Chapter III: Prologue

[Footnote 3: The genuineness of the Prologues of these plays has
long been a moot question. The tendency of the more recent
investigators has been to hold that all were, at least in part,
written by Plautus himself.]

MERCVRIVS DEVS

SPOKEN BY THE GOD MERCURY

Ut vos in vostris voltis mercimoniis
emundis vendundisque me laetum lucris
adficere atque adiuvare in rebus omnibus
et ut res rationesque vostrorum omnium
bene me expedire voltis peregrique et domi
bonoque atque amplo auctare perpetuo lucro
quasque incepistis res quasque inceptabitis,

According as ye here assembled would have me prosper you
and bring you luck in your buyings and in your sellings of
goods, yea, and forward you in all things; and according
as ye all would have me find your business affairs and
speculations happy outcome in foreign lands and here at
home, and crown your present and future undertakings with
fine, fat profits for evermore;

et uti bonis vos vostrosque omnis nuntiis
me adficere voltis, ea adferam, ea uti nuntiem
quae maxime in rem vostram communem sient-- 10
nam vos quidem id iam scitis concessum et datum
mi esse ab dis aliis, nuntiis praesim et lucro--:
haec ut me voltis adprobare adnitier,[4] (13)
ita huic facietis fabulae silentium (15)
itaque aequi et iusti his eritis omnes arbitri.

and according as ye would have me bring you and all yours
glad news, reporting and announcing matters which most
contribute to your common good (for ye doubtless are aware
ere now that ’tis to me the other gods have yielded and
granted plenipotence o’er messages and profits); according
as ye would have me bless you in these things, then in such
degree will ye (_suddenly dropping his pomposity_) keep
still while we are acting this play and all be fair and
square judges of the performance.

Nunc cuius iussu venio et quam ob rem venerim
dicam simulque ipse eloquar nomen meum.
Iovis iussu venio, nomen Mercurio est mihi.
pater huc me misit ad vos oratum meus, 20
tam etsi, pro imperio vobis quod dictum foret,
scibat facturos, quippe qui intellexerat
vereri vos se et metuere, ita ut aequom est Iovem;

Now I will tell you who bade me come, and why I came, and
likewise myself state my own name. Jupiter bade me come: my
name is Mercury (_pauses, evidently hoping he has made an
impression_). My father has sent me here to you to make a
plea, yea, albeit he knew that whatever was told you in way
of command you would do, inasmuch as he realized that you
revere and dread him as men should Jupiter.

verum profecto hoc petere me precario
a vobis iussit, leniter, dictis bonis.
etenim ille, cuius huc iussu venio, Iuppiter
non minus quam vostrum quivis formidat malum:
humana matre natus, humano patre,
mirari non est aequom, sibi si praetimet;

But the fact remains that he has bidden me make this
request in suppliant wise, with gentle, kindly words.
(_confidentially_) For you see, that Jupiter that “bade me
come here” is just like any one of you in his horror of
(_rubbing his shoulders reflectively_) trouble[A]: his
mother being human, also his father, it should not seem
strange if he does feel apprehensive regarding himself.

[Footnote A: Actors might be whipped on occasion.]

atque ego quoque etiam, qui Iovis sum filius, 30
contagione mei patris metuo malum.
propterea pace advenio et pacem ad vos affero[5]:
iustam rem et facilem esse oratam a vobis volo,
nam iusta ab iustis iustus sum orator datus.

Yes, and the same is true of me, the son of Jupiter: once my
father has some trouble I am afraid I shall catch it, too.
(_rather pompously again_) Wherefore I come in peace and
peace do I bring to you. It is a just and trifling request I
wish you to grant: for I am sent as a just pleader pleading
with the just for what is just.

nam iniusta ab iustis impetrari non decet,
iusta autem ab iniustis petere insipientia est;
quippe illi iniqui ius ignorant neque tenent.
nunc iam huc animum omnes quae loquar advortite.
debetis velle quae velimus: meruimus
et ego et pater de vobis et re publica; 40

It would be unfitting, of course, for unjust favours to be
obtained from the just, while looking for just treatment
from the unjust is folly; for unfair folk of that sort
neither know nor keep justice. Now then, pay attention all
of you to what I am about to say. Our wishes should be
yours: we deserve it of you, my father and I, of you and
of your state.

nam quid ego memorem,--ut alios in tragoediis
vidi, Neptunum Virtutem Victoriam
Martem Bellonam, commemorare quae bona
vobis fecissent,--quis bene factis meus pater,
deorum regnator[6] architectust[7] omnibus?

Ah well, why should I--after the fashion of other gods,
Neptune, Virtue, Victory, Mars, Bellona, whom I have seen
in the tragedies recounting their goodness to you--
rehearse the benefits that my father, ruler of the gods,
hath builded up for all men?

sed mos numquam illi fuit patri meo,[8]
ut exprobraret quod bonis faceret boni;
gratum arbitratur esse id a vobis sibi
meritoque vobis bona se facere quae facit.

It never was a habit of that sire of mine to twit good
people with the good he did them; he considers you
grateful to him for it and worthy of the good things he
does for you.

Nunc quam rem oratum huc veni primum proloquar, 50
post argumentum huius eloquar tragoediae.
quid? contraxistis frontem, quia tragoediam
dixi futuram hanc? deus sum, commutavero.

Now first as to the favour I have come to ask, and then you
shall hear the argument of our tragedy. What? Frowning
because I said this was to be a tragedy? I am a god: I’ll
transform it.

eandem hanc, si voltis, faciam ex tragoedia
comoedia ut sit omnibus isdem vorsibus.
utrum sit an non voltis? sed ego stultior,
quasi nesciam vos velle, qui divos siem.

I’ll convert this same play from tragedy to comedy, if
you like, and never change a line. Do you wish me to do
it, or not? But there! how stupid of me! As if I didn’t
know that you do wish it, when I’m a deity.

teneo quid animi vostri super hac re siet:
faciam ut commixta sit: sit tragicomoedia.
nam me perpetuo facere ut sit comoedia, 60
reges quo veniant et di, non par arbitror.
quid igitur? quoniam his servos quoque partes habet,
faciam sit, proinde ut dixi, tragicomoedia.

I understand your feelings in the matter perfectly. I shall
mix things up: let it be tragi-comedy. Of course it would
never do for me to make it comedy out and out, with kings
and gods on the boards. How about it, then? Well, in view of
the fact that there is a slave part in it, I shall do just
as I said and make it tragi-comedy.

nunc hoc me orare a vobis iussit Iuppiter,
ut conquaestores singula in subsellia
eant per totam caveam spectatoribus,
si cui favitores delegates viderint,
ut is in cavea pignus capiantur togae;

Now here is the favour Jove bade me ask of you: (_with
great solemnity_) let inspectors go from seat to seat
throughout the house, and should they discover claqueurs
planted for the benefit of any party, let them take as
security from all such in the house--their togas.

sive qui ambissint palmam histrionibus,
sive cuiquam artifici, si per scriptas litteras 70
sive qui ipse ambissit seu per internuntium,
sive adeo aediles perfidiose cui duint,
sirempse legem iussit esse Iuppiter,
quasi magistratum sibi alterive ambiverit.

Or if there be those who have solicited the palm for
actors, or for any artist--whether by letter, or by personal
solicitation, or through an intermediary--or further, if the
aediles do bestow the said palm upon anyone unfairly, Jove
doth decree that the selfsame law obtain as should the said
party solicit guiltily, for himself or for another, public
office.

virtute dixit vos victores vivere,
non ambitione neque perfidia: qui minus
eadem histrioni sit lex quae summo viro?
virtute ambire oportet, non favitoribus.
sat habet favitorum semper qui recte facit,
si illis fides est quibus est ea res in manu. 80

’Tis worth has won your wars for you, saith he, not
solicitation or unfairness: why should not the same law hold
for player as for noblest patriot? Worth, not hired support,
should solicit victory. He who plays his part aright ever
has support enough, if it so be that honour dwells in those
whose concern it is to judge his acts.

hoc quoque etiam mihi pater in mandatis dedit,
ut conquaestores fierent histrionibus:
qui sibi mandasset delegati ut plauderent
quive quo placeret alter fecisset minus,
eius ornamenta et corium uti conciderent.

This injunction, too, did Jove lay upon me: that
inspectors should be appointed for the actors, to the end
that whosoever has enjoined claqueurs to clap himself, or
whosoever has endeavoured to compass the failure of another,
may have his player’s costume cut to shreds, also his hide.

mirari nolim vos, quapropter Iuppiter
nunc histriones curet; ne miremini:
ipse hanc acturust Iuppiter comoediam.
quid? admirati estis? quasi vero novom
nunc proferatur, Iovem facere histrioniam; 90

I would not have you wonder why Jove is now regardful
of actors; do not so: he himself, Jove, will take part in
this comedy. What? Surprised? As if it were actually a new
departure, this, Jove’s turning actor!

etiam, histriones anno cum in proscaemo hic
Iovem invocarunt, venit, auxilio is fuit[9] (92)
hanc fabulam, inquam, hic Iuppiter hodie ipse aget, (94)
et ego una cum illo. nunc vos animum advortite,
dum huius argumentum eloquar comoediae.

Why, just last year when the actors on this very stage
called upon Jupiter, he came,[B] and helped them out.
This play, then, Jove himself will act in to-day, and I
along with him. Now give me your attention while I unfold
the argument of our comedy.

[Footnote B: An allusion to some play in which Jupiter
appeared in time to save some situation.]

Haec urbs est Thebae. in illisce habitat aedibus
Amphitruo, natus Argis ex Argo patre,
quicum Alcumena est nupta, Electri filia.
is nunc Amphitruo praefectust legionibus, 100
nam cum Telobois bellum est Thebano poplo.

This city here is Thebes. In that house there (_pointing_)
dwells Amphitryon, born in Argos, of an Argive father: and
his wife is Alcmena, Electrus’s daughter. At present this
Amphitryon is at the head of the Theban army, the Thebans
being at war with the Teloboians.

is prius quam hinc abut ipsemet in exercitum,
gravidam Alcumenam uxorem fecit suam.
nam ego vos novisse credo iam ut sit pater meus,
quam liber harum rerum multarum siet
quantusque amator sit quod complacitum est semel.

Before he himself left to join his troops, his wife,
Alcmena, was with child by him. (_apologetically_) Now I
think you know already what my father is like--how free he
is apt to be in a good many cases of this sort and what an
impetuous lover he is, once his fancy is taken.

is amare occepit Alcumenam clam virum
usuramque eius corporis cepit sibi,
et gravidam fecit is eam compressu suo.
nunc de Alcumena ut rem teneatis rectius, 110
utrimque est gravida, et ex viro et ex summo Iove.

Well, Alcmena caught his fancy, without her husband knowing
it, and he enjoyed her and got her with child. So now
Alcmena, that you may see it quite clearly, is with child
by both of them, by her husband and by almighty Jove.

et meus pater nunc intus hic cum illa cubat,
et haec ob eam rem nox est facta longior,
dum cum illa quacum volt voluptatem capit;
sed ita adsimulavit se, quasi Amphitruo siet.

And my father is there inside this very moment with her in
his arms, and it is on this account that the present night
has been prolonged while he enjoys the society of his
heart’s delight. All this in the guise of Amphitryon, you
understand.

Nunc ne hunc ornatum vos meum admiremini,
quod ego huc processi sic cum servili schema:
veterem atque antiquam rem novam ad vos proferam,
propterea ornatus in novom incessi modum.

Now don’t be surprised at this get-up of mine and because I
appear here in the character of a slave as I do: I am going
to submit to you a new version of a worn and ancient tale,
hence my appearance in a new get-up.

nam meus pater intus nunc est eccum Iuppiter; 120
in Amphitruonis vertit sese imaginem
omnesque eum esse censent servi qui vident:
ita versipellem se facit quando lubet.

The point is, my father Jupiter is now inside there, mark
you. He has turned himself into the very image of Amphitryon,
and all the servants that see him believe that’s who he is.
See how he can change his skin when he likes!

ego servi sumpsi Sosiae mi imaginem,
qui cum Amphitruone abiit hinc in exercitum,
ut praeservire amanti meo possem patri
atque ut ne, qui essem, familiares quaererent,
versari crebro hic cum viderent me domi;
nunc, cum esse credent servom et conservom suom,
haud quisquam quaeret qui siem aut quid venerim. 130

And as for me, I have assumed the form of Amphitryon’s slave
Sosia, who went away to the army with him, my idea being to
subserve my amorous sire and not have the domestics ask who
I am when they see me busy about the house here continually.
As it is, when they think I am a servant and one of their
own number, not a soul will ask me who I am or what I’ve
come for.

Pater nunc intus suo animo morem gerit:
cubat complexus cuius cupiens maxime est;
quae illi ad legionem facta sunt memorat pater
meus Alcumenae: illa illum censet virum
suom esse, quae cum moecho est. ibi nunc meus pater
memorat, legiones hostium ut fugaverit,
quo pacto sit donis donatus plurimis.

So now my father is inside indulging his heart’s desire as
he lies there with his arms around the lady-love he
particularly dotes on. He is telling Alcmena what happened
during the campaign: and she all the time thinking him her
husband when he’s not. On he goes there with his stories of
putting the legions of the foe to flight and being presented
with prizes galore.

ea dona, quae illic Amphitruoni sunt data,
abstulimus: facile meus pater quod volt facit.
nunc hodie Amphitruo veniet huc ab exercitu 140
et servos, cuius ego hanc fero imaginem.

The prizes Amphitryon did receive there we stole--things
my father fancies do come easy to him! Now Amphitryon
will return from the army to-day, and the slave I am
representing, too.

nunc internosse ut nos possitis facilius,
ego has habebo usque in petaso pinnulas;
tum meo patri autem torulus inerit aureus
sub petaso: id signum Amphitruoni non erit.
ea signa nemo horum familiarium
videre poterit: verum vos videbitis.

To make it easier for you to tell us apart I shall always
wear this little plume on my hat: yes, and as for my father
he will have a little gold tassel hanging from his:
Amphitryon will not have this mark. They are marks that
none of the household here will be able to see, but you
will.

sed Amphitruonis illic est servos Sosia:
a portu illic nunc cum lanterna advenit.
abigam iam ego illum advenientem ab aedibus. 150
adeste: erit operae pretium hic spectantibus
Iovem et Mercurium facere histrioniam.

(_looking down street_) But there is Amphitryon’s servant
Sosia--just coming from the harbour with a lantern. I’ll
bustle him away from the house as soon as he gets here.
Watch now! It will be worth your while to attend when Jove
and Mercury take up the histrionic art. (_steps aside_)

ACTVS I