Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- to PALAESTRIO. ’Tis mutual in us.
- Hush! don’t you let her hear.
- aloud. Why do you stand stupefied? Why don’t you knock?
- aloud. Because he is not within whom I want.
- aloud. How do you know[*](How do you know: In Ritschel’s edition, these words are attributed to Palaestrio. This is clearly a mistake, for Palaestrio has not yet joined in their conversation. He and his master are listening to what they say.)?
- aloud. By my troth, I do know it easily; for my nose would scent him if he were within.
- to PALAESTRIO. She is a diviner. Because she is in love with me, Venus has made her prophesy.
- aloud. He is somewhere or other close at hand whom I do so long to behold. I’m sure I smell him.
- to PALAESTRIO. Troth, now, she really sees better with her nose than with her eyes.
- to PYRGOPOLINICES. She is blind from love.
- aloud. Prithee, do support me.
- aloud. Why?
- aloud. Lest I should fall.
- aloud. Why?
- aloud. Because I cannot stand; my senses—my senses are sinking so by reason of my eyes.
- aloud. Heavens! you’ve seen the Captain.
- aloud. I have.
- aloud. I don’t see him. Where is he?
- aloud. Troth, you would see him if you were in tove.
- aloud. I’ faith, you don’t love him more than I do myself, with your good leave.