Curculio, or The Forgery (634b-666)

Prithee, do let me know.

I’ll tell you: (to PLANESIUM) get up. Listen to this matter, and give attention. My father Periphanes used to wear it.

Ha! Periphanes?

He, before he died, gave it to me as being his son, as it was right he should.

O Jupiter!

And on that occasion he made me his heir.

O filial affection, do thou preserve me, since I have carefully preserved thee. Welcome, my brother.

How am I to believe that? Tell me, if you are speaking the truth, who was your mother?

Cleobula.

Who was your nurse?

Archestrata.

Amid the sacred rites of Bacchus she had carried me to see the sights ⋯ after we had come thither, when now she had found me a place, a whirlwind arose[*]; the scaffolding[*] of the stage there tumbled down; I was greatly alarmed, and then some one, I know not who, seized hold of me trembling and frightened, neither alive nor dead;

and in what manner he carried me off I cannot say.

I recollect that disturbance happening; but, do you tell me, where is this person, who carried you away?

I know not; but (showing a ring) this ring I have all along preserved by me, with it long since was I lost.

Give it me to look at.

Are you in your senses to be trusting it to that fellow?

Do you only leave me alone.

O Jupiter! This is the same that I presented you upon your birthday; I recognize it as easily as my own self. Welcome to you, my sister.

My brother, welcome to you.

I trust the Gods will prosper this matter for you.

And I, for all of us.

Do you, as having this day arrived, give a dinner in honor of your sister he (pointing to PHAEDROMUS), to-morrow, will give one in honor of his marriage; we promise that.

Do you hold your tongue.

I shan’t hold my tongue, as things are turning out so well. Captain, do you promise her to him; I’ll give the marriage-portion.

What is the marriage-portion?

What, that I give? Why, that always as long as he lives he’s to feed me.

I’ troth, he says what’s fair;

with my consent you shall do so.

But this Procurer owes me the thirty minae.