Miles Gloriosus

Plautus, Titus Maccius

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

  1. By my troth, wench, you don’t understand how great an honor I am now paying her.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. I know, and I shall tell her so.
PALAESTRIO
  1. To another he could have sold his favours for his weight in gold.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. I’ faith, I believe you in that.
PALAESTRIO
  1. Of those that are parents by him true warriors are born, and his sons live eight hundred years.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. aside to PALAESTRIO. Fie on you for a fibber!
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Why, straight on, from age to age, they live for a thousand years.
PALAESTRIO
  1. I spoke within limits, for the reason that she mightn’t suppose I was telling lies to her.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. aside. I burst, I die! Aloud. How many years will he live himself whose sons live so long?
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Wench, I was born the day after Jupiter was born of Ops.
PALAESTRIO
  1. If he had only been born the day before the other was, he would have had the realms of heaven.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. aside to PALAESTRIO. Now, now, prithee, no more do let me get away from you, if I can, alive.
PALAESTRIO
  1. Why don’t you go then, as you have your answer?
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. I’ll go, and I’ll bring her here, on whose behalf I am employed. Is there aught else you wish?
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. May I never be more handsome than I am at present; so much trouble do my good looks cause me.
PALAESTRIO
  1. Why do you stay now? Why don’t you go?
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. I’m going.
PALAESTRIO
  1. aside to MILPHIDIPPA. And tell her, too, do you hear, cleverly and correctly, what has passed.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. to PALAESTRIO. So that her very heart may leap for joy.
PALAESTRIO
  1. aside to MILPHIDIPPA If Philocomasium is there, tell her to pass through into our house; that the Captain here.