEOSTRATA (shaking him off.) Get you gone, and keep your hand off! STALINO O fie! my Juno. You shouldn\u2019t be so cross to your own Jupiter. Where art come now? CLEOSTRATA Let me alone. (Moves as if going.) STALINO Do stay. CLEOSTRATA (still going.) I shan\u2019t stay. STALINO I\u2019 troth, then I\u2019ll follow you. (Follows her.) CLEOSTRATA (turning round.) Prithee, are you in your senses? STALINO In my senses, inasmuch as I love you. CLEOSTRATA I don\u2019t want you to love me. STALINO You can\u2019t have your way there. CLEOSTRATA You plague me to death. STALINO I only wish you spoke the truth. CLEOSTRATA There I believe you. (Moves on.) STALINO Do look back, O my sweet one. CLEOSTRATA About as much, I suppose, as you are to me. Whence is this strong smell of perfumes, prithee? STALINO (aside.) O dear, I\u2019m undone; to my misfortune, I\u2019m caught in the fact. Why delay to rub it off my head with my cloak? (Rubs his head with his cloak.) May good MercuryMay good Mercury: He probably mentions Mercury, as being the tutelary Divinity of tradesmen. confound you, you perfumer, who provided me with this. CLEOSTRATA How now, you worthless grey gnat!Worthless grey gnat: Being both troublesome and insignificant. I can hardly restrain myself from saying what you deserve. In your old age, good-for-nothing, are you walking along the streets reeking with perfumes? STALINO I\u2019 faith, I lent my company to a certain friend of mine, while he was purchasing some perfumes. CLEOSTRATA How readily he did trump that up. Are you ashamed of anything? STALINO Of everything that you like. CLEOSTRATA In what dens of iniquity have you been lying? STALINO (with an air of surprise.) I, in dens of iniquity? CLEOSTRATA I know more than you think I do. STALINO What is it that you know? CLEOSTRATA That not one among all the old men is more worthless than yourself, an old man. Whence come you, good-for-nothing? Where have you been? In what den amusing yourself? Where have you been drinking? You are come, on my word; look at his cloak, how it\u2019s creased. (Points at it.) STALINO May the Gods confound both me and yourself, if I this day have put a drop of wine into my mouth. CLEOSTRATA Very well then; just as you like: drink, eat, and squander away your property! STALINO Hold, wife; there\u2019s now enough of it; you din me too much. Do leave a little of your talk, that you may wrangle with me to-morrow. But what say you? Have you by this time subdued your temper, so as to do that in preference which your husband wishes to be done, rather than strive against him? CLEOSTRATA About what matter are you speaking? STALINO Do you ask me? About the handmaid Casina\u2014that she may be given in marriage to our bailiff, an honest servant, where she\u2019ll be well off, in wood, warm water, food, and clothing, and where she may properly bring up the children which she may have, in preference to that rascally servant of an armour-bearerAn armour-bearer: The armiger was a general campservant, who was ready to hold the arms, pitch the tent, or run on the messages of his master., a good-for-nothing and dishonest, a fellow that hasn\u2019t this day a leaden dump of money his own. CLEOSTRATA Upon my faith, I am surprised that in your old age you do not remember your duty. STALINO How so? CLEOSTRATA Because if you were to act rightly or becomingly, you\u2019d let me manage the maid-servants, which is my own province. STALINO Why the plague do you wish to give her to a fellow that carries a shield? CLEOSTRATA Because it\u2019s our duty to gratify our only son. STALINO But although he is an only one, not a bit the more is he my only son than I am his only father. It\u2019s more becoming for him to conform to me, than for me to him. CLEOSTRATA By my troth, sir, you\u2019re providing for yourself a serious piece of trouble. STALINO (aside.) She suspects it, I find that. (To his wife.) What, I, do you mean? CLEOSTRATA You; but why do. you stammer so? Why do you wish for this with such anxiety? STALINO Why, that she may rather be given to a servant that\u2019s honest, than to a servant that\u2019s dishonest. CLEOSTRATA What if I prevail upon, and obtain of the bailiff, that for my sake he\u2019ll give her up to the other one? STALINO But what if I prevail upon the armour-bearer to give her up to the other one? And I think that I can prevail upon him in this. CLEOSTRATA That\u2019s agreed upon. Should you like that, in your name, I should call Chalinus hither out of doors? Do you beg of him, and I\u2019ll beg of the bailiff. STALINO I\u2019m quite willing. CLEOSTRATA He\u2019ll be here just now. Now we\u2019ll make trial which of us two is the most persuasive. (She goes into the house.) STALINO (to himself.) May Hercules and the Gods confound her!\u2014a thing that now I\u2019m at liberty to say. I\u2019m wretchedly distracted with love; but she, as though on purpose, thwarts me. My wife has some suspicion now of this that I\u2019m planning; for that reason is she purposely lending her assistance to the armour-bearer. (Enter CHALINUS, from the house.) STALINO (aside, on seeing him.) May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him! CHALINUS (addressing him.) Your wife said that you were calling me. STALINO Why yes, I did order you to be sent for. CHALINUS Tell me what you want. STALINO In the first place, I want you to speak to me with a more cheerful countenance. CHALINUS It would be folly for me to be morose toward you whose rule is the strongest. STALINO Indeed! I consider you to be an honest fellow. CHALINUS So I find. But if you think so, why don\u2019t you give me my freedom? STALINO Why so I wish to do; but it\u2019s of no use for me to wish a thing to be done, unless you aid me with your actions. CHALINUS What you wish, I only wish myself to be acquainted with it. STALINO Listen then; I\u2019ll tell you. I\u2019ve promised to give Casina as a wife to our bailiff. CHALINUS But your wife and your son have promised her to me. STALINO I know it; but whether now would you prefer yourself to be single and a free man, or, as a married man, to pass your lives, yourself and your children, in slavery? This choice is your own: whichever condition of these two you prefer, take it. CHALINUS If I am free, I live at my own cost; at present I live at yours. As to Casina, I\u2019m resolved to give way to no born man. STALINO Go in-doors, and at once be quick and call my wife here, out of doors; and bring hither together with you an urnAn urn: Sitella, or situla, though usually called an urn, was a vessel shaped like a water-pitcher, from which lots were drawn. It had a wide belly and a narrow neck with a handle on each side, and stood on legs. The vessel was filled with water, and the lots, made of heavy wood, which sank, being put into it, the vessel was shaken, and as only one lot could come to the top at a time, the person who had chosen the number which was the first to come up was the winner., with some water, and the lots. CHALINUS I\u2019m quite agreable. STALINO I\u2019 faith, in some way or other I\u2019ll now ward off this weapon of yours; for if, as it is, I shall not be able to prevail by persuasion, at least I\u2019ll try it by lot. There I shall take vengeance upon you and your abettors. CHALINUS Still, for all that the lot will fall to me\u2014 STALINO Aye, faith, for you to go to perdition with direful torments. CHALINUS She shall marry me, contrive what you will, in any way you please. STALINO Won\u2019t you away hence from my sight? CHALINUS Unwillingly you look upon me, still I shall live on. (Goes into the house.) STALINO (to himself.) Am I not a wretched man? Don\u2019t all things go quite contrary with me? I\u2019m now afraid that my wife will prevail upon Olympio not to marry Casina. If that\u2019s done, why look, it\u2019s all over with me in my old age! If she does not prevail, there is still some tiny hope in the lots. But if the lots fail me, I\u2019ll make a pillow of a sword, and lay me down upon it. But see, most opportunely Olympio\u2019s coming out of doors. (Enter OLYMPIO, from the house, speaking to CLEOSTRATA, within.) OLYMPIO By my faith, all in an instant shut me up in a hot furnace, and parch me there for a hard-baked biscuitA hard-baked biscuit: Panis rubidus, literally, red bread, was probably a kind of bread or biscuit, which received its name from its being highly baked, till it was red, or of a deep-brown colour., good mistress, before you shall gain that point of me which you desire. STALINO (apart.) I\u2019m all right. My hope\u2019s realized, according as I hear his words. OLYMPIO (at the door, to his MISTRESS, within.) But why do you frighten me about liberty? Why, even though you should oppose it, and your son as well, against your wills and in spite of you both, for a single pennyFor a single penny: Libella, the same as the as; a small silver coin, the tenth part of the denarius. I can become free. STALINO (stepping forward.) What\u2019s this? Who are you wrangling with, Olympio? OLYMPIO With the same person that you always are. STALINO What, with my wife? OLYMPIO What wife are you speaking of to me? Really you are a hunter, as it were: your nights and days you pass with a female curWith a female cur: Cum cane. Literally, with a bitch an expression too coarse for ears polite.. STALINO What does she say? What\u2019s she talking to you about? OLYMPIO She\u2019s begging and entreating of me that I won\u2019t be taking Casina as my wife. STALINO What did you say after that? OLYMPIO Why, I declared that I wouldn\u2019t give way to Jupiter himself, if he were to entreat me. STALINO May the Gods preserve you for me! OLYMPIO She\u2019s now all in a ferment; she\u2019s swelling so against me. STALINO By my troth, I could like her to burst in the middle. OLYMPIO I\u2019 faith, I fancy she will, if indeed you manage cleverly. But your amorousness, i\u2019 faith, is a cause of trouble to me; your wife is at enmity with me, your son at enmity, my fellow-servants at enmity. STALINO What matters that to you? So long as (pointing to himself) this Jupiter only is propitious to you, do you take care and esteem the lesser Gods at a straw\u2019s value. OLYMPIO That\u2019s great nonsense; as if you didn\u2019t know how suddenly your human Jupiters take to dying. So after all, if you, my Jupiter, are dead and gone, when your realm devolves upon the lesser Gods, who shall then come to the rescue of my back, or head, or legs? STALINO Affairs will go with you better than you expect, if I obtain this\u2014the enjoyment of my Casina. OLYMPIO I\u2019 faith, I do not think it possibly can be; so earnestly is your wife striving that she shall not be given to me. STALINO But this way I\u2019ll proceed: I\u2019ll put the lots in an urn, and draw the lots for yourself and Chalinus. I find that the business has come to this pass; it\u2019s necessary to fight with swords hand to hand. OLYMPIO What, if the lot should turn out different from what you wish? STALINO Speak with good omen. I rely upon the Gods; we\u2019ll trust in the Gods. OLYMPIO That expression I wouldn\u2019t purchase at a rotten thread, for all people are relying upon the Gods; but still I\u2019ve frequently seen many of those deceived who relied upon the Gods. STALINO But hold your tongue a little while. (Pointing.) OLYMPIO What is it you mean? STALINO Why look; here\u2019s Chalinus coming from the house, out here, with the urn and the lots. Now, with standards closing, we shall fight. (Enter CLEOSTRATA and CHALINUS, with the urn and lots.) CLEOSTRATA Let me know, Chalinus, what my husband wants with me. CHALINUS By my troth, he wants to see you burning outside of the Metian gateThe Metian gate: As he writes for a Roman audience, the author does not see any impropriety in speaking of the Metian gate, although the scene is at Athens. The bodies of the dead were burned outside of the Metian or Esquiline gate.. CLEOSTRATA I\u2019 faith, I believe he does want that. CHALINUS But, by my troth, I don\u2019t believe it, but I know it for certain. STALINO (aside to OLYMPIO.) I\u2019ve got more men of business than I imagined: I\u2019ve got this fellow, a Diviner, in my house. What, if we move our standards nearer, and go to meet them? Follow me. (Goes up to CLEOSTRATA and CHALINUS.) What are you about? CHALINUS All the things are here which you ordered; your wife, the lots, the urn, and myself. STALINO By yourself only, there is more here than I want. CHALINUS I\u2019 faith, so it seems to you indeed. I\u2019m a stinger to you now; I\u2019m pricking that dear little heart of yours; even now it\u2019s palpitating from alarm. STALINO Whip-knave\u2014 Part of line 361 in the Latin. CLEOSTRATA Hold your tongue, Chalinus, OLYMPIO Do make that fellow be quiet. CHALINUS No, that fellow rather (pointing to OLYMPIO), who has learned to misbehaveLearned to misbehave: As an indecent allusion is covertly made here, the translation of the passage is somewhat modified.. STALINO (to CHALINUS.) Set the urn down here. (CHALINUS puts it down.) Give me the lots: lend your attention now. But I did think, my wife, that I could have prevailed upon you thus far, for Casina to be given me as my wife, and even now I think so. OLYMPIO. She, given to you? STALINO Why yes, to me\u2014dear me, I didn\u2019t mean to say that. While I meant for myselfWhile I meant for myself: Wishing to correct himself, in his confusion he only gets deeper. He means to say. While I meant for him, I said myself., I said him; (aside) why really, while I\u2019m wanting her for myself, I\u2019ve already, i\u2019 faith, been chattering at random. CLEOSTRATA (overhearing him.) Upon my word, you really have; and you are still doing so. STALINO For him\u2014no, no; for myself, i\u2019 faithFor myself, i\u2019 faith: For the third time he commits the came mistake.. Plague take it, at last, with great difficulty, I\u2019ve got into the right road! CLEOSTRATA Very often, i\u2019 faith, you are making your mistakes. STALINO Such is the case when you desire anything very much. But each of us, both he (pointing to OLYMPIO) and I, apply to you for our rights\u2014 CLEOSTRATA How\u2019s that? STALINO Why, I\u2019ll tell you, my sweet. As to this Casina, you must make a present of her to this bailiff of ours. CLEOSTRATA But, i\u2019 faith, I neither do make it, nor do I in tend it. STALINO In that case, then, I\u2019ll divide the lots between them. CLEOSTRATA Who forbids you? STALINO I judge with reason that that is the best and fairest way. In fine, if that happens which we desire, we shall be glad; but if otherwise, we\u2019ll bear it with equanimity. (Giving a lot to OLYMPIO.) Take, this lot\u2014take it; see what\u2019s written on it. OLYMPIO (looking at it.) Number one. CHALINUS It isn\u2019t fair, be cause that fellow has got one before me. STALINO (giving one to CHALINUS.) Take this, will you. CHALINUS (taking it.) Give it me. Stop though; one thing has just now come into my mind. (To CLEOSTRATA.) Do you see that there\u2019s no other lot in there by chance at the bottom of the water. STALINO Whip-rascal! do you take me to be your own self? (To CLEOSTRATA.) There is none; only set your feelings at rest. OLYMPIO (to CHALINUS.) May it prove lucky and fortunate to me, a great mischance to you! CHALINUS I\u2019 faith, it will certainly fall to you, I fancy; I know your pious ways. But stop a bit; is that lot of yours of poplar or of fir? OLYMPIO Why do you trouble yourself about that? CHALINUS Why, because I\u2019m afraid that it may float on the surface of the water. (They go up to the urn.) STALINO Capital!\u2014take care! Now then, both of you, throw your lots in here. (Pointing to the urn.) Look now, wife, all\u2019s fair. (They throw them in.) OLYMPIO Don\u2019t you trust your wife. STALINO Be of good courage. OLYMPIO Upon my faith, I do believe that she\u2019ll lay a spell upon the lots this very day, if she touches them. STALINO Hold your tongue. OLYMPIO I\u2019ll hold my tongue. I pray the Gods\u2014 CHALINUS Aye,that this day you may have to endure the chainEndure the chain: Canis. Literally, the dog. This was the small chain, which was also called catillus. It has been referred to in a previous Note. and the bilboesThe bilboes: Furcam.. OLYMPIO That the lot may fall to me. CHALINUS Aye, faith, that you may hang up by the feet. OLYMPIO Aye, that you may blow your eyes out of your head through your nose. CHALINUS (to STALINO.) What are you afraid of? It must be ready by this\u2014 (Turning to OLYMPIO.) A halter for you, I mean. OLYMPIO (to CHALINUS.) You\u2019re undone! STALINO Give attention, both of you. OLYMPIO I\u2019ll be mum. STALINO Now you, Cleostrata, that you may not say that anything has been done cheatingly by me in this matter, or suspect it, I give you leave, do you yourself draw the lots. OLYMPIO (to STALINO.) You are ruining me. CHALINUS He\u2019s gaining an advantage rather. CLEOSTRATA (to STALINO.) You do what\u2019s fair. CHALINUS (to OLYMPIO.) I pray the Gods that your lot say run away out of the urn. OLYMPIO Say you so? Because you are a runaway yourself, do you wish all to follow your example? I wish, indeed, that that lot of yours, as they say that of the descendants of HerculesDescendants of Hercules: Pausanias says that the sons of Aristo demus and Cresphontes drew lots, on condition that the party whose lot came first out of the urn should receive Messenia, and the other Lacedaemon. Temenus, favouring Cresphontes, placed the lots in the water, taking care that the one belonging to Cresphontes should be of baked clay, while the other was of clay only dried in the sun, which of course melted on coming in contact with the water; by which stratagem Cresphontes gained possession of Messenia. Apollodorus relates the same story in a different manner. He says that Temenus, Procles and Eurysthenes, the sons of Aristodemus, jointly, and Cresphontes, drew lots, on condition that the one whose lot should appear first should have Argos, the second have Lacedaemon, and the third Messenia. Cresphlontes having long set his mind upon gaining Messenia, had his lot made of unbaked clay, which melted; the others being taken out, there was no necessity to look for the remaining one, and thus the trick succeeded. once did, may melt away while the lots are drawing. CHALINUS And you, that you may melt away yourself, and just now be made hot with twigs. STALINO Attend, will you, to the business in hand, Olympio! OLYMPIO Yes, if this thrice-dottedThrice-dotted: Literatus. Lambinus thinks that this alludes to his back being marked by stripes. There is, however, more reason to believe that it refers to the custom of branding slaves and criminals. The Greeks marked criminals on the forehead with \u0398, the beginning of the word \u03b8\u03ac\u03bd\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2, to denote that they were dead in law. fellow \u2019ll let me. STALINO May this prove lucky and fortunate to me. OLYMPIO Yes indeed; to me as well. CHALINUS Not so. OLYMPIO By my troth, yes, I say. CHALINUS By my troth, yes, for myself, I say. STALINO (to OLYMPIO.) He\u2019ll be the winner; you\u2019ll live in wretchedness. Do you give him a punch in the face this instant! Well, what are you about? CLEOSTRATA (to OLYMPIO.) Don\u2019t you raise your hand.Part of line 404 in the Latin. OLYMPIO (to STALINO.) With clenched or open hand am I to strike him? STALINO Do just as you please. OLYMPIO (striking CHALINUS.) There\u2019s for you, take that! CLEOSTRATA (to OLYMPIO.) What business have you to touch him? OLYMPIO Because my Jupiter (pointing to STALINO) commanded me. CLEOSTRATA (to CHALINUS.) Do you slap him in the face in return. (CHALINUS strikes OLYMPIO in the face.) OLYMPIO (calling out to STALINO.) I\u2019m being murdered, I\u2019m being punched with his fists, Jupiter! STALINO (to CHALINUS.) What business had you to touch him? CHALINUS Because this Juno of mine (pointing to CLEOSTRATA) ordered me. STALINO I must put up with it, since, as long as I live, my wife will have the mastery. CLEOSTRATA (to STALINO.) He (pointing to CHALINUS) ought to be allowed to speak as much as that fellow. OLYMPIO Why by his talk does he occasion me an unlucky omens STALINO I think, Chalinus, you should be on your guard against a mishap. CHALINUS Full time, after my face has been battered! STALINO Come, wife, now then draw the lots. (To the SERVANTS.) Do you give your attention. (To CLEOSTRATA.) And give it, you, as well. OLYMPIO Where I am I know not.Part of line 413 in the Latin. I\u2019m undone, I\u2019ve got my heart full of maggots, I think; it\u2019s jumping about already; with its throbbing it beats against my breast. CLEOSTRATA (putting her hand into the urn.) I\u2019ve got hold of a lot. STALINO Draw it out, then. CHALINUS (to OLYMPIO.) Are you not dead now? OLYMPIO Show it. (She shows it.) It\u2019s mine. CHALINUS Really this is an unlucky mishap. CLEOSTRATA You are beaten, Chalinus. STALINO Then I\u2019m glad that we are to survive after all, Olympio. OLYMPIO Through my own piety and that of my forefathers has it happened. STALINO Wife, go in-doors and make ready for the wedding. CLEOSTRATA I\u2019ll do as you bid me. STALINO Do you know that it\u2019s to a distance in the country, at the farm-house,that he is to take her? CLEOSTRATA I know. STALINO Go in-doors,and although this is disagreable to you, still take care and attend to it. CLEOSTRATA Very well. (Goes into the house.) STALINO (to OLYMPIO.) Let us, as well, go in-doors; let\u2019s entreat them to make all haste. OLYMPIO Am I delaying at all? For in his presence (pointing to CHALINUS) I don\u2019t want there to be any further conversation. (They go into the house.) (CHALINUS, alone.) CHALINUS (to himself.) If now I were to hang myself, I should be losing my pains, and besides my pains, putting myself to the expense of purchasing a rope, and doing a pleasure to my evil-wishers. What need is there for me, who, indeed, am dead even as it is? At the lots I\u2019m beaten; Casina\u2019s to be married to the bailiff. And this now is not so much to be regretted, that the bailiff has got the better, as the fact that the old man so vehemently desired that she shouldn\u2019t be given me, and should marry him. How frightened he was, how in his misery he did bustle about, how he did caper about after the bailiff had won. By-the-bye, I\u2019ll step aside here; I hear the door opening. (Sees STALINO and OLYMPIO, coming out.) My well-wishers and friendsWell-wishers and friends: Of course this is said ironically.are coming out. Here in ambush I\u2019ll lay in wait against them. (Goes on one side.) (Enter STALINO and OLYMPIO, from the house.) OLYMPIO Only let him come into the country; I\u2019ll send the fellow back into the city to you with his porter\u2019s knotWith his porter\u2019s knot: From a passage of Festus, it is conjectured that the word furca here means an implement by means of which burdens were slung over the shoulder, for much the same purpose as the knot of the porters of the present day., as black as a collier. STALINO So it ought to be. OLYMPIO I\u2019ll have that done and well taken care of. STALINO I intended, if he had been at home, to send Chalinus to cater with you; that, even in his sadness, I might, in addition,inflict this misfortune upon our foe. CHALINUS (apart, retreating to the wall of the house.) I\u2019ll betake me back again to the wall; I\u2019ll imitate the crab. Their conversation must be secretly picked up by me; for the one of them is tormenting me, the other wasting me with anguish. Why, this whip-rascal is marching along in his white garbIn his white garb: Lipsius thinks that Olympio has assumed the white dress on becoming the freed-man of Stalino. There is more reason, however, for believing that he has assumed it as his wedding-garment, according to the usual custom among the Romans, with whom the bridegroom, bride, and guests invited to the wedding, were drest in white. So in the Scripture, St. Matthew xxii., 11\u201412: When the King came in to see the guests, he saw there was a man which had not on a wedding-garment, and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment?, a very receptacle for stripes. My own death I defer; I\u2019m determined to send this fellow to Acheron before me. OLYMPIO How obsequious have I been found to you! A thing that you especially desired, that same have I put in your power; this day the object that you love shall be with you, unknown to your wife. STALINO Hush! So may the Deities kindly bless me, I can hardly withhold my lips from kissing you on account of this, my own delight! CHALINUS (apart.) What? Kiss him? What\u2019s the meaning of this? What\u2019s this delight of yours? OLYMPIO Do you love me at all now? STALINO Aye, by my faith, myself even less than you. May I embrace you? OLYMPIO You may. (STALINO embraces him.) STALINO How, when I touch you, I do seem to myself to be tasting honey! CHALINUS (apart.) I really do think he intends to choke the bailiff. OLYMPIO (pushing STALINO away.) Away with you, you lover; get off, with your too close acquaintanceship! CHALINUS (apart.) I\u2019 faith, I think thatI think that: This and the next six lines have been modified in the Translation, as they are replete with gross indecency. this very day they\u2019ll be making terms. Surely,this old fellow is an universal admirer. This is the reason, this is it why he made him his bailiff; some time ago, too, when I came in his way, he wanted to make me his chamberlain upon the like terms. OLYMPIO How subservient have I proved to you to-day, how attentive to your pleasure! STALINO How surely, so long as I live, will I prove more of a well-wisher to you than to my own self! How will I this day give full many a kiss to Casina! How will I, unknown to my wife, right pleasantly enjoy myself! CHALINUS (apart.) Oho! Now, faith,at last I\u2019ve got into the right track. It\u2019s himself that\u2019s dying for Casina. I\u2019ve caught the fellows. STALINO Even now, by my troth, am I longing to embrace her; even now to be kissing her. OLYMPIO Do let her be brought out first from the house. Why the plague are you in such a hurry? STALINO I\u2019m in love. OLYMPIO But I don\u2019t think that this can possibly be managed to-day. STALINO It can, if, indeed, you think that you can possibly receive your freedom to-morrow. CHALINUS (apart.) Why, really, I must make still better use here of my ears; now, in one thicket, I shall be cleverly catching two boars. STALINO (pointing to the house of ALCESIMUS.) At the house of this friend and neighbour of mine there\u2019s a place provided; I have confided to him all my amorousness: he said that he would find me a room. OLYMPIO What will his wife do? Where will she be? STALINO I\u2019ve cleverly contrived that: my wife will invite her here, to her own house, to the wedding; to be here with her, to help her, to sleep with her. I have requested it, and my wife has said that she will do so. She\u2019ll be sleeping here: I\u2019ll take care her husband is away from home. You shall take your wife home into the country; that country shall be this house, for a period, until I\u2019ve had my marriage with Casina. Hence,before daylight, you shall afterwards take her home to-morrow.Isn\u2019t it very skilfully managed? OLYMPIO Cleverly! CHALINUS (apart.) Only do proceed; contrive away. By my troth, to your own mischance are you so clever. STALINO Do you know what you must do now? OLYMPIO Tell me. STALINO (giving him a purse.) Take this purse. Be off and buy some provisions: make haste. But I want it nicely done: delicate eatables, just as she herself is a delicate bit. OLYMPIO Very well. STALINO Buy some cuttle-fish, mussels, calamaries, barley-fishBarley-fish: Hordeias. This was the name of some fish now unknown; for want of a better name, and to express the pun contained in the original, it has been called barley-fish in the translation, as Chalinus puns on its resemblance to hordeum, barley.. CHALINUS (apart.) Aye, wheaten fish, if you know what you\u2019re about. STALINO Some sole-fishSome sole-fish: Soleas. Chalinus puns on this word, which means either sole-fish or thin shoes. He thinks sculponeae better suited. with which to bang the old fellow\u2019s head. These were wooden shoes worn by the rustic slaves, and resembled either the clogs of the north of England, with wooden soles and upper leathers, or the sabots of the Continent, which are made entirely of wood.. CHALINUS (apart.) Prithee, why those rather than soles of wood, with which your head may be banged, you most vile old fellow? OLYMPIO Should you like some tongue-fishSome tongue-fish: Lingulaca was, according to Festus, a kind of fish, or a talkative woman. To give some idea of the play on the word, it has been rendered tongue-fish. Warner says, in a Note to his Translation, that small flat-fish, or young soles, are called tongues in the west of England? STALINO What need is there, since my wife\u2019s at home? She is our tongue-fish, for she\u2019s never silent. OLYMPIO While I\u2019m about it, I must make choice out of the supply of fish what to purchase. STALINO You say what\u2019s good: be off. I don\u2019t care to spare for cost; provide abundantly. But it\u2019s requisite also that I should see this neighbour of mine, that he may attend to what I\u2019ve requested. OLYMPIO Am I to go now? STALINO I wish you. (Exit OLYMPIO. STALINO goes into the house of ALCESIMUS.) CHALINUS (coming forward.) By three freedoms I could not be induced this day to do other than provide a heavy retribution for them, and at once disclose all this matter to my mistress. I\u2019ve caught and fully detected my enemies in their guilt. But if my mistress is ready now to do her duty, the cause is all our own: I\u2019ll cleverly be beforehand with the fellows. With omens in our favour the day proceeds: just conquered, we are the conquerors. I\u2019ll go indoors, that that which another cook has seasoned, I now, in my turn, may season after another fashion; and that for him for whom it was prepared, it may really not be prepared; and that that may be prepared for him, which before was not preparedWas not prepared: He means that, spite of his preparations, Olympio shall not have Casina, and that he himself will; in which, however, he is disappointed in the end, as she is given to Euthynicus.. (Goes into the house.) (Enter ALCESIMUS and STALINO, from the house of the former.) STALINO Now, Alcesimus, I shall know whether you are the very picture of friend or foe to me; now is the proof upon view; now is the contest going on. But why do I do so; forbear to correct me; save yourself all that. With your hoary head, at an age unfit; save yourself that as well. One who has a wife; save yourself that like wise. ALCESIMUS I never saw a person more distracted with love than yourself. STALINO Do take care that the house is clear. ALCESIMUS Why, faith, men-servants, maid-servants, all of them I\u2019m determined to send out of the house to yours. STALINO Heyday! with your adroitness you are very adroit! But only take care and remember the lines which Colax repeats Which Colax repeats: Colax, or, the Flatterer, was a Play of Menander\u2019s, which was translated by the Roman Comic writer Naevius, a little before the time of Plautus. It was not allowed to be acted at Rome, on account of some satirical passages in it which bore reference to the family of the Metelli.; take care that every one comes with his own provisions, as if they were going to SutriumGoing to Sutrium: This was a proverbial expression (used in the Colax), which had originated at the time when Brennus attacked Rome. Sutrium was a Roman colony in Etruria. Fearing an attack upon it by the Gauls, Camillus ordered that some troops should march to the assistance of the Sutrians, but that they should carry their own provisions with them.. ALCESIMUS I\u2019ll remember it. STALINO Why now there\u2019s no public ordinancePublic ordinance: See the Pseudolus, l. 748. better ordered than yourself, in fact. Attend to this. I\u2019m now going to the Forum; I shall be here just now. ALCESIMUS Luck go with you. STALINO Take care that your house gets a tongue. ALCESIMUS Why so? STALINO That when I come, it may invite me. ALCESIMUS Pooh, pooh! you area person that stands in good need of a basting; you\u2019re making too free with your fun. STALINO Of what use is it for me to be in love, unless I\u2019m quite ready and talkative? But take you care that you haven\u2019t to be sought for by me. ALCESIMUS I\u2019ll be at home all the while. (Exit STALINO; ALCESIMUS goes into his house.) (Enter CLEOSTRATA, from her house.) CLEOSTRATA (to herself.) This was the reason, then, i\u2019 faith, why my husband entreated me, with such great earnestness, to make haste and invite my female neighbour to our house\u2014 that the house might be clear for him to be taking Casina there. Now, therefore, I shall by no means invite her, so that liberty of free range shan\u2019t be any way given to worn-out bell-wethers. (ALCESIMUS is coming out of his house.) But look, the pillar of the Senate\u2019s coming forward, the safeguard of the public, my neighbour, the person who is finding free range for my husband. I\u2019 faith, the measure of witThe measure of wit: Salis. Literally salt. The meaning of this passage is obscure in the extreme, and it is difficult to form a conjecture what it really is, further than that it is not complimentary to Alcesimus. that has been sold to him, was purchased at no cheap rate. ALCESIMUS (to himself.) I\u2019m wondering that my wife, who\u2019s already waiting at home, dressed out, to be sent for, hasn\u2019t been invited by this to my neighbour\u2019s here. But see, here she is; she\u2019s come to fetch her, I guess. (Going up to CLEOSTRATA.) Good day, Cleostrata! CLEOSTRATA And you the same, Alcesimus. Where\u2019s your wife? ALCESIMUS She\u2019s waiting in-doors for you to send for her; for your husband requested me to send her to help you. Do you wish me to call her? (Going towards the door.) CLEOSTRATA Let it alone; I don\u2019t care; if she\u2019s busy. ALCESIMUS She\u2019s at leisure. CLEOSTRATA I don\u2019t care about it; I don\u2019t want to be troublesome to her; I\u2019ll see her at a future time. ALCESIMUS Are you not getting ready for a wedding there at your house? CLEOSTRATA I am getting ready and making preparations. ALCESIMUS Don\u2019t you require an assistant then? CLEOSTRATA We have enough at home. When the marriage has taken place, then I\u2019ll call upon her; for the present, farewell, and bid her the same from me. (Goes into her house.) ALCESIMUS (to himself.) What am I to do now? To my sorrow. I\u2019ve done a most disgraceful action for the sake of that vile and toothless goat, who has engaged me in this. I\u2019ve promised the aid of my wife out of doors, as though to go lick dishesTo go lick dishes: He alludes to the habit of puppies, and grown-up dogs as well, of being very ready to find their way to the cupboards of their neighbours. like a dog. A worthless fellow, to tell me that his wife was going to send for her, whereas she herself declares that she does not want her. And upon my faith, it\u2019s a wonder if this female neighbour of mine hasn\u2019t already her suspicions of this. But yet, on the other hand, when I reflect with myself on this notion, if there were anything of that, there would have been enquiries of me. I\u2019ll go in-doors, that I may lay up the shipLay up the ship: He means his wife, who is all dressed out ready for her voyage to her neighbours, and whom he will now order to be unrigged and towed into dock. again in the dockyard. (Goes into his house.) (Enter CLEOSTRATA, from her house.) CLEOSTRATA (to herself.) Now he has been finely made a fool of. In what a bustle are these unfortunate old fellows. Now I do wish that that good-for-nothing decrepit husband of mine would come, that I might make a fool of him in his turn, after I have thus fooled the other one. For I long to make a bit of a quarrel between these two. But look, he\u2019s coming. Why, when you see him so serious, you\u2019d think him a decent person. (She stands on one side, unseen.) (Enter STALINO.) STALINO (aloud, to himself.) It\u2019s a great folly, to my notion at least, for any man that\u2019s in love to go to the Forum on that day on which the object which he loves is close at handIs close at hand: In mundo. There is some doubt what is the meaning of this expression here. Warner renders it in all her trim.; as I in my folly have been doing; I\u2019ve spent the day, standing pleadingStanding pleading: It was the custom at Rome, as with us for the advocate to stand while pleading the cause of his client. for a certain relative of mine, who, faith, I\u2019m very delighted has lost his cause; so that he hasn\u2019t for nothing chosen me as his advocate to-day. He ought first to ask and make enquiry, whether his mind is at home or not at home, whom he\u2019s choosing for his advocate; if he says it isn\u2019t, without his mind he should send him off home. (Catches sight of his wife.) But look, there\u2019s my wife before the house! Alas! wretch that I am! I\u2019m afraid that she isn\u2019t deaf, and has heard this. CLEOSTRATA (apart.) By my troth, I have heard it to your great cost. STALINO I\u2019ll go nearer to her. (Goes up to CLEOSTRATA.) What are you about, my delight? CLEOSTRATA I\u2019 faith, I was waiting for you. STALINO Are the things ready now? Have you by this brought over here to our house this female neighbour of yours, who was to assist you? CLEOSTRATA I sent for her as you requested me; but this companion of yours, your very good friend, was in a pet with his wife about something, I don\u2019t know what; he said, when I went to fetch her, that he wouldn\u2019t send her. STALINO That\u2019s your greatest fault; you are not courteous enough. CLEOSTRATA It\u2019s not the part of matrons, but of harlots, to be showing courtesies, my husband, to the husbands of others. Go yourself and fetch her; I wish to attend in-doors, my husband, to what is requisite to be done. STALINO Make haste then. CLEOSTRATA Very well. (Aside.) Now, faith, I shall inspire some apprehensions in his heart. I\u2019ll this day render this lovesick man completely miserable. (She goes into the house.) (Enter ALCESIMUS, from his house.) ALCESIMUS (to himself.) I\u2019ll go see here if the lover has come back home from the Forum, who, an old ghost, has been making fools of myself and my wife. But see, there he is before his house. (Addressing STALINO.) I\u2019 faith, \u2019twas just in good time I was coming to your house. STALINO And, i\u2019 faith, I to yours. How say you, you good-for-nothing fellow? What did I enjoin you? What did I beg of you? ALCESIMUS What\u2019s the matter? STALINO How nicely you\u2019ve had your house empty for me! How well you have sent your wife over to our house here! Isn\u2019t it through yourself that I and the opportunity are lost, both of us? ALCESIMUS Why don\u2019t you go hang yourself? Why, \u2019twas you yourself said that your wife would come and fetch mine from our house? STALINO Then she declares that she has been to fetch her, and that you said you wouldn\u2019t let her go. ALCESIMUS But she herself, of her own accord, said to me that she didn\u2019t care for her assistance. STALINO But \u2019tis sheBut \u2019tis she: The repetition of quin, but, is intended as a ludicrous mark of the contempt that these antagonists have for each other. herself who has deputed me to come and fetch her. ALCESIMUS But I don\u2019t care for that. STALINO But you are proving my ruin. ALCESIMUS But that\u2019s as it should be. But I shall still go on delaying; but I very much long for\u2014 STALINOThis section does not appear in the print. Added by the editor. But\u2014 ALCESIMUS nothing but to do you some mischief; but I\u2019ll do it with pleasure. Never this day shall you have a but the more than I. But, in fine, really, upon my faith, may the Gods confound you. STALINO What now? Are you going to send your wife to my house? ALCESIMUS You may take her, and be off to utter and extreme perdition, both with her and with that one of yours, and with that mistress of yours as well. A way with you, and attend to something else; I\u2019ll at once bid my wife to pass thither through the garden to your wife. STALINO Now you are proving yourself a friend to me in genuine style! (ALCESIMUS goes into his house.) Under what auspices am I to say that this passion was inflicted upon me, or what have I ever done amiss towards Venus, that when I\u2019m thus in love crosses so many should befall me in my path? (A noise is heard.) Hey day! what\u2019s that noise, prithee, that\u2019s going on in our house? (Enter PARDALISCA, running out of the house.) PARDALISCA (bawling out at the door.) I\u2019m undone, I\u2019m undone, I\u2019m utterly, utterly ruined! My heart is deadened with fear. My limbs, in my misery, are all a-trembling! I know not whence to obtain or look for any assistance, safety, or refuge for myself, or any means of relief: things so surprising, in a manner so surprisingly done, have I just now witnessed in-doors, a new and unusual piece of audacity. Be on your guard, Cleostrata! prithee do get away from her,lest amid such transports she may be doing you some mischief! Tear away that sword from her, who\u2019s not in possession of her senses! STALINO Why, what is the matter\u2014that she, frightened and half dead with fear, rushes hither out of doors? Pardalisca! PARDALISCA (looking wildly about her.) Whence do my ears catch the sound? STALINO Just look back at me. PARDALISCA My master! STALINO What\u2019s the matter? What? PARDALISCA I\u2019m undone. STALINO How undone? PARDALISCA I\u2019m undone, and you are undone. STALINO Disclose it, what\u2019s the matter with you? PARDALISCA Woe to you! STALINO Aye, and the same to yourself. PARDALISCA That I mayn\u2019t fall down, prithee do hold, hold me. (Staggers, on which STALINO supports her.) STALINO Whatever it is, tell me quickly. PARDALISCA Do support my throbbing breast, prithee do make a little air with your cloak. STALINO (fanning her with the lappet of his cloak.) I\u2019m in alarm as to what is the matter; (aside) unless this woman has been somewhere upsetting herself with the pure creamWith the pure cream: Nisi haec meraclo se uspiam percussit flone Liberi. Literally, Unless she has somewhere struck herself with the nearly unmixed flower of Liber. of Bacchus. PARDALISCA Hold my ears, pray do. (Her head falls on her shoulder.) STALINO Away to utter perdition; breast, ears, head, and yourself, may the Gods confound! For, unless I quickly learn from you this matter, whatever it is, I\u2019ll forth with be knocking your brains out, you viper, you hussey, who have thus far been making a laughing-stock of me. PARDALISCA My master! STALINO What do you want, my servant? PARDALISCA You are too angry. STALINO You are saying so too soon. But whatever this is, tell it; relate in a few words what has been the disturbance in-doors. PARDALISCA You shall know. Hear this most foul crime which just now in-doors at our house your female slave began to attempt after this fashion, a thing that does not befit the regulations lations of Attica. STALINO What is it? PARDALISCA Fever prevents the use of my tongue. STALINO What is it? Can I possibly learn from you what is the matter? PARDALISCA I\u2019ll tell you. Your female slave, she whom you intend to give as a wife to your bailiff, in-doors she\u2014 STALINO In-doors what? What is it? PARDALISCA Is imitating the wicked practices of wicked women, in threatening her husband\u2014 STALINO What then? PARDALISCA Ah! STALINO What is it? PARDALISCA She says that she intends to take her husband\u2019s life. A sword\u2014 STALINO (starting.) Hah! PARDALISCA A sword\u2014 STALINO What about that sword? PARDALISCA She has got one. STALINO Ah! wretch that I am! Why has she got it? PARDALISCA She is pursuing them all at home all over the house, and she won\u2019t allow any person to approach her; and so, all, hiding in chests and under beds, are mute with fear. STALINO I\u2019m murdered and ruined outright! What malady is this that has so suddenly befallen her? PARDALISCA She is mad. STALINO I do think that I am the most unfortunate of men! PARDALISCA Aye, and if you were to know the speeches she uttered to-day. STALINO I long to know about what she said. PARDALISCA Listen. By all the Gods and Goddesses she swore that she would murder the person with whom she should bed. STALINO Will she murder me? PARDALISCA Does that bear reference to yourself in any way? STALINO Pshaw! PARDALISCA What business have you with her? STALINO I made a mistake; him, the bailiff, I meant to say. PARDALISCA It\u2019s on purposeIt\u2019s on purpose: She hints by this that she well knows what his thoughts are, and that really it is no mistake on his part; but that he is designedly deviating from the open path of rectitude, and turning aside into the bye-paths of lust and duplicity. that you are turning aside from the high road into bye-paths. STALINO Does she threaten anything against myself? PARDALISCA She is hostile to you individually more than any person. STALINO For what reason? PARDALISCA Because you have given her as a wife to Olympio; she says that she\u2019ll neither suffer your life, nor her own, nor that of her husband, to be prolonged until the morrow. I have been sent hither to tell you this, that you might beware of her. STALINO (aside.) By my troth, to my misery I\u2019m quite undone! There neither is nor ever was any old man in love so wretched as I. PARDALISCA (aside, to the AUDIENCE.) Don\u2019t I play him off cleverly? For everything that I\u2019ve been telling him as taking place, I\u2019ve been telling him falsely. My mistress and she who lives next door have concocted this scheme. I\u2019ve been sent to fool him. STALINO Hark you, Pardalisca! PARDALISCA What is it? STALINO There is \u2014 PARDALISCA What? STALINO There is something that I want to enquire of you about. PARDALISCA You are causing me delay. STALINO Why, you are causing me sorrow. But has Casina got that sword even still? PARDALISCA She has; but two of them. STALINO Why two? PARDALISCA She says that this very day she\u2019ll murder you with the one, the bailiff with the other. STALINO I am now the most utterly murdered of all people that do exist. I\u2019ll put on me a coat of mail; I think that\u2019s the best. What did my wife do? Didn\u2019t she go and take them away from her? PARDALISCA No person dares go near her. STALINO She should have prevailed on her. PARDALISCA She is entreating her. She declares that assuredly she will lay them down on no other terms, unless she understands that she shall not be given to the bailiff. STALINO But whether she likes it or no, because she refuses, she shall marry him this day. For why shouldn\u2019t I carry this out that I\u2019ve begun, for her to marry me?\u2014that, indeed, I didn\u2019t intend to say\u2014but, our bailiff? PARDALISCA You\u2019re making your mistakes pretty often. STALINO It\u2019s alarm that impedes my words. But, prithee, do tell my wife, that I entreat her to prevail upon her to put down the sword, and allow me to return in-doors. PARDALISCA I\u2019ll tell her. STALINO And do you entreat her. PARDALISCA And I\u2019ll entreat her. STALINO And in soft language, in your usual way. But do you hear me? If you manage this, I\u2019ll give you a pair of shoesA pair of shoes: Perhaps these would prove very acceptable to Pardalisca, who, as a slave, was probably condemned to wear the heavy sculponeae before mentioned, in l. 478. and a gold ringAnd a gold ring: Slaves were not in general allowed to wear other than iron rings, called condalia. See the Notes to the Trinummus, l. 1014, Meursius, as quoted by Limiers, goes so far as to suppose that this is an implied promise of her liberty to Pardalisca, because of this inability of the slaves to wear gold rings. That seems, however, to be a very far-fetched notion. for your finger, and plenty of nice things. PARDALISCA I\u2019ll do my best. STALINO Take care and prevail. PARDALISCA Now then I\u2019ll be off; unless you detain me for anything. STALINO Be off, and take care. PARDALISCA (aside.) Look, his assistant is returning, at last, with the provisions; he\u2019s bringing a train after him. (She goes into the house.) (Enter OLYMPIO, a COOK, and his ASSISTANTS, with provisions.) OLYMPIO (to the COOK.) See, you thief, that you lead on your briars beneath their bannersBriars beneath their banners: This figure is derived partly from gardening, partly from military tactics. The assistants of the Cook are compared to briars, because they tear and carry off everything they meet; and their leader is requested to keep them sub signis, beneath the banners, lest, like soldiers on a march, leaving their ranks, they should stroll about to plunder and steal. The bad character of the hired cooks has been referred to in the Pseudolus. It will be also found enlarged upon in the Aulularia.. A COOK But how are they briars? OLYMPIO Because that which they have touched, they instantly seize hold of; if you go to snatch it from them, they instantly rend it; so, wherever they come, wherever they are, with a twofold lossWith a twofold loss: Probably, pilfering in all directions, and then getting paid for their services. do they mulct their masters. A COOK Heyday, indeed! OLYMPIO Well, well! This way I\u2019m delaying to go meet my master with a magnificent, patrician, and patronizing air. (He struts along.) STALINO My good man, save you. OLYMPIO I admit that so I amI admit that so I am: Fateor. His conscience pricking him for his disgraceful conduct, he is glad to catch the opportunity of alleging that he really is a bonus vir vice thus paying homage to virtue.. STALINO How goes it? OLYMPIO You are in love, but I\u2019m hungering and thirsting. STALINO You have come capitally provided. OLYMPIO Pooh! pooh! (Goes towards the door.) STALINO But stop you, although you do hold me in contempt\u2014 OLYMPIO O dear, O dear! your converse has a bad smell to me. (Moving away.) STALINO What\u2019s the matter? OLYMPIO (pointing to the baskets of provisions.) That\u2019s the matter. STALINO Will you not stop there?Part of line 728b in the Latin. OLYMPIO Why, really, you are causing me ennui Causing me ennui : This is in Greek in the original\u2014\u03c0\u03c1\u1f71\u03bd\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u1f73\u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2. More literally, You give me trouble. It was a phrase generally used by a superior when annoyed by an inferior, and aptly shows the degraded position to which Stalino has reduced himself by his base associations with his servant Olympio. An attempt has been made in the translation, perhaps not very successfully, to portray the impression intended to be conveyed by the passage by the use of the French word ennui..Part of line 728b in the Latin. STALINO I shall be giving you a grand coup A grand coup : \u039c\u1f73\u03b3\u03b1 \u03ba\u1f71\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd. Literally, A great mischief., I fancy, if you don\u2019t stand still forthwith. (Catches hold of him.) OLYMPIO O mon Dieu O mon Dieu : \u1f6e \u0396\u03b5\u1f7b. Literally, O Zeus! or O Jupiter!! Can\u2019t you get away from me, unless you would like me to be sick just now? STALINO Do stop a bit. OLYMPIO How\u2019s this? (Staring at him.) What person\u2019s this? STALINO I\u2019m your master. OLYMPIO What master? STALINO He whose slave you are. OLYMPIO I, a slave? STALINO Aye, and mine. OLYMPIO Am I not a free man? Remember! remember! STALINO Stop and stay you there! (Catches hold of him.) OLYMPIO Let me alone. STALINO I am your slave. OLYMPIO That\u2019s very good. STALINO My dear little Olympio, my father, my patron, I do beg of you\u2014 OLYMPIO Well, you certainly are in your senses. STALINO Of course I am your slave. OLYMPIO What need have I of so worthless a slave? STALINO Well now, how soon are you going to provide me some amusement Provide me some amusement: He perhaps alludes to the gratification of his villanous intentions with regard to Casina. If not, his meaning is still more gross. He is, without exception, the most despicable character, with the exception of Dinarchus, in the Truculentus, depicted in any Play of Plautus.? OLYMPIO If the dinner were but drest. STALINO Then let them be off this instant in-doors. (To the COOK and his ASSISTANTS.) Go you into the house and despatch with all haste. I\u2019ll come in just now. Have the dinner charmingly sauced upCharmingly sauced up: By the use of the word ebria, he either means that the hashes are to be swimming with sauces and gravies, or that plenty of wine is to be provided. for me; I want to have a charming meal. I really don\u2019t care, now, to be eating in the style of your sumptuous foreignersIn the style of your sumptuous foreigners: Barbarico ritu. He perhaps alludes to the Eastern style of entertainments, which were probably accompanied with more magnificence, and, at the same time, greater sobriety, which doubtless would not agree with his Epicurean notions.. Be off, will you; but for the present, however, I take up my abode here. (The COOK and his ASSISTANTS go into the house.) OLYMPIO Is there anything that detains you here?Part of line 748 in the Latin. STALINO The servant-maid says that Casina has got a sword in-doors, to deprive you and me of life with it. OLYMPIO I understand it. Just let her alone with it. They are imposing on you: I know these worthless baggages. However, do you now go into the house with me. STALINO But, i\u2019 faith, I\u2019m fearful of mischief: only do you go. Reconnoitre, first, what\u2019s going on within. OLYMPIO My life\u2019s as dear to me as yours is to you. STALINO But only do go now. OLYMPIO If you\u2019ll go yourself, I\u2019ll go in with you. (They go into the house.) (Enter PARDALISCA, from the house, laughing aloud.) PARDALISCA (to herself.) Upon my faith, I do not believe that at NemeaAt Nemea: Nemea was a town near Corinth, where games were held in honor of Hercules, in remembrance of his slaying the Nemean Lion. At Olympia, in Elis, the Olympic games in honor of Jupiter were celebrated., nor do I think that at Olympia, or anywhere else, there ever where such funny games as these ridiculous games that are going on in-doors here with our old gentleman and our bailiff Olympio. In-doors, all over the house, all are in a bustle; the old man is bawling away in the kitchen, and urging on the cooks. Why don\u2019t you go to work at once? Why don\u2019t you serve up, if you are going to serve up? Make haste; the dinner ought to have been cooked by this. And then this bailiff is strutting about with his chapletWith his chaplet: Among the Romans the bridegroom wore a wreath or chaplet of flowers on his head., clothed in white and finely rigged out. And then these women are dressing up the armour-bearer in the bedroom, to give him to be married to our bailiff in place of Casina; but the artful baggages very cleverly conceal what the upshot of thisThe upshot of this: The meaning of this passage is obscure. It perhaps, however, means that they conceal from Chalinus how far they intend him to go in the joke, for fear lest he should refuse his services. is really to be. Then too, in a manner quite worthy of them, the cooks are very cleverly doing their best to the end that the old gentleman mayn\u2019t get his dinner. They are upsetting the pots, and putting out the fire with the water. At the request of these ladies they are so doing; they, too, are determined to bundle the old fellow dinnerless out of doors, that they by themselves may blow out their own stomachs. I know these female gluttons; a merchant-shipA merchant-ship: Corbitam, a merchant-ship. This word gave rise to the French word corvette. Merchant-ships are said to have been so called from their carrying a corbis, or basket, at the mast-head; probably to show at a distance that they were traders, and not ships of war. full of victuals they can devour. But the door is opening. (Enter STALINO, from the house.) STALINO (speaking to CLEOSTRATA, within.) If you are wise, wife, you\u2019ll dine, after all, when the dinner\u2019s cooked. I shall dine in the country, for I\u2019m desirous to attend the new-made husband and the newly-made bride into the country (I know the mischievous habits of persons), that no one may carry her off. Do you people indulge your appetite. But do make haste and send him and her out immediately, that at least we may get there in daylight. I shall be here tomorrow; to-morrow, wife, I\u2019ll be having a banquet still. PARDALISCA (aside.) \u2019Tis as I said it would be; the women are packing the old fellow dinnerless out of doors. STALINO (to PARDALISCA.) What are you doing here? PARDALISCA I\u2019m going whither she sent me. STALINO Really? PARDALISCA Seriously. STALINO What are you looking for here? PARDALISCA Really I\u2019m looking for nothing at all. STALINO Be off; you are loitering here; the others are bustling about in-doors. PARDALISCA I\u2019m off. STALINO Be off, then, will you, away from here, you jade of jades. (PARDALISCA goes into the house.) Is she gone then? I may now say here anything I please. He that\u2019s in love, i\u2019 faith, even if he is hungry, isn\u2019t hungry at all. But see, the bailiff, my associateMy associate: Socius, associate, seems certainly a much more rational reading than socerus, father-in-law, which Weise adopts. Amid all his folly, we can hardly imagine Stalino calling Olympio his father- in-law. From the present passage it would appear that the bridegroom was one of those who held the torches before the bride when she was led to his house., companion, and husband-in-copartnership, is coming out of doors with wreath and torch. (Enter OLYMPIO, dressed in white, with a wreath on his head, and a torch in his hand, accompanied by MUSICIANS) OLYMPIO (to one of the MUSICIANS.) Come, piper, while they are escorting the new-made bride out of doors, make the whole of this street resound with a sweet wedding-tuneWedding-tune: Hymenaeo. The nuptial-song was called Hymenaeus, in honor of Hymen, the God of Marriage. The above words were probably the refrain, or Chorus of the song.. (He sings aloud.) Io Hymen hymenaee! Io Hymen! STALINO (accosting him.) How fare you, my preserver? OLYMPIO I\u2019m very hungry, faith; and, in fact, I\u2019m not thirsty a little. STALINO But I\u2019m in love. OLYMPIO Still, upon my faith, love, I shan\u2019t be making any trial of you. For some time past my inside has been grumbling with emptiness. STALINO But why is she now delaying so long in-doors, just as though on purpose? The greater the haste I\u2019m in, in so much the less is she. OLYMPIO What if I were even to trill an hymeneal lay? STALINO I agree to that; and I\u2019ll help you at these our common nuptials. OLYMPIO (STALINO joining, they sing.) Hymen hymenaee! Io Hymen! STALINO Upon my faith, I\u2019m dreadfully done up; one may burst one\u2019s self with singing this hymeneal lay; if I do burst this wayIf I do burst this way: The meaning of this passage is obscure, but there is no doubt that it is of an indecent nature. The translation is consequently somewhat modified., I can\u2019t burst any other, that I may make sure of. OLYMPIO Upon my faith, for sure, if you were a horse, you\u2019d never be broken in. STALINO On what grounds? OLYMPIO You are too hard-mouthed. STALINO Have you ever found me so? OLYMPIO The Gods forbid! But the door makes a noise; they are coming out. STALINO I\u2019 troth, the Gods do will me to be preserved at last. I already smell CasinaAlready smell Casina: Some Commentators explain this passage as one of indecent allusion, but there is really no occasion for such a construction; no doubt, the bride was usually perfumed to the highest pitch, and Stalino may very naturally say that he smells her at a distance. at a distance. (They move to a distance.) (Enter, from the house, two FEMALE SERVANTS leading CHALINUS, veiled and dressed in women\u2019s clothes, as CASINA.) TWO MAID-SERVANTS Move on, and raise your feet a little over the thresholdA little over the threshold: When the bridal procession left the house of the bride, and when it reached that of the husband, the bride was lifted over the threshold by pronubi, men who had been married to only one wife, that she might not touch it with her foot, which was deemed an evil omen., newly-married bride; prosperously commence this journey, that you may always be alive for your husband, that you may be his superior in power, and the conqueror, and that your rule may gain the upper hand. Let your husband find you in clothes; you plunder your husband; by night and day to be tricking your husband, prithee, do remember. OLYMPIO (to STALINO.) Upon my faith, at her downright peril, the instant she offends me ever so little! STALINO Hold your tongue. OLYMPIO I shall not hold my tongue. STALINO What\u2019s the matter OLYMPIO These wicked jades are wickedly teaching her wicked lessons. STALINO Instead of being all ready, they\u2019ll be bringing this matter all into confusion for me. They are striving at that, wishing for it, that they may have it all undone. TWO MAID-SERVANTS Come, Olympio, as soon as you please, receive this wife of yours from us. (They present CHALINUS to him.) OLYMPIO Hand her to me then, if you are going to hand her to me at all to-day. (They hand CHALINUS to him.) STALINO (to the FEMALE SERVANTS.) Be off in-doors. TWO MAID-SERVANTS Prithee, do deal gently with her who is so young and inexperienced. STALINO It shall be so. Farewell; be off now. TWO MAID-SERVANTS Farewell. (They go into the house.) STALINO Is my wife now gone? OLYMPIO She\u2019s in the house; don\u2019t be afraid. STALINO Hurra! Now, faith, I\u2019m free at last. (Addressing himself to CHALINUS as CASINA.) My sweetheart, my spring-flowerMy spring-flower: Verculum. Literally, My little spring. The Roman names of endearment seem to have been generally very silly ones., my little honey! (Embraces him.) OLYMPIO But, hark you! you\u2019ll beware, if you are wise, of some mishap: she\u2019s mine. STALINO I know that; but mine\u2019s the first enjoyment. OLYMPIO (holding him the torch.) Hold this torch for me. STALINO Why, no, I\u2019ll hold her in my arms in preference. All-powerful Venus, a happy existence hast thou given me in giving me the possession of her! A dear little body! a dear little honey! (Hugs CHALINUS, who pretends to struggle.) OLYMPIO (shouting aloud.) O my dear little wife! (Jumps about on one leg.) STALINO What\u2019s the matter? OLYMPIO She has trod upon my toes. STALINO (aside.) I\u2019ll compliment her, as it were. A mist is not so soft as is\u2014 her breast. (Pulls CHALINUS about.) A pretty little bosom, upon my faith. (CHALINUS gives him a thrust with his elbow, on which he roars out.) Woe to unfortunate me! OLYMPIO What\u2019s the matter? STALINO She struck me in the breast with her elbow. OLYMPIO Why then, pray, do you maul her about? But she does not do so to me, who touch her gently. (CHALINUS gives him a poke with his elbow.) O me! STALINO What\u2019s the matter? OLYMPIO Prithee, how robust she is! she has almost laid me flat with her elbow. STALINO She wishes, then, to go to bedTo go to bed: There is a childish play here on the words cubito, with her elbow, and cubitum. to go to bed.. OLYMPIO Nay but, why don\u2019t we be off? STALINO (taking hold of CHALINUS.) My pretty, pretty little dear! (They go into the house of ALCESIMUS.) (Enter MYRRHINA and PARADALISCA, from the house of STALINO.) MYRRHINA Having been well and handsomely entertained indoors, we\u2019ve come out here in the street to see the wedding-sports. I\u2019d like to know how Chalinus gets on\u2014the newly-married bride with her new-made husband. Never, upon my faith, any day did I laugh so much, nor in the time that\u2019s to come do I think I shall laugh more; and no poet ever did con trive a more artful plot than this was skilfully contrived by us. I\u2019d now very much like the old fellow to come out, with his face well battered, than whom there is not a more wicked old man alive. Not even him do I deem to be more wicked who finds the room for him. Now, Pardalisca, do you be guard here (pointing to the door of her house); that whoever comes out from here, you may have some sport with him. PARDALISCA I\u2019ll do it with pleasure, and in my usual way. MYRRHINA Observe from here everything that\u2019s going on indoors. PARDALISCA Prithee, get behind me. MYRRHINA You have liberty, too, to say freely and boldly to him anything you like. PARDALISCA (in a low voice.) Be quiet; your door makes a noise. (They hide themselves.) (Enter OLYMPIO, in great alarm, from the house of ALCESIMUS.) OLYMPIO (bawling aloud.) Neither where to fly to, nor where to conceal myself, nor how to hide this disgrace, do I know; so much have my master and myself been supereminently disgraced at these nuptials of ours. I\u2019m now so ashamed, and now so afraid, and so ridiculous are we both. But, a simpleton, I\u2019m now doing what\u2019s new to me: I\u2019m ashamed at that which has never shamed me before. (To the AUDIENCE.) Lend me your attention, while I repeat my exploits; it\u2019s worth your while to catch them with your ears; so ridiculous to be heard, to be repeated, are these mishaps which I have met with in the house. [When straightwayWhen straightway: With this line commences a part of the Play which is in a very imperfect state, and as to the reason for the appearance of which in that form the Critics are divided in opinion. As it is full of the grossest indecencies (which have precluded the possibility of translating some parts of it), it has been suggested that Plautus himself wrote it in this fragmentary form, as being sufficient to show his meaning, without displaying these indelicacies in all their amplitude. Another opinion is, that these passages are really the composition of Plautus, but that they have been reduced to their present state by lapse of time, or possibly, by reason of the MSS. having been subjected to castration by the fastidious students of the middle centuries. A third opinion is, that the portion between this line and l. 927, and some few lines in the next Scene as well, were not the composition of Plautus, but that they were composed by some of the learned in the middle ages, to fill up the hiatus which existed in this part of the Play, or was supposed to exist there. If so, the writers might certainly have employed their time and talents to better advantage, as they have fairly distanced Plautus in the very worst of his indecencies. I had led my new-made bride into the room, I fastened the bolt; but, however, the gloom there was just like the night. I placed, I propped things against the door; I struggled hardI struggled hard: This word is given as mollio, to soften, in all the Editions. Molio seems much more appropriate, and is used by Frontinus in the some sense as molior. that before the old fellow with my bride. Then I began to be slow in my proceedings, for I looked behind me every now and then, lest the old fellow should break in , a kiss, that provocative to lust, I asked of her first. She pushed back my hand, and allowed me not to give her a kiss in a quiet way. But then the more anxious was I, the more desirous to assert my privilege with Casina, and I longed to do the old fellow out of that task. The door I blocked up, so that the old man might not over-power me. (from the house.) MYRRHINA (apart to CLEOSTRATA.) Come now, you accost him. (Pointing to OLYMPIO.) CLEOSTRATA (accosting OLYMPIO.) Where is your newly-made bride? OLYMPIO (aside.) By heavens, I\u2019m utterly undone; the thing\u2019s all out. CLEOSTRATA (overhearing him.) It\u2019s right, then, that you should relate the whole affair as it happened. What\u2019s going on in-doors? How fares Casina? Is she quite obsequious to your will? OLYMPIO I\u2019m ashamed to tell it. CLEOSTRATA Relate it in its order just as you proceeded. OLYMPIO Upon my faith, I am ashamed. CLEOSTRATA Proceed boldly. After you went to bed, I want you to tell what took place after that. OLYMPIO But it\u2019s a disgraceful matter. CLEOSTRATA I\u2019ll take care that those who hear it shall be on their guard as to mentioning it. OLYMPIO That\u2019s the principal thing. CLEOSTRATA You kill me with weariness. Why don\u2019t you proceed? OLYMPIO The translator leaves the next few lines in Latin because they contain sexual puns. \u2014Ubi us subtus porro quid. OLYMPIO Babae! CLEOSTRATA Quid? OLYMPIO Papae! quid est? OLYMPIO Oh, erat maximum. Gladium ne haberet metui; id quaerere occ\u0153pi. Dum, gladiumne habeat, quaero, arripio capulum. Sed, quom cogito, non habuit gladium; nam id esset frigidius. CLEOSTRATA Eloquere. OLYMPIO At pudet. CLEOSTRATA Num radix fuit? OLYMPIO Non fuit. CLEOSTRATA Num cucumis? OLYMPIO Profecto hercle non fuit quidquam olerum; Nisi quidquid erat, calamitas profecto attigerat nunquam. Ita, quidquid erat, grande erat. MYRRHINA Quid fit denique? Edisserta. OLYMPIO Untranslated second part of line 921 in Latin; start of line translated below.\u2014sepit veste id, qu\u00ee estis. Ubi illum saltum video obseptum; Rogo, ut altero sinat ire. Ita, quidquid erat, grande erat. Tollo ut obvortam cubitissim Ullum mutire Surge, ut ineam in Atque illam in MYRRHINA Perlepide narrat OLYMPIO When I addressed Casina, Casina, said I, my dear wife, why do you slight your husband in this fashion? Really, upon my faith, you do this quite without my deserving it, inasmuch as I have given you the preference as my wife. She answered not a word. When I attempted a kiss, a beard pricked my lips just like briars. Forthwith, as I was upon my knees, she struck my head with her feet. I tumbled headlong from the bed; she leapt down upon me and punched my face. From there in silence out of doors I came in this guise; by your leaves I say it; may the old fellow drink of the same cup that I have been drinking of. CLEOSTRATA Most excellent. But where\u2019s your cloak? OLYMPIO (pointing to the house of ALCESIMUS.) I left it here in-doors. CLEOSTRATA Well now; hasn\u2019t a very nice trick been played you? OLYMPIO Yes, and deservedly. Hush! the door makes a noise. What, is she following me, I wonder? (They go to a distance.) (Enter STALINO, in haste, from the house of ALCESIMUS.) STALINO (aloud to himself.) I\u2019m branded with the greatest disgrace, nor what, under my circumstances to do, do I know. Nor yet how to look my wife in the face; so utterly undone am I! All my misdeeds are discovered. In every way, to my confusion, I am ruined! So clearly am I hooked fast by the jaws! nor know I in what way to clear myself before my wife; wretch that I am, to have been stripped of my cloak! These clandestine nuptials are all discovered. I judge it best for me She taught my wife the way But who is there, what person would be ready to undertake this office for me? What now to do I know not, except to imitate worthless slaves, and fly from the house; for there\u2019s no safety for my shoulder-blades if I return home. I may tell lies there; i\u2019 faith, I shall get a basting, though much against my will, although I have earned my punishment. I\u2019ll at once betake myself in this direction in flight. (He begins to run.) OLYMPIO (coming forward with the others.) Hallo there! Stop, this instant, you amorous one! STALINO (to himself.) I\u2019m utterly undone! I\u2019m being called back. I\u2019ll be off, as though I didn\u2019t hear. (Runs on.] (Enter CHALINUS, from the house of ALCESIMUS, dressed in woman\u2019s clothes.) CHALINUS Where are you, you who imitate the morals of the MassiliansOf the Massilians: It is not at all settled by Commentators what is the meaning of this line. Massilia, now Marseilles, was a colony of the Phocaeans. Cicero, in his Speech for L. Flaccus, particularly alludes to the strictness of their morals. It is possible that this good character may have passed into a proverb, and that Chalinus banteringly calls Stalino one who cultivates Massilian or the strictest morals. Schmieder, however, thinks that a pun on the word Massilienses is intended, and that as Stalino has met with a mas, or male, where he had hoped to find a female, Chalinus comes forward and asks him what he thinks of the Mas-silians; just as we in a similar case might say (though perhaps rather tamely) the Man-chester people.? Now, if you wish to be taking liberties with me, is a good opportunity [ at your risk. By my troth, you are undone. Come, only step this way. Now I fancy that when a witness out of I\u2019ll find thus out of the street I order a murmur I STALINO Now am I in extreme danger, between the stone and the sacrifice, nor know I which way to fly The wolf-dogs it was CHALINUS I\u2019 faith, I do think old there now like new.] STALINO (turning about.) I\u2019ll go this way. I trust that the omen of a bitch\u2019s barking will prove the betterWill prove the better: It is somewhat difficult to say exactly what he means. In l. 927, he seems to be anneyed at being called back as he is running (probably down one of the streets that debouched on the stage). Revocamen, being called back, was particularly considered as a bad omen among the Romans. He, perhaps, now changes his mind, and says to himself, This is a bad omen; I\u2019ll turn back; and bad as it is, the barking of my wife may prove a better one.. CLEOSTRATA What are you doing, my husband, my good man? Whence come you in this guise? What have you done with your walking-stick, or how disposed of the cloak you had? TWO MAID-SERVANTS While he was playing his loving pranks with Casina, he lost it, I fancy. STALINO (aside.) Utterly undone! CHALINUS (coming up to STALINO.) Shall we go to bed again? I am Casina. STALINO Away with you to utter perdition! CHALINUS Don\u2019t you love me? CLEOSTRATA Nay, but answer me; what has become of your cloak? STALINO (running about, exclaiming.) [Upon my faith, wife, the Bacchantes! BacchantesBacchantes! Bacchantes!: He tries to make an excuse by implication: pretending to be in a fright, he shouts out, wishing them to believe that he has met a gang of Bacchanalian votaries (who were not very particular as to doing mischief to any one they met). Unfortunately for him, a servant-maid suggests that no feast of Bacchus is going on at that time of the year, and that consequently the Bacchantes are not out.! Bacchantes! TWO MAID-SERVANTS He\u2019s making pretence on purpose for, upon my word, no Bacchantes are exhibiting at the present time. STALINO I forgot that. But still, the Bacchantes!\u2014 CLEOSTRATA How, the Bacchantes? Why, that cannot be. TWO MAID-SERVANTS By my troth, you are in a fright. STALINO What I? CLEOSTRATA (to the SERVANT.) I\u2019 faith, do tell no lies, for it\u2019s quite clear. ] OLYMPIO [ who even made a notorius man of me with his flagrant acts.]Added by Perseus. STALINO Won\u2019t you hold your tongue? OLYMPIO I\u2019 troth, I certainly shall not hold my tongue; for with the greatest earnestness you begged me to ask for Casina as my wife. STALINO That I did on account of my love for you. CLEOSTRATA I\u2019 faith, of her rather. (Turning to CHALINUS.) He\u2019d have been making an attack upon you, in fact. STALINO I been doing these things that you mention? CLEOSTRATA And do you ask me that? STALINO If indeed I have done so, I\u2019ve been doing wrong. CLEOSTRATA Just come back in-doors here; I\u2019ll remind you, if you have forgotten anything. STALINO Troth, I think, I\u2019ll believe you in preference as to what you say. But, wife, do grant pardon to your husband for this; Myrrhina, do entreat Cleostrata! If ever, from this time forward, I love Casina, or even think of it, should I love her, I say, should I ever hereafter, in fact, be guilty of such a thing, there\u2019s no reason, wife, why you shouldn\u2019t lash me with twigs as I hang up by the arms. MYRRHINA On my word, I do think that forgiveness may be granted for this. CLEOSTRATA (to MYRRHINA.) I\u2019ll do as you request me. (To STALINO.) On this account with the less difficulty do I now grant you this pardon, that, from being a long one, we mayn\u2019t be making this Play still longer. STALINO You are not angry? CLEOSTRATA I am not angry. STALINO Am I to trust your word? CLEOSTRATA You may my word. STALINO No person ever did have a more amiable wife than I\u2019ve got. CHALINUS Keep to her, then. CLEOSTRATA (to CHALINUS.) Come you, give him back his walking-stick and cloak.Part of line 1009 in the Latin. CHALINUS (taking them from behind him, where he had held them.) Take them, if you wish. Upon my faith, a great injustice has really been most egregiously done me; I\u2019ve been married to two husbands; neither has behaved to me as to a new-made bride. The PLAYERS. Spectators, what\u2019s to be done within, we\u2019ll tell you here. This Casina will be discovered to be the daughter of this person next doorOf this person next door: Schmieder suggests that Myrrhina has not hitherto seen Casina, but now, on hearing so much of her, enquires into her history, on which Chalinus explains how he begged her of the woman who was going to expose her, and Myrrhina then recognizes in her her own child, whom she had ordered to be exposed. This practice, especially with regard to female children, was by no means uncommon among the ancients, and even with the more respectable classes. We must remember, however, that in the Prologue it is stated that the servant who found her is ill in bed., and she\u2019ll be married to Euthynicus, our master\u2019s son. Now it\u2019s only fair that with your deserving hands you should give us deserved applause. He who does so, may he always keep his mistress without the knowledge of his wife. But he who doesn\u2019t with his hands clap as loud as he can, in place of a mistress, may a he-goat, soused in bilge-water, be palmed off upon himPalmed off upon him: Warner, in his concluding Note to this Play, informs us that Machiavel had undoubtedly this Comedy of Plautus his eye when he wrote his Clinia..","title":"Plautus, Casina, or The Stratagem Defeated (tr. Henry Thomas Riley)","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":17821}