for I perceived him contriving. I have a mind to go in and bring out the ass, that the old man may not even peep out again. [Goes in and returns leading the ass.] Ass, why do you weep? because you are to be sold[1] to-day? Walk quicker. Why do you groan, if you are not carrying any Ulysses?
Xan. But, by Jove, he is carrying some one here[2] below, who has crept under him.
Bdel. Of what sort? Let me see.
Xan. This here. [Points to Philocleon, who is hidden under the ass's belly.]
Bdel. What is[3] this? Pray, who in the world are you, fellow?
Phil. Nobody, by Jove.
Bdel. You Nobody? Of what country?
Phil. Of Ithaca; son of Runaway.[4]
Bdel. In no respect, by Jove, shall you go off with impunity, you Nobody! Draw him quickly from beneath. O most abominable! See where he's crept to! so that he seems to me most like the foal of a summons-witness.[5] [Xanthias and Sosias drag him from under the ass.]
Phil. If you won't let me alone, we will do battle.
Bdel. About what, pray, will you fight with us?
Phil. About the shade of an ass.
Bdel. You are a knave far advanced in artifice,[6] and reckless.
Phil. I a knave? No, by Jove. You are not now aware that I am most excellent. But you will know it, perhaps, when you eat the paunch of an old Heliast.[7]
- ↑ The Attics use the form πεπράσομαι as a fut. pass.; not πραθήσομαι—
- ↑ Cf. vs. 205, infra. Pax, 840. Aves, 279, 287. Ran. 170.
- ↑ Comp. vs. 1509, infra. Aves, 859, 1030, 1495. Lys. 350, 445. Ran. 39, 1209. Plut. 1097. Fragm. 178. Schäfer on Theoc. xix. 8. Soph. Col. 1697.
- ↑ This is Elmsley's emendation, which has been admitted by Dindorf.
- ↑ "The text plays on the word κλητὴρ, which signifies equally a summons-witness and a packing-ass." Mitch. Liddell (voc. κλητὴρ) more correctly understands it as said παρὰ προσδοκίαν for foal of an ass.
- ↑ I have here adopted Mitchell's interpretation. Voss and Florentius Chretien follow the Scholiast, and make it = far from art, i. e. rudis.
- ↑ Philocleon understands πονηρὸς and ἅριστος of what is bad or good to eat. Accordingly, instead of paunch of an ass, he substitutes paunch of a Heliast, παρὰ προσδοκίαν.
