‘Wisdom of Rabbi Ben Loew,’ comedy in four acts. Prague during the reign of Rudolph II.
Let us look into the texture of this many colored tapestry. Let us examine the workmanship in particular of one of his Roman plays, and follow it with a translation of a practical stage piece—a popular one-act Bohemian play of situation.
THE VENGEANCE OF CATULLUS
Written in 1887. Action takes place in Rome, in the year 60 B. C.
Persistrates, a Syrian slave dealer arrived in Rome with Acme, a beautiful Greek slave. While he was taking her through the forum in order to deliver her to her new master, Consul Quintus Cecilius Metellus, the Syrian stopped to hear the exhortation of a demagogue. Acme took advantage of the preoccupied mind of the rustic and slipped away from him. He raised a hue and cry, a mob gathered and they pursued the beautiful slave. She ran into the house of the poet, Gaius Valerius Catullus. The slaves of Catulllus woke up and prevented Persistrates from entering. The combat brought the poet to the door, and he, finding the girl exceedingly pretty, and upon ascertaining the name of her new master, offers her his protection. He orders his slaves to eject Persistrates, who swears that Metellus shall avenge the wrong.
Persistrates.— The mighty Metellus will avenge me. He paid well for this slave, and she is his. I’ll go, but you will pay dearly for this, you obstinate Roman—and that miserable slave also.
Catullus.—Not another offending word against her—she is my guest. (To his slaves.) Get me rid of him, and if he does not go, throw him out into the street.
Persistrates (partly on the threshold and partly behind scene).—This is a den of robbers—but I’ll teach you—slave thief! I know well why you will not give her up—you leach, you want a beautiful slave for nothing, beggarly Romans—you are all
