Perde 5
[Textpart 9]
Troth, it really is not unlike, so far as I know my own form.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
O young man, save you, you who preserved me, whoever you are.
1065
MESSENIO
By my troth, young man, prithee, tell me your name, unless it’s disagreable.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ faith, you’ve not so deserved of me, that it should be disagreable for me to tell what you wish. My name is Menaechmus.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Why, by my troth, so is mine.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I am a Sicilian, of Syracuse.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Troth, the same is my native country.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What is it that I hear of you?
1070
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
That which is the fact.
1070
MESSENIO
I know this person myself (pointing to the other MENAECHMUS); he is my master, I really am his servant; but I did think I belonged to this other. (To MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, by mistake.) I took him to be you; to him, too, did I give some trouble. (To his master.) Pray, pardon me if I have said aught foolishly or unadvisedly to you.
1070
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
You seem to me to be mad. Don’t you remember that together with me you disembarked from board ship to-day?
MESSENIO
Why, really, you say what’s right—you are my master; (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) do you look out for a servant. (To his master.) To you my greetings (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) to you, farewell. This, I say, is Menaechmus.
1075
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
But I say I am.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What story’s this? Are you Menaechmus?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I say that I’m the son of Moschus, who was my father.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Are you the son of my father?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Aye, I really am, young man, of my own father.
I don’t want to claim your father, nor to take possession of him from you.
1080
MESSENIO
Immortal Gods, what unhoped-for hope do you bestow on me, as I suspect. For unless my mind misleads me, these are the two twin-brothers; for they mention alike their native country and their father. I’ll call my master aside—Menaechmus.
BOTH OF THE MENAECHMI.
What do you want?
