Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- How has he thought fit to go to sleep?
- With his eyes, I suppose.
- I don’t ask you that, you vagabond. Step this way: you’re undone now, unless I know the truth. Did you draw the wine for him?
- I did not draw it.
- Do you deny it?
- I’ faith, I do deny it undoubtedly; for he charged me not to tell. I really didn’t just[*](Didn’t just: He adheres to his promise by denying it in words, but m such a way as to make a full confession of what has happened. Heminawas a measure among the Greeks and Romans of nearly half a pint.) draw for him eight half pints into a pitcher, and, when drawn, he didn’t just drink it hot[*](Drink it hot: It has been already remarked, that the Romans were much in the habit of drinking wine, made warm and mixed with spices. The taking it at prandium, about twelve in the day, shows how Sceledrus presumed on the office of trust which had been conferred upon him.), at his breakfast.
- And you didn’t just drink as well?
- The Gods confound me if I did drink—if I could drink.
- Why so?
- Because, in fact, I only sipped; for it was too hot; it burnt my throat.