Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- Why, because her language is clean spoken and far from slovenly. Whatever she says about yourself, she handles it in no slovenly way. And, then, besides, she herself is a very pretty and a very dainty wench.
- Troth, indeed, she has made an impression already, Palaestrio, at first sight.
- What! before you have seen the other with your eyes?
- What I see, in that I have faith for myself; for this mackerel [*](This mackerel: The lacertawas probably a delicate fish, whose name is now unknown, but not so much so as the mullus,the grey mullet, which was very highly esteemed by the Roman epicures.), in the absence of the mullet, compels me to be in love with her.
- I’ faith, you really mustn’t be falling in love with her, she’s engaged to me. If the other weds you to-day, forthwith I shall take this one for my wife.
- Why, then, do you delay to accost her?
- Follow me this way, then.
- I am your lackey at your heels[*](Lackey at your heels: Pedisequus.The pedisequiwere a class of slaves at Rome whose duty it was to walk behind their master when he went out of doors. The name does not seem to have been given to every slave who followed his master, but they belonged to a class which was almost the lowest in the slave family.).
- aloud. I wish that I had an opportunity of meeting him on account of whom I came here out of doors.
- accosting her. It shall be so, and you shall have what you so greatly wish; be of good courage, don’t fear; there is a certain person who knows where that is which you are seeking.
- Who’s that I hear at hand?
- The sharer of your plans and the partaker of your secrets.
- I’ faith, then, what I do conceal I don’t conceal.
- Aye, but still you don’t conceal it this way.
- How so?
- From the uninitiated you conceal them. I am sure and trustworthy to you.
- Give me the sign, if you are one of these votaries[*](Of these votaries: Baccharum.Literally, one of the Bacchae, or votaries of Bacchus. Only those were admitted to the rites who had been duly initiated. These had a sign or password called symbolum, or memoraculum, by which they recognised each other, and thus Milphidippa asks Palaestrio to give her some proof that he is the right person for her to address. This pretended caution is only assumed in the Captain’s presence, in order the better to impose upon him, by affecting the utmost care and secrecy in the matter).
- A certain lady loves a certain gentleman.
- Faith, many ladies do that indeed.
- But not many ladies send a present from off their fingers.