Perde 1
THESPRIO
I rob above-board I rob above- board: It has been suggested that this is an imitation of a passage in Aristophanes, Act II., Sc. 3, where Blepsidemus says, οὐ κεκλοφάς ἄλλ’ ἥρπακας. You have not pilfered, but plundered. The thought, however, is quite natural, without resorting to a previous author for it..
EPIDICUS
May the immortal Gods confound you, with what huge strides you do walk! for when I caught sight of you at the harbour, I began to run at a rapid pace;
I was hardly able to overtake you just now.
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THESPRIO
You are a town wit.
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EPIDICUS
I know that you, on the other hand, are a military gentleman.
15
THESPRIO
Speak out as boldly as you please.
EPIDICUS
How say you? Have you been well all along?
THESPRIO
In a varied way.
EPIDICUS
Those who are well in a varied way In a varied way: He puns upon the different meanings of the word varie; and alludes to the checquered or striped state of the slave’s back after whipping. By varie, Thesprio simply means, sometimes well, and sometimes ill., a race of men of the goat kind or of the panther kind, don’t please me.
THESPRIO
What do you wish me to tell you but that which is fact?
EPIDICUS
To answer to these thingsPart of the first part of line 19 in the Latin. fairly;
how’s our master’s son? Is he well?
20
THESPRIO
Stout as a boxer and an athlete.
20
EPIDICUS
You’ve brought me joyous tidings on your arrival. But where is he?
THESPRIO
I came here together with him.
EPIDICUS
Where is he then? Unless, perchance, you’ve brought him in your wallet, or, perhaps, in your knapsack.
THESPRIO
May the Gods confound you!
EPIDICUS
I want to make enquiries of you. Lend me your attention; attention shall be lent you in return.
THESPRIO
You say what’s law What’s law: The words operam da and operam dabo, used by Epidicus, were terms used in the Roman courts of law: therefore Thesprio says, jus dicis, meaning, you talk like a judge..
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