Do I delay you? CURCULIO But let’s cram down something first, the gammon, the udder, and the kernels; these are the foundations for the stomach, with bread and roast beef, a good-sized cup and a capacious pot, that counsel enough may be forthcoming. Do you, yourself, seal the letter; he’ll do the honors (pointing to PALINURUS) while I am eating.I’ll dictate after what fashion you’re to write. Follow me this way, in-doors.PHAEDROMUS I follow.(They go into the house of PHAEDROMUS.)

(Enter LYCO.)LYCOI seem to be in opulence; I’ve struck my balance, how much money I have, and how much I owe. I’m rich, if I don’t payIf I don’t pay: He probably alludes to some shuffling and cheating methods by which the bankers of the day had recently distinguished themselves. See the Pseudolus, l. 296 (Act I., Sc. 3). those to whom I’m in debt. If I do pay those to whom I’m in debt, my debts are the greatest. But really, upon my faith, when I carefully consider, if they press me hard, I’ll resort to the PraetorResort to the Praetor: This was probably a method with bankers and traders, by which, for the purpose of defrauding their creditors, they surrendered their effects to the Praetor, and by doing so, contrived to make a purse, as is too often done by bankrupts and insolvents at the present day. In l. 684 (Act V., Sc. 3), we find Cappadox expressing himself as apprehensive that Lyco will be taking the benefit of the Act.. Most bankers have this habit, for one to borrow of the other, and to pay nobody, and to discharge the debt with their fists, if any one duns in a loudish tone.The person that hasThe person that has: Gueudeville, in his translation, informs us that this maxim was much repeated by Louis XII. of France, who was a great admirer of Plautus. in a short time acquired wealth, unless in good time he saves it, in good time comes to starvation. I’d like to buy a servant for myself, who now, however, must be sought by me on hireSought by me on hire: This passage has been much commented on, as containing some indelicate meaning. After all, it seems clearly to mean that he has occasion for all his ready cash; and, though he would like to buy a slave, he must content himself with hiring one.: there’s occasion for my ready money.(within.)CURCULIODon’t you be reminding me now I’m full; I recollect and understand. I’ll render up to you all this cleverly carried out; do hold your peace. I’ faith, I’ve surely filled myself in-doors right well, and still in my stomach I’ve left room for one corner, in which to stow away the remnants of these remnants.(Seeing LYCO.)Who’s this that with covered head is saluting Aesculapius? Heyday, the very man I wanted. (To an ATTENDANT.) Follow me.I’ll make pretence as though I didn’t know him. (Aloud.) Hark you; I want you.LYCO(turning round.) One-eyed manOne-eyed man: It appears from this that Curculio has but one eye. The occasion of his losing it is hinted at in l. 396., save you.CURCULIO Prithee, do you jeer me? LYCO I suppose that you are of the family of the CoclitesFamily of the Coclites: Coclitum prosapia no doubt here means a general term, the family of one-eyed men. Horatius, who, single-handed, opposed the army of Porsenna, was called Cocles, from having but one eye. Pliny the Elder speaks of the Cyclops and the Arimaspians, a nation of Sarmatia, as having but one eye.; for they are one-eyed.CURCULIO This was knocked out for me by a catapulta,at Sicyon.LYCO What matters it to me, pray, if it had been knocked out by a broken pot with cinders in it?CURCULIO(aside.)This fellow’s a wizard, surelyA wizard, surely: He is surprised at Lyco having so exactly hit upon the truth. It has been already remarked that Parasites were the especial butts for practical jokes. On one of these occasions the unfortunate fellow probably lost his eye.; he tells the truth, for such catapultas are often directed at me.(Aloud.)Young man, as I bear this mark on my faceBear this mark on my face: Hoc intus mihi. This passage is most probably corrupt. in the service of the public, prithee don’t be uncivilDon’t be uncivil: Incomitio probably means, to treat rudely, or be uncivil to. Lyco puns upon it, as though meaning, to bring before the comitia,’ or public assemblies of the people. to me.LYCO May I then inforizeInforize: In the word inforare, which is coined for the occasion, and signifies to summon to the Forum, it is not improbable that an indecent pun is intended. The liberty has been taken of adopting these two word for the occasion. you, if I may not incomitiatize?CURCULIO You shan’t be inforizing me, indeed; and really I don’t care at all about your Forum or your Comitia. But if you can point me out this person that I’m seeking, you will be doing me a real and a great service. I’m looking for Lyco the banker.LYCO Tell me why you are now seeking for him, or, of what country are you? CURCULIO I’ll tell you: I’m come from Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain.LYCO I’ faith, I know the name: (aside) for with that same name, when I wrote, I filled four whole sidesFour whole sides: Ceras. Waxed sides of a tablet.. (To CURCULIO.) But why are you seeking for Lyco?CURCULIO(showing the letter.) I’ve been ordered to deliver this letter to him.LYCO What person are you?CURCULIO His freed-man, whom all call SummanusSummanus: There was a Divinity of this name. See the Bacchides, l. 895 (Act IV., Sc. 8) The name, as here coined by Curculio, would perhaps, answer to the English Mr. Keep-tight-in-hand.. LYCO Summanus, my greetings. But why Summanus? Let me know.