Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
And I, indeed, am Epidicus. But, master, I find that you’ve both met me at the nick of time.
PERIPHIANES
What’s the matter?
EPIDICUS
Wait, wait! (puffs and blows.) prithee, do let me get breath!
PERIPHIANES
By all means, rest yourself.
EPIDICUS
I’m quite faint;
I must recover my breath.
205
APAECIDES
Do rest yourself at your leisure.
205
EPIDICUS
Lend me your attention. All the men of the army have been remanded home from Thebes Remanded home from Thebes: Madame Dacier supposes, and with fair reason, that in this Epidicus tells what really is the fact..
205
APAECIDES
Who knows for certain that this has been done?
EPIDICUS
I say that it has been done.
PERIPHIANES
Are you sure of that?
EPIDICUS
I am sure of it.
PERIPHIANES
Why are you sure of it?
EPIDICUS
Because I’ve seen the soldiers marching through the streets in shoals. They are bringing back their arms and their baggage-horses.
PERIPHIANES
Very good indeed!
EPIDICUS
Then, what prisoners they’ve got with them! boys, girls, in twos and threes; another one has got five; there’s a crowd in the streets; they are looking out each for his son.
210
PERIPHIANES
I’ troth, a business very well managed!
EPIDICUS
Then, filly as many of the courtesans as there are in the whole city were going decked out each to meet her lover;
they were going to trap them; that’s the fact, inasmuch as I gave especial attention to it; several of these had with them nets beneath their garments. When I came to the harbour, forthwith I espied her waiting there, and with her were four music-girls.
215
PERIPHIANES
With whom, Epidicus?
