Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- 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?
- And there saw in your house this lady guest of yours, kissing.
- You saw her?
- I saw her. Why should I deny what I did see? But I fancied that I had seen Philocomasium.
- And did you suppose me to be the very vilest of all men, in allowing[*](In allowing: The old gentleman must surely have changed colour when he said this.), with my own knowledge, such an injury so glaringly to be done to my neighbour?
- Now, at length, I am of opinion that it was done foolishly by me, when I come to understand the matter; but still I did not do it with any ill intent.
- Yes, but ’twas improperly done; for it befits a person that is a servant to keep his eyes, and hands, and talk, asleep.
- Now, if after this day I mutter anything, even what I know for certain, give me over to torture; I’ll give myself up to you. This time, prithee, do pardon me for this.