Miles Gloriosus
Plautus, Titus Maccius
Plautus. The Comedies of Plautus, Volume 1. Riley, H. T., translator. London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1912.
- discovering her. Palaestrio! O Palaestrio!
- Sceledrus! O Sceledrus! What is it you want?
- This lady that has come out of that house just now—is she Philocomasium, our master’s lady, or is she not?
- I’ faith, I think, it seems to be she. But ’tis a wondrous thing how she could pass from our house to next door; if, indeed, it is she.
- And have you any doubt that this is she?
- It seems to be she.
- Let us approach her, and accost her. Hallo! how’s this, Philocomasium? What is there owing to you in that house? What is your business there? Why are you silent now? I am speaking to you.
- No, faith, you are talking to yourself; for nothing at all does she answer.
- I am addressing you, woman, brimful of viciousness and disgrace, who are roaming about among your neighbours.
- To whom are you talking?
- To whom but to yourself?
- What person are you? Or what business have you with me?
- O, you ask me who I am, do you?
- Why shouldn’t I ask that which I don’t know?
- Who am I, then, if you don’t know him?
- You are an annoyance to me, whoever you are, both you and he.
- What? don’t you know us?
- No, neither of you.
- I very much fear—
- What do you fear?