The Captiva and The Mostellaria | Page 4

for the sake of his son, has
he commenced this dishonorable traffic, very much against his own
inclination. He buys up men that have been made captives, if perchance
he may be able to find some one for whom to 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