Perde 3
[Textpart 2]
Bravo!—bravo!
EPIDICUS
She’s now at your house She’s now at your house: That is, the first mistress of Stratippocles is at his father’s house personating the lost daughter. in place of her.
STRATIPPOCLES
I understand.
EPIDICUS
Now he has given me Apaecides by way of guarantee in this matter (he’s waiting for me at the Forum), as if to seem the purchaser.
STRATIPPOCLES
Not a bad precaution!
EPIDICUS
The cautious man’s now taken in himself;
your own father himself placed this purse around my neck This purse around my neck: Purses containing large sums of money were generally slung round the neck by a string. See the Aulularia, l. 258 Asinaria, l. 661; and Truculentus, l. 648.. He’s making preparation, that immediately on your arrival home you shall be married.
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STRATIPPOCLES
In one way only will he persuade me; if Orcus takes her away from me, who has been brought with me.
EPIDICUS
Now I’ve hit upon this scheme: I’ll go by myself alone to the procurer’s house; I’ll instruct him,
if any one comes to him, to say that the money has been paid him for the music-girl; inasmuch as, the day before yesterday, I paid it down with my own hands for this mistress of yours, whom your father takes to be his own daughter. Then the procurer, unknowingly, will be staking his accursed head,
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as though he had received the money for her who has now been brought here together with you.
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CHAERIBULUS
You are more versatile than a potter’s-wheel.
EPIDICUS
Now I’ll get ready some artful music-girl, who’s hired at a didrachm, to pretend that she has been purchased, and cleverly to trick the two old fellows: Apaecides, together with her, will bring her to your father.
STRATIPPOCLES
How adroitly managed!
EPIDICUS
Her, prepared beforehand with my devices, and provided with my schemes, I shall send to him. But I’m talking at too great length; you have delayed me too long: you now know these things how they are to be; I’ll be off.
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STRATIPPOCLES
Success attend you!
CHAERIBULUS
He is very clever at artful tricks.
STRATIPPOCLES
Indeed, by his plans, he has saved me, that’s sure.
CHAERIBULUS
Let’s go hence into my house.
STRATIPPOCLES
Yes, and a little more joyfully than I came out of your house, by the courage and conduct of Epidicus, do I return into camp with the spoil.
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