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(Enter TRANIO and THEUROPIDES, from the house of SIMO.)
TRANIO
What’s your opinion of this bargain?
What’s your opinion of this bargain?
THEUROPIDES
I am quite delighted.
I am quite delighted.
TRANIO
Does it seem to you to have been bought too dear?
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Does it seem to you to have been bought too dear?
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THEUROPIDES
I’ faith, I’m sure that I never anywhere saw a house thrown away, this one only excepted.
I’ faith, I’m sure that I never anywhere saw a house thrown away, this one only excepted.
TRANIO
Does it please you, then?
Does it please you, then?
THEUROPIDES
Does it please me, do you ask me? Why yes, upon my faith, it really does please me very much.
Does it please me, do you ask me? Why yes, upon my faith, it really does please me very much.
TRANIO
What a fine set of rooms for the women! What a porch!
What a fine set of rooms for the women! What a porch!
THEUROPIDES
Exceedingly fine. For my part, I don’t think that there is any Porch larger than this in the public buildings.
Exceedingly fine. For my part, I don’t think that there is any Porch larger than this in the public buildings.
TRANIO
Why, I myself and Philolaches have taken the measure sure of all the porches in the public buildings.
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Why, I myself and Philolaches have taken the measure sure of all the porches in the public buildings.
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THEUROPIDES
Well, what then?
Well, what then?
TRANIO
This is far larger than all of them.
This is far larger than all of them.
THEUROPIDES
Immortal Gods—a splendid bargain! On my word, if he were now to offer six great talents of silver, ready money, for it, I would never take it.
Immortal Gods—a splendid bargain! On my word, if he were now to offer six great talents of silver, ready money, for it, I would never take it.
TRANIO
Upon my faith, if you were inclined to take it, I would never let you.
Upon my faith, if you were inclined to take it, I would never let you.
THEUROPIDES
My money has been well invested upon this purchase.
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My money has been well invested upon this purchase.
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TRANIO
Boldly confess that by my advice and prompting it was done, who urged him to take up the money of the Banker upon interest, which we paid this person by way of deposit.
Boldly confess that by my advice and prompting it was done, who urged him to take up the money of the Banker upon interest, which we paid this person by way of deposit.
THEUROPIDES
You’ve saved the whole ship. Eighty minae
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, you say, are owing for it?
You’ve saved the whole ship. Eighty minae
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, you say, are owing for it?
TRANIO
Not a coin more.
Not a coin more.
THEUROPIDES
He may have it to-day.
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He may have it to-day.
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TRANIO
By all means so, that there may be no dispute arising; or else pay them over to me, I’ll then pay them over to him.
By all means so, that there may be no dispute arising; or else pay them over to me, I’ll then pay them over to him.
THEUROPIDES
But still, don’t let there be any taking me in, if I do give them to you.
But still, don’t let there be any taking me in, if I do give them to you.
TRANIO
Could I venture to deceive you in deed or word even in jest only?
Could I venture to deceive you in deed or word even in jest only?
THEUROPIDES
Could I venture not to be on my guard against you, so as not to trust anything to you?
Could I venture not to be on my guard against you, so as not to trust anything to you?
TRANIO
Why, have I ever imposed upon you in anything, since I was your servant?
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Why, have I ever imposed upon you in anything, since I was your servant?
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THEUROPIDES
But I’ve taken good care of that; I owe thanks to myself and my own judgment for that. If I’m only on my guard against you solely, I’m quite wise enough.
But I’ve taken good care of that; I owe thanks to myself and my own judgment for that. If I’m only on my guard against you solely, I’m quite wise enough.
TRANIO
(aside.)
I agree with you.
I agree with you.
THEUROPIDES
Now be off into the country; tell my son that I’ve arrived.
Now be off into the country; tell my son that I’ve arrived.
TRANIO
I’ll do as you wish.
I’ll do as you wish.
THEUROPIDES
Run with all speed; bid him come to the city at once together with you.
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Run with all speed; bid him come to the city at once together with you.
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TRANIO
Very well.
(Aside.) Now I’ll betake myself this way by the back-door to my boon-companions; I’ll tell them that things are quiet here, and how I have kept him away from here.
(Exit.)
Very well.
(Aside.) Now I’ll betake myself this way by the back-door to my boon-companions; I’ll tell them that things are quiet here, and how I have kept him away from here.
Mostellaria. Plautus. Henry Thomas Riley (Translator). London. 1913.
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