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182
(Enter EROTIUM, from her house.)
EROTIUM
My life, Menaechmus, save you.
My life, Menaechmus, save you.
PENICULUS
And what for me?
And what for me?
EROTIUM
You are out of my number.
You are out of my number.
PENICULUS
that same thing is wont to be done for the other supernumeraries
1
of the legion.
that same thing is wont to be done for the other supernumeraries
1
of the legion.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I would order a skirmish to be got ready there at your house for me to-day.
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I would order a skirmish to be got ready there at your house for me to-day.
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EROTIUM
To-day it shall be done.
To-day it shall be done.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
In that skirmish we two shall drink. Him shall you choose that shall be found there the better warrior with the goblet; do you make up your mind with which of the two you’ll pass this night. How much, my love, when I look upon you, do I hate my wife.
In that skirmish we two shall drink. Him shall you choose that shall be found there the better warrior with the goblet; do you make up your mind with which of the two you’ll pass this night. How much, my love, when I look upon you, do I hate my wife.
EROTIUM
Meantime, however, you cannot help being wrapped in something of hers. What’s this?
190
(Takes hold of the mantle.)
Meantime, however, you cannot help being wrapped in something of hers. What’s this?
190
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
(taking it off.)
’Tis a new dress for you, and a spoil from
2
my wife, my rosebud.
’Tis a new dress for you, and a spoil from
2
my wife, my rosebud.
EROTIUM
You have a ready way of prevailing, so as to be superior in my eyes to any one of those that pay me suit.
(Embraces him.)
You have a ready way of prevailing, so as to be superior in my eyes to any one of those that pay me suit.
PENICULUS
(aside.)
The harlot’s coaxing in the meantime, while she’s looking out what to plunder
(to EROTIUM) for if you really loved him, by this his nose ought to have been off with your teething him.
3
.
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The harlot’s coaxing in the meantime, while she’s looking out what to plunder
(to EROTIUM) for if you really loved him, by this his nose ought to have been off with your teething him.
3
.
194195
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Take hold of this, Peniculus: I wish to dedicate the spoil that I’ve vowed.
Take hold of this, Peniculus: I wish to dedicate the spoil that I’ve vowed.
PENICULUS
Give it me.
(Holds it while MENAECHMUS puts it on.) But, i’ faith, prithee, do dance afterwards with the mantle on in this way.
Give it me.
(Holds it while MENAECHMUS puts it on.) But, i’ faith, prithee, do dance afterwards with the mantle on in this way.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I—dance? I’ faith, you’re not in your senses.
I—dance? I’ faith, you’re not in your senses.
PENICULUS
Are you or I the most? If you won’t dance, then take it off.
Are you or I the most? If you won’t dance, then take it off.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
(to EROTIUM.)
At a great risk have I
stolen this to-day. In my opinion, indeed, Hercules didn’t ever carry off the belt from Hippolyta
4
with danger as great. Take this for yourself
(he takes it off, and gives her the mantle), since you are the only one alive that’s compliant with my humours.
200
At a great risk have I
stolen this to-day. In my opinion, indeed, Hercules didn’t ever carry off the belt from Hippolyta
4
with danger as great. Take this for yourself
(he takes it off, and gives her the mantle), since you are the only one alive that’s compliant with my humours.
200
EROTIUM
With such feelings ’tis proper that real lovers should be animated.
With such feelings ’tis proper that real lovers should be animated.
PENICULUS
(aside.)
Those, indeed, who are making haste to bring themselves down to beggary.
Those, indeed, who are making haste to bring themselves down to beggary.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I purchased that for my wife a year since at the price of four minae.
205
I purchased that for my wife a year since at the price of four minae.
205
PENICULUS
(aside.)
The four minae are clearly gone for ever, as the account now stands.
The four minae are clearly gone for ever, as the account now stands.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you know what I wish you to attend to?
Do you know what I wish you to attend to?
EROTIUM
I don’t know; but I’ll attend to whatever you do wish.
I don’t know; but I’ll attend to whatever you do wish.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Order a breakfast, then, to be provided for us three at your house, and some dainties to be purchased at the market;
kernels of boars’ neck, or bacon off the gammon
5
, or pig’s head, or something in that way, which, when cooked and placed on table before me, may promote an appetite like a kite’s: and-forthwith—
210
Order a breakfast, then, to be provided for us three at your house, and some dainties to be purchased at the market;
kernels of boars’ neck, or bacon off the gammon
5
, or pig’s head, or something in that way, which, when cooked and placed on table before me, may promote an appetite like a kite’s: and-forthwith—
210
EROTIUM
I’ faith, I will.
I’ faith, I will.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
We’re going to the Forum: we shall be here just now. While it’s cooking, we’ll take a whet in the meantime.
We’re going to the Forum: we shall be here just now. While it’s cooking, we’ll take a whet in the meantime.
EROTIUM
Come when you like, the things shall be ready.
215
Come when you like, the things shall be ready.
215
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Only make haste, then. Do you follow me
(to PENICULUS.)
Only make haste, then. Do you follow me
PENICULUS
By my troth, I certainly shall keep an eye on you, and follow you. I wouldn’t take the wealth of the Gods to lose you this day.
(Exeunt MENAECHMUS and PENICULUS.)
By my troth, I certainly shall keep an eye on you, and follow you. I wouldn’t take the wealth of the Gods to lose you this day.
EROTIUM
(speaking at the door of her house.)
Call Cylindrus, the cook, out of doors this moment from within.
Call Cylindrus, the cook, out of doors this moment from within.
Menaechmi. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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