Perde 4
[Textpart 2]
who give the name of wether mutton to a ram—if I should only see that ram in the public way, I’ll make both ram and owner most miserable beings.
820
HEGIO
Well done! He really does give out edicts fit for an Aedile, and ‘tis indeed a surprising thing if the Aetolians haven’t made him inspector of marketsInspector of markets: Agoranomum. The Aediles were the inspectors of markets at Rome, while the ‘Agoranomi’ had a similar office in the Grecian cities.
ERGASILUS
No Parasite now am I, but a right royal king of kings; so large a stock of provision for my stomach is there at hand in the harbour. But why delay to overwhelm this old gentleman Hegio with gladness? With him, not a person among mankind exists equally fortunate.
825
HEGIO
What joy is this, that he, thus joyous, is going to impart to me?
ERGASILUS
Hallo, hallo!—where are you? Is any one coming to open this door?
830
HEGIO
This fellow’s betaking himself to my house to dine.
ERGASILUS
Open you both these doorsBoth these doors: The street-doors of the ancients were generally bivalve, or folding-doors., before I shall with knocking cause the destruction, piecemeal, of the doors.
HEGIO
I’d like much to address the fellow. (Aloud.) Ergasilus!
ERGASILUS
Who’s calling Ergasilus?
HEGIO
Turn round, and look at me.
ERGASILUS
A thing that Fortune does not do for you, nor ever will do, you bid me to do.
HEGIO
Look round at me. ’Tis Hegio.
835
ERGASILUS
O me! Best of the very best of men, as many as exist, you have arrived opportunely.
835
HEGIO
You’ve met with some one at the harbour to dine with; through that you are elevated.
ERGASILUS
Give me your hand.
ERGASILUS
Give me your hand, I say, this instant.
