Miles Gloriosus

Plautus, Titus Maccius

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

  1. to PALAESTRIO. She is there with my mistress for, on the sly, they have been overhearing[*](Overhearing: Probably at the upper window, next door.) this conversation.
PALAESTRIO
  1. aside to MILPHIDIPPA. ’twas cleverly done; here after they will take their cue the more readily from this conversation.
MILPHIDIPPA
  1. to PALAESTRIO. You are delaying me. I’m off.
PALAESTRIO
  1. to MILPHIDIPPA. I’m not delaying you, nor touching you, nor[*](Nor touching you, nor: This is an instance of Aposiopesis. He is about to say something rude, but checks himself.)—I’m mum.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Bid her make haste to come out here; we’ll give our first attention to this matter especially. MILPHIDIPPA goes into the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.
PYRGOPOLINICES, PALAESTRIO.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. What do you advise me now to do, Palaestrio, about my mistress? For this lady can by no means be received into my house before I have sent the other away.
PALAESTRIO
  1. Why consult me what you are to do? So far as I am concerned, I have told you by what method that can be effected in the gentlest manner. The gold trinkets and female clothing with which you have furnished her, let her keep it all for herself: let her take it, be off, and carry it away: tell her that it is high time for her to go home; say that her twin-sister and her mother are come, in company with whom she may go straight home.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. How do you know that they are here?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Because, with my own eyes, I’ve seen her sister here.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Have you met her?
PALAESTRIO
  1. I have met her.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. And did she seem a brisk wench?
PALAESTRIO
  1. You are wishing to have everything.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. Where did the sister say her mother was?
PALAESTRIO
  1. The captain that brought them told me that she was in bed, on board the ship, with sore and inflamed eyes. This captain of the ship is lodging with them next door.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. And he, too, is he a very fine fellow?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Away with you, if you please. What have you[*](What have you: This passage is somewhat modified above.) to do with him? You have your hands quite full enough with the women. Attend to this for the present.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. As to that advice you were giving me, I wish you to have a few words with her upon that subject. For, really, a conversation on that subject with her is more becoming[*](Is more becoming: He thinks it not suitable to his dignity to speak on the subject himself, and therefore wishes to put the task upon Palaestrio.) for you.
PALAESTRIO
  1. What is more advisable than for you to go yourself, and transact your own concerns? You must say that it is absolutely necessary for you to marry: that your relations are persuading, your friends are urging, you.
PYRGOPOLINICES
  1. And do you think so?