Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
Theft, a mistress, and a breakfast. To you
170
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
You have spoken out now it shall be taken to this mistress of mine, the Courtesan Erotium. I’ll order a breakfast at once to be got ready, for me, you, and her;
then will we booze away even to the morrow’s morning star.
175
PENICULUS
Capital. You’ve spoken out distinctly. Am I to knock at the door then?
175
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Knock—or hold, rather.
PENICULUS
You’ve removed You’ve removed: Peniculus now loses patience, and reflects that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip. the goblet a full mile by that.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Knock gently.
PENICULUS
You’re afraid, I think, that the doors are made of Samian crockery. (Goes to knock.)
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Hold, prithee, hold, i’ faith; see, she’s coming out herself. (The door of EROTIUM’S house is opened.) Ha you behold the sun, is it not quite darkened in comparison with the bright rays of her person.
[Textpart 3]
My life, Menaechmus, save you.
PENICULUS
And what for me?
EROTIUM
You are out of my number.
PENICULUS
that same thing is wont to be done for the other supernumeraries Supernumeraries: The adscriptivi, who were also called accensi, were a body of reserve troops who followed the Roman army without any military duties to perform, and who were drafted off to supply the deficiencies in the legions. In battle they were placed in the rear of the army. Of course they could not claim the same advantages as the regular soldier; and his own position is likened by the Parasite to theirs. of the legion.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I would order a skirmish to be got ready there at your house for me to-day.
EROTIUM
To-day it shall be done.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
In that skirmish we two shall drink. Him shall you choose that shall be found there the better warrior with the goblet; do you make up your mind with which of the two you’ll pass this night. How much, my love, when I look upon you, do I hate my wife.
EROTIUM
Meantime, however, you cannot help being wrapped in something of hers. What’s this?
190
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
’Tis a new dress for you, and a spoil from A spoil from: Exuviae means either the slough or cast skin of a snake, or the spoil taken from the enemy. Perhaps the latter is the sense in which it is here meant, as he has described his operations as a perfect campaign. my wife, my rosebud.
EROTIUM
You have a ready way of prevailing, so as to be superior in my eyes to any one of those that pay me suit.
PENICULUS
The harlot’s coaxing in the meantime, while she’s looking out what to plunder
