Asinaria, or The Ass-Dealer (869-883b)

Do you only be quiet. By my troth, I’ll surely give him some trouble.

I’m sure of it, that so it will befall him, so long, indeed, as you shall continue married to him.

I was fancying that this fellow was still giving attendance either in the senate or to his dependants: that for that reason it was, that, worn out with fatigue, he snored the whole night through. Wearied with his labours out of doors he comes home at night. Another’s farm he ploughs, his own he leaves untilled.

Both he himself is corrupted, and he corrupts his son as well.

Do you only follow me this way, I’ll make you just now to fall upon the man himself in the very fact.

By heaven, there’s nothing that I could more wish for.

Just stop there.

What’s the matter?

If perchance you were to see your husband reclining, if you beheld him with a garland on, caressing a mistress, could you recognize him?

I’ troth, I could.

Then there’s your man.

I’m undone.

Stay a little. Let’s observe in private, from ambush, what business they are about.

What end will you put to your caresses, father?

I confess, my son—

What do you confess?

That I’m utterly undone with love for her.