Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- I myself know the same thing.
- Now, thus I would begin upon my plan; this contrivance I shall act upon. I shall say that her other own twin-sister has come here from Athens, with a certain person, her lover, to Philocomasium, as like to her as milk is to milk. I shall say that they are lodged and entertained here in your house.
- Bravo! bravo! cleverly thought of. I approve or your device.
- So that, if my fellow-servant should accuse her before the Captain, and say that he has seen her here at your house, toying with another man, I shall assert, on the other hand, that my fellow-servant has seen the other one, the sister, at your house, fondling and toying with her own lover.
- Aye, most excellent. I’ll say the same, if the Captain shall inquire of me.
- But do you say that they are extremely alike; and this must be imparted in time to Philocomasium, in order that she may know; that she mayn’t be tripping if the Captain should question her.
- A very clever contrivance. But if the Captain should wish to see them both in company together, what shall we do then?
- That’s easy enough. Three hundred excuses may be picked up—she is not at home; she has gone out walking; she is asleep; she is dressing; she is bathing; she is at breakfast[*](Is at breakfast: Among the Romans some began the day with the ientaculum, which, however, was in general confined to sick persons, the very luxurious, or the labouring classes. From Martial we learn that it was taken about four in the morning, and it can, therefore, hardly have corresponded with our breakfast. Bread, with cheese or dried fruit, was used at this meal. The prandium, which is here translated breakfast, is supposed to have been a hasty meal, and to have been taken from twelve to one o’clock in the day. Sometimes it was of simple character, while occasionally fish, fruit, and wine formed part of the repast, in which latter case it would almost correspond with the luncheon of modern times.); she is taking dessert[*](She is taking dessert: It was the custom of the Romans, after the second course of the cenaor dinner was taken away, to have wine on the table, and to prolong the evening with conversation; perhaps this period is here referred to as furnishing one of the excuses to be made.); she is engaged; she is enjoying her rest[*](Is enjoying her rest: Operae non estusually signifies she is not at leisure, i.e., she is busy; but here it is thought to mean the reverse, she is not at work, she is taking her ease, and consequently cannot be disturbed.); in fact, she can’t come. There are as many of these put-offs as you like, if I can only persuade him at the very outset to believe that to be true which shall be contrived.
- I like what you say.
- Go in-doors then; and if the damsel’s there, bid her return home directly, and instruct and tutor her thoroughly in this plan, that she may understand our scheme, as we have begun it, about the twin-sister.