Quer. The face shows not the heart. What if, in public Querolus gives up the discussion, and leaves his fate to his Lar. Ty Lar tells him, he shall be rich in spite of himself; he shall do all in power to send away his good luck, but it shall force itself upon him: several other ambiguities of prophecy, over which he leaves Queri marvelling. Querolus, after a soliloquy, in which he expresses his perplex goes in. Mandrogerus enters, with Sycophanta and Sardanapalus. Mandroge has laid a scheme for getting possession of the buried treasure, with giving any portion of it to Querolus, and has selected the other two have as his instruments. Mandrogerus exults in his anticipated success. But Sycophants had a dream of bad omen: Syc. I saw last night the treasure, which we hope Mand. Syc. What then? I saw Pieces of gold: but only as a glimpse, Through barbed hooks and rings, and little chains. Mand. Sard. And wept the dead, although a stranger. Syc. Told me, the fates assigned to none but me, Can we have for it, but to eat and drink it? remember They proceed to reconnoitre the locality, according to the indications received from Euclio: a little temple: a silversmith's shop: a lofty house with oaken doors. They remark that the upright bars are wide apart, and not defended with tenter-hooks; showing an inhabitant who has nothing to fear from thieves. Mandrogerus then inquires, if they exactly the description of the interior. They repeat it accordingly. The portico on the right hand of the entrance. Three little images in the sacrariu An altar in the middle. The gold before the altar. So far all is right to divine. That of the other two is to lie. Mandrogerus goes out to abide They thoroughly understand their parts. The business of Mandrogerus * Sacrarium here signifies a place set apart to sacred purposes in a private dwelling. The nearest corresponding modern term is oratory. 3 time. His accomplices watch the coming of Querolus, who enters wellsposed, by his previous interview with the Lar, to credulity in supertural matters. They stand aside, pretending not to see him, and talking he, if they did not mean to be heard. He catches some sounds which induce FOUm to listen. Sard. I have known magi and astrologers; But never one like this. Soon as he sees you, He calls you by your name: expounds your parents, : All you have done, and will do. This must be Quer. (apart) A man worth seeing. Sard. Let us lose no time In seeking him. Syc. over Syc. I would most willingly; We answer Thy friendly salutation. Is your talk Of secrets? Sard. Secrets to the general; Not to the wise. In divination. Who, or whence, I know not. Sard. Syc. Most absolute: Wherefore, I pray you, Sycophanta, come I have friends at home, Sardanapalus over-rules Sycophanta's objections. Querolus entreats to be of their party. They make many difficulties, and at last consent. Sycophanta suggests to Sardanapalus, that the astrologer may be an impostor; and, anticipating all the scruples that Querolus might have raised, completes the conquest of his confidence. While they are discussing, Mandrogerus most opportunely comes in sight, walking slowly onward, in profound meditation. They stop him, and respectfully request to be permitted to consult him, and imbibe some portion of his wisdom. He answers, like one overflowing with it, and most bountiful in its distribution, that he is at leisure, and will answer any questions they please to ask. They begin with questions, respecting the powers to be propitiated; the offerings to be made to them; the secondary instruments through which they deliver their oracles: stars; celestial and terrestrial prodigies; consecrated animals; harpies, geese, and cynocephali: a very curious enumeration of powers, never otherwise than malevolently exerted, unless under the influence of abundant gifts and sacrifices, though it is not the god himself who exacts them, but his door-keeper: in all which, while popular superstitions are obviously and ostensibly, Klinkhämer thinks the corruptions and oppressions of the several authorities of the state are covertly, satirised. Sycophanta receives this exposition as thoroughly discouraging all application to the powers in question; and solicits an explanation of some more simple method of solving the mysteries of destiny. Mand. First, much depends upon the natal hour, Next, by propitiation of the Genii, Who govern Fate's decrees, to make that good Which at the first was ill: by their kind power, She may be charmed, and bound, and carried forth. Much that you know, tell something that you know not. Mand. Assuredly, I know none of you three, By any previous knowledge. That is certain. Sard. Sard. 'Tis so. Mocked with a royal name. A poor man's child, I can't deny it. Mand. Sard. Eh! Mandrogerus! Syc. Syc. Syc. Alas! A worthless subject from the first. Mand. Pressed down by wrongs, compassed by perils From steel, and fire, and water. Syc. It would seem That thou hadst lived with me. Mand. Nought of thy own Syc. Too much too much. Pray favour me no further. Mand. Step forward, friend: Thy name is Querolus. Quer. "Tis even so. Mand. What is the hour? Between the sixth and seventh. Querolus. Evil Fortune presses thee. Quer. It is too true. Mand. Thy father left thee nothing. Thy friends give nothing. Thou hast a bad neighbour; † Clepsydra: a water-clock, by which time was measured, as by an hour-glass Mand. Shall I describe thy house? Full well thou knowest Quer. Quer. Exactly. Mand. In the sacrarium are three little statues : One of the household God; two of the Genii.* Quer. Thou hast proved thy knowledge. Now produce the remedy Mand. That is quickly done; Quer. IN ༡ ர Quer. Nothing there at all; There must be performed So be it. Mand. ate bea Quer. The rite must be performed. And by strangers ell my is So let it be. Mand. Could we find any on so short a notice :- The two knaves, on the invitation of Querolus, very obligingly promise their assistance: and Querolus desires Pantolabus to run for his friend and neighbour, the Arbiter. Mandrogerus, who does not like this sort of witness, urges Querolus not to delay. The hour is auspicious. The combination of stars is most promising. Mandrogerus asks Querolus if he has an empty box. Querolus replies, he is too well provided with empty boxes. One will be necessary, says Mandrogerus, to carry out the lustrum. And they go in to perform their ceremonies. : The next scene brings in Pantolabus, who indulges himself in a long soliloquy first complaining of his master's unreasonableness in objecting to petty thefts and waste of property in keeping strict accounts, and requiring the full change of his money: in begrudging his domestics their own quantities of sleep and wine: in requiring them, when he gives them holidays, to return to their day: in storming, if he sees finger-marks on his drinking-cups: in discovering immediately, if an amphora has been cracked and sealed up again, or if an abstracted portion of wine has been replaced by water: in detecting abrasions of silver and gold. And his friend the Arbiter is worse than himself. He gives half-allowance of food and double allowance of work. Querolus feeds his household well, and is not exacting of hard labour. He is the best of the two, but too much given to scolding, and too liberal with his whip. But the life of domestic slaves is not so bad as some think. They are thought drowsy and stupid, because they sleep in the day. But this they do, because they keep it up at night. The night is their day. Then they bathe, then they feast, then they enjoy themselves. The worst of thieves are masters, who sit up late themselves, and steal part of the night from their servants. In many respects, the master is their servant. He has to find the revenue, they have to consume it. * The Genius Loci: and the Genius Domini. + Arbiter. The Arbiter was a magistrate, whose especial duty was the determination and apportionment of inheritances. He is sent for by Querolus, only as a friend: but in the concluding scene, his peculiar office is brought into play. The lustrum is the residue of the purification, in which residue, the evil or pollution to be removed, is absorbed and included. He then fancies he hears his master calling, to know why he loiters; and thinking it very hard that he cannot take his own time about his errand, utters a string of maledictions, and takes his departure. Now come in the three rogues, and Querolus with the box. Mand. Lay down the burthen. Thou hast done enough Aiding to bear Ill Fortune out of doors. Quer. Thy art is mighty. What a sudden weight Mand. Dost thou not know Nothing is heavier than Evil Fortune? The Gods favour thee. Where its own weight shall send it to the bottom. May rise to trouble thee. Therefore observe, Till three days end. Admit nor friends nor kindred: Quer. I shall observe. Shut close. Bars, locks, and chains. Quer. No fastening shall be spared. Farewell, great Master. The accomplices are now in undisturbed possession of their prize. The had kept Querolus out of the sacrarium, while they whipped the urn into the box; and now determine on proceeding to a solitary spot on the river-s where they may break up the vessel, and after abstracting the treasure, si the fragments in some unfathomable pool. These being gone, Pantolabus comes in with the Arbiter. In reply t some inquiries of the Arbiter concerning his master, Pantolabus thanks hi for the good advice he gives, and the good example he sets, to Querolu, relation to the treatment of servants. Pant. Would that he had your manners: were as gracious, Pant. We all know you, And give you Pantolabus excuses himself from any double meaning. The Arbiter is satisfied. He expresses his surprise at finding the doors closed. They knock, and call, and receive no answer. Pantolabus conducts him to small back-door, which, even if that be also closed, he knows how to open. The accomplices return, full of lamentation and superstitious terror. They had dug up, and carried off, a funeral urn. Mand. Oh me, unhappy! Syc. Oh me, miserable! Sard. Oh me, most miserable, naked and shipwrecked! Syc. Oh, Sardanapalus! Sard. Oh, great Mandrogerus-father and master! |