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Enter TOXILUS and SAGARISTIO, on different sides.1
TOXILUS
to himself . He who, falling in love, destitute of means, has first entered upon the paths of love, has in his own labours exceeded all the labours of Hercules. For with the lion2, and with the Hydra, with the stag, with the Ætolian boar, with the birds of Stamphalus, with Antæus, would I rather contend than with love. So wretched am I become with hunting after money to borrow; and yet, those whom I ask know of nothing to answer me, except "I have got none." SAGARISTIO
apart . The servant that is desirous faithfully to serve his master, i' troth, it surely does behove him to treasure up full many a thing in his breast which he may think will please his master, both present and abroad. I neither serve with cheerfulness, nor am I quite to my master's satisfaction; but, as though from a running eye, my master is still unable to keep his hands off me, in giving me his commands, in making me the support of his affairs. TOXILUS
Who's this that's standing opposite to me? SAGARISTIO
Who's that that's standing opposite to me? TOXILUS
It's like Sagaristio. SAGARISTIO
Surely this is my friend Toxilus. TOXILUS
Certainly it is he. SAGARISTIO
I think it is he. TOXILUS
I'll go meet him. SAGARISTIO
I'll go up and accost him. TOXILUS
meeting him . O Sagaristio, may the Gods bless you. SAGARISTIO
O Sagaristio, the Gods grant you what you may desire. How fare you? TOXILUS
Just as I can. SAGARISTIO
What's the matter? TOXILUS
I still live. SAGARISTIO
Quite then to your satisfaction? TOXILUS
If the things come to pass which I desire, quite. SAGARISTIO
You deal with your friends in a very silly fashion. TOXILUS
How so? SAGARISTIO
Because you ought to give them your commands. TOXILUS
As for myself, you were already dead to me, because I haven't seen you. SAGARISTIO
Business, upon my faith---- TOXILUS
In the iron chain line, perhaps. SAGARISTIO
For more than a twelvemonth I've been promoted in chains to be commanding officer in the basting line3 at the mill. TOXILUS
Why, that's your old line of service. SAGARISTIO
Have you been quite well all along? TOXILUS
Not very. SAGARISTIO
I' faith, it's with reason then you are so pale. TOXILUS
I've been wounded in the battles of Venus; Cupid has pierced my heart with his arrow. SAGARISTIO
Do servants then fall in love here? TOXILUS
Why, what could I do? Was I to be struggling against the Gods? Was I, like the sons of Titan, to be waging war with the Deities, with whom I am not quite able to cope? SAGARISTIO
Do you only take care that "catapultæ" made of elm4 don't pierce your sides. TOXILUS
In right royal manner I'm celebrating the feast of Freedom5. SAGARISTIO
How so? TOXILUS
Because my master's gone abroad. SAGARISTIO
Do you say so? Is he gone abroad? TOXILUS
If you can bear to be enjoying yourself, do you come: you shall live with me; you shall be treated with right royal entertainment. SAGARISTIO
Out upon it rubbing himself ; my shoulder-blades are quite itching now, because I've heard you mention these things. TOXILUS
But this one thing is torturing me. SAGARISTIO
Why, what is it? TOXILUS
This day is the very last day, to determine whether my mistress is to be free, or whether she is to endure lasting servitude. SAGARISTIO
What, then, do you now desire? TOXILUS
You have it in your power to make me your friend for ever. SAGARISTIO
In what way? TOXILUS
In lending me six hundred didrachms, for me to pay the same for her freedom, which I will forthwith refund you in the next three or four days. Come, do be good-natured; give me your help. SAGARISTIO
With what assurance, you impudent fellow, do you venture to ask so much money of me? Why, if I myself were to be sold all in one lot, it's hardly possible for as much to be received as you are asking me for; for now you are asking for water from a pumice-stone, which is all a-dry itself. TOXILUS
Ought you to be treating me in this fashion? SAGARISTIO
What am I to do? TOXILUS
Do you ask the question? Beg it on loan from somebody. SAGARISTIO
You do the same as you are asking me. TOXILUS
I've been trying; I've found it nowhere. SAGARISTIO
I really will try, if any one will trust me. TOXILUS
Am I then to consider it6 as a thing in possibility? SAGARISTIO
If I had had it at home, I'd promise it at once. This is in my power, to use my best endeavours. TOXILUS
Whatever it is, come you home to me. SAGARISTIO
Still do you try to get it; I'll carefully do the same. If anything shall turn up, I'll let you know at once. TOXILUS
I entreat you, and entreat over and over again, do give me your stanch help in this. SAGARISTIO
O dear! you are worrying me to death by your importunity. TOXILUS
It's through the fault of love, and not my own, that I'm now become a silly prater to you. SAGARISTIO
Then, i' troth, I'll now be taking my leave of you Moving. TOXILUS
Are you going away, then? A good walk to you. But betake yourself back as soon as you can, and do take care that I haven't to seek you; I shall be close at home until I have cooked up a mishap for the Procurer. (Exit SAGARISTIO, and TOXILUS goes into the house.)
1 Title The Persian: As "Persa" signifies "a male Persian," the Play is evidently named from the character assumed by Sagaristio, who, as a, Persian, sells the daughter of Saturio, dressed up as a captive, to the Procurer Dordalus.
2 With the lion: The. conquest of the Nemæan lion, the Hydra of Lerna, the brazen-footed stag, the Erymanthian boar, the birds of Lake Stymphalus, and the giant Antæus, formed part of the labours of Hercules. See the Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books 9 and 10.
3 In the basting line: " Tribunus vapularis." Literally, "a vapulary Tribune." By this droll expression he means, promoted above all others to the distinction of a flogging. The military Tribune was an officer high in rank in the Roman armies.
4 Made of elm: He means the elm-twigs, which were especially used for the punishment of slaves.
5 Feast of Freedom: "Agito Eleutheria." He is speaking of his enjoying full range in the absence of his master, and for that purpose borrows a figure from the Eleutheria, or "Feast of Liberty," a festival which the Greeks, after the battle of Platæa, instituted in honor of Jupiter or Zeus Eleutherius, "The Deliverer." This festival was not only a mark of gratitude to the Deity, to whom they believed themselves indebted for their victory over the Persians, but employed as a bond of union among themselves. It was celebrated each year at Platæa, and every fifth year with additional solemnities, and contests No slaves were allowed to minister on the occasion of this festival.
6 Am I then to consider it: "Nempe habeo in mundo?" Literally, "I have it in the world, I suppose?" implying that he presumes, that if possible, Sagaristio will comply with his request.
The Comedies of Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley. London. G. Bell and Sons. 1912.
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