For what reason? LEONIDA With which to beat these asses To beat these asses : He means the money which was to have been paid for the asses. , if perchance they should begin to bray out here, from within the bag. (They stand apart.) (Enter ARGYRIPPUS from the house of CLEAERETA, followed by PHILENIUM.) ARGYRIPPUS Why are you holding me back? PHILENIUM Because, as I love you, I cannot bear your departing. ARGYRIPPUS Farewell. PHILENIUM I should fare somewhat better, if you were to remain here. ARGYRIPPUS Blessings on you. PHILENIUM Do you wish for blessings on me, to whom you are bringing disease by your departure? ARGYRIPPUS Your mother has bid me the last farewell Bid me the last farewell : The word vale, farewell, is here understood, and reference is made, figuratively, to the usage of exclaiming vale when fire was set to the funeral pile. In saying that she bade him go home he refers to the expression with which the ceremony concluded, ilicet, you may go away, or you may go home. ; she has requested me to go home. PHILENIUM A bitter death will she cause her daughter, if I must part from you. LIBANUS (apart, to LEONIDA.) Troth now, the man has been turned out of doors there. LEONIDA (apart.) Such is the fact. ARGYRIPPUS Prithee, do let me go. PHILENIUM Whither are you going now? Why don’t you stay here? ARGYRIPPUS This night, if you choose, I’ll stay. LIBANUS (apart.) Don’t you hear him? How profuse he is of his attentions by night. But now, in the daytime, he’s engaged; surely he’s a Solon He’s a Solon : Solon was one of the wise men of Greece , and the great lawgiver of the Athenians. He was remarkable for he severity of his morals. to write laws whereby the public may regulate itself. Psha! those who would be in readiness for themselves to pay obedience to his laws, would decidedly never do any good; they would be drinking night and day.