Stichus
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
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PHILUMENA
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I’m saved, then.
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PINACIUM
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And I’m done for; lassitude is drinking up my marrow apace.
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GELASIMUS
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What, then, am I, the marrow of whose stomach, to my sorrow, famine has seized upon?
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PHILUMENA
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Did you meet any one?
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PINACIUM
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Many.
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PHILUMENA
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But any man?
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PINACIUM
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Very many; but, of the many, not one a greater rascal than he is.
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PHILUMENA
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How so?
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GELASIMUS
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I have been affronted already at his saying uncivil things to me. If you irritate me any further—
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PINACIUM
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I’ faith, you’ll be plaguy hungry to eat me.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll cause you to know that assuredly you’ve said that with reason.
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PINACIUM
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I wish everything to be made clean. (Calls to the SERVANTS from the door.) Bring out here your brooms, and a reed as well,A reed as well: Arundinem, a long reed, probably like a fishing-rod, which would be able to sweep away the spider-webs otherwise out of reach. that I may destroy all the labours of the spiders and their plaguy webs, and rout out all their looms.
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GELASIMUS
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The poor things will be cold in future.
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PINACIUM
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What? Do you think that they are just like yourself, with only one coat? Take this broom.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll take it.
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PINACIUM
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This I’ll take myself. Do you sweep away there.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll do so.
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PINACIUM
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Will some one bring here a pail and waterA pail and water: Nassiternam. A water-vessel with three spouts, which received its name from nasum, a spout, compounded with tres, three.?
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GELASIMUS
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Really, this fellow’s playing the AedilePlaying the Aedile: The writer here again refers, in a play the scene of which is at Athens, to Roman customs. The Aedile was a public officer at Rome, whose business it was to see that the streets, houses, and temples, were kept clean. They were chosen by the votes (suffragium) of the common people, to which fact Gelasimus alludes in the next line. without the vote of the public even.
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PINACIUM
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Come, do you quickly sweep the ground, and sprinkle before the house.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll do so.
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PINACIUM
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It needs be done.
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I’ll knock down the spider-webs there from the door and from the wall.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ faith, a troublesome business, this.
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PHILUMENA
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Still, I don’t at all understand what it means; unless, perchance, some guests are about to come?
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PINACIUM
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Do you spread the couches.
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GELASIMUS
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The beginning pleases me, about the couches.
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PINACIUM
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Others, you chop the billets; others, you clean the fish which the fisherman has brought;
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take you down the gammon of bacon and the collar of brawnCollar of brawn: Glandium. This really was the neck of the hag, which received its name from the kernels (glandes) which it contamea..
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GELASIMUS
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I’ faith, this is a very sensible fellow.
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PHILUMENA
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By my troth, as I imagine, you haven’t quite minded the directions of your mistress.
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PINACIUM
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Why, I’ve left all matters unattended to by reason of what you wished.
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PHILUMENA
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Then do you inform me upon that, on account of which you were sent to the harbour?
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PINACIUM
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I’ll tell you. After, with the daybreak, you had sent me to the harbour,
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the sun with its beams opportunely arose from out of the sea. While I was enquiring of the revenue officers whether any ship had arrived from Asia, and they were saying none had come, I beheld, in the meantime, a bark, than which I think I never saw a greater one. With a favouring breeze, and in full sail, it came into harbour.
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We were enquiring one of another whose ship it was, and what it carried? In the meantime I espied your husband and his servant Stichus.
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PHILUMENA
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Ha! what? Did you mention Epignomus?
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GELASIMUS
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Your husband
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and my own life.
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PINACIUM
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He has arrived, I say.
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PHILUMENA
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Did you see him yourself?
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PINACIUM
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Yes, and with pleasure too.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ faith, I’ll surely take the broom, and sweep this place with pleasure.
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PINACIUM
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He has brought a great amount of silver and gold.
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GELASIMUS
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’Tis right cleverly done.
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PINACIUM
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Wool and purple in plenty.
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GELASIMUS
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Aye, for me to clothe my carcase with.
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PINACIUM
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Couches, adorned with ivory and gold.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll recline at table right regally.
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PINACIUM
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Besides—Babylonian coverings for couchesCoverings for couches: Peristromatia, blankets or counterpanes were used among the Romans to cover couches; they were sometimes of the most costly description, and were mostly of purple colour, and frequently richly embroidered with gold. Pliny speaks of Babylonian cloths of divers colours, and in the seventh chapter of Joshua, ver. 24, we read, When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment., and carpets dyed in purple, has he brought.
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GELASIMUS
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Abundance of fine things.
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I’ faith, his business has been successful.
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PINACIUM
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Then, as I began to say, female players on the harp, on the pipe, sackbuts tooSackbuts too: Sambucas. Sambuca is supposed to be the same instrument which is mentioned in the third chapter of the Prophet Daniel, and is rendered in our version of the Old Testament by the word sackbut. This instrument was probably introduced into Greece and Rome from Syria or Phoenicia. It is supposed to have been a kind of triangular harp. The word sambucas is substituted in Ritschel’s edition for sambucinas, in the former editions It is probably intended here to have the same meaning—female players on the sambuca, who were also called sambucistriae, and whose performances were highly prized by the Romans as Asiatic luxuries., has he brought with him, of surprising beauty.
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GELASIMUS
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Capital! When I’m at my wine, I’ll be quite sportive; then am I in merriest pin.
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PINACIUM
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Besides many unguents of numerous kinds.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ll not sell my bon mots; I’ll not have an auction now; I’ve got an estate in feeAn estate in fee: Haereditas. A fortune, or an heirdom, just as we say, I have come in to a fortune. He alludes to the pleasant life he anticipates, by spunging on the wealthy Epignomus and his brother..
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Let the mischievous hunters of auctions go to perdition. Hercules, I congratulate thee that the tenths which I vowed to thee are increased. ’Tis my hope that at length, by some means or other, I may expel this plaguy famine from my stomach.
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PINACIUM
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And then, besides, he has brought some ParasitesBrought some Parasites: The arch boy only adds this to put Gelasimus in a fright, in which he fully succeeds. There was no necessity to import Parasites from Asia to Athens. with him.
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GELASIMUS
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Alas! to my confusion, I’m undone.
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PINACIUM
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Right funny fellows.
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GELASIMUS
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I’ faith, I’ll sweep this dust back, which I just now swept together. (Sweeps it back.)
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Those bon mots are now on sale, which I was saying I wouldn’t sell. I’m done for: now there is occasion for spiteful persons to rejoice at my misfortune.
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Hercules, thou who art a God, thou really hast departed not opportunely.
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PHILUMENA
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Did you see Pamphilus, the husband of my sister?
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PINACIUM
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No.
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PHILUMENA
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Isn’t he there?
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PINACIUM
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Yes, they said that he had come as well. I ran hither before them, with all speed, that I might bring the welcome tidings.
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PHILUMENA
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Go in-doors, Pinacium; bid the servants prepare the sacred thingsThe sacred things: To perform a sacrifice on the safe return of her husband. for me. (To GELASIMUS.) Fare you well!
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GELASIMUS
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Do you want me to assist?
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PHILUMENA
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I have servants enough in the house.
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GELASIMUS
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In good sooth, Gelasimus, I doubt you have come to but little purpose, if neither he that is here gives you any aid, nor yet he that’s coming.
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I’ll off indoors to my booksTo my books: These were probably pamphlets, filled with jokes and funny stories, which Parasites would study for the entertainment of the patrons whom they were to amuse by way of return for their dinner. These books perhaps occupied the same position as the Joe Millers did in this country during the last century, and the Academies of Compliments in the century before. Indeed, the latter, in all their amplitude, would have been invaluable to a Parasite, as they contain directions how to court a lady, ask a riddle, sing a funny song, put a posy on a ring, direct a letter, and a hundred other things., and take my instructions from the cleverest sayings; for if I don’t drive away those fellows, the Parasites that are coming, most surely I’m undone.
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EPIGNOMUS
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Inasmuch as, my business prosperously carried on, I am returned safe home, thanks do I return to Neptune and to his tempests; to Mercury as wellTo Mercury as well: Mercury was the God of traffic and gain, and the guardian of tradesmen He was said to receive his name from merx, traffic or merchandise. See the comical prayer of the cheating tradesman to his tutelar Divinity, in the Fasti of Ovid, B. 5, l. 675 et seq., who in my traffic
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has aided me, and by my profits has rendered my property fourfold. Those whom formerly I affected with sorrow at my departure, the same shall I now make joyous at my arrival. But already have I met my connexion Antipho, and from bad terms have I returned to friendship with him.
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See, prithee, what money can effect. Since, my affairs prospering, he sees that I’ve returned, and brought home great wealth, without any mediators, there on board the ship, upon the deck, we have returned to friendship and good feeling.
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Both he and my brother dine with me this day; for yesterday we were both in the same harbourIn the same harbour: He here alludes to the custom in those times of lying at anchor during the night, and sailing in the day-time only, as it is clear that reference cannot here be made to the harbour from which they originally set out, as that was in Asia, and they could not have reached Athens from Asia within twenty-four hours. Epignomus and his brother appear to have freighted two ships with the valuable property which they had acquired in partnership. together; but to-day my ship weighed anchor a little the soonest. Take these people in-doors, Stichus, whomThese people whom: He alludes to the female slaves which have been already mentioned, consisting of harpers and music-girls, one of whom we shall shortly find to have attracted the admiration of Antipho. I’ve brought with me.
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STICHUS
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Master, whether I’m silent or speak, I’m sure you know
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how many hardships I’ve endured in your service; now, on my arrival home, I wish to spend in freedomTo spend in freedom: Eleutheria. This is, originally, a Greek word. It was also the name of the Goddess of Liberty. this one day after these many hardships.
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EPIGNOMUS
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You ask what’s just and right. Stlchus, you may take this day for yourself; I don’t object to it. Go where you like.
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A cask, too, of old wine, I give you to drink.
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STICHUS
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O, grand! I’ll have my mistress this day.
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EPIGNOMUS
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Even ten, so long as it is at your own expense.
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STICHUS
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What ?
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EPIGNOMUS
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What ?
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STICHUS
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I’ll go and dine
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’Tis thus it pleases me
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EPIGNOMUS
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Where do you dine to-day?
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STICHUS
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This plan have I thus resolved upon. I have a mistress here in the neighbourhood, Stephanium, the servantmaid of your brother. I’m going to invite her; I’ll take her to a pic-nic entertainmentA pic-nic entertainment: Symbola was the name given to an entertainment to which each of the guests contributed in money or kind; similar in principle, to what we call a pic-nic entertainment. at her fellow-servant’s, Sagarinus We both have the same mistress; we are rivals.
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EPIGNOMUS
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Come then, conduct them in. I grant you this day.
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STICHUS
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Hold me to blame if I don’t make the most of itMake the most of it: Excruciavero. Literally, torment it. He seems to allude to the word dedo, used by his master in the preceding line, I surrender to you this day; that word being especially applied to the surrender or giving-up of prisoners; on which Stichus rejoins, As the day is surrendered to me, I’ll torment it like a real prisoner—meaning I won’t let it pass in quietness. He fully keens his word.. Troth now, I’ll pass through the garden to my mistress, to engage her beforehand for me this evening; at the same time I’ll give my contribution, and bid the dinner to be cooked at Sagarinus’s,
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or else I’ll go myself and make my marketing as caterer. Sagarinus, a servant for my with stripes to take him home well thrashed,
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I’ll make all things to be in readiness here; but I’m delaying myself. And don’t you be surprisedDon’t you be surprised: He apologises for introducing slaves carousing on the Roman stage, by reminding the Spectators that the scene is at Athens. where greater freedom and indulgence was allowed to slaves than at Rome. (to the AUDIENCE) that men, who are slaves, drink, court, and give invitations to dinner? This is allowed us at Athens. But when I think of it, rather than meet with censure, there’s here, too,
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another door to the back buildings of our house. I’ll go that way to market; by that way I’ll bring back the provisions—through the garden there’s a passage that communicates with both houses. (To the SLAVES.) Do you follow me this way. I surely will pull this day to bitsPull this day to bits: Hunc lacero diem. He seems here to continue the metaphor used in ver. 436: I’ll torture this day finely—I’ll get all I can out of it..
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GELASIMUS
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I’ve consulted my books; I’m as sure as possible,
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that by my funny bon mots I shall recover my patronRecover my patron: Regem. In common parlance, rich men were often styled by their dependents and flatterers, rex, my king.. Now I’m going to see whether he has arrived by this from the harbour, that when he comes I may smooth him down with my speeches.
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EPIGNOMUS
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Surely, this is Gelasimus, the Parasite, that’s coming.
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GELASIMUS
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With lucky auspices, by my troth, this day did I come out of doors;
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since an omen auspiciously befel meAuspiciously befel me: Quum strena mi obscaevavit. This passage is very obscure, and has puzzled the Commentators, who have generally taken refuge in a various reading, Eum strenue obcaenavit, which seems to make but very poor sense. The research, however, of the indefatigable Ritschel has set that mode of escape entirely at rest. Strena was the name of a New Year’s gift, which was given and received on the Calenus of January, that the year might be commenced under good auspices. Probably from that circumstance, it became synonymous with a good or auspicious omen. Obscaevo is rendered in the Dictionaries, to give a bad omen Such, however, is not necessarily its meaning, in all instances. Scaeva is an omen or augury, whether fortunate or not. Consequently, obscaevo may very reasonably mean, to fall in one’s way as an omen; if so, the expression, as here used, will mean a lucky omen fell in my way.. This was beheld by me; how a weasel carried off a mouse close at my feet. For as she found sustenance for herself this day, so do I hope that I shall do, as the augury predicts.
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(Sees EPIGNOMUS.) Surely this is Epignomus that’s standing here; I’ll go and address him. My dear Epignomus, how pleased I am to see you now; how my tears are starting forth for very joy. Have you all along enjoyed your health?
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EPIGNOMUS
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With care it has been preserved.