s
concerned, that is quite simple.

nunc quod me dixi velle vobis dicere,
dicam: huic nomen Graece Onagost fabulae; 10
Demophilus scripsit, Maccus vortit barbare;
Asinariam volt esse, si per vos licet.
inest lepos ludusque in hac comoedia,
ridicula res est. date benigne operam mihi,
ut vos, ut alias, pariter nunc Mars adiuvet.

Now I shall say what I said I wished to say: the Greek
name of this play is ONAGOS: Demophilus wrote it: Maccus
translated it into a foreign tongue. He wishes to call it
THE COMEDY OF ASSES, by your leave. It is a clever comedy,
full of drollery and laughable situations. Do oblige me by
being attentive, that now too, as in other days, Mars may be
with you.

ACTVS I

ACT I

ENTER _Demaenetus_, FROM HIS HOUSE, BRINGING _Libanus_.

_Lib._

Sicut tuom vis unicum gnatum tuae
superesse vitae sospitem et superstitem,
ita ted obtestor per senectutem tuam
perque illam, quam tu metuis, uxorem tuam,
si quid med erga hodie falsum dixeris, 20
ut tibi superstes uxor aetatem siet
atque illa viva vivos ut pestem oppetas.

(_very solemnly_) As you hope to have your only son survive
hale and hearty, sir, when you're gone yourself, I implore
you, sir, by your hoary hairs and by the one you dread, your
wife, sir--if you tell me any lie to-day, may she outlast
you by years and years, yes, sir, and you die a living death
with her alive.

_Dem._

Per Dium Fidium quaeris: iurato mihi
video necesse esse eloqui quidquid roges.[1] (24)
proinde actutum istuc quid sit quod scire expetis (27)
eloquere: ut ipse scibo, te faciam ut scias.

(_laughing_) You beg me by the very God of Truth. Once
under oath, I see I must tell you whatever you ask. Come
then, quick! Let me hear what you wish to know, and so far
as I know myself, I shall let you know.

_Lib._

Die obsecro hercle serio quod te rogem,
cave mihi mendaci quicquam.

For God's sake, sir, do please answer my question seriously!
No lying to me, sir, mind that!

_Dem._

Quin tu ergo rogas? 30

Then why not ask your question?

_Lib._

Num me illuc ducis, ubi lapis lapidem terit?

(_anxiously_) You won't take me where ston