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Enter PHILOCRATES, from the house
PHILOCRATES
Hegio, here am I; if you want anything of me, command me. HEGIO
He pointing to STALAGMUS declares that he sold my son to your father, in Elis, for six minæ. PHILOCRATES
to STALAGMUS . How long since did that happen? STALAGMUS
This is the twentieth year, commencing from it. PHILOCRATES
He is speaking falsely. STALAGMUS
Either I or you do. Why, your father gave you the little child, of four years old, to be your own slave. PHILOCRATES
What was his name? If you are speaking the truth, tell me that, then. STALAGMUS
Pægnium, he used to be called; afterwards, you gave him the name of Tyndarus. PHILOCRATES
Why don't I recollect you? STALAGMUS
Because it's the fashion for persons to forget, and not to know him whose favour is esteemed as worth nothing. PHILOCRATES
Tell me, was he the person whom you sold to my father, who was given me for my private service? STALAGMUS
It was his son pointing to HEGIO . HEGIO
Is this person now living? STALAGMUS
I received the money I cared nothing about the rest. HEGIO
to PHILOCRATES . What do you say? PHILOCRATES
Why, this very Tyndarus is your son, according, indeed, to the proofs that he mentions. For, a boy himself together with me from boyhood was he brought up, virtuously and modestly, even to manhood. HEGIO
I am both unhappy and happy, if you are telling the truth. Unhappy for this reason, because, if he is my son, I have badly treated him. Alas! why have I done both more and less than was his due. That I have ill treated him I am grieved; would that it only could be undone. But see, he's coming here, in a guise not according to his deserts.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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