Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
has the congested blood, from weariness, come down into the knees of poor me.
670
PERIPHIANES
After how many fashions has this fellow made sport of me and you to-day! besides, how he has disembowelled my silver resources for me!
APAECIDES
Away with him from me; for surely he’s the son of Vulcan in his wrath: wherever he touches, he sets all on fire; if you stand by him, he scorches you with his heat.
EPIDICUS
More than the twelve Gods, the immortal Gods as many as are in the heavens, are now assistants in my rescue, and are fighting on my side. As to whatever I have offended in, I have aid and assistance at home Assistance at home: He alludes to Stratippocles, Telestis, Philippa, Thesprio, and probably Chaeribulus, who are all ready to take his part; and, indeed, have good reason to do so, from the opportune discovery which he has just made.. All my enemies I quite spurn by the heels Spurn by the heels: Ἀπολακτιζώ. It has been more than once remarked that the use of Greek words was much affected by the Romans, in the same way that we make use of French phrases..
675
PERIPHIANES
Where in the world shall I look for him?
APAECIDES
So long as you look for him without me, you may look for him even in the middle of the sea, as far as I’m concerned.
EPIDICUS
Why are you looking for me? Why are you taking this trouble? Why are you worrying him? (Pointing to APAECIDES.) See, here I am. Have I run away from you? Have I betaken myself from the house? Have I hid myself from your sight? I don’t entreat you either. Do you wish to bind me? Look then, I present my hands. (Holding out his hands.) You have got thongs; I saw you purchase them. Why do you delay now? Do bind me!
680
PERIPHIANES
It’s all over It’s all over: Ilicet. Literally, you may begone; the word used when judicial proceedings had terminated.. He gives bail to me of his own accord for his appearance.
685
EPIDICUS
Why don’t you bind me?
685
APAECIDES
A wicked slave, upon my faith!
EPIDICUS
Really, Apaecides, I don’t want you to intercede for me.
APAECIDES
You easily obtain your wish, Epidicus.
EPIDICUS
Are you going to do anything?
PERIPHIANES
What, at your pleasure?
EPIDICUS
Troth, at my own, indeed, and not at yours, are these hands to be bound by you to-day.
PERIPHIANES
But I don’t choose; I shan’t bind them.
APAECIDES
He’s preparing to throw a dragnet over you; he’s framing some plan, I know not what.
690
EPIDICUS
You are causing delay to yourself, while I stand unbound; bind them, I tell you, bind them together.
PERIPHIANES
But I choose rather to question you unbound.
EPIDICUS
But you shall know nothing.
