T. Maccius Plautus, Menaechmi, ed. Friedrich Leo, 5.9

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1060

Menaechmvs

Si vóltis per oculos iurare, nihilo hercle ea causa magis
1060

faciétis, ut ego hódie abstulerim pallam et spinter, pessumae.

Messenio

Pro di ímmortales, quid ego video?

Sosicles

Quid vides?

Messenio

Speculum tuom.

Sosicles

Quid negoti est?

Messenio

Tuast imago. tam consimilest quam potest.

Sosicles

Pol profecto haud est dissimilis, meam quom formam noscito.

Menaechmvs

O adulescens, salve, qui me servavisti, quisquis es.
1065

Messenio

Adulescens, quaeso hercle eloquere tuom mihi nomen, nisi piget.

Menaechmvs

Non edepol ita promeruisti de me, ut pigeat, quae velis

obsequi. mihi est Menaechmo nomen.

Sosicles

Immo edepol mihi.

Menaechmvs

Siculus sum Syracusanus.

Sosicles

Eadem urbs et patria est mihi.

Menaechmvs

Quid ego ex te audio?
1070

Sosicles

Hoc quod res est.

Messenio

Novi equidem hunc: erus est meus.

ego quidem huius servos sum, sed med esse huius credidi.

ego hunc censebam te esse, huic etiam éxhibui negotium.

quaeso ignoscas, si quid stulte dixi atque imprudens tibi.

Sosicles

Delirare mihi videre: non commeministi, simul

te hodie mecum exire ex navi?
1075

Messenio

Enim vero aequom postulas.

tú erus es: tu servom quaere. tu salveto: tu vale.

hunc ego esse aio Menaechmum.

Menaechmvs

At ego me.

Sosicles

Quae haec fabulast?

tú es Menaechmus?

Menaechmvs

Me esse dico, Moscho prognatum patre.

Sosicles

Tun meo patre es prognatus?

Menaechmvs

Immo equidem, adulescens, meo;

tuom tibi neque occupare neque praeripere postulo.
1080

Messenio

Di immortales, spem insperatam date mihi quam suspicor.

nam nisi me animus fallit, hi sunt gemini germani duo.

nam et patriam et patrem conmemorant pariter qui fuerint sibi.

sevocabo erum. Menaechme.

Menaechmvs Sosicles

Quid vis?

Messenio

Non ambos volo,

sed uter vostrorum est advectus mecum navi.
1085

Menaechmvs

Non ego.

Sosicles

At ego.

Messenio

Te volo igitur. huc concede.

Sosicles

Concessi. quid est?

Messenio

Illic homó aut sycophanta aut geminus est frater tuos.

nam ego hominem hominis similiorem numquam vidi álterum.

neque aqua aquae nec lacte est lactis, crede mi, usquam similius,

quam hic tui est, tuque huius autem; post eandem patriam ac patrem
1090

memorat. meliust nos adire átque hunc percontarier.

Sosicles

Hercle qui tu me admonuisti recte, et habeo gratiam.

perge operam dare, obsecro hercle; liber esto, si invenis

hunc meum fratrem esse.

Messenio

Spero.

Sosicles

Et ego item spero fore.

Messenio

Quid ais tu? Menaechmum, opinor, te vocari dixeras.
1095

Menaechmvs

Ita vero.

Messenio

Huic item Menaechmo nomen est. in Sicilia

te Syracusis natum esse dixti: et hic natust ibi.

Moschum tibi patrem fuisse dixti: huic itidem fuit.

nunc operam potestis ambo mihi dare et vobis simul.

Menaechmvs

Promeruisti ut ne quid ores quod velis, quin impetres.
1100

tam quasi me emeris argento, liber servibo tibi.

Messenio

Spes mihi est, vos inventurum fratres germanos duos

geminos, una matre natos et patre uno uno die.

Menaechmvs

Mira memoras. utinam efficere quod pollicitu's pollicitus es possies.

Messenio

Possum. sed nunc agite uterque id quod rogabo dicite.
1105

Menaechmvs

Vbi lubet, roga: réspondebo. nil reticebo quod sciam.

Messenio

Est tibi nomen Menaechmo?

Menaechmvs

Fateor.

Messenio

Est itidem tibi?

Sosicles

Est.

Messenio

Patrem fuisse Moschum tibi ais?

Menaechmvs

Ita vero.

Sosicles

Et mihi.

Messenio

Esne tu Syracusanus?

Menaechmvs

Certo.

Messenio

Quid tu?

Sosicles

Quippini?

Messenio

Optime usque adhuc conveniunt signa. porro operam date.
1110

quid longissime meministi, dic mihi, in patria tua?

Menaechmvs

Cum patre ut abii Tarentum ád mercatum, postea

inter homines me deerrare á patre atque inde avehi.

Sosicles

Iuppiter supreme, serva me.

Messenio

Quid clamas? quin taces?

quot eras annos gnatus, quom te pater a patria ávehit?
1115

Menaechmvs

Septuennis: nam tunc dentes mihi cadebant primulum.

neque patrém umquam postilla vidi.

Messenio

Quid? vos tum patri

filii quot eratis?

Menaechmvs

Vt nunc maxime memini, duo.

Messenio

Vter eratis, tun an ille, maior?

Menaechmvs

Aeque ambo pares.

Messenio

Qui id potest?
1120

Menaechmvs

Gemini ambo eramus.

Sosicles

Di me servatum volunt.

Messenio

Si interpellas, ego tacebo potius.

Sosicles

Taceo.

Messenio

Dic mihi:

uno nomine ambo eratis?

Menaechmvs

Minime. nam mihi hoc erat,

quod nunc est, Menaechmo: íllum tum vocabant Sosiclem.

Sosicles

Signa adgnovi, contineri quin complectar non queo.

mi germane gemine frater, salve. ego sum Sosicles.
1125

Menaechmvs

Quo modo igitur post Menaechmo nomen est factum tibi?

Sosicles

Postquam ad nos renuntiatum est te et patrem esse mortuom,

avos noster mutavit: quod tibi nomen est, fecit mihi.

Menaechmvs

Credo ita esse factum ut dicis. sed mi hoc responde.
11291130

Sosicles

Roga.

Menaechmvs

Quid erat nomen nostrae matri?

Sosicles

Teuximarchae.

Menaechmvs

Convenit.

o salve, insperate multis annis post quem conspicor.

Sosicles

Frater, et tu, quém ego multis miseriis laboribus

usque adhuc quaesivi quemque ego esse inventum gaudeo.

Messenio

Hoc erat, quod haec te meretrix huius vocabat nomine:
1135

hunc censebat te esse, credo, quom vocat te ad prandium.

Menaechmvs

Namque edepol iussi hic mihi hodie prandium appararier,

clam meam uxorem, quoi pallam surrupui dudum domo,

eam dedi huic.

Sosicles

Hanc, dicis, frater, pallam, quam ego habeo?

Menaechmvs

Haec east.

quo modo haec ad te pervenit?
1140

Sosicles

Meretrix huc ad prandium

me abduxit, me sibi dedisse aiebat. prandi perbene,
11411145

potavi atque accubui scortum, pallam et aurum hoc abstuli.

Menaechmvs

Gaudeo edepol, si quid propter me tibi evenit boni.

nam illa quom te ad se vocabat, memet esse credidit.

Messenio

Numquid me morare quin ego liber, ut iusti, siem?

Menaechmvs

Optimum atque aequissimum orat, frater: fac causa mea.

Sosicles

Liber esto.

Menaechmvs

Quom tu es liber, gaudeo, Messenio.

Messenio

Sed meliorest opus auspicio, ut liber perpetuo siem.
11491150

Sosicles

Quoniam haec evenerunt, frater, nostra éx sententia,

in patriam redeamus ambo.

Menaechmvs

Frater, faciam, ut tu voles.

auctionem hic faciam et vendam quidquid est. nunc interim

eamus intro, frater.

Sosicles

Fiat.

Messenio

Scitin quid ego vos rogo?

Menaechmvs

Quid?
1155

Messenio

Praeconium mi ut detis.

Menaechmvs

Dabitur.

Messenio

Ergo nunciam

vis conclamari auctionem fore?

Menaechmvs

Equidem die septimi.

Messenio

Auctio fiet Menaechmi mane sane septimi.

venibunt servi, supellex, fundi, aedes, omnia.

venibunt quiqui licebunt, praesenti pecunia.

venibit uxor quoque etiam, si quis emptor venerit.
1160

vix credo tota auctione capiet † quinquagesies.

nunc, spectatores, valete et nobis clare plaudite.

Menaechmi. T. Maccius Plautus. ed. Friedrich Leo. Berlin. 1895.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

Menaechmi (Latin) (Plautus. Plauti Comoediae, Volume 1. Leo, Friedrich, editor. Berlin: Weidmann, 1895.)

Translations (1)

Menaechmi, or The Twin Brothers Perseus (Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, Henry Thomas, translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.) — 5.9 focus

1060 (Enter MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, from EROTIUM’s house.)

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

(at the door, to EROTIUM within.)

If you are ready to swear by your eyes, by my troth, not a bit the more for that reason, most vile woman, will you make it that I took away the mantle and the bracelet to-day.
1060

MESSENIO

Immortal Gods, what do I see?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

What do you see?

MESSENIO

Your resemblance in a mirror.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

What’s the matter?

MESSENIO

’Tis your image; ’tis as like as possible.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

(catching sight of the other.)

Troth, it really is not unlike, so far as I know my own form.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

(to MESSENIO.)

O young man, save you, you who preserved me, whoever you are.
1065

MESSENIO

By my troth, young man, prithee, tell me your name, unless it’s disagreable.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I’ faith, you’ve not so deserved of me, that it should be disagreable for me to tell what you wish. My name is Menaechmus.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Why, by my troth, so is mine.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I am a Sicilian, of Syracuse .

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Troth, the same is my native country.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

What is it that I hear of you?
1070

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

That which is the fact.

MESSENIO
(To MENAECHMUS SOSICLES, by mistake.)

I know this person myself (pointing to the other MENAECHMUS); he is my master, I really am his servant; but I did think I belonged to this other. (To MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, by mistake.) I took him to be you; to him, too, did I give some trouble. (To his master.) Pray, pardon me if I have said aught foolishly or unadvisedly to you.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

You seem to me to be mad. Don’t you remember that together with me you disembarked from board ship to-day?

MESSENIO

Why, really, you say what’s right—you are my master; (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) do you look out for a servant. (To his master.) To you my greetings (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) to you, farewell. This, I say, is Menaechmus.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

But I say I am.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

What story’s this? Are you Menaechmus?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I say that I’m the son of Moschus, who was my father.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Are you the son of my father?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Aye, I really am, young man, of my own father.

I don’t want to claim your father, nor to take possession of him from you.
1080

MESSENIO

Immortal Gods, what unhoped-for hope do you bestow on me, as I suspect. For unless my mind misleads me, these are the two twin-brothers; for they mention alike their native country and their father. I’ll call my master aside—Menaechmus.

BOTH OF THE MENAECHMI.

What do you want?

MESSENIO

I don’t want you both.

But which of you was brought here in the ship with me?
1085

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Not I.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

But ’twas I.

MESSENIO

You, then, I want. Step this way.

(They go aside.)

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

I’ve stepped aside now. What’s the matter?

MESSENIO

This man is either an impostor, or he is your twin-brother. But I never beheld one person more like another person. Neither water, believe me, is ever more like to water nor milk to milk,

than he is to you, and you likewise to him; besides, he speaks of the same native country and father. ’Tis better for us to accost him and make further enquiries of him.
1090

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

I’ faith, but you’ve given me good advice, and I return you thanks. Troth, now, prithee, do continue to lend me your assistance. If you discover that this is my brother, be you a free man.

MESSENIO

I hope I shall.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

I too hope that it will be so.

MESSENIO

(to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.)

How say you? I think you said that you are called Menaechmus?
1095

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I did so indeed.

MESSENIO

(pointing to his master.)

His name, too, is Menaechmus. You said that you were born at Syracuse , in Sicily ; he was born there. You said that Moschus was your father; he was his as well. Now both of you can be giving help to me and to yourselves at the same time.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

You have deserved that you should beg nothing but what you should obtain that which you desire. Free as I am, I’ll serve you as though you. had bought me for money.
1100

MESSENIO

I have a hope that I shall find that you two are twin-born brothers, born of one mother and of one father on the same day.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

You mention wondrous things. I wish that you could effect what you’ve promised.

MESSENIO

I can. But attend now, both of you, and tell me that which I shall ask.
1105

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Ask as you please, I’ll answer you. I’ll not conceal anything that I know.

MESSENIO

Isn’t your name Menaechmus?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I own it.

MESSENIO

Isn’t it yours as well?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

It is.

MESSENIO

Do you say that Moschus was your father?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Truly, I do say so.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

And mine as well.

MESSENIO

Are you of Syracuse ?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Certainly.

MESSENIO

And you?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Why not the same?

MESSENIO

Hitherto the marks agree perfectly well. Still lend me your attention. (To MENAECHMUS.) Tell me, what do you remember at the greatest distance of time in your native country?
1110

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

When I went with my father to Tarentum to traffic; and afterwards how I strayed away from my father among the people, and was carried away thence.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Supreme Jupiter, preserve me!

MESSENIO

(to MENAECHMUS SOSICLES.)

Why do you exclaim? Why don’t you hold your peace?

(To MENAECHMUS.) How many years old were you when your father took you from your native country?
1115

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Seven years old; for just then my teeth were changing for the first time. And never since then have I seen my father.

MESSENIO

Well, how many sons of you had your father then?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

As far as I now remember, two.

MESSENIO

Which of the two was the older—you or the other?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Both were just alike in age.

MESSENIO

How can that be?
1120

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

We two were twins.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

The Gods wish to bless me.

MESSENIO

(to MENAECHMUS SOSICLES.)

If you interrupt, I shall hold my tongue.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Rather than that, I’ll hold my tongue.

MESSENIO

Tell me, were you both of the same name?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

By no means; for my name was what it is now Menaechmus; the other they then used to call Sosicles.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

(embracing his brother.)

I recognize the proofs, I cannot refrain from embracing him.

My own twin-brother, blessings on you; I am Sosicles.
1125

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

How then was the name of Menaechmus afterwards given to you?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

After word was brought to us that you and that my father was dead, my grandfather changed it; the name that was yours he gave to me.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I believe that it did so happen as you say. But answer me this.
11291130

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Ask it of me.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

What was the name of our mother?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Teuximarcha.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

That quite agrees. (He again embraces him.) O welcome, unhoped-for brother, whom after many years I now behold.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

And you, whom with many and anxious labours I have ever been seeking up to this time, and whom I rejoice at being found.

MESSENIO

(to his master.)

It was for this reason that this Courtesan called you by his name; she thought that you were he, I suppose, when she invited you to breakfast.
1135

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Why, faith, to-day I ordered a breakfast to be got ready here (pointing to EROTIUM’S house) for me, unknown to my wife; a mantle which a short time since I filched from home, to her I gave it.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Do you say, brother, that this is the mantle which I’m wearing?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

How did this come to you?

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

The Courtesan who took me here (pointing to EROTIUM’S house) to breakfast, said that I had given it to her. I breakfasted very pleasantly; I drank and entertained myself with my mistress; she gave me the mantle and this golden trinket.

(Showing the bracelet.)

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I’ faith, I’m glad if any luck has befallen you on my account; for when she invited you to her house, she supposed it to be me.

MESSENIO

Do you make any objection that I should be free as you commanded?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

He asks, brother, what’s very fair and very just. Do it for my sake.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

(touching MESSENIO’S shoulder.)

Be thou a free man.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

I am glad, Messenio, that you are free.

MESSENIO

Why, better auspices¹ were required that I should be free for life.
11491150

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Since these matters, brother, have turned out to our wishes, let us both return to our native land.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

Brother, I’ll do as you wish. I’ll have an auction here, and sell whatever I have. In the meantime, brother, let’s now go in-doors.

MENAECHMUS SOSICLES

Be it so.

MESSENIO

Do you know what I ask of you?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

What?
1155

MESSENIO

To give me the place of auctioneer.

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

It shall be given you.

MESSENIO

Would you like the auction, then, to be proclaimed at once? For what day?

MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.

On the seventh day hence.

MESSENIO

(coming forward, and speaking in a loud voice.)

An auction of the property of Menaechmus will certainly take place on the morning of the seventh day hence. His slaves, furniture, house, and farms, will be sold. All will go for whatever they’ll fetch at ready money prices.

His wife, too, will be sold as well, if any purchaser shall come. I think that by the entire sale Menaechmus will hardly get fifty hundred thousand² sesterces. (To the SPECTATORS.) Now, Spectators, fare you well, and give us loud applause³.
1160

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Menaechmvs Si vóltis per oculos iurare, nihilo hercle ea causa magis 1060 faciétis, ut ego hódie abstulerim pallam et spinter, pessumae.

Messenio Pro di ímmortales, quid ego video?

Sosicles Quid vides?

Messenio Speculum tuom.

Sosicles Quid negoti est?

Messenio Tuast imago. tam consimilest quam potest.

Sosicles Pol profecto haud est dissimilis, meam quom formam noscito.

Menaechmvs O adulescens, salve, qui me servavisti, quisquis es. 1065

Messenio Adulescens, quaeso hercle eloquere tuom mihi nomen, nisi piget.

Menaechmvs Non edepol ita promeruisti de me, ut pigeat, quae velis obsequi. mihi est Menaechmo nomen.

Sosicles Immo edepol mihi.

Menaechmvs Siculus sum Syracusanus.

Sosicles Eadem urbs et patria est mihi.

Menaechmvs Quid ego ex te audio? 1070

Sosicles Hoc quod res est.

Messenio Novi equidem hunc: erus est meus. ego quidem huius servos sum, sed med esse huius credidi. ego hunc censebam te esse, huic etiam éxhibui negotium. quaeso ignoscas, si quid stulte dixi atque imprudens tibi.

Sosicles Delirare mihi videre: non commeministi, simul te hodie mecum exire ex navi? 1075

Messenio Enim vero aequom postulas. tú erus es: tu servom quaere. tu salveto: tu vale. hunc ego esse aio Menaechmum.

Menaechmvs At ego me.

Sosicles Quae haec fabulast? tú es Menaechmus?

Menaechmvs Me esse dico, Moscho prognatum patre.

Sosicles Tun meo patre es prognatus?

Menaechmvs Immo equidem, adulescens, meo; tuom tibi neque occupare neque praeripere postulo. 1080

Messenio Di immortales, spem insperatam date mihi quam suspicor. nam nisi me animus fallit, hi sunt gemini germani duo. nam et patriam et patrem conmemorant pariter qui fuerint sibi. sevocabo erum. Menaechme.

Menaechmvs Sosicles Quid vis?

Messenio Non ambos volo, sed uter vostrorum est advectus mecum navi. 1085

Menaechmvs Non ego.

Sosicles At ego.

Messenio Te volo igitur. huc concede.

Sosicles Concessi. quid est?

Sosicles Hercle qui tu me admonuisti recte, et habeo gratiam. perge operam dare, obsecro hercle; liber esto, si invenis hunc meum fratrem esse.

Messenio Spero.

Sosicles Et ego item spero fore.

Messenio Quid ais tu? Menaechmum, opinor, te vocari dixeras. 1095

Menaechmvs Ita vero.

Messenio Huic item Menaechmo nomen est. in Sicilia te Syracusis natum esse dixti: et hic natust ibi. Moschum tibi patrem fuisse dixti: huic itidem fuit. nunc operam potestis ambo mihi dare et vobis simul.

Menaechmvs Promeruisti ut ne quid ores quod velis, quin impetres. 1100 tam quasi me emeris argento, liber servibo tibi.

Messenio Spes mihi est, vos inventurum fratres germanos duos geminos, una matre natos et patre uno uno die.

Menaechmvs Mira memoras. utinam efficere quod pollicitu's pollicitus es possies.

Messenio Possum. sed nunc agite uterque id quod rogabo dicite. 1105

Menaechmvs Vbi lubet, roga: réspondebo. nil reticebo quod sciam.

Messenio Est tibi nomen Menaechmo?

Menaechmvs Fateor.

Messenio Est itidem tibi?

Sosicles Est.

Messenio Patrem fuisse Moschum tibi ais?

Menaechmvs Ita vero.

Sosicles Et mihi.

Messenio Esne tu Syracusanus?

Menaechmvs Certo.

Messenio Quid tu?

Sosicles Quippini?

Messenio Optime usque adhuc conveniunt signa. porro operam date. 1110 quid longissime meministi, dic mihi, in patria tua?

Menaechmvs Cum patre ut abii Tarentum ád mercatum, postea inter homines me deerrare á patre atque inde avehi.

Sosicles Iuppiter supreme, serva me.

Messenio Quid clamas? quin taces? quot eras annos gnatus, quom te pater a patria ávehit? 1115

Menaechmvs Septuennis: nam tunc dentes mihi cadebant primulum. neque patrém umquam postilla vidi.

Messenio Quid? vos tum patri filii quot eratis?

Menaechmvs Vt nunc maxime memini, duo.

Messenio Vter eratis, tun an ille, maior?

Menaechmvs Aeque ambo pares.

Messenio Qui id potest? 1120

Menaechmvs Gemini ambo eramus.

Sosicles Di me servatum volunt.

Messenio Si interpellas, ego tacebo potius.

Sosicles Taceo.

Messenio Dic mihi: uno nomine ambo eratis?

Menaechmvs Minime. nam mihi hoc erat, quod nunc est, Menaechmo: íllum tum vocabant Sosiclem.

Sosicles Signa adgnovi, contineri quin complectar non queo. mi germane gemine frater, salve. ego sum Sosicles. 1125

Menaechmvs Quo modo igitur post Menaechmo nomen est factum tibi?

Sosicles Postquam ad nos renuntiatum est te et patrem esse mortuom, avos noster mutavit: quod tibi nomen est, fecit mihi.

Menaechmvs Credo ita esse factum ut dicis. sed mi hoc responde. 11291130

Sosicles Roga.

Menaechmvs Quid erat nomen nostrae matri?

Sosicles Teuximarchae.

Menaechmvs Convenit. o salve, insperate multis annis post quem conspicor.

Sosicles Frater, et tu, quém ego multis miseriis laboribus usque adhuc quaesivi quemque ego esse inventum gaudeo.

Messenio Hoc erat, quod haec te meretrix huius vocabat nomine: 1135 hunc censebat te esse, credo, quom vocat te ad prandium.

Menaechmvs

Si vóltis per oculos iurare, nihilo hercle ea causa magis
1060

faciétis, ut ego hódie abstulerim pallam et spinter, pessumae.

Messenio

Pro di ímmortales, quid ego video?

Sosicles

Quid vides?

Messenio

Speculum tuom.

Sosicles

Quid negoti est?

Messenio

Tuast imago. tam consimilest quam potest.

Sosicles

Pol profecto haud est dissimilis, meam quom formam noscito.

Menaechmvs

O adulescens, salve, qui me servavisti, quisquis es.
1065

Messenio

Adulescens, quaeso hercle eloquere tuom mihi nomen, nisi piget.

Menaechmvs

Non edepol ita promeruisti de me, ut pigeat, quae velis

obsequi. mihi est Menaechmo nomen.

Sosicles

Immo edepol mihi.

Menaechmvs

Siculus sum Syracusanus.

Sosicles

Eadem urbs et patria est mihi.

Menaechmvs

Quid ego ex te audio?
1070

Sosicles

Hoc quod res est.

Messenio

Novi equidem hunc: erus est meus.

ego quidem huius servos sum, sed med esse huius credidi.

ego hunc censebam te esse, huic etiam éxhibui negotium.

quaeso ignoscas, si quid stulte dixi atque imprudens tibi.

Sosicles

Delirare mihi videre: non commeministi, simul

te hodie mecum exire ex navi?
1075

Messenio

Enim vero aequom postulas.

tú erus es: tu servom quaere. tu salveto: tu vale.

hunc ego esse aio Menaechmum.

Menaechmvs

At ego me.

Sosicles

Quae haec fabulast?

tú es Menaechmus?

Menaechmvs

Me esse dico, Moscho prognatum patre.

Sosicles

Tun meo patre es prognatus?

Menaechmvs

Immo equidem, adulescens, meo;

tuom tibi neque occupare neque praeripere postulo.
1080

Messenio

Di immortales, spem insperatam date mihi quam suspicor.

nam nisi me animus fallit, hi sunt gemini germani duo.

nam et patriam et patrem conmemorant pariter qui fuerint sibi.

sevocabo erum. Menaechme.

Menaechmvs Sosicles

Quid vis?

Messenio

Non ambos volo,

sed uter vostrorum est advectus mecum navi.
1085

Menaechmvs

Non ego.

Sosicles

At ego.

Messenio

Te volo igitur. huc concede.

Sosicles

Concessi. quid est?

Sosicles

Hercle qui tu me admonuisti recte, et habeo gratiam.

perge operam dare, obsecro hercle; liber esto, si invenis

hunc meum fratrem esse.

Messenio

Spero.

Sosicles

Et ego item spero fore.

Messenio

Quid ais tu? Menaechmum, opinor, te vocari dixeras.
1095

Menaechmvs

Ita vero.

Messenio

Huic item Menaechmo nomen est. in Sicilia

te Syracusis natum esse dixti: et hic natust ibi.

Moschum tibi patrem fuisse dixti: huic itidem fuit.

nunc operam potestis ambo mihi dare et vobis simul.

Menaechmvs

Promeruisti ut ne quid ores quod velis, quin impetres.
1100

tam quasi me emeris argento, liber servibo tibi.

Messenio

Spes mihi est, vos inventurum fratres germanos duos

geminos, una matre natos et patre uno uno die.

Menaechmvs

Mira memoras. utinam efficere quod pollicitu's pollicitus es possies.

Messenio

Possum. sed nunc agite uterque id quod rogabo dicite.
1105

Menaechmvs

Vbi lubet, roga: réspondebo. nil reticebo quod sciam.

Messenio

Est tibi nomen Menaechmo?

Menaechmvs

Fateor.

Messenio

Est itidem tibi?

Sosicles

Est.

Messenio

Patrem fuisse Moschum tibi ais?

Menaechmvs

Ita vero.

Sosicles

Et mihi.

Messenio

Esne tu Syracusanus?

Menaechmvs

Certo.

Messenio

Quid tu?

Sosicles

Quippini?

Messenio

Optime usque adhuc conveniunt signa. porro operam date.
1110

quid longissime meministi, dic mihi, in patria tua?

Menaechmvs

Cum patre ut abii Tarentum ád mercatum, postea

inter homines me deerrare á patre atque inde avehi.

Sosicles

Iuppiter supreme, serva me.

Messenio

Quid clamas? quin taces?

quot eras annos gnatus, quom te pater a patria ávehit?
1115

Menaechmvs

Septuennis: nam tunc dentes mihi cadebant primulum.

neque patrém umquam postilla vidi.

Messenio

Quid? vos tum patri

filii quot eratis?

Menaechmvs

Vt nunc maxime memini, duo.

Messenio

Vter eratis, tun an ille, maior?

Menaechmvs

Aeque ambo pares.

Messenio

Qui id potest?
1120

Menaechmvs

Gemini ambo eramus.

Sosicles

Di me servatum volunt.

Messenio

Si interpellas, ego tacebo potius.

Sosicles

Taceo.

Messenio

Dic mihi:

uno nomine ambo eratis?

Menaechmvs

Minime. nam mihi hoc erat,

quod nunc est, Menaechmo: íllum tum vocabant Sosiclem.

Sosicles

Signa adgnovi, contineri quin complectar non queo.

mi germane gemine frater, salve. ego sum Sosicles.
1125

Menaechmvs

Quo modo igitur post Menaechmo nomen est factum tibi?

Sosicles

Postquam ad nos renuntiatum est te et patrem esse mortuom,

avos noster mutavit: quod tibi nomen est, fecit mihi.

Menaechmvs

Credo ita esse factum ut dicis. sed mi hoc responde.
11291130

Sosicles

Roga.

Menaechmvs

Quid erat nomen nostrae matri?

Sosicles

Teuximarchae.

Menaechmvs

Convenit.

o salve, insperate multis annis post quem conspicor.

Sosicles

Frater, et tu, quém ego multis miseriis laboribus

usque adhuc quaesivi quemque ego esse inventum gaudeo.

Messenio

Hoc erat, quod haec te meretrix huius vocabat nomine:
1135

hunc censebat te esse, credo, quom vocat te ad prandium.

Menaechmvs

Namque edepol iussi hic mihi hodie prandium appararier,

clam meam uxorem, quoi pallam surrupui dudum domo,

eam dedi huic.

Sosicles

Hanc, dicis, frater, pallam, quam ego habeo?