I’ve been free from disease; in mind I’ve been ailing.EPIDICUS As regarded myself, I’ve taken care of what you entrusted to me; it has been obtained; the female captive has been bought, about which matter you were sending me letters so often.STRATIPPOCLES You’ve lost all your labour.EPIDICUS But why have I lost it?STRATIPPOCLES Because she is not dear to my heart, nor does she please me.EPIDICUS What means it, then, that you gave me such strict injunctions, and sent letters to me?STRATIPPOCLES Formerly I did love her; but now another passion influences my heart.EPIDICUS I’ faith, it is a shocking thing for that to be unpleasant for a man which you have managed well for him; where I’ve done well, I’ve in reality done ill, since love has shifted sides.STRATIPPOCLES I wasn’t right in my mind when I sent those letters to you.EPIDICUS Is it proper that I should be the atonement for your folly,so as for you to substitute my back as the scape-goatAs the scape-goat: Succidanea was a term applied to a victim, substituted in place of another which had not given favourable omens. for your folly?STRATIPPOCLES Why are we making words about that? This man (pointing to himself) has need of forty minae, ready money, and in all haste, for him to pay a Banker, and speedily too. EPIDICUS Only tell me from what quarter you wish me to get them. From what banker am I to seek them?STRATIPPOCLES From where you like. But if I don’t finger them before sunset, don’t you enter my house; off with yourself to the mill.EPIDICUS You easily say that without risk and concern, and with a gay heart. I know our floggers; I feel the pain when I’m beaten.STRATIPPOCLES How say you now? Will you suffer me to destroy myself?EPIDICUS Don’t do that. I’ll cope with this peril and bold attempt in preference.STRATIPPOCLES Now you please me; now do I commend you.EPIDICUS I’ll submit to this in any way that’s pleasing to you.STRATIPPOCLES What then is to be done about this music-girl?EPIDICUS Some method shall be found out; by some means I’ll disengage myself; some way I shall get extricated.STRATIPPOCLES You are full of scheming; I know you of old.EPIDICUSThere is a rich Captain of EubœaCaptain of Eubœa: The Captain is elsewhere called a Rhodian. Probably it is meant that Rhodes was the place of his birth, and the island of Eubœa that of his residence., abounding in plenty of gold, who, when he knows that that one was bought for you, and that this other one has been brought here, will forthwith be entreating you, of his own accord, to transfer that other one to him. But where is she whom you have brought with you?STRATIPPOCLES I shall have her here just now.CHAERIBULUS What are we now doing here?STRATIPPOCLES Let’s go in-doors here at your house, that, for the present, we may pass this day merrily.(They go into the house of CHAERIBULUS.)EPIDICUS(to himself.)Go in-doors; I’ll now callI’ll now call: Echard’s adaptation of these two lines is so quaint, that it is worth transcribing. In the meantime must I have a committee of the whole house, to consider of ways and means for the raising supplies to carry on this vigorous war. a council in my heart to adopt measures about this money business, against whom, in especial, war is to be declared, and out of whom I’m to get the money. Epidicus, consider what you are to do; thus suddenly has this business been thrown upon you. But now you must not be slumbering, nor have you any leisure for delay. Now must you be daring! ’Tis my fixed determination to lay siege to the old man. I’ll go indoors; I’ll tell the young man, my master’s son,