Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
The young men have given me the name of Peniculus Name of Peniculus: This word means a sponge which was fastened to a stick, and was used for the purpose of cleansing tables. He says that the youths so called him from his own propensity for clearing the tables of their provisions. The tails of foxes and of oxen were also used as peniculi. Colman and Warner, in their translations of Terence and Plautus, render the word dishclout., for this reason, because when I eat, I wipe the tables clean. The persons who bind captives with chains,
PENICULUS
and who put fetters upon runaway slaves, act very foolishly, in my opinion at least. For if bad usage is added to his misfortune for a wretched man, the greater is his inclination to run away and to do amiss. For by some means or other do they release themselves from the chains;
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while thus fettered, they either wear away a link with a file, or else with a stone they knock out the nail; ’tis a mere trifle this. He whom you wish to keep securely that he may not run away, with meat and with drink ought he to be chained; do you bind down the mouth of a man to a full table.
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So long as you give him what to eat and what to drink at his own pleasure in abundance every day, i’ faith he’ll never run away, even if he has committed an offence that’s capital; easily will you secure him so long as you shall bind him with such chains. So very supple are these chains of food,
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the more you stretch them so much the more tightly do they bind. But now I’m going directly to Menaechmus; whither for this long time I have been sentenced, thither of my own accord I am going, that he may enchain me. For, by my troth, this man does not nourish persons, but he quite rears and reinvigorates them; no one administers medicine more agreably.
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Such is this young man; himself with a very well-stocked larder, he gives dinners fit for Ceres Fit for Ceres : As Ceres was the Goddess of corn and the giver of plenty, the entertainments in honor of her would of course he very bounteous.; so does he heap the tables up, and piles so vast of dishes does he arrange, you must stand on your couch if you wish for anything at the top. But I have now had an interval these many days,
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while I’ve been lording it at home all along together with my dear ones With my dear ones: Cum caris meis. When he says this, it might be supposed that he is meaning his family by these words of endearment. The next line shows that such is not the case. He has had a supply of victuals, purchased at his own cost; he has been consuming these victuals, and right dear (carissimum) has he found them. He is now coming out to look for Menaechmus, and to make up for lost time.;—for nothing do I eat or purchase but what it is most dear. But inasmuch as dear ones, when they are provided, are in the habit of forsaking us, I am now paying him a visit. But his door is opening; and see, I perceive Menaechmus himself; he is coming out of doors.
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[Textpart 2]
Unless you were worthless, unless you were foolish, unless you were stark wild and an idiot, that which you see is disagreable to your husband, you would deem to be so to yourself as well. Moreover, if after this day you do any such thing to me, I’ll force you, a divorced woman, turned out of my doors to go visit your father. For as often as I wish to go out of the house, you are detaining me, calling me back, asking me questions;
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
whither I am going, what matter I am about, what business I am transacting, what I am wanting, what I am bringing, what I have been doing out of doors? I’ve surely brought home a custom-house officer A custom-house officer: The portitores examined those who landed or embarked at any port, to see that they had no merchandize about them which had not paid duty. They also made the necessary enquiries who the parties were, and what was their destination. He compares his wife to one of these inquisitive persons as my wife; so much am I obliged to disclose all my business, whatever I have done and am doing. I’ve had you hitherto indulged too much. Now, therefore, I’ll tell you how I am about to act.
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Since I find you handsomely in maids, provisions, wool, gold trinkets, garments, and purple, and you are wanting in nought, you’ll beware of a mischief if you’re wise; you’ll leave off watching your husband. (In a lower voice.) And therefore, that you mayn’t be watching me in vain, for your pains I shall find me a mistress to-day, and invite her to dinner somewhere out of doors.
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PENICULUS
This fellow pretends that he’s upbraiding his wife, but he’s addressing myself; for if he does dine out of doors, he really is punishing me, not his wife.
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Hurra! I’ troth, by my taunts I’ve driven my wife from the door at last. Where now are your intriguing husbands? Why do they hesitate, all returning thanks, to bring presents to me who have fought so gallantly?
This mantle This mantle: The palla, a kind of mantle or cloak, was worn indifferently by both sexes among the Greeks and Romans. This will account for the circumstance of Menaechmus Sosicles wearing, as we shall see in the sequel, the palla of a female, without expecting to attract the notice of passers-by. The palla, which by the prose writers is also called pallium, was used for many other purposes than that of a garment. See Dr. Smith’s Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. of my wife’s (taking it from under his cloak) I’ve just now stolen from in-doors, and I’m taking it to my mistress. This way it’s proper for a clever trick to be played this knowing husband-watcher. This is a becoming action, this is right, this is skilful, this is done in workman-like style; inasmuch as at my own risk I’ve taken this from my plague, this same shall be carried off to destruction To destruction: Ad damnum. He calls the Courtesan damnum, sheer loss or wastefulness par eminence.. With the safety of my allies Of my allies: By these he means the Courtesan Erotium and the Parasite Peniculus, who have run no risk by helping him to filch away the mantle. I’ve gained a booty from the foe.
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PENICULUS
Harkye! young man; pray what share have I What share have I: Thinking himself alluded to as one of the socii or allies, the Parasite immediately appears before him and asks what share, then, he is to have of the booty. in that booty?
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’m undone; I’ve fallen into an ambuscade.
PENICULUS
Say a safeguard rather. Don’t be afraid.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What person’s this?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
O my convenient friend—O my ready occasion, save you.
