home

This blog post is my translation attempt on the fourth chapter of LLPSI FR. If you wish to learn Latin, all you have to do is just follow me from Chapter 01. The Latin text is designed such that you can learn Latin from scratch just by reading the text itself without any external aid. Such is the power of context. For my translation attempt on the capitulum tertium, please check 02(09).

I am making this translation as a way for me to actively consolidate my knowledge of Latin. As for how to use the text, I would advise that you read the original Latin text, and avoid consulting my translation attempt unless you need to!

The master and the servants

Scene One
People: Julius, Aemilia, Medus.

The purse of Julius is not small. There is money in his purse. Julius has money in the purse.

Aemilia sees the purse and asks Julius: “How many coins are there in your purse?”
Julius answers: “A hundred.”
Aemilia: “There are not a hundred coins here, are there?”
Julius counts the money: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. What? Only ten?”

Julius counts the money again: “One, two, three, four… nine, ten.” The number of coins is not one hundred, but only ten.

Julius: “What? In my purse, there aren’t one hundred, but only ten coins! Where are the other coins? Where are my servants?”

Medus: “Your servant Medus is here.”
Julius sees his servant Medus, but does not see Davus. Medus is present. Davus is not present, but away from here. Julius, Aemilia, and Medus are here. Davus and the other servants are absent.

Julius: “What? Only one servant is present! Where is Davus? Call for Davus!”
Medus calls for Davus: “Davus!” but Davus neither hears Medus nor comes.
Medus calls for Davus again: “Da-a-vus! Come!”
Davus comes. Now, two servants are present.

Scene Two
People: Julius, Aemilia, Medus, Davus.

Davus, who does not see his master, asks Medus: “What is it, Medus?”
Medus: “Shush! Master is here. Salute Master!”
The servant salutes the master: “Hello, Master!”
The master salutes the servant: “Hello, servant!”
Davus: “What is it, Master?”
Julius: “Shush! Be silent, servant! Be silent and listen!” The servant is silent.
Julius: “There are only ten coins in my purse. Where are my other coins?”
Davus is silent, and does not respond.
Aemilia: “Respond, Davus! Master is questioning you.”
Davus responds: “Your money is not here. Ask Medus!”

Julius asks Medus: “Where are my coins, Medus?” Medus does not say a single word.
Julius asks him again: “Where is my money? Respond, servant!”
Medus accuses Davus: “Your money is in the purse of Davus. Davus has your money.”
Aemilia: “Hear, Davus! Medus accuses you.”
Davus: “Whom does Medus accuse? Me?”
Julius: “Silence, Medus! A servant who accuses a servant is not good!” Medus is silent.
Julius does not accuse Davus, but asks him: “Is my money in your purse, Davus?”
Davus: “In my purse is not your money, Master.”
Julius: “Where is your purse?”
Davus: “It is here. Here is my purse.”
Julius: “Put your purse on the table!”

Davus puts his purse on the table. Now, his purse is on the table. Julius puts his stick. The master’s stick is on the table.

Davus: “Look: there is no money in my purse.”
Julius sees no money in the purse. There are no coins in the purse of Davus. His purse is empty. Davus does not have the Master’s money.

Julius: “O! Davus is a good servant: [he] does not have my money. Here are your coins, Davus!” Julius puts one coin in the purse of Davus. Now, the purse of Davus

is not empty: in his purse is one coin. Davus is happy.

Julius: “Take your purse and leave, good servant!” Davus takes his purse and leaves.

Medus sees the stick which is on the table. Medus also leaves! Why does Medus leave? Medus leaves because he has the master’s coins in his purse!

Davus and Medus are absent.

Scene Three
People: Julius, Aemilia.

Julius: “Davus is a good servant. He does not have my money. – But where is my money, Medus? Who has my money?” Medus does not respond.
Julius: “Where is Medus? Why does he not respond?” Aemilia: “Medus does not respond because he is away. No servant is present.”
Julius calls for Medus: “Medus! Come” but Medus, who is away, neither hears him nor comes.
Julius calls again: “Medus! Come, bad servant!”
Medus does not come.
Julius: “Why does Medus not come?”
Aemilia: “Medus does not come because he has your money! His purse is not empty!” Aemilia laughs. Julius is angry – he laughs not!

Julius: “Where is my stick?” Julius does not see the stick which is on the table.

Aemilia: “Here, the stick is on the table.”
Julius takes his stick and leaves.

---

Sincerely,
NL
1 July 2020