ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
ἐκεῖνο δ’ οὐ λέγεις, ὅτι
ἐλευθέρα γίνῃ σύ· τοῦ γὰρ παιδίου
μητέρα σε νομίσας λύσετ’ εὐθὺς δηλαδή.540
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
οὐκ οἶδα· βουλοίμην δ’ ἄν.
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
οὐ γὰρ οἶσθα σύ;
ἀλλ’ ἦ χάρις τις, Ἁβρότονον, τούτων ἐμοί;
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
νὴ τὼ θεώ, πάντων γ’ ἐμαυτῇ σ’ αἴτιον
ἡγήσομαι τούτων.
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
ἐὰν δὲ μηκέτι
ζητῇς ἐκείνην ἐξεπίτηδες, ἀλλ’ ἐᾷς545
παρακρουσαμένη με, πῶς τὸ τοιοῦθ’ ἕξει;
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
τάλαν,
τίνος ἕνεκεν; παίδων ἐπιθυμεῖν σοι δοκῶ;
ἐλευθέρα μόνον γενοίμην, ὦ θεοί.
τοῦτον λάβοιμι μισθὸν ἐκ τούτων.
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
λάβοις.
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
οὐκοῦν συναρέσκει σοι;550
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
συναρέσκει διαφόρως·
ἂν γὰρ κακοηθεύσῃ, μαχοῦμαί σοι τότε·
δυνήσομαι γάρ. ἐν δὲ τῷ παρόντι νῦν
ἴδωμεν εἰ τοῦτ’ ἐστίν.
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
οὐκοῦν συνδοκεῖ;
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
μάλιστα.
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
τὸν δακτύλιον ἀποδίδου ταχύ.
ΟΝΕΣΙΜΟΣ
λάμβανε.555
ΑΒΡΟΤΟΝΟΝ
φίλη Πειθοῖ, παροῦσα σύμμαχος
πόει κατορθοῦν τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἂν λέγω.
notes
539 γίνῃ: > γίγνομαι, 2nd sing. aor. subj. mid.
546 τοιοῦθ’: = τοιοῦτο
554 ἀποδίδου: > ἀποδίδωμι, 2nd sing. pres. imper. mid.
555 Πειθοῖ: vocative, HABROTONON briefly prays for the ability to be persuasive in her upcoming performance.
vocabulary
παιδίον -ου τό: little child, young child
δηλαδή: quite clearly
νὴ τὼ θεώ: “by the two goddesses,” an oath associated specifically with women and probably referring to Demeter and Persephone
μηκέτι: no more, no longer
ἐξεπίτηδες: on purpose
παρακρούω παρακρούσω παρέκρουσα: to mislead, deceive
τάλας, τάλαινα, τάλαν: sorry, wretched
ἐπιθυμέω: to long for, desire (+ gen.)
μισθός -οῦ ὁ: reward, payment
συναρέσκω: to please
διαφόρως: excellently, immensely
κακοηθεύομαι: to deceive
συνδοκέω: to approve, agree
δακτύλιος -ου ὁ: ring, signet
Πειθώ -οῦς ἡ: Persuasion (personified)
κατορθόω: to keep straight, succeed
translation
ONESIMOS
(a little suspicious)
There’s one thing you didn’t mention, that you’ll get your freedom… because evidently if he thinks that you are the (540) mother of the child, he’ll free you.
HABROTONON
(guarded)
Well, I don’t know about that, it’d be nice of course…
ONESIMOS
You don’t know? Hah! What am I going to get in all of this? Any thanks for me, Habrotonon?
HABROTONON
By the goddess, of course I hold you responsible for all of this!
ONESIMOS
(at first pleased, then realizes that could be disastrous)
And what if you stop (545) looking for that girl on purpose, you’re just going to screw me over? How could you do that, huh?
HABROTONON
Wretched, miserable me! Why would I do that? Do I really seem like I want children to you? I only want to be free, gods! That’s the only payment I want to take away from all of this.
ONESIMOS
I hope you do.
HABROTONON
So, it pleases you then? You like the plan?
ONESIMOS
(supportive but nervous)
It’s definitely pleasing – but I swear, if you trick me, I will fight you – trust me, you do not want to fight me – But for now, let’s just see if he’s the father.
HABROTONON
It’s agreed, then?
ONESIMOS
Absolutely!
HABROTONON
Quickly,
(holding out her hand)
give me the ring.
ONESIMOS
(handing it over)
(555) Take it.
HABROTONON
(to the audience)
Dear Persuasion, here standing beside me, make the words which I speak successful!
(exits to CHAIRESTRATOS’ house)