Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters


Bacchides, or The Twin Sisters
By T. Maccius Plautus
Translated by: Henry Thomas Riley
London G. Bell and Sons 1912


Perseus Documents Collection Table of Contents


Introduction
   THE SUBJECT.
   THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. 1
   THE PROLOGUE2 .

Funded by The Annenberg CPB/Project

Introduction

THE PROLOGUE2 .
 


Act 1

Scene fragments [1] [TLN 1]
Enter PISTOCLERUS.24

PISTOCLERUS

[gap in text] those who are25 of a thrifty turn of mind, modest, and without servility. [gap in text] Chains, rods, and mills; their shocking brutality becomes worse. [gap in text] She who keeps my friend and me engaged. [gap in text]
(Exit.)

Enter FIRST BACCHIS.


1st BACCHIS

I have heard [TLN 5] 26 that Ulysses underwent toils innumerable, who, in wanderings, was twenty years away from his native land. But this young man by far outdoes Ulysses; who here in this spot is wandering within the walls of the city. [gap in text]


1st BACCHIS

[gap in text] She was of the same name with myself. [gap in text]


1st BACCHIS

Sweep out the house [TLN 10] 27 with brooms, work briskly. [gap in text] Will some one call that most dirty fellow with the water-pail [TLN 12] 28 and the water.
CLEOMACHUS, SECOND BACCHIS.


CLEOMACHUS

[gap in text] But if a life [TLN 13] 29 of wantonness is perchance preferred by you, consider the price that I agreed to give you that at that age you might not be following me for nought [gap in text] that from no one else you might be receiving a yearly pay, except from oneself, nor be toying with any man [gap in text] like slugs upon a man.
PISTOCLERUS, SECOND BACCHIS, SERVANT.
[gap in text]


PISTOCLERUS

As like as milk [TLN 19] 30 is to milk; whatever is her name [gap in text]


SERVANT

The soldier who sells his life for gold [gap in text] I know that his breath is much stronger than when the bellows of bull's hide are blowing, when the rocks melt where the iron is made.


PISTOCLERUS

Of what country did he seem to you?


SERVANT

I think he is of Prneste [TLN 24] 31 ; he was such a boaster.


PISTOCLERUS

[gap in text] The city [gap in text] and I don't think it is in spurious boastfulness. [gap in text]
Enter FIRST and SECOND BACCHIS.


1st BACCHIS

[gap in text] My heart, my hope [TLN 27] 32 , my honey, my sweetness, my nutriment, my delight. [gap in text] Let me bestow on you my love [gap in text] the Arabian [gap in text] Has Cupid or has love overpowered you? [gap in text] Perhaps to suspect that you are in love. [gap in text] Get money from that quarter [gap in text] for I really do believe that with ease you can enchant the heart of any man [TLN 34] 33 .