Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
Part of line 411 in Latin. How well he kept How well he kept: The cunning of Epidicus is admirably shown here. He pretends to the old man that they together are deceiving the Music-girl, while, in reality, he is imposing on the old man. that Music-girl quite in ignorance that she was purchased for you; so full of joke and fun did he bring her hither along with him.
PERIPHIANES
It’s wonderful how that could be managed.
APAECIDES
He said that you were going to offer a sacrifice at home for your son,
because he had returned safe from Thebes.
PERIPHIANES
He hit upon the right thing.
APAECIDES
Yes, and he himself told her that she had been hired to assist you here in the sacrifice. He said that you were about to perform it, and that you had a sacrifice at home.
But I then made pretence that I was ignorant, as it were, inasmuch as I made myself out half-witted Made myself out half-witted: This in his wisdom he pretended that she might not fancy that he was a cunning fellow, going to put a trick upon her, in combination with Epidicus..
420
PERIPHIANES
Why yes; it was right to do so.
APAECIDES
An important trial of a friend is going on at the Forum; I want to go as his advocate.
PERIPHIANES
Go, and when you have leisure, return to me mediately.
APAECIDES
I’ll be here just now.
PERIPHIANES
Nothing is there more opportune to man than a friend in need; without labour of your own, what you want is done nevertheless. If I had commissioned any one upon this business, a less skilful person, and less fitted for this matter, he would have been gulled; and so, grinning with his white teeth,
425
my son would have most deservedly laughed at me.
430
But who is this I see coming this way, that with his swaggering makes his scarf to be streaming in the wind?
435
[Textpart 4]
Take care not to pass by any house without asking where lives the old gentleman, Periphanes of Plothea Periphanes of Plothea: Plothenius. Most of the editions have here Plataenius of Plataea. As this was in Bœotia, the other is far more likely to be the right reading, Plothea being a Demus of Attica.. Take care that you don’t return to me without knowing it.
PERIPHIANES
Young man, if I point out to you the person whom you are in search of, what thanks shall I get of you?
440
A CAPTAIN
In arms, by the might of war, I’ve deserved that all people ought to give me thanks.
PERIPHIANES
You haven’t found out, young man, a tranquil spot
where to recount your virtues as you wish; for, if an inferior vaunts his battles to a superior, by his lips they become soiled; but this Periphanes of Plothea whom you are seeking, I am he, if you want him for anything.
445
A CAPTAIN
Him, you mean, who in his youth
