Why, surely, I see her. There she is. (Pointing to PLANESIUM.) PHAEDROMUS This young woman is free. THERAPONTIGONUS What, my female slave free, to whom I have never given her liberty?PHAEDROMUS Who gave you possession of her, or of whom did you buy her? Let me know that? THERAPONTIGONUS Why, I paid the money for her through my banker—a sum which I’ll have refunded to me fourfold by you and the Procurer.PHAEDROMUS You, who understand how to traffic in young women, kidnapped and of free birth, come you before the judge. THERAPONTIGONUS I shan’t come.PHAEDROMUS I may call my witnessCall my witness: It was a custom with the Romans, when a man was summoned by another to go with him at once before the Praetor, for the plaintiff, if the defendant would not go quietly, to call any bystander to be witness (antestari) that he had been duly summnened; and, having touched the ear of the witness, the latter was bound to aid in dragging the defendant to court. Only free persons could be witnesses. For this reason the Captain tells Phaedromus that he cannot summon a witness on this occasion, as he knows that Planesium is not free, and supposes that Curculio is also a slave. to the summons.THERAPONTIGONUS No, you mayn’t. PHAEDROMUS May Jupiter then utterly confound you: live without witnessesWithout witnesses: Intestatus. An indelicate allusion tended in this line. then.CURCULIO But I’m a person that he may summon.PHAEDROMUS(to CURCULIO.)Do you step this way.Part of the first part of line 623 in the Latin. THERAPONTIGONUS What? A slave summoned as a witness?Take you care. CURCULIO Well, that you may know it, I’m free.THERAPONTIGONUSThen come before the judge.Part of the firt part of line 624_625 in the Latin. There’s for you: take that.(Gives him a blow.)CURCULIO O townsmen, townsmen, help.THERAPONTIGONUS Why do you bawl so?PHAEDROMUS What right have you to strike him?THERAPONTIGONUS Because I choose. PHAEDROMUS(to CURCULIO.) Step this way you (pushes him towards the CAPTAIN); there, I’ll give him up to you. Hold your noise.CURCULIO Phaedromus, prithee do save me.PHAEDROMUS As I would myself and my own good Genius. Captain, prithee, do tell me whence you got that ring, which this Parasite purloined from you.PLANESIUM(kneeling before the CAPTAIN.) By your knees, I do entreat you to give us that information. THERAPONTIGONUS What matters that to you? You might as well ask after this sabre and this scarf, how each came into my possession.CURCULIO What airs the swaggerer does give himself!THERAPONTIGONUS Send that fellow away (pointing to CURCULIO); then I’ll tell you all. CURCULIO It’s nonsense what he says.