What person, I wonder, is this before our house lamenting, and that utters complaints with his moaning? Why,surely, this is Euclio, as I imagine. I’m utterly undone! The thing’s all out; he knows now, as I suppose, that his daughter is brought to bed. I’m in a state of uncertainty now what I shall do, whether go or remain, accost him or fly.

EUCLIOWhat person is it that speaks there?LYCONIDES’Tis I, wretch that I am.EUCLIOYes, and so am I, and wretchedly ruined, whose lot is misfortune so great and sorrow.LYCONIDESBe of good courage. EUCLIOHow, prithee, can I be so?LYCONIDESBecause that deed which is afflicting your mind, I did it, and I confess it.EUCLIOWhat is it I hear from you?LYCONIDESThat which is the truth. EUCLIOWhat evil, young man, have I deserved, by reason of which you should do thus, and go to ruin both me and my children?LYCONIDESA Divinity was my prompter; he prompted me to do itPrompted me to do it: Ad illam illexit. Literally, enticed me to her. The humour of the whole scene turns upon Euclio and Lyconides mistaking the meaning of each other—the former thinking that the latter is speaking about the aula, or pot, while the latter fancies that Euclio is amenting the mishap of his daughter. In the Latin language, the word aula is or the feminine gender, by reason of which the misunderstanding is much more natural than it would be in the English language. In consequence, some little latitude in the translation is absolutely necessary to sustain the equivoque of the original.EUCLIOHow? LYCONIDESI confess that I have done wrong, and I know that I deserve censure; for that reason I’m come to beseech you, that, with feelings assuaged, you will pardon me.EUCLIOWhy did you dare do so, to touch that which was not your own? LYCONIDESWhat do you wish to be done? The thing has been done; it can’t be undone. I believe that the Gods willed it, for if they hadn’t willed it, I know it wouldn’t have happened.EUCLIOBut I believe that the Gods have willed that I should be the death of you in fetters.LYCONIDESDon’t say that! EUCLIOWhat business then have you to touch what is my own against my will?LYCONIDESBecause I did it under the evil influence of wine and love.EUCLIOMost audacious man, that you should dare to come here to me with that speech, you impudent fellow! For if this is lawful, so that you may be able to excuse it—let us openly, in broad daylight, plunder their golden trinkets from ladies—after that, if we are caught, let us excuse ourselves, that we did it when intoxicated,by reason of being in love. Too cheap are wine and love, if one in liquor and in love is allowed to do with impunity whatever he pleases.LYCONIDESBut I come to you of my own accord to supplicate you on account of my folly.EUCLIOPersons don’t please me, who, when they’ve done wrong, excuse themselves. You knew that you had no right there; you oughtn’t to have touchedYou oughtn’t to have touched: Tn illam scibas non tuam esse: non attactam aportuit. This literally, speaking of the pot (aula) as of the feminine gender, would mean you knew that she was not your own; it was not fitting for her to be touched. This of course helps to confirm Lyconides in the impression that Euclio is speaking of his daughter..LYCONIDESTherefore, inasmuch as I did dare to touch, I make no objection to keep by all means.EUCLIOYou, keep what is my own against my will?LYCONIDESAgainst your will, I do not ask; but I think that that which was yours ought to be mineOught to be mine: Lyconides here alludes to a law which prevailed at Rome, whereby, when a person had seduced a freeborn female, he was obliged either to marry her himself without a portion, or else to give her such a portion as was suitable to her station. Lyconides means to say that he shall exercise the former right.. Moreover, Euclio, you’ll find, I say, that mine it ought to be.EUCLIONow really, on my word, I’ll drag you to the Praetor and take proceedingsAnd take proceedings: Scribam dicam.Dica was a name derived from the Greek, for an indictment, writ, or process, by which in action was commenced. against you,unless you make restitution. LYCONIDESMake restitution of what to you?