The Captiva and The Mostellaria | Page 4

gain his son in exchange. An object which I really do much desire that he may gain, for unless he finds him, there's nowhere for me to find myself. I have no hopes in the young men; they are all too fond of themselves. He, in fine, is a youth with the old-fashioned manners, whose countenance I never rendered cheerful without a return. His father is worthily matched, as endowed with like manners. Now I'll go to him;-- but his door is opening, the door from which full oft I've sallied forth drunk with excess of cheer (He stands aside.)
[Footnote 1: Because invocated)--Ver. 70. "Invocatus." The following Note is extracted from Thornton's Translation of this Play: -- "The reader's indulgence for the coinage of a new term (and perhaps not quite so much out of character from the mouth of a Parasite) is here requested in the use of the word 'invocated' in a sense, which it is owned, there is no authority for, but without it no way occurs to explain the poet's meaning--which, such as it is, and involved in such a pun, is all that can be aimed at. The word 'invocatus' means both 'called upon' and 'not called upon.' Ergasilus here quibbles upon it; for, though at entertainments be attends, as it is the common character of Parasites to do, without invitation, that is 'not called upon;' and as mistresses are 'called upon' that their names so invoked may make their lovers throw the dice with success; still, according to the double sense of the word, they may be compared to each other, as they are both, according to the Latin idiom, 'invocati.'"]
[Footnote 2: That buffoons)--Ver. 71. "Derisores," "buffoons." By this word he means that particular class of Parasites who earned their dinners by their repartees and bon-mots.]
[Footnote 3: Invokes his mistress)--Ver. 73. It was the Grecian custom, when they threw dice at an entertainment, for the thrower to call his mistress by name, which invocation was considered to bring good luck.]
[Footnote 4: When business is laid aside)--Ver. 78. "Ubi res prolatae sunt." Meaning thereby "in vacation-time." In the heat of summer the courts of justice were closed, and the more wealthy portion of the Romans retired into the country or to the seaside. Cicero mentions this vacation as "rerum proliatio." The allusion in the previous line is probably derived from a saying of the Cynic Diogenes: when he saw mice creeping under the table, he used to say, "See the Parasites of Diogenes."]
[Footnote 5: Like mastiffs)--Ver. 86. "Molossici." Literally, "dogs of Molossus," a country of Epirus.]
[Footnote 6: Annoying-like and very troublesome-like)--Ver. 87. "Odiosici--incommodestici." These are two extravagant forms of the words "odiosi" and "incommodi," coined by the author for the occasion.]
[Footnote 7: Pots to be broken)--Ver. 89. By Meursius we are informed that these practical jokes were played upon the unfortunate Parasites with pots filled with cinders, which were sometimes scattered over their clothes, to the great amusement of their fellow-guests.]
[Footnote 8: The Trigeminian Gate)--Ver. 90. The Ostian Gate was so called because the Horatii left the city by that gate to fight the Curiatii. The brothers being born at one birth were "trigemini," whence the gate received its name. The beggars with their wallets were seated there. See the Trinummus, 1.423, and the Note to the passage.]
[Footnote 9: Since my patron)--Ver. 92. Rex; literally, "king." The Parasites were in the habit of so calling their entertainers.]
SCENE II.--Enter, from his house, HEGIO and a SLAVE.
HEG. Now, give attention you, if you please. Those two captives whom I purchased yesterday of the Quaestors out of the spoil, put upon them chains of light weight [1]; take of those greater ones with which they are bound. Permit them to walk, if they wish, out of doors, or if in-doors, but so that they are watched with the greatest care. A captive at liberty is like a bird that's wild; if opportunity is once given for escaping, 'tis enough; after that, you can never catch him.
SLAVE. Doubtless we all are free men more willingly than we live the life of slaves.
HEG. You, indeed, don't seem to think so [2].
SLAVE. If I have nothing to give, should you like me to give myself to flight [3]?
HEG. If you do so give yourself, I shall at once have something to be giving to you.
SLAVE. I'll make myself juat like the wild bird you were telling of.
HEG. 'Tis just as you say; for if you do so, I'll be giving you to the cage [4] But enough of prating; take you care of what I've ordered, and be off. (The SLAVE goes into the house.) I'll away to my brother's, to my other captives; I'll go see whether they've been making any disturbance last night. From there I shall forthwith betake