Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
You do well. Kindly farewell.
STRATIPPOCLES
Now then you are my own—
TELESTIS
Why yes—sister, i’ faith, that you may know it as well. Greetings to you, brother.
STRATIPPOCLES
Is this woman in her senses?
EPIDICUS
In her senses, if she calls you her brother.
STRATIPPOCLES
How’s this? Have I just now become her brother while going in-doors and coming out?
650
EPIDICUS
What good fortune there is, do you in silence keep your peace thereon and rejoice.
STRATIPPOCLES
Sister, you have both lost and found me!
EPIDICUS
Simpleton, hold your tongue! Through my endeavours, there’s ready for you at home, in fact, a Music-girl for you to make love to; I too, through my endeavours, have restored your sister to liberty.
STRATIPPOCLES
Epidicus, I confess—
655
EPIDICUS
Be off into the house, and order the water to be made warm The water to be made warm: A bath was usually taken by the middle and upper classes immediately on arriving from a journey. for her. The rest I’ll let you know afterwards, when there’s leisure.
655
STRATIPPOCLES
Follow me this way, sister.
EPIDICUS
I’ll bid Thesprio I’ll bid Thesprio: Thesprio only appears once, and that at the beginning of the Play. This is certainly a prevalent fault with Plautus, who does not make the most of his characters. Artotrogus, the Parasite, in the Miles Gloriosus, is lost to us after the First Scene. Sceparnio only appears in the First and Second Acts of the Rudens, and the honest Grumio is lost sight of after the First Act of the Mostellaria. It is not a sufficient excuse to plead that Artotrogus and Thesprio are what were called personae protaticae, characters whose business it is to introduce the plot, and do no more; even though this example is followed by Terence, who similarly introduces Sosia in the Andria, Davus in the Phormio, and Philotis in the Hecyra. come across to you. But remember, if the old gentlemen are at all savage, you, with your sister, to run and help me.
STRATIPPOCLES
That will be easy.
EPIDICUS
Thesprio, come this way through the garden. Come to my rescue at home! The matter’s of importance! (To himself.) I care much less for the old fellows than I did just now. I’ll return in-doors, that the strangers may be attended to on their arrival. I’ll tell these same things that I know, in-doors to Stratippocles. I shall not take to flight; I’m determined to be there at home, and he shan’t throw it in my teeth
660
that he has been provoked by my running away By my running away: Pedibus. Literally, by my feet.. I’ll away in-doors; I’ve been talking too long.
665
[Textpart 2]
Hasn’t this fellow quite made a laughing-stock of us two decrepit old people Decrepit old people: Decrepitos. From the verb decrepo, to crackle, or make a sputtering, as a candle does when going out, or the wick of a lamp when the oil fails.?
APAECIDES
Why yes, I’ faith, you’ve really kept me plagued in a shocking fashion.
PERIPHIANES
Now do hold your tongue. Only let me catch the fellow!
APAECIDES
I’ll tell you now, that you may know it. It’s best for you to seek another companion; so much, while I’ve been following you,
