Miles Gloriosus

Plautus, Titus Maccius

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

  1. I’ll have her right cleverly tutor’d for you. Is there anything else?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Only, be off in-doors.
PERIPLECOMENUS
  1. I’m off. (Exit.)
PALAESTRIO alone.
PALAESTRIO
  1. And I’ll go home, too; and I’ll conceal the fact that I am giving her my aid in seeking out the man, which fellow-servant of mine it was, that to-day was following the monkey. For it cannot be but in his conversation he must have made some one of the household acquainted about the lady of his master, how that he himself has seen her next door here toying with some stranger spark. I know the habit myself; I can’t hold my tongue on that which I know alone. If I find out the person who saw it, I’ll plant against him all my mantelets[*](My mantelets: Vineawas a contrivance used in warfare, made of timber covered with raw hides to prevent its being burnt, under which the assailants were sheltered in their attempts to scale the walls of a fortification. It probably answered very nearly to what is called a mantelet, in the language of fortification. Pluteuswas a similar engine, in the form of a turret, and moving on wheels.) and covered works. The material is prepared; ’tis a sure matter that I must take this person by force, and by thus besieging him. If so I don’t find the man, just like a hound I’ll go smelling about, even until I shall have traced out the fox by his track. But our door makes a noise: I’ll lower my voice; for here is the keeper of Philocomasium, my fellow-servant, coming out of doors. (Stands aside.)
Enter SCLEDRUS from the CAPTAIN’s house.
SCELEDRUS
  1. Unless, in fact, I have been walking this day in my sleep upon the tiles, i’ faith, I know for sure that I have seen here, at our neighbour’s next door, Philocomasium, the lady of my master, on the high road[*](On the high road: Sibi malam rem quaerare.Literally, is seeking a bad job for herself.) to mischief to herself.
PALAESTRIO
  1. aside. ’twas he that saw her billing, so far as I have heard him say.
SCELEDRUS
  1. Who’s that?
PALAESTRIO
  1. Your fellow-servant. How are you, Sceledrus?
SCELEDRUS
  1. I am glad that I have met you, Palaestrio.
PAT.
  1. What now? Or what’s the matter? Let me know.