Miles Gloriosus

Plautus, Titus Maccius

Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.

  1. Aye, I know now. You’ve now made the matter level for me instead of steep. But is there a certain person here?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Either he is or he is not.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. Come aside with me alone, in private.
PALAESTRIO
  1. For a short or for a lengthy conversation?
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. For three words only.
PALAESTRIO
  1. to PYRGOPOLINICES. I’ll return to you this instant.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. What? Shall I be standing here in the meanwhile, with such charms and valorous deeds, thus to no purpose?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Submit to it and wait; for you am I doing this service.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Make haste; I am tortured with waiting.
PALAESTRIO
  1. You know that commodities of this kind are only wont to be reached step by step.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Well, well; as is most agreable to yourself.
PALAESTRIO
  1. aside. There is no stone more stupid than this fellow. I now return to you. To MILPHIDIPPA. What would you with me? Retires with her to distance.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. In the way in which I received it of you a short time since, I bring you back your clever lot; my story is as though she were dying with love for him.
PALAESTRIO
  1. That I understand. Do you commend his beauty and his appearance, and make mention of his prowess.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. For that purpose I am armed at all points[*](Armed at all points: Habeo omnem aciem.Literally, I have all my troops in battle array.), as I have shown you before already. On the other hand, do you give all attention, and be on the watch, and take your cue[*](Take your cue: Venator.Literally, hunt out, or act the hunter’s part, probably with reference to starting the game.) from my words.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Prithee do now, in fine, give me some share in the business; step this way this instant, I beg.
PALAESTRIO
  1. goes up to him. Here I am. If you wish for aught, give me your commands.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. What is she saying to you?
PALAESTRIO
  1. She is saying that her mistress is lamenting, and, in tears, is tormenting and afflicting herself because she wishes for you, and because she possesses you not; for that reason has she been sent here to you.