Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- Just look on your left hand; who is that lady?
- looking. O ye immortal Gods, it really is the lady of my master!
- I’ faith, so she seems to me as well. Do then, now, since so you would have it—
- Do what?
- Die this very instant.
- advancing. Where is this faithful servant, who has falsely accused me in my innocence of this most heinous crime?
- See, here he is; ’tis he that told it me,—assuredly ’twas he.
- Villain, did you say that you had seen me next door here kissing?
- Besides, he said it was with some strange young man.
- I’ faith, I did. say so, undoubtedly.
- You, saw me?
- Yes, with these self-same eyes.
- I fancy you will lose those eyes, which see more than what they really do see.
- By my faith, I shall never be intimidated from having seen what I really did see.
- In my foolishness I am delaying too long in parleying with this madman, whom, by the powers, I’ll punish with death.
- Forbear to threaten me: I know that the cross will prove my tomb; there are laid my forefathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather. ’Tis not in possibility, however, for these eyes of mine to be dug out[*](To be dug out: That is, you cannot make me not to have seen what I really did see.) by your threats. But I want a few words with you; prithee, Palaestrio, whence came she hither?
- Whence but from our house?
- From our house?
- Do you credit me[*](Do you credit me: Viden? (vides-ne)Literally, do you look at me? The Romans, when they wished to impress any one with the belief that they were speaking seriously and in good faith, used this phrase, or vide me, look at me now. Our expression, do you look me in the face and say so? is somewhat similar.)?