I think it’s as well.(They stand aside.)

(Enter CURCULIO, at a distance, walking fast.)CURCULIO(to himself.) Known or unknown, make way for me, while here I execute my commission; fly all of you, be off, and get out of the way, lest I should hurt any person in my speed with my head, or elbow, or breast, or with my knee. So suddenly now am I charged with a business of quickness and despatch. And be there no person ever so opulent to stop me in my way, neither generalGeneral: Though the Scene is at Epidaurus, he no doubt alludes to the ten Strategi of Athens, who, after the remodelling of the constitution by Cleisthenes, discharged the duties which had been formerly performed either by the King or the Archon Polemarchus. They were elected by the suffrages of the people, and exercised the supreme power in peace and war. See an able article on this subject in Dr. Smith’s Dictionary of Antiquities., nor any tyrantTyrant: By the use of the word tyrannus he perhaps refers to the Basileus Archon, or King Archon. of Athens, who was the representative of the ancient kings, in their capacity of high priest. It was his duty to preside at the Lenaea, or older Dionysia, to superintend mysteries and certain games, and to offer prayers and sacrifices in the Eleusinium, both at Athens and Eleusis. The word may, however, be only intended as a general name, like our term potentate., nor market-officerMarket-officer: Agoranomus, the market-officer of the Greeks, has been referred to in a Note to the Miles Gloriosus., nor demarchDenmarch: The Demarchi were the chief officers of the demi, townships or hundreds, in Attica. It was their duty to convene the demus, and take the votes; to register the landed estates, to collect the public rents, and to furnish to the authorities a list of the members of the townships who were fit to serve in war. nor comarchComarch: The Comarchi were the prefects, or head officers of each village or framlet in Attica., with their honors so great, but that down he goes, and tumbles head first from the footpath into the carriage-road. And then those Grecians with their cloaks, who walk about with covered heads, who go loaded beneath their cloaks with books, and with basketsWith baskets: In the sportule, or baskets, the poor, and the parasitical dependants on the rich, carried away the scraps that were given to them after an entertainment was concluded.,they loiter together, and engage in gossipping among themselves, the gad-aboutsThe gad-abouts: Drapetae. From the Greek δρέμω,to run. He probably alludes to the propensities of the Athenians for gossipping and running about from place to place. Probably, at the time of Plautus, they had begun in considerable numbers to resort to Rome. By his reference to the books, he is, perhaps, more particularly alluding to their Philosophers. The Romans considered it effeminate in civil life to go with the head covered.; you may always see them enjoying themselves in the hot liquor-shopsHot liquor-shops— The thermopolia have been alluded to in a Note to the Trinummus, l. 1013.; when they have scraped up some trifle, with their covered pates they are drinking mulled wine, sad and maudlin they depart: if I stumble upon them here, from every single one of them I’ll squeeze out a belch from their pearled-barley dietTheir pearled-barley diet: This passage is necessarily somewhat modified in the translation. The Philosophers, especially the Stoics, who prided themselves on their abstinence, lived principally upon pearled barley.. And then those servants of your dainty townsmenOf your dainty townsmen: He alludes to those opulent townsmen who, to make a show, are keeping more servants than they want; in consequence whereof, these servants have nothing to do but play at ball in the streets, much to the annoyance of the passers-by., who are playing at catch-ball in the road, both throwers and catchers, all of them I’ll pitch under foot. Would they avoid a mishap, why then, let them keep at home.PHAEDROMUS(apart.)He points out aright, he only requires that he should speak with authority; for such manners are in vogue in the present day, such at present are the slaves; really, control cannot be held over them.CURCULIO(to himself.) Is there any one, I wonder, who can point out to me Phaedromus, my good Genius? The matter is of such pressing nature, I really must meet with the man this instant.PALINURUS(apart.)He’s looking for you. PHAEDROMUS(apart.) What if we accost him? (Aloud.) Hallo! Curculio, I want you.CURCULIO(looking round.) Who’s calling me? Who’s mentioning my name?PHAEDROMUS One who wishes to meet with you.CURCULIO(seeing him.) You don’t wish more for me than I wish for you. PHAEDROMUS O my own ready occasion, Curculio, much longed-for, greetings to you.CURCULIO Greetings to you. PHAEDROMUS I’m glad that you have arrived safe; give me your right hand. How stand my hopes? Troth now, prithee, do speak out.CURCULIO To you, troth now, prithee, do speak out, how stand my own. (Makes curious gestures.) PHAEDROMUS What’s the matter with you? CURCULIO A dimness is beginning to come, my knees are failing through fasting.PHAEDROMUS I’ faith, through lassitude, I think.CURCULIO(staggering.) Support me, prithee, do support me.PHAEDROMUS See how pale he has turned; will you give him a seat, for him to be seated at once, and an ewer with some water? Will you make haste, this very instant?CURCULIO I’m faint. PHAEDROMUS Would you like some water?CURCULIO If it’s full of bitsFull of bits: He will like the water very well, if it is in the shape of a rich soup, with plenty of meat in it. of meat, prithee, give it me to swallow down, i’ faith. PHAEDROMUS Woe be to that head of yours.CURCULIO Troth now, prithee do give me cause to rejoice at my arrivalAt my arrival: Ventum. This word gives occasion to a pun here, as, according to the context, it may either meal that I am arrived, or wind. The Parasite says, Give me reason (by providing some victuals) to rejoice that I have arrived. Phaedromus chooses to understand him as saving, Give me some wind, that I may rejoice, and says By all means, and begins to fan him. The other asks what he is doing, or making; to which he replies, Making some air.. PHAEDROMUS(begins to fan him.) By all means.CURCULIO Prithee, what’s this you’re about. PHAEDROMUS Some air.