TYND. Now stands the matter so, that I would much rather that I had once
existed, than that I _still_ exist; now do my hopes, my resources, and
my succour, desert me and spurn themselves. This is that day, when, for
my life, no safety can be hoped; nor _yet_ is death my end; nor hope is
there, in fact, to dispel this fear for me; nor cloak have I anywhere
for my deceitful stratagems; nor for my devices or my subterfuges is
there anywhere a screen presented to me. No deprecating _is there_
for my perfidy; no means of flight for my offences. No refuge is there
anywhere for my trusting; and no escape for my cunning schemes. What
was concealed is _now_ exposed; my plans are _now_ divulged. The whole
matter is now laid open; nor is there any ado about this matter, but
that I must perish outright, and meet with destruction, both on behalf
of my master and myself. This Aristophontes has proved my ruin, who has
just now come into the house. He knows me. He is the intimate friend
and kinsman of Philocrates. Not Salvation _herself_ [1] can save me
now, _even_ if she wishes; nor have I any means _of escape_, unless,
perchance, I devise some artifice in my mind. (_He meditates._) Plague
on it!--how? What can I contrive?--what can I think of? Some very great
folly and trifling I shall have to begin with. I'm quite at a loss. (_He
retires aside._)
[Footnote 1: _Not Salvation herself_)--Ver. 535. This was a proverbial
expression among the Romans. "Salus," "Safety" or "Salvation," was
worshipped as a Goddess at Rome. It is well observed, in Thornton's
translation, that the word "Salus" may, without irreverence, be
translated "Salvation," on no less authority than that of Archbishop
Tillotson. "If," says he, "men will continue in their sins, the
redemption brought by Christ will be of no advantage to them; such as
obstinately persist in an impenitent course," "ipsa si velit Salus,
servare non potest." "Salvation itself cannot save them."]