This; how we are to manage Are to manage : Mnesilochus is probably going to ask how they are about to arrange, when he is interrupted by Chrysalus, who then asks him what he was going to say, on which he answers that he was going to observe how many there would be at the entertainment. . CHRYSALUS Where are your couches Your couches : Biclinium is supposed to mean either a snug room fitted up with only two lecti , or couches for reclining at meals, or else, perhaps with more probability, a couch formed for holding two guests, instead of three, as the common triclinium did. It is not unlikely that the use of these was especially adopted in houses of the character of that kept by Bacchis. laid out? MNESILOCHUS Why o you ask that? CHRYSALUS So the matter stands; I wish to be informed. You know not what I am about to do, nor what a great exploit I shall attempt. MINES. Give me your hand, and follow me close, to the door. Peep in. (CHRYSALUS looks in at the door of the house of BACCHIS.) CHRYSALUS Hurra! ’Tis a very pretty place, this, and exactly as I could wish it to be. (Re-enter PISTOCLERUS, with pen and tablets.) PISTOCLERUS The things that you ordered—what’s ordered for a good purpose is forthwith done by the obedient. CHRYSALUS What have you brought? PISTOCLERUS Everything that you bade me bring. CHRYSALUS (to MNESILOCHUS.) Do you take the pen at once, and these tablets. MNESILOCHUS (taking them.) What then? CHRYSALUS Write there what I shall bid you; for I wish you to write for this reason, that your father may know the hand when he reads it. Write now. MNESILOCHUS What shall I write? CHRYSALUS Health to your father, in your own language. (MNESILOCHUS writes.) PISTOCLERUS Suppose he were to write disease and death, in preference, that would be much better. CHRYSALUS Don’t you interrupt us. MNESILOCHUS What you have ordered is now written on the wax. CHRYSALUS Tell me in what terms. MNESILOCHUS Mnesilochus sends health to his father. CHRYSALUS Write this, too, quickly: My father, Chrysalus is always and everywhere talking at me, and in no measured terms, because I gave you up the gold, and because I did not cheat you of it. (MNESILOCHUS writes.) PISTOCLERUS Stop till he has written it. CHRYSALUS It befits the hand of a lover to be active. PISTOCLERUS I’ faith, that hand is more active by far at lavishing than at writing. MNESILOCHUS Say on; that’s written down. CHRYSALUS Now, my dear father, do you henceforth be on your guard against him, for he is forming knavish plans to deprive you of the gold, and has declared that he will have it beyond a doubt. Write legibly. MNESILOCHUS You only dictate.