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Enter AGORASTOCLES, in haste, from his house.
AGORASTOCLES
What's the matter? What is it you want, witnesses? ADVOCATI
Look to the right hand; your servant is paying gold to the Procurer himself. COLLYBISCUS
apart to LYCUS . Come, take this, will you: here are three hundred gold coins, counted out, which are called Philippeans. Gives him the bay. With these do you provide for me. I wish these to be spent with all speed. LYCUS
By my troth, you have found a lavish steward for yourself. Come, let's away in-doors. COLLYBISCUS
I follow you. LYCUS
Well, well, walk on; and then we'll talk together about the other matters that remain. COLLYBISCUS
As for me, I'll tell you about the Spartan affairs. LYCUS
Why then follow me. COLLYBISCUS
Lead me in-doors; lead me in, you have got me made over to you. They go into the house of LYCUS. AGORASTOCLES
What do you advise me now? ADVOCATI
To be moderate. AGORASTOCLES
What if my feelings will not let me be? ADVOCATI
Then be as they will let you. AGORASTOCLES
Did you see it, when the Procurer received the money? ADVOCATI
We saw it. AGORASTOCLES
Did you know that he is my slave? ADVOCATI
We knew it. AGORASTOCLES
That it is a thing against the reiterated laws of the people? ADVOCATI
We knew it. AGORASTOCLES
Well then, all these things I wish you to keep in memory before the Prætor by-and-by, when occasion shall come. ADVOCATI
We remember them. AGORASTOCLES
What if, while the matter has so recently happened, I knock at the door? ADVOCATI
I think you ought. AGORASTOCLES
If I do knock, he won't open it1. ADVOCATI
Then break the pannel2. AGORASTOCLES
If the Procurer comes out, do you think I ought to enquire of the fellow whether my slave has come to him or not? ADVOCATI
Why not? AGORASTOCLES
With two hundred golden Philippean pieces? ADVOCATI
Why not? AGORASTOCLES
Then the Procurer will be going astray at once. ADVOCATI
About what matter? AGORASTOCLES
Do you ask? Because a less sum will be named by one hundred pieces. ADVOCATI
You judge rightly. AGORASTOCLES
He'll think that some other person is being looked after. ADVOCATI
No doubt. AGORASTOCLES
He'll be denying it at once. ADVOCATI
On his oath even. AGORASTOCLES
The fellow will involve himself in the guilt of theft---- ADVOCATI
Beyond a doubt, it certainly is so. AGORASTOCLES
Of however much it is that shall have been brough to him. ADVOCATI
Why not? AGORASTOCLES
Jupiter confound you3! ADVOCATI
Why not your own self? AGORASTOCLES
going towards the door of LYCUS . I'll go and knock at this door. ADVOCATI
Even so. Why not? AGORASTOCLES
It's time to be quiet, for the door makes a noise. I see the Procurer Lycus coming out of doors; come this way, pray! ADVOCATI
Why not? But, if you please, cover up our heads, that the Procurer mayn't know us, who have been his decoyers4 into so great a calamity. He throws the lappets of their garments over their heads.
1 He won't open it: A note of interrogation seems out of place after "recludet."
2 Break the pannel: "Panem frangite" Literally, "break the bread," meaning the "pannel." He plays upon the resemblance of the verb "pulto," "to knock," and "puls," "pottage."
3 Jupiter confound you: For their repeated and tiresome answers of "quippini?" "why not?"
4 His decoyers: "Illices." "Illex" was a bird-call, quail-pipe, or decoy used by fowlers for catching birds.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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