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[Textpart 2]
where, unknown to my wife, we will erect the funeral pile and let us consume this day Let consume this day: He supposes the day to be dead so far as business is concerned; the cena, which generally commenced about three o’clock in the afternoon (and sometimes, perhaps, the prandium as well), was followed by potatio or drinking, which by such characters as Menaechmus and the Parasite would be prolonged to midnight, when they would see the day dead, and celebrate its funeral in their orgies. upon it.
PENICULUS
Well, come then, since you request what’s fair, how soon am I to set fire to the pile?
Why really, the day’s half dead already down to its navel To its navel: Umbilicus, the navel, was a term much used to signify the middle part of anything. Thus Delphi was called the umbilicus, or navel, of the world..
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Come this way from the door.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Come still more this way.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus
Even still, step aside boldly from the lioness’s den.
PENICULUS
Well done; by my troth, as I fancy, you really would bean excellent charioteers An excellent charioteer: The drivers of the chariots at the Circensian games were called agitatores. Of course they would look back every now, and then to see how near their opponents were, that they might keep the lead..
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why so?
PENICULUS
That your wife mayn’t follow you, you are looking back ever and anon.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
But what say you?
PENICULUS
What, I? Why, whatever you choose, that same do I say, and that same do I deny.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Could you make any conjecture at all from the smell, if perchance you were to take a smell at something?
PENICULUS
Were the college of Augurs summoned
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Come then, take a sniff at this mantle that I’m holding. What does it smell of? Do you decline?
PENICULUS
It’s as well to smell the top of a woman’s garment; for at this other place the nose is offended with an odour that can’t be washed out.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Take a smell here then, Peniculus, as you are so daintily nice.
MENAECHMUS
How now? What does it smell of? Answer me.
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