Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
What am I to gain, that I should tell a lie?
PHANISCUS
(Knocks again at the door.) Hallo, you! is any one coming to open this door?
ANOTHER SERVANT of Callidamates
Why do you knock in this way, when there’s no one in the house?
PHANISCUS
I fancy that he’s gone elsewhere to carouse. Now then, let’s begone.
THEUROPIDES
What, my lad, are you off then?
Liberty’s the overcoat for your back The overcoat for your back: Schmieder thinks this is said insultingly to Phaniscus. It would, however, appear otherwise: Phaniscus having no paennla, or overcoat, on, Theuropides, who thinks him a very worthy fellow, says, My good fellow, your freedom would make yon a very fine overcoat..
PHANISCUS
Nothing have I with which to cover my back, except to pay respect and service to my master.
[Textpart 5]
By my troth, I am undone! What need is there of talking? According to the words I have heard, I surely haven’t lately voyaged hence to Aegypt,
THEUROPIDES
but even to some desolate land and the most remote shores have I been borne about, so much am I at a loss to know where I now am. But I shall soon know; for see, here’s the person of whom my son bought the house. (Enter SIMO.)
995
SIMO
I’m coming home from the Forum.
THEUROPIDES
Has anything new been going on at the Forum to-day?
THEUROPIDES
What is it, pray?
1000
SIMO
I saw a dead man being carried to burial.
1000
THEUROPIDES
Dear me!
1000
SIMO
Part of line 1001 in the Latin. I saw one who was dead being carried out to burial Being carried out to burial: It is supposed that in this reply he plays upon the question of Theuropides, who uses the word processit in his question, which may either mean, what has been going on? or what procession has there been?
They said that he had been alive but just before.
THEUROPIDES
Woe to that head of yours for your nonsense!
