Amphitryo, Asinaria, Aulularia, Bacchides, Captivi | Page 5

of goods, yea, and
forward you in all things; and according as ye all would have me find
your business affairs and speculations happy outcome in foreign lands
and here at home, and crown your present and future undertakings with
fine, fat profits for evermore;
et uti bonis vos vostrosque omnis nuntiis me adficere voltis, ea adferam,
ea uti nuntiem quae maxime in rem vostram communem sient-- 10 nam
vos quidem id iam scitis concessum et datum mi esse ab dis aliis,
nuntiis praesim et lucro--: haec ut me voltis adprobare adnitier,[4] (13)
ita huic facietis fabulae silentium (15) itaque aequi et iusti his eritis
omnes arbitri.
and according as ye would have me bring you and all yours glad news,
reporting and announcing matters which most contribute to your
common good (for ye doubtless are aware ere now that ’tis to me
the other gods have yielded and granted plenipotence o’er messages
and profits); according as ye would have me bless you in these things,
then in such degree will ye (suddenly dropping his pomposity) keep
still while we are acting this play and all be fair and square judges of
the performance.
Nunc cuius iussu venio et quam ob rem venerim dicam simulque ipse
eloquar nomen meum. Iovis iussu venio, nomen Mercurio est mihi.

pater huc me misit ad vos oratum meus, 20 tam etsi, pro imperio vobis
quod dictum foret, scibat facturos, quippe qui intellexerat vereri vos se
et metuere, ita ut aequom est Iovem;
Now I will tell you who bade me come, and why I came, and likewise
myself state my own name. Jupiter bade me come: my name is
Mercury (_pauses, evidently hoping he has made an impression_). My
father has sent me here to you to make a plea, yea, albeit he knew that
whatever was told you in way of command you would do, inasmuch as
he realized that you revere and dread him as men should Jupiter.
verum profecto hoc petere me precario a vobis iussit, leniter, dictis
bonis. etenim ille, cuius huc iussu venio, Iuppiter non minus quam
vostrum quivis formidat malum: humana matre natus, humano patre,
mirari non est aequom, sibi si praetimet;
But the fact remains that he has bidden me make this request in
suppliant wise, with gentle, kindly words. (confidentially) For you see,
that Jupiter that “bade me come here†is just like any one of you in
his horror of (rubbing his shoulders reflectively) trouble[A]: his mother
being human, also his father, it should not seem strange if he does feel
apprehensive regarding himself.
[Footnote A: Actors might be whipped on occasion.]
atque ego quoque etiam, qui Iovis sum filius, 30 contagione mei patris
metuo malum. propterea pace advenio et pacem ad vos affero[5]:
iustam rem et facilem esse oratam a vobis volo, nam iusta ab iustis
iustus sum orator datus.
Yes, and the same is true of me, the son of Jupiter: once my father has
some trouble I am afraid I shall catch it, too. (rather pompously again)
Wherefore I come in peace and peace do I bring to you. It is a just and
trifling request I wish you to grant: for I am sent as a just pleader
pleading with the just for what is just.
nam iniusta ab iustis impetrari non decet, iusta autem ab iniustis petere
insipientia est; quippe illi iniqui ius ignorant neque tenent. nunc iam

huc animum omnes quae loquar advortite. debetis velle quae velimus:
meruimus et ego et pater de vobis et re publica; 40
It would be unfitting, of course, for unjust favours to be obtained from
the just, while looking for just treatment from the unjust is folly; for
unfair folk of that sort neither know nor keep justice. Now then, pay
attention all of you to what I am about to say. Our wishes should be
yours: we deserve it of you, my father and I, of you and of your state.
nam quid ego memorem,--ut alios in tragoediis vidi, Neptunum
Virtutem Victoriam Martem Bellonam, commemorare quae bona vobis
fecissent,--quis bene factis meus pater, deorum regnator[6]
architectust[7] omnibus?
Ah well, why should I--after the fashion of other gods, Neptune, Virtue,
Victory, Mars, Bellona, whom I have seen in the tragedies recounting
their goodness to you-- rehearse the benefits that my father, ruler of the
gods, hath builded up for all men?
sed mos numquam illi fuit patri meo,[8] ut exprobraret quod bonis
faceret boni; gratum arbitratur esse id a vobis sibi meritoque vobis bona
se facere quae facit.
It never was a habit of that sire of mine to twit good people with the
good he did them; he considers you grateful to him for it and worthy of
the good things he does for you.
Nunc quam rem oratum huc veni primum proloquar, 50