§1quíbus ingenium in animo utibilest, modicum et sine vernilitate §2víncla, virgaé, molae: saévitudo mala fit peior
Those who have a useful mind in their soul, moderate and without servility, Chains, rods, mills: bad cruelty becomes worse.
§3convérrite scópis, agite strénue
Sweep with brooms, act vigorously.
Is there anyone who calls out with a water-can and water that most filthy fellow?
§6sícut lacte lactis similest
Just as milk is like milk.
§7ílla mi cognominis fuit
She was of the same name as I.
§8(latro) suam qui auro vitam venditat
(A mercenary) who sells his own life for gold.
§9sció spiritum éius maiórem esse multo §10quam folles taurini habént, cum liquescunt §11petraé, ferrum ubí fit.
I know that his breath is much greater than the bellows of bull-skin have, when melt rocks, where iron is made.
§11bCuiatis tibi visust?
From what country did he seem to you to be?
§12Praenéstinum opino esse, ita erat gloriosus.
I think he is from Praeneste, he was so boastful.
§13néque id haud subditiva glória oppidum arbitror.
And I do not think that town is of substitute glory.
lest you should receive a yearly wage from anyone else, except from himself, nor rub heads with anyone.
§16limaces viri
Snail-like men.
My heart, my hope, my honey, sweetness, food, joy.
§19síne te amem
Let me love you.
§20Cupidon tecum saevust anne Amor?
Is Cupid cruel to you, or Amor?
§21Vlíxem audivi fuisse aerumnosissimum, §22qui annis viginti errans a patria afuit; §23verum hic adulescens multo Vlixem anteit §24qui ílico errat intra muros civicos.
I have heard that Ulysses was most wretched, who, wandering for twenty years, was absent from his fatherland; but this young man far surpasses Ulysses, who wanders on the spot within the city walls.
whatever his name is, she who keeps my companion and me harassed.
§27nam crédo cuivis excantare cor potes.
For I believe you can charm the heart out of any man.
§28sin lénocinium forte collibitum est tibi, §29videas mercedis quid tibi est aecum dari, §30ne istac aetate me sectere gratiis.
But if by chance pandering has pleased you, you should see what wage is fair to be given to you, lest at that age of yours you pursue me for free.
Arabian What if it is possible that you keep silent and I speak?
§35bLepidé, licet.
Excellently, you may.
§36Vbi me fugiet memoria, ibi tu facito ut subvenias, soror.
Where memory fails me, there make sure to help me, sister.
§37Pol magis metuo, ne defuerit mi in monendo oratio.
By Pollux, I rather fear lest speech fail me in advising.
§38Pol ego metuo, lusciniolae ne defuerit cantio.
By Pollux, I fear lest the little nightingale lack her song.
§39sequere hac.
Follow this way.
§39bQuid agunt duae germanae meretrices cognomines?
What are the two sister courtesans of the same name doing?
§40quid in consilio consuluistis?
What did you decide in your council?
§40bBene.
Well.
§40cPol haud meretricium est.
By Pollux, that is not like courtesans.
§41Miserius nihil est quam mulier.
There is nothing more wretched than a woman.
§41bQuid esse dices dignius?
What would you say is more worthy?
§42Haec ita me orat, sibi qui caveat aliquem ut hominem reperiam, §43ut istunc militem—ut, ubi emeritum sibi sit, se revehat domum.
She begs me thus, that I find some man to protect her, so that that soldier—when his service with her is expired, may carry her back home.
§44id, amabo te, huic caveas.
Please, guard against this for her.
§44bQuid isti caveam?
What should I guard against for her?
§44cVt revehatur domum, §45ubi ei dediderit operas, ne hanc ille habeat pro ancilla sibi; §46nam si haec habeat aurum quod illi renumeret, faciat lubens.
That she be carried back home, when she has given her services to him, lest he keep her as a maidservant for himself; for if she had gold to pay back to him, she would gladly do it.
§47Vbi nunc is homost?
Where is that man now?
§47bIam hic credo aderit.
I believe he will be here soon.
sed hoc idem apud nos rectius §48poteris agere; atque is dum veniat, sedens ibi opperibere.
But you will be able to manage this same thing more properly; and until he comes, you will wait there sitting.
§49eadem biberis, eadem dedero tibi, ubi biberis, savium.
At the same time you shall drink, and at the same time I will give you a kiss when you have drunk.
§50Viscus merus vostrast blanditia.
Your flattery is pure birdlime.
§50bQuid iam?
Why so?
Because indeed I understand, two of you are seeking one wood-pigeon; I am lost, the reed is beating the wings.
§52non ego istúc facinus mihi, mulier, conducibile esse arbitror.
I do not think that deed is advantageous for me, woman.
§53Quí, amabo?
Why, please?
§53bQuia, Bacchis, bacchas metuo et bacchanal tuom.
Because, Bacchis, I fear the Bacchae and your Bacchic revel.
§54Quid est? quid metuis? ne tibi lectus malitiam apud me suadeat?
What is it? What do you fear? Lest the couch at my place suggest mischief to you?
§55Magis illectum tuom quam lectum metuo.
I fear your enticement more than the couch.
mala tu es bestia.
You are an evil beast.
§56nam huic aetati non conducit, mulier, latebrosus locus.
For a hidden place does not suit this age of mine, woman.
§57Egomet, apud me si quid stulte facere cupias, prohibeam.
I myself, if you should wish to do anything foolish at my house, would prevent it.
§58sed ego apud me te esse ob eam rem, miles cum veniat, volo, §59quia, cum tu aderis, huic mihique haud faciet quisquam iniuriam: §60tu prohibebis, et eadem opera tuo sodali operam dabis; §61et ille adveniens tuam med esse amicam suspicabitur.
But I want you to be at my house for this reason, when the soldier comes, because, when you are present, no one will do harm to her or me: you will prevent it, and at the same time you will do a service to your companion; and he, arriving, will suspect that I am your mistress.
§62quid, amabo, opticuisti?
Why, please, have you fallen silent?
§62bQuia istaec lepida sunt memoratui: §63eadem in usu atque ubi periclum facias, aculeata sunt, §64animum fodicant, bona distimulant, facta et famam sauciant.
Because those things are pleasant to relate: but the same things in practice and when you make trial, are thorny, they pierce the soul, waste wealth, and wound deeds and reputation.
§65Quid ab hac metuis?
What do you fear from her?
§65bQuid ego metuam rogitas? adulescens homo
Do you ask what I fear?
§66penetrem me huius modi in palaestram, ubi damnis desudascitur?
A young man like me, should I enter a wrestling-school of this kind, where one sweats with losses?
§68Lepide memoras.
Charmingly you speak.
§68bVbi ego capiam pro machaera turturem,
Where I should take a turtle-dove instead of a sword,