Perde 3
[Textpart 2]
Do be quiet; by my faith, I discover that you’ve done that already indeed.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Answer me, young man, I beg; what is your name?
PENICULUS
Are you laughing at me, as well, as though you didn’t know my name?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
By my troth, I never saw or knew you, that I’m aware of, before this day; but at all events, whoever you are, if you do what’s right, you won’t be an annoyance to me.
500
PENICULUS
Don’t you know me?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I shouldn’t deny it if I did know you.
PENICULUS
Menaechmus, awake.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I’ troth, I really am awake, so far as I know.
PENICULUS
Don’t you know your own Parasite?
505
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Young man, I find that your headpiece isn’t sound.
505
PENICULUS
Answer me; have you not purloined that mantle from your wife to-day, and given it to Erotium?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I’ faith I have no wife, nor have I given the mantle to Erotium, nor have I purloined it.
PENICULUS
Are you really in your senses? This matter’s settled This matter’s settled: Occisa est haec res. Literally, this matter is killed ; somewhat similar to our expression, the murder is out.. Did I not see you coming out of doors clad in a mantle?
510
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Woe to your head. Do you think that all people are effeminate rogues Effeminate rogues: Cinaedos. Literally, dancers or dancing-masters, who, being effeminate persons, would be more likely to wear a palla of gay colours. [The translator is suppressing the actual meaning of the word. A cinaedus (Greek κίναιδος) is a homosexual man.] because you are one?
Do you declare that I was clothed in a mantle?
PENICULUS
Troth, I really do.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Why don’t you go where you are deserving to go, or else request yourself to be atoned for, you downright madman?
PENICULUS
By my troth, never shall any one prevail upon me not to tell your wife the whole matter now, just as it happened.
All these insults shall be retorted upon yourself. I’ll take care that you shan’t have devoured the breakfast unpunished.
520
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What’s the meaning of this business? Why, Just as I see each person, do they all make fun of me in this way? But the door makes a noise.
