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LYCUS
to himself . No one, in my opinion at least, is deceived, who rightly states his case to his friends. But by all my friends the one same thing is agreed upon, that I ought to hang myself, so as not to be adjudged to Agorastocles. AGORASTOCLES
stepping forward . Procurer, let's away to the court of justice. LYCUS
I do entreat you, Agorastocles, that I may be at liberty to hang myself. HANNO
I summon you to justice. LYCUS
But what have you to do with me? HANNO
pointing at his DAUGHTERS . Because I affirm that both of these are my daughters, free women, and free by birth, who, when little, were kidnapped together with their nurse. LYCUS
Indeed, I knew that already, and I wondered that no one came to assert their freedom; they really are none of mine, indeed. ANTHEMONIDES
Procurer, you must come to justice. LYCUS
You are talking about the breakfast; it is owing to you; I'll give it. AGORASTOCLES
Twofold compensation I must have for the theft. LYCUS
pointing to his neck . Take it out of this, then. HANNO
And I require a full satisfaction. LYCUS
pointing to his neck . Take out of this whatever you please. ANTH. And I, indeed, a mina of silver. LYCUS
pointing to his neck . Take out of this whatever you please. I'll at once settle the matter for all with my neck, just like a porter. AGORASTOCLES
Do you refuse me in any way? LYCUS
Not a word, in fact. AGORASTOCLES
Go in-doors, then, damsels. But to HANNO , my kinsman, betroth me your daughter, as you promised. HANNO
I should not venture to do otherwise. ANTHEMONIDES
Kindly farewell! AGORASTOCLES
And kindly farewell to you! ANTHEMONIDES
holding up what he has got in his hand . Procurer, I take this as a pledge with me for my mina. LYCUS
By heavens, I am ruined! AGORASTOCLES
Why yes, before very long, when you've come to justice. LYCUS
Nay but, I own myself your slave. What need of the Prætor have we? But I beseech you that I may be allowed to pay the simple sum1, three hundred Philippeans. I think it can be scraped together; to-morrow I'll have an auction. AGORASTOCLES
On condition, then, that you shall be in wooden custody at my house. LYCUS
So be it. AGORASTOCLES
Follow me in-doors, my kinsman, that we may keep this festive day in joyousness, upon his misfortune and our good fortune. To the AUDIENCE . Heartily fare you well. To great length have we gone; at last all these misfortunes fall upon the Procurer. Now--that which is the last seasoning for our Play--if it has pleased you, our Comedy asks applause.
1 Pay the simple sum: In lieu of paying double the amount, as he might be forced at law to do, for being an accomplice in the theft.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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