This fellow is fond of you, according to what he says.ARTEMONAOn my word, he’s surely laying out all this at interest; for if, this day, he returns home, I’ll especially have my revenge in kissing him.ARGYRIPPUS(handing the dice-box.)Father, throw the dice; that afterwards I may have a throw.DEMAENETUSBy all means. You, Philenium, for myself, and death for my wife. (He throws.) ’Tis Venus’s castVenus’s, cast: Venereus jactus was the best throw on the set of four tali, or knuckle-bone dice, used by the ancients. It is supposed to have been a combination of the numbers, the sum of which was fourteen. When trying to throw the Venereus jactus, it was usual to mention the name of the mistress of the thrower; and Demaenetus throws in death to his wife, by way of supplement. From the next line, he appears to have been successful in his throw.. Lads, clap your hands, and give me some honeyed wine in my cup, in honor of my throw.ARTEMONA(apart.)I can hold out no longer.A PARASITE(apart.)If you haven’t learned the fulling tradeHaven’t learned the fulling trade: He intends a pun here upon the word durare, which meant either to endure, bear, or hold out; as also to full, harden, or thicken cloth, by the fuller’s art. Artemona says that she cannot durare in the first sense; on which the Parasite quibbles, and says, Because you have not learnt the fulling art. In the next line also a ploy upon words is intended, as invadi in oculos may mean either present yourself before his eyes or attack his eyes, and claw them out. No doubt the Parasite would have relished the fun, if she had taken his advice in the latter sense., it’s not to be wondered at; now it’s quite fitting for you to beset his eyes. (They make their appearance before the revellers.)ARTEMONABy heavens, I will live, and you this day have made that invocation to your own great misfortune.A PARASITEWill some one run to fetch the undertakersThe undertaker: The pollinctores were slaves, who belonged to the libitinarii, or undertakers, and whose duty it was to anoint the body with oil and perfumes before it was burnt.? ARGYRIPPUSHealth to you, mother. ARTEMONAHealth indeed after this fashion!A PARASITE(aside.)Demaenetus is dead. ’Tis time to betake myself hence: this battle bravely waxes hot. I’ll be off to Diabolus. I’ll tell him his orders are performed as he desired them; and in the meantime I’ll persuade him that we should take a meal, while these people are squabbling.Afterwards, in fine, I’ll bring him here to-morrow, to the procuress, that he may give her the twenty mince, that, in his turn, he in his passion may be enabled to obtain this damsel. I hope that Argyrippus will be able to be prevailed upon to allow him to pass each alternate night with him in her company; for, unless I obtain that, I’ve lost my patronMy patron: Regem. Literally, my king; the name which Parasites bestowed upon their patrons.; so great is the passion of the man by reason of his love.(He quietly withdraws.)ARTEMONA(addressing PHILENIUM.)What business have you to give a retreat here in your house to my husband?PHILENIUMTroth, he really will this day be the death of wretched me, through sheer disgust.ARTEMONA(to DEMAENETUS.)Rise, wencher, be off home.DEMAENETUSI’m undone. ARTEMONAYes, you areYes, you are: He says, nullus sum, in the sense of I’m undone; but she chooses to take it as though he had meant I am a worthless fellow, which meaning these words are capable of bearing.; don’t, i’ faith, gainsay it, you most vile of all men. Why, the cuckoo’s still on his nestCuckoo’s still on his nest: The cuckoo takes possession of the nests of other birds. and lays its eggs there. Artemona probably alludes to that fact, on seeing her husband under such a disgraceful circumstances.. Rise, wencher, be off home.DEMAENETUSWoe to me! ARTEMONAYou prophesy correctly. Rise, wencher, be off home.DEMAENETUSStep a little this way then.ARTEMONARise, wencher, be off home. DEMAENETUSNow, prithee, wife—ARTEMONADo you remember now that I’m your wife? It was but just now, when you were heaping abuse upon me, that I wasn’t your wife.DEMAENETUSI’m utterly ruined. ARTEMONAWhy, pray? Does the breath of your wife smell strong?DEMAENETUSIt smells of myrrh. ARTEMONAHave you filched my mantle then to be giving to your harlot? ARGYRIPPUSBy the powers—what, did he promise that he would filch your mantle?ARTEMONAWon’t you hold your tongue?