中文导读
《普塞多鲁斯》是普劳图斯本人最得意的作品，首演于公元前 191 年的梅加利安赛会（Megalesian Games）。标题人物普塞多鲁斯（意为"骗子"）是普劳图斯笔下最出色的"聪明奴隶"——一个用自己的智慧和口才打败所有对手的角色。
剧情围绕一次"骗局中的骗局"展开：年轻的卡利多鲁斯（Calidorus）爱上了妓女菲埃尼基乌姆（Phoenicium），但她的鸨母正准备把她卖给一个马其顿军官。卡利多鲁斯求助于奴隶普塞多鲁斯，后者设计了一个天衣无缝的骗局：他伪造了一封来自马其顿军官的信，声称军官的管家要来付款取人，然后让另一个奴隶假扮管家，从鸨母手中骗走了菲埃尼基乌姆。
普塞多鲁斯这个名字本身就是一个宣言——"伪"（pseudo）+"说辞"（logos）——他的武器不是暴力，而是语言。他在剧中几乎是全知全能的：他预判了每个人的反应，编排了每个步骤，把整出戏当作自己的舞台。普劳图斯通过这个角色表达了一种底层智慧：在一个权力结构固化的社会中，弱者唯一的武器就是狡猾。
本文据公版英译全文收录。
Pseudolus
Prologue
The scene is Athens. Calidorus, a young man, is in love
with Phoenicium, a slave-girl owned by the pimp Ballio.
Ballio has sold her to a Macedonian officer,
who has sent a letter and a partial payment.
The officer's servant is coming with the rest of the money
to collect her. Calidorus is desperate—he has no money
to outbid the officer. His only hope is his slave, Pseudolus.
Act I
Calidorus shows Pseudolus a letter from Phoenicium,
begging him to save her. Pseudolus reads the letter
and laughs.
PSEUDOLUS: What beautiful handwriting! The letters
are all tangled up, like ivy growing on a tree.
I can barely read them—but I understand the message:
she loves you, and she is about to be carried off by a Macedonian.
And you have no money. Well, my boy—this calls for cunning.
CALIDORUS: But what can we do? Ballio will not listen to reason.
PSEUDOLUS: Reason? Who said anything about reason?
We will use fraud, deception, trickery—
the tools of the trade. Leave it to me.
By this day's end, I shall have your girl for you—
or else my name is not Pseudolus.
Act II
Pseudolus encounters the pimp Ballio in the street.
Ballio is preparing for his birthday celebration
and is ordering his slaves about.
BALLIO: Get the house cleaned! Prepare the feast!
I want everything perfect for my guests!
And you, Pseudolus—what do you want?
PSEUDOLUS: Nothing, nothing. I was just passing by.
But tell me—is it true that you have sold Phoenicium?
BALLIO: Yes, and for a good price. A Macedonian officer
has paid me twenty minae. His servant is coming today
with the rest of the money. After that, she is gone.
PSEUDOLUS (aside): So the servant is coming today.
That is useful information. I must intercept him
before he reaches Ballio.
Act III
Pseudolus recruits Simia, a quick-witted slave,
to impersonate the Macedonian officer's servant.
He gives Simia a forged letter—supposedly from the officer—
and briefs him on what to say.
PSEUDOLUS: Here is what you must do. Go to Ballio.
Tell him you are Harpax, the servant of the Macedonian officer.
Show him this letter, which I have forged.
Give him the balance of the money—wait, we have no money.
Never mind—just show him the letter and take the girl.
By the time he realizes he has been cheated,
we will be long gone.
SIMIA: But what if he asks for the money?
PSEUDOLUS: Improvise! You are a clever fellow—
think of something. That is what I pay you for.
Well, I do not pay you—but you know what I mean.
Act IV
Simia, dressed as Harpax, goes to Ballio's house
and presents the forged letter. Ballio is fooled.
SIMIA: I am Harpax, servant of Polymachaeroplagides
(who gave the officer this absurdly long name).
My master sends his greetings, and this letter,
and he asks you to release the girl to me.
BALLIO: Let me see the letter. Yes—this is his seal.
Very well. Here is the girl. Take her, and give my regards
to your master.
SIMIA: I will. Farewell!
Ballio hands over Phoenicium. Simia leads her away
to where Calidorus is waiting.
Act V
The real Harpax arrives. Ballio is confused,
then horrified—two Harpaxes? He realizes he has been cheated.
HARPAX: I am Harpax, servant of the Macedonian officer.
I have come to collect the girl.
BALLIO: But I already gave her to another Harpax—
this morning! He had a letter from your master!
HARPAX: I am the only Harpax. There is no other.
You have been swindled, Ballio.
BALLIO: That slave Pseudolus! He has ruined me!
Pseudolus enters, triumphant.
PSEUDOLUS: Did I not promise you, Calidorus?
By this day's end, I would have your girl for you.
And here she is. You are welcome.