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701
(Enter MENAECHMUS SOSICLES, with the mantle on.)
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I did very foolishly a while since, in entrusting my purse to Messenio with the money. I suspect he has got himself into some bad house
1
or other.
(Enter the WIFE of Menaechmus of Epidamnus, from the house.)
I did very foolishly a while since, in entrusting my purse to Messenio with the money. I suspect he has got himself into some bad house
1
or other.
(Enter the WIFE of Menaechmus of Epidamnus, from the house.)
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ll look out to see how soon my husband is going to return home.
But here he is; I see him; I’m all right, he’s bringing back the mantle.
705
I’ll look out to see how soon my husband is going to return home.
But here he is; I see him; I’m all right, he’s bringing back the mantle.
705
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
(to himself.)
I wonder where Messenio can be walking now.
I wonder where Messenio can be walking now.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ll go and receive the fellow with such language as he deserves.
(Accosting him.) Are you not ashamed to come forward in my presence, you disgraceful man, in that garb?
I’ll go and receive the fellow with such language as he deserves.
(Accosting him.) Are you not ashamed to come forward in my presence, you disgraceful man, in that garb?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What’s the matter?
What thing is troubling you, woman?
710
What’s the matter?
What thing is troubling you, woman?
710
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you dare, you shameless fellow, to utter even a single word, or to speak to me?
Do you dare, you shameless fellow, to utter even a single word, or to speak to me?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Pray, what wrong have I committed, that I shouldn’t dare to speak to you?
Pray, what wrong have I committed, that I shouldn’t dare to speak to you?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you ask me? O dear, the impudent audacity of the fellow!
Do you ask me? O dear, the impudent audacity of the fellow!
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Don’t you know, madam, for what reason the Greeks used to say that Hecuba was a bitch
2
?
Don’t you know, madam, for what reason the Greeks used to say that Hecuba was a bitch
2
?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I don’t know, indeed.
I don’t know, indeed.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Because Hecuba used to do the same thing that you are now doing. She used to heap all kinds of imprecations on every one she saw; and, therefore, for that reason she was properly begun to be called a bitch.
Because Hecuba used to do the same thing that you are now doing. She used to heap all kinds of imprecations on every one she saw; and, therefore, for that reason she was properly begun to be called a bitch.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I can’t put up with this disgraceful conduct of yours;
for I had rather see my life that of a widow, than endure this vile conduct of yours that you are guilty of.
720
I can’t put up with this disgraceful conduct of yours;
for I had rather see my life that of a widow, than endure this vile conduct of yours that you are guilty of.
720
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What is it to me, whether you are able to endure to live in the married state, or whether you will separate from your husband? Is it thus the fashion here to tell these stories to a stranger on his arrival?
What is it to me, whether you are able to endure to live in the married state, or whether you will separate from your husband? Is it thus the fashion here to tell these stories to a stranger on his arrival?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What stories? I say, I’ll not endure it henceforth, but live separate rather than put up with these ways.
725
What stories? I say, I’ll not endure it henceforth, but live separate rather than put up with these ways.
725
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Troth, so far indeed as I’m concerned, do live separate, even so long as Jupiter shall hold his sway.
Troth, so far indeed as I’m concerned, do live separate, even so long as Jupiter shall hold his sway.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
By heavens, I’ll certainly now send for my father,
and I’ll tell him your disgraceful conduct that you are guilty of. Go, Decio
(calling to a SERVANT), seek for my father, that he may come along with you to me; tell him that occasion has arisen for it. I’ll. now disclose to him this disgraceful conduct of yours.
735
By heavens, I’ll certainly now send for my father,
and I’ll tell him your disgraceful conduct that you are guilty of. Go, Decio
(calling to a SERVANT), seek for my father, that he may come along with you to me; tell him that occasion has arisen for it. I’ll. now disclose to him this disgraceful conduct of yours.
735
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Are you in your senses? What disgraceful conduct of mine?
Are you in your senses? What disgraceful conduct of mine?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
When you filch from home my mantle and gold trinkets,
without the knowledge of your wife, and carry them off to your mistress. Don’t I state this correctly?
740
When you filch from home my mantle and gold trinkets,
without the knowledge of your wife, and carry them off to your mistress. Don’t I state this correctly?
740
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
O dear! madam, by my faith, you are both very bold and very perverse. Do you dare to say
(pointing at the mantle) that this was stolen from you which another woman gave me, for me to get it trimmed?
O dear! madam, by my faith, you are both very bold and very perverse. Do you dare to say
(pointing at the mantle) that this was stolen from you which another woman gave me, for me to get it trimmed?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
A little while since you didn’t deny that you had purloined it from me;
do you now hold up that same before my eyes? Are you not ashamed?
730
A little while since you didn’t deny that you had purloined it from me;
do you now hold up that same before my eyes? Are you not ashamed?
730
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
By my faith, madam, I entreat you, if you know, show me what I’m to drink
3
, by means of which I may put up with your impertinence. What person you are taking me to be, I don’t know;
I know you just as well as Parthaon
4
.
745
By my faith, madam, I entreat you, if you know, show me what I’m to drink
3
, by means of which I may put up with your impertinence. What person you are taking me to be, I don’t know;
I know you just as well as Parthaon
4
.
745
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
If you laugh at me, still, i’ troth, you can’t do so at him; my father, I mean, who’s coming here. Why don’t you look back? Do you know that person?
If you laugh at me, still, i’ troth, you can’t do so at him; my father, I mean, who’s coming here. Why don’t you look back? Do you know that person?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Just as well as Calchas
5
do I know him; I have seen him on that same day on which I have seen yourself before this present day.
Just as well as Calchas
5
do I know him; I have seen him on that same day on which I have seen yourself before this present day.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you deny that you know me? Do you deny that you know my father?
750
Do you deny that you know me? Do you deny that you know my father?
750
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Troth, I shall say the same thing, if you choose to bring your grandfather.
Troth, I shall say the same thing, if you choose to bring your grandfather.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ faith, you do this and other things just in a like fashion.
I’ faith, you do this and other things just in a like fashion.
Menaechmi. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1912.
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