The Captiva and The Mostellaria | Page 5

myself home again.
ERG. (apart). It grieves me that this unhappy old man is following the trade of a slave-dealer, by reason of the misfortune of his son. But, if by any means he can be brought back here, I could even endure for him to become an executioner.
HEG. (overhearing him). Who is it that's speaking?
ERG. 'Tis I, who am pining at your affliction, growing thin, waxing old, and shockingly wasting away. Wretched man that I am, I'm but skin and bone through leanness; nor does anything ever do me good that I eat at home; even that ever so little which I taste out of doors, the same refreshes me.
HEG. Ergasilus, save you! ERG. (crying). May the Gods kindly bless you, Hegio!
HEG. Don't weep. ERG. Must I not weep for him? Must I not weep for such a young man?
HEG. I've always known you to be a friend to my son, and I have understood him to be so to you.
ERG. Then at last do we men know our blessings, when we have lost those things which we once had in our power. I, since your son fell into the power of the enemy, knowing by experience of what value he was, now feel his loss.
HEG. Since you, who are no relation, bear his misfortune so much amiss, what is it likely that I, a father, should do, whose only son he is?
ERG. I, no relation to him? He, no relation to me? Oh, Hegio! never do say that, nor come to such a belief. To you he is an only child, but to me he is even more only than an only one.
HEG. I commend you, in that you consider the affliction of your friend your own affliction. Now be of good heart.
ERG. (crying). O dear! HEG. (half-aside). 'Tis this afflicts him, that the army for guttling is now disbanded. Meanwhile, have you found no one to command for you the army that you mentioned as disbanded?
ERG. What do you think? All to whom it used to fall are in the habit of declining that province since your son Philopolemus was taken prisoner.
HEG. I' faith, 'tisn't to be wondered at, that they are in the habit of declining that province. You have necessity for numerous troops, and those of numerous kinds. Well, first you have need of the Bakerians [5]. Of these Bakerians there are several kinds. You have need of Roll- makerians, you hare need too of Confectionerians, you have need of Poultererians, you have need of Beccaficorians; besides all the maritime forces are necessary for you.
ERG. How the greatest geniuses do frequently lie concealed! How great a general now is this private individual!
HEG. Only have good courage; for I trust that in a few days I shall bring him back home. For see now; there's a captive here, a young man of Elis, born of a very high family, and of very great wealth; I trust that it will come to pass that I shall get my son in exchange for him.
ERG. May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so!
HEG. But are you invited out anywhere to dinner?
ERG. Nowhere that I know of. But, pray, why do you ask me?
HEG. Because this is my birthday; for that reason I'd like you to be invited to dinner at my house.
ERG. 'Tis kindly said. HEG. But if you can be content to eat a very little--
ERG. Aye, even ever so little; for on such fare as that do, I enjoy myself every day at home.
HEG. Come, then, please, set yourself up for sale.
ERG. I'll put myself up for purchase, just like a landed estate, unless any one shall privately make a better offer that pleases myself and my friends more, and to my own conditions will I bind myself.
HEG. You are surely selling me a bottomless pit [6], and not a landed estate. But if you are coming, do so in time.
ERG. Why, for that matter. I'm at leisure even now.
HEG. Go then, and hunt for a hare; at present, in me you have but a ferret [7], for my fare is in the way of frequenting a rugged road.
ERG. You'll never repulse me by that, Hegio, so don't attempt it. I'll come, in spite of it, with teeth well shod.
HEG. Really, my viands are but of a rough sort [8]. ERG. Are you in the habit of eating brambles?
HEG. Mine is an earthy dinner. ERG. A pig is an earthy animal.
HEG. Earthy from its plenty of vegetables.
ERG. Treat your sick people [9] at home with that fare? Do you wish anything else?
HEG. Come in good time. ERG. You are putting in mind one who remembers quite well. (Exit.
HEG. I'll go in-doors, and in the house I'll make the calculation how little money I have at my banker's; afterwards