Bagoas, in whose hands is the duty of guarding your mistress, while I discuss with you a few, but fitting, things, give me your time.
Yesterday, in the light of day, I saw a girl walking in that portico which holds the procession of Danaus.
§2.2.5Protinus, ut placuit, misi scriptoque rogavi.
Immediately, as she pleased me, I sent a message and made a request in writing.
§2.2.6Rescripsit trepida 'non licet!' illa manu; §2.2.7Et, cur non liceat, quaerenti reddita causa est, §2.2.8Quod nimium dominae cura molesta tua est.
She wrote back with a trembling hand: "It is not allowed!" And, to me asking why it is not allowed, the reason was given, that your guarding of the mistress is too troublesome.
§2.2.9Si sapis, o custos, odium, mihi crede, mereri §2.2.10Desine; quem metuit quisque, perisse cupit.
If you are wise, o guardian, believe me, cease to earn hatred; everyone desires him whom they fear to perish.
§2.2.11Vir quoque non sapiens; quid enim servare laboret, §2.2.12Unde nihil, quamvis non tueare, perit?
The husband too is not wise; for why should he labor to guard that from which nothing is lost, even if you do not protect it?
§2.2.13Sed gerat ille suo morem furiosus amori §2.2.14Et castum, multis quod placet, esse putet; §2.2.15Huic furtiva tuo libertas munere detur, §2.2.16Quam dederis illi, reddat ut illa tibi.
But let that madman indulge his own passion and let him think that is chaste which pleases many; Let secret freedom be given to her as your gift, so that she may return to you that which you have given to her.
§2.2.17Conscius esse velis — domina est obnoxia servo; §2.2.18Conscius esse times — dissimulare licet.
Should you wish to be an accomplice — the mistress is indebted to her slave; do you fear to be an accomplice — you can pretend not to notice.
§2.2.19Scripta leget secum — matrem misisse putato!
She reads a letter by herself — suppose her mother sent it!
§2.2.20Venerit ignotus — postmodo notus erit.
Should a stranger come — soon he will be well-known.
§2.2.21Ibit ad adfectam, quae non languebit, amicam:
She goes to visit a sick friend who is not actually ill: let her visit!
§2.2.22Visat! iudiciis aegra sit illa tuis.
Let her be sick in your judgment.
If she is late, lest the long delay weary you, you can snore with your forehead rested on your lap.
Neither ask what can happen at the temple of linen-clad Isis, nor fear the curved theaters!
An accomplice in a secret deed will carry off continuous rewards — but what labor is less than to have kept silent?
§2.2.29Ille placet versatque domum neque verbera sentit; §2.2.30Ille potens — alii, sordida turba, iacent.
He pleases and rules the house and doesn't feel the lash; he is powerful — the others, a squalid crowd, grovel.
§2.2.31Huic, verae ut lateant causae, finguntur inanes; §2.2.32Atque ambo domini, quod probat una, probant.
For him, empty reasons are made up so that the true ones may lie hidden; and both masters approve what the single woman approves.
When the husband has thoroughly pulled a long face and forced wrinkles, he does what the coaxing girl wanted to be done.
§2.2.35Sed tamen interdum tecum quoque iurgia nectat, §2.2.36Et simulet lacrimas carnificemque vocet.
But yet, let her sometimes weave quarrels with you too, and fake tears, and call you a torturer.
You, in return, making accusations which she can safely explain away, and strip credibility from true charges with a false accusation.
§2.2.39Sic tibi semper honos, sic alta peculia crescent.
Thus honor and deep savings will always grow for you.
§2.2.40Haec fac, in exiguo tempore liber eris.
Do these things, and in a short time you will be free.
§2.2.41Adspicis indicibus nexas per colla catenas?
Do you see the chains bound around the necks of informers?
§2.2.42Squalidus orba fide pectora carcer habet.
A squalid prison holds hearts stripped of trust.
§2.2.43Quaerit aquas in aquis et poma fugacia captat §2.2.44Tantalus — hoc illi garrula lingua dedit.
Tantalus seeks water in the midst of water and grasps at fleeing fruit — a talkative tongue gave this to him.
While Juno's guard, Argus, guards Io too much, he died before his years; she is a goddess!
I myself have seen one with legs black and blue from shackles, because of whom the husband was forced to learn of unchastity.
§2.2.49Poena minor merito.
The punishment was less than deserved.
nocuit mala lingua duobus; §2.2.50Vir doluit, famae damna puella tulit.
An evil tongue harmed two: the husband grieved, the girl bore the loss of her reputation.
§2.2.51Crede mihi, nulli sunt crimina grata marito, §2.2.52Nec quemquam, quamvis audiat, illa iuvant.
Believe me, accusations are pleasing to no husband, nor do they help anyone, even though he listens.
If he is indifferent, you present evidence to unconcerned ears; or if he loves, he is made wretched by your dutiful service.
Nor is guilt easily proved, however manifest; she comes off safe through the favor of her own judge.
Though he himself may have seen it, he will still believe her when she denies it, and will condemn his own eyes, and deceive himself.
§2.2.59Adspiciat dominae lacrimas, plorabit et ipse, §2.2.60Et dicet: 'poenas garrulus iste dabit!' §2.2.61Quid dispar certamen inis? tibi verbera victo
Let him but see his mistress's tears, he himself too will weep, and say: "That talkative fellow shall pay the penalty!" Why do you enter an unequal contest?
§2.2.62Adsunt, in gremio iudicis illa sedet.
Lashes await you, the defeated, while she sits in the lap of the judge.
§2.2.63Non scelus adgredimur, non ad miscenda coimus §2.2.64Toxica, non stricto fulminat ense manus.
We are not attempting a crime, we do not come together to mix poisons, no hand flashes with a drawn sword.
§2.2.65Quaerimus, ut tuto per te possimus amare.
We only ask that we may be able to love safely with your indulgence.
§2.2.66Quid precibus nostris mollius esse potest?
What can be softer than our prayers?