University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

Enter SLAVES of HEGIO, with PHILOCRATES and TYNDARUS.
A SLAVE.
If the immortal Gods have so decreed,
That this affliction you should undergo,
It is your duty patiently to bear it;
Which if you do, the trouble will be lighter.
When at your home, you I presume were free:
But since captivity is now your lot,
Submission would become you, and to make
Your master's rule a mild and gentle one
By your good dispositions.—Should a master
Commit unworthy actions, yet his slaves
Must think them worthy ones.

Phil. and Tynd.
Alas! Alas!

Slave.
Why this bewailing?—tears but hurt your eyes:—
Our best support and succour in distress
Is fortitude of mind.

Phil.
But oh! it shames us,
That we are thus in chains.

Slave.
Yet might it grieve
Our master more, were he to loose your chains,
And let you be at large, when he has bought you.

Phil.
What can he fear from us?—We know our duty,
Were we at large.

Slave.
You meditate escape:
I know what you'd be at.—

Phil.
We run away!
Ah! whither should we run?—

Slave.
To your own country.

Phil.
Prithee no more: it would but ill become us
To imitate the part of fugitives.

Slave.
Yet, by my troth! was there an opportunity,
I would not be the man that should disuade you.

Phil.
Permit us then to ask one favour of you.

Slave.
What is it?

Phil.
That you'd give us opportunity
To talk together, so that you yourselves,
Nor any of these captives over-hear us.

Slave.
Agreed.— (To the Slaves.)
Move further off.— (To his Companions.)
We'll too retire,
But let your talk be short.—

Phil.
'Twas my intention
It should be so.—A little this way, Tyndarus—

[To the other Captives, and retires with them.
Slave.
Go farther from them.—

Tynd.
We on this account
Are both your debtors.

Phil.
Farther off, so please you, (To Tyndarus.)

A little off, that these may not be witnesses
Of what we have to say, and that our plot
Be not discover'd.—For not plann'd with art,
Deceit is no deceit, but if discover'd,
It brings the greatest ill to the contrivers.
If you, my Tyndarus, are to pass for me,
And I for you,—my master you, and I
Your servant,—we have need of foresight, caution,
Wisdom and secrecy,—and we must act
With prudence, care and diligence.—It is
A business of great moment, and we must not
Sleep, or be idle in the execution.

Tynd.
I'll be what you would have me.

Phil.
So I trust.

Tynd.
Now for your precious life you see me stake
My own, that's no less dear to me.

Phil.
I know it.

Tynd.
But when you shall have gain'd the point you aim at,
Forget not then!—It is too oft the way
With most men;—when they're suing for a favour,
While their obtaining it is yet in doubt,
They are most courteous, but when once they've got it,
They change their manners, and from just become
Dishonest and deceitful.—I now think you
All that I wish, and what I do advise
I would advise the same unto my father.

Phil.
And verily, if I durst, I'd call you father;
For next my father you are nearest to me.

Tynd.
I understand.

Phil.
Then what I oft have urg'd,
Remember.—I no longer am your master,
But now your servant.—This I beg then of you,—
Since the immortal Gods will have it so,
That I, from being once your master, now
Should be your fellow slave, I do intreat,
By Prayer, a favour which I could command,
Once as my right.—By our uncertain state,
By all my father's kindness shewn unto you,
By our joint fellowship in slavery,
Th'event of war, bear me the same regard,
As once I bore you, when I was your master,
And you my slave; forget not to remember,
What once you have been, and who now you are.

Tynd.
I know—I now am You, and you are I.

Phil.
Forget not,—and there's hope our scheme will prosper.

SCENE II.

Enter HEGIO speaking to those within.
When I'm inform'd of what I want to know,
I shall come in again.—Where are those captives,
I order'd to be brought before the house?

Phil.
Chain'd as we are, and wall'd in by our keepers,
You have provided, that we shall not fail
To answer to your call.

Heg.
The greatest care
Is scarce enough to guard against deceit;
And the most cautious, even when he thinks
He's most upon his guard, is often trick'd.—
But have I not just cause to watch you well,
When I have bought you with so large a sum?

Phil.
'Twould not be right in us to blame you for it;
Nor, should occasion offer to escape,
Would it be right in you to censure us,
That we made use of it.

Heg.
As you are here,
So in your country is my son confin'd.

Phil.
What! is your son a captive?—

Heg.
Yes, he is.

Phil.
We are not then, it seems, the only cowards.

Heg.
(To Phil. supposing him Servant to Tynd.)
Come nearer this way—something I would know
In private of you,—and in which affair
You must adhere to truth.

Phil.
In what I know
I'll do it, Sir; and should you ask me ought
I do not know, I'll own my ignorance.

Tynd.
(Aside.)
Now is the old man in the barber's shop,
Philocrates holds in his hand the razor,
Nor has he put a cloth on, to prevent
Fouling his cloaths; but whether he's about
To shave him close, or trim him through a comb,
I know not: if he rightly play his part,
He'll take off skin and all.

Heg.
Which would you chuse?
To be a slave, or have your freedom? tell me.

Phil.
That I prefer, which nearest is to good,
And farthest off from evil:—though, I own,
My servitude was little grievous to me;—
They treated me the same as their own child.

Tynd.
(Aside.)
Bravo!—I would not give a talent now
To purchase even Thales the Milesian;—
A very oaf in wisdom match'd with this man.—
How cleverly does he adapt his phrase
To suit a slave's condition.

Heg.
Of what family
Is this Philocrates?

Phil.
The Polyplusian,—
A potent and most honourable house!

Heg.
What honours held he in his country?

Phil.
High ones,
Such as the chief men can alone attain to.

Heg.
Seeing his rank's so noble, as you say,
What is his substance?

Phil.
As to that, the old one
Is very warm.

Heg.
His father's living then?

Phil.
We left him so, when we departed thence;
But whether he is now alive or no,
You must ask further of the nether regions.

Tynd.
(Aside.)
So—all is right,—he's not content with lying,
But reasons like a wise man.

Heg.
What's his name?

Phil.
Thesaurochrysonicochrysides.

Heg.
A name bestowed upon him for his wealth!

Phil.
Nay, rather for his avarice and extortion.—
His real name was Theodoromedes.

Heg.
How say you?—Is his father covetous?

Phil.
Very.—To let you more into his character,—
In sacrificing to his houshold Genius
He uses nothing but vile Samian vessels,
For fear the God should steal them:—mark by this,
What trust he puts in others.

Heg.
Come you this way.—
(Aside.)
What further information I require,
I'll learn from him.
(Adressing Tyndarus as Philocrates.)
Philocrates, your servant
Has acted as behoves an honest fellow.—
I've learn'd of him your family:—he has own'd it:—
Do you the same; 'twill turn to your advantage,—
If you confess what, be assur'd, I know
From him already.

Tynd.
Sir, he did his duty,
When he confess'd the truth to you,—although
I would have fain conceal'd from you my state,
My family, and my means.—But now alas!
Since I have lost my country and my freedom,
Can I suppose it right, that he should dread
Me before you? The pow'r of war has sunk
My fortunes to a level with his own.—
Time was, he dar'd not to offend in word,
Though now he may in deed.—Do you not mark,
How Fortune moulds and fashions human beings,
Just as she pleases? Me, who once was free,
She has made a slave, from highest thrown me down
To lowest state:—Accustom'd to command,
I now abide the bidding of another.—
Yet if my master bear him with like sway,
As when myself did lord it over mine,
I have no dread, that his authority
Will deal or harshly or unjustly with me.—
So far I wish'd you to be made acquainted,
If peradventure you dislike it not.

Heg.
Speak on, and boldly.

Tynd.
I ere this was free
As your own son.—Him has the pow'r of war
Depriv'd of liberty, as it has me.
He in my country is a slave,—as now
I am a slave in this.—There is indeed
A God, that hears and sees whate'er we do:—
As you respect me, so will He respect
Your lost son.—To the well-deserving, good
Will happen, to the ill-deserving ill.—
Think, that my father feels the want of me,
As much as you do of your son.

Heg.
I know it.—
But say, will you subscribe to the account
Your servant gave?

Tynd.
My father's rich, I own,
My family is noble;—but, I pray you,
Let not the thought of these my riches bend
Your mind to sordid avarice, lest my father,
Though I'm his only child, should deem it fitter
I were your slave, cloath'd, pamper'd at your cost,
Than beg my bread in my own country, where
It were a foul disgrace.

Heg.
Thanks to the Gods,
And to my ancestors, I'm rich enough.—
Nor do I hold, that every kind of gain
Is always serviceable.—Gain, I know,
Has render'd many great.—But there are times,
When loss should be preferr'd to gain.—I hate it,
'Tis my aversion, money:—many a man
Has it enticed oft-times to wrong.—But now
Attend to me, that you may know my mind.
My son's a captive and a slave of Ælis:—
If you restore him to me, I require
No other recompense;—I'll send you back,
You and your servant:—on no other terms
Can you go hence.

Tynd.
You ask what's right and just,—
Thou best of men!—But is your son a servant
Or of the public, or some private person?

Heg.
A private—of Menarchus a physician.

Phil.
O 'tis His father's client;—and success
Pours down upon you, like an hasty shower.

Heg.
Find means then to redeem my son.

Tynd.
I'll find them.—
But I must ask you—

Heg.
Ask me what you will,
I'll do't,—if to that purpose.

Tynd.
Hear, and judge.—
I do not ask you, till your son's return
To grant me a dismission; but, I pray you,
Give me my slave, a price set on his head,
That I may send him forthwith to my father,
To work your son's redemption.

Heg.
I'd dispatch
Some other rather, when there is a truce,
Your father to confer with, who may bear
Any commands you shall entrust him with.

Tynd.
'Twould be in vain to send a stranger to him:—
You'd lose your labour:—Send my servant:—he'll
Compleat the whole, as soon as he arrives.
A man more faithful you can never send,
Nor one my father sooner would rely on,
More to his mind, nor to whose care and confidence
He'd sooner trust your son.—Then never fear:
At my own peril will I prove his faith,
Relying on his nature, since he knows
I've borne me with benevolence towards him.

Heg.
Well—I'll dispatch him, if you will,—your word
Pawn'd for his valuation.

Tynd.
Prithee do,
And let him be dismiss'd without delay.

Heg.
Can you shew reason, if he don't return,
Why you should not pay twenty Minæ for him?

Tynd.
No surely: I agree.

Heg.
Take off his chains,—
And take them off from both.

Tynd.
May all the Gods
Grant all your wishes! since that you have deign'd
To treat me with such favour, and releas'd me
From my vile bonds:—I scarce can think it irksome
To have my neck free from this galling collar.

Hrg.
The favours we confer on honest souls
Teem with returns of service to the giver.—
But now, if you'd dispatch him hence, acquaint him,
Give him your orders, and forthwith instruct him
What you would have him say unto your father.—
Shall I then call him to you?

Tynd.
Do, Sir,—call him.

(Hegio calls Philocrates, who advances.)

SCENE III.

PHILOCRATES joins HEGIO and TYNDARUS.
HEGIO.
Heav'ns grant, that this affair may turn out happily
To me, and to my son, and to you both!—
(To Phil.)
'Tis your new master's order, that you serve
Your old one faithfully: I have giv'n you to him,
Rated at twenty Minæ: he desires
To send you back to Ælis to his father,
Thence to redeem my child, that so there may be
Mutual exchange betwixt us of our sons.

Phil.
I'm of a pliant nature, and will bend
To either.—You may use me like a wheel;—
This way or that way will I turn and twirl,
As you shall please to order.

Heg.
It is much
To your advantage truly, that you own
This easy nature, which enables you
To bear your state of slavery as you ought.—
Follow me this way.— (To Tynd.)
Here now is the man.

Tynd.
I thank you for the liberty you give me
To send this messenger to my relations,
That he may tell my father all about me,
And how I fare, and what I would have done.—
We have agreed betwixt us, Tyndarus,
To send you unto Ælis to my father;
And, if that you return not, I have bargain'd
To forfeit for your trespass twenty Minæ.

Phil.
Rightly agreed:—for the old gentleman
Expects me, or some other messenger,
To come to him from hence.

Tynd.
Then mind me now,
What I would have you say unto my father.

Phil.
O master, as I've hitherto behav'd,
My best endeavours I'll exert; what most
Will turn to your advantage, I'll pursue
With all my heart, my soul, with all my power.

Tynd.
You act, as it behoves you.—Now attend.—
First, to my dearest mother and my father
Bear my respects, and next to my relations,—
Then to whatever other friend you see.
Inform them of my health; and tell them likewise,
That I am slave here to this best of men,
Who ever has, and still goes on to treat me
With honourable usage.—

Phil.
Don't instruct me;
This I shall think of readily.—

Tynd.
For indeed,
Save that I have a guard plac'd over me,
I should conceive I had my liberty.—
Acquaint my father with th'agreement made
'Twixt me and Hegio, touching Hegio's son.—

Phil.
This is mere hindrance, to recount and dwell on
What I already am so well appriz'd of.—

Phil.
'Tis to redeem the youth, and send him hither
Exchang'd for you and me.—

Phil.
I shall remember.—

Heg.
And soon too as he can, for both our sakes.

Phil.
You long not more to see your son return'd,
Than he does his.

Heg.
My son to me is dear;
Dear is his own to every one.

Phil.
(To Tynd.)
Ought else.
To bear unto your father?

Tynd.
Say, I'm well;
And tell him, boldly tell him, that our souls
Were link'd in perfect harmony together;
That nothing you have ever done amiss,
Nor have I ever been your enemy;
That in our sore affliction you maintain'd
Your duty to your master, nor once swerv'd
From your fidelity, in no one deed
Deserted me in time of my distress.
When that my father is inform'd of this,
And learns, how well your heart has been inclin'd
Both to his son and to himself, he'll never
Prove such a niggard, but in gratitude
He will reward you with your liberty;
And I, if I return, with all my power
Will urge him the more readily to do it.
For by your aid, your courtesy, your courage,
Wisdom and prudence, you have been the means
Of my return to Ælis, since you own'd
To Hegio here my family and fortune,
By which you've freed your master from his chains.

Phil.
True, I have acted as you say,—and much
It pleases me, you bear it in remembrance.
What I have done was due to your deserts:
For were I in my count to tell the sum
Of all your friendly offices towards me,
Night would bear off the day, ere I had done.
You was obliging, as obsequious to me,
As though you were my servant.

Heg.
O ye Gods!—
Behold the honest nature of these men!—
They draw tears from me.—Mark, how cordially
They love each other! and what praise the servant
Heaps on his master!

Phil.
He deserves from me
An hundred times more praise, than he was pleas'd
To lavish on me.

Heg.
(To Phil.)
Then, since hitherto
You've acted worthily, occasion now
Presents itself to add to your good deeds,
That you may prove your faithfulness towards him
In this affair.

Phil.
My wish to compass it
Cannot exceed th'endeavours I will use
To get it perfected.—And to convince you,
Here do I call high Jove to witness, Hegio,
I will not prove unfaithful to Philocrates.—

Heg.
Thou art an honest fellow.—

Phil.
Nor will I
Act otherwise to Him, than I myself
Would act to Me.

Tynd.
Would you might make your words
True by your actions!—Bear it in your mind,
That I have said less of you than I would,
And prithee be not angry with my words.
Think, I beseech you, that my honour's staked
For your dismission, and my life is here
A pledge for your return. When out of sight,
As shortly you will be, deny not then
All knowledge of me: when you shall have left me
Here as a pawn in slavery for you,
Yourself at liberty, desert not then
Your hostage, then neglect not to procure
His son's redemption in exchange for me.
Remember, you are sent on this affair,
Rated at twenty Minæ. See, that you
Be trusty to the trusty:—O beware,
You are not of a frail and fickle faith.—
My father will, I know, do all he ought:
Preserve me then your friend for evermore,
And still find Hegio your's, as you have found him.
By your right hand, which here I hold in mine,
I pray you, be not you less true to me,
Than I am unto you.—About it then;
Be careful of this business;—you are now
My master, you my patron, you my father:
To you I do commend my hopes, my all.

Phil.
If I accomplish all that you command,
Will that content you?

Tynd.
I shall be content.

Phil.
I will return furnish'd to both your wishes.—
Would you ought else?

Tynd.
Back with what speed you may.

Phil.
Of that the business of itself reminds me.

Heg.
(To Phil.)
Follow me now.—I'll give you from my Banker
What you may want to answer your expences
Upon your voyage, at the same time take
A passport from the Prætor.

Tynd.
Why a passport?

Heg.
Which he may carry with him to the army,
That he may have permission without let
To return home to Ælis.— (To Tynd.)
Go you in.

Tynd.
Now speed you well, my Tyndarus!

Phil.
Adieu!

Heg.
(Aside.)
I've compass'd my design by purchasing
These captives of the Quæstors from the spoil:—
So please the Gods! I've free'd my son from bondage.—
Within, hoa!—Keep a strict watch o'er this captive:
Let him not budge a foot without a guard.—
I soon shall be at home.—Now to my brother's:
I'll go and visit there my other captives,
At the same time enquire, if any know
This youth here.— (To Phil.)
Do you follow, that I may
Dispatch you strait;—for that's my first concern.

[Hegio goes off with Philocrates, and Tyndarus goes in with the Slaves,