Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- What then? Is it she?
- Although ’tis she, ’tis not she.
- Have you seen this lady?
- I have seen both her and the gentleman, your guest, caressing and kissing.
- Is it she?
- I know not.
- Would you know for certain?
- I should like to.
- Go you this instant into your own house: see whether your lady is within.
- Very well: you’ve advised me rightly. I’ll be out again to you this instant. Goes into the CAPTAIN’S house.
- I’ faith, I never saw any man more cleverly fooled, and by more singular devices. But here he is coming.
Enter SCLEDRUS from the CAPTAIN’s house.SCELEDRUS PERIPLECOMENUS SCELEDRUS PERIPLECOMENUS SCELEDRUS PERIPLECOMENUS SCELEDRUS PERIPLECOMENUS
- Periplecomenus, by Gods and men, and by my own folly, and by your knees! I do beseech you—
- What now?
- Pardon my ignorance and my folly; now, at length, I know that I am half-witted, blind, and thoughtless; for, behold! Philocomasium is at home.
- How, then, hang-dog[*](Hang-dog: Furcifer.Literally, bearer of the furca. Slaves are repeatedly thus called in these plays, as, by way of punishment for their misdeeds, they were compelled to carry a furca, or two pieces of wood shaped like the letter V, round their necks, with their hands tied to the ends of the instrument.). Have you seen them both?
- I have seen them.
- I wish you to bring your master to me.
- Indeed, I confess that I deserve a very great punishment; and I own that I have done a wrong to your lady guest. But I thought that she was the lady of my master, to whom the Captain, my master, gave me as a keeper; for it is not possible for water ever to be drawn more like to water from the same well, than is she to this lady guest of yours. And I will confess, as well, that I did look through the skylight into your house.
- Why shouldn’t you confess what I saw myself?