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 do credit you: but ’tis a thing to be wondered at, how she has been able to return from that house to ours. For, beyond a doubt, we have neither a terrace to our house, nor any garden, nor any window but what is latticed[*](But what is latticed: The clathriwere a kind of lattice or trellice-work, which, as well as network, was sometimes placed before windows to prevent serpents and other noxious reptiles from getting in.). To PHILOCOMASIUM. But, undoubtedly, I did see you in the house next door.
PALAESTRIO
  1. Do you persist, you rascal, in pretending to accuse her?
PHILOCOMASIUM
  1. In good sooth, then, the dream has not turned out untrue, that I dreamed last night.
PALAESTRIO
  1. What did you dream?
PHILOCOMASIUM
  1. I’ll tell you; but, I pray you, give attention. Last night, in my sleep, my twin-sister seemed to have come from Athens to Ephesus with a certain person, her lover. Both of them seemed to me to be having their lodgings here next door.
PALAESTRIO
  1. to the AUDIENCE. The dream that’s being related is Palaestrio’s—pray, go on.
PHILOCOMASIUM
  1. I seemed to be delighted because my sister had come, and on her account I seemed to be incurring a most grievous suspicion. For, in my sleep, my own servant seemed to accuse me, as you are now doing, of being caressed by a strange young man, whereas it was that own twin-sister of mine, who had been toying with her own friend. Thus did I dream that I was wrongfully accused of a crime.
PALAESTRIO
  1. And isn’t just the same thing befalling you when awake, that you speak of as seen in your sleep? Capital; i’ faith, the dream is verified: go in-doors, and pray [*](And pray: After any ill-omened dream, it was the custom to offer corn and frankincense to Jupiter Prodigialis, the disposer of prodigies, and other of the Deities, in order that evil might be averted.). I should recommend that this be told to the Captain.
PHILOCOMASIUM
  1. I am resolved to do so; nor, in fact, will I allow myself, with impunity, to be accused of disgraceful conduct. Goes into the CAPTAIN’S house.
SCELEDRUS
  1. I fear for the thing I have done; my back does so tingle all over.