not to walk abroad here, or come anywhere in the way of the old gentleman.(Goes into the house of CHAERIBULUS.)

(Enter APAECIDES and PERIPHANES, from the house of the former.)APAECIDES Mostly all menMostly all men: Apaecides has been talking in-doors with Periphanes about his supposed daughter who has lately come home, and is recommending him to atone to Philippa for his conduct to her, by marrying her. It is supposed that Terence had this passage in view in the Andria, l. 637-8. are ashamed when they have no occasion to be; when they ought to be ashamed, then does shame forsake them, when there’s a necessity for their being ashamed. That man, in fact, are you. What is there to be ashamed of in your bringing home a wife, poor, but born of good family? Especially her, whose daughter you say this girl is, who is at your house?PERIPHIANES I have some regard for my sonRegard for my son: It was looked upon as a disgraceful thing for a father with grown-up sons to marry again, and thereby introduce a mother-in-law into his family. Apaecides blames Periphanes for this scruple, and hints to him that he ought not to be more ashamed on account of his son, than of his late wife, who, being dead, and for whom he had no hearty liking, could not make him blush at a second marriage..APAECIDES But, i’ faith, the wife whom you buried I thought you had felt some respect for; whose tomb as oft as you see, you straightway sacrifice victims to Orcus; and not without reason, in fact, since you’ve been allowed to get the better of her by surviving her.PERIPHIANES Ah me! I was a Hercules while she was with me; and, upon my faith, the sixth labourThe sixth labour: The sixth labour of Hercules was his combat with the Amazons, when he took Antiope or Hippolyts, their queen, and carried off her girdle. was not more difficult to Hercules than the one that fell to my lot.APAECIDES I’ faith, money’s a handsome dowry.PERIPHIANES Troth, so it is, which isn’t encumbered with a wife.

(Enter EPIDICUS, from the house of CHAERIBULUS, softly crossing the stage.)EPIDICUS(at the door, as he enters.)Hist! hist! be silent, and have good courage; with a fair omen have I come out of doors, the bird upon the left handBird upon the left hand: Among the Romans the Augur looked to the South, having the East on his left hand, which was considered the auspicious quarter. The Greeks considered birds on the left hand an ill omen.. (Pointing to his head.) I’ve got a sharp knife, with which to embowel the old man’s purse; but see! here he is before the house of Apaecides, the two old fellows, just as I want. Now I shall change me into a leech, and suck out the blood of these who are called the pillars of the Senate.PERIPHIANES Let him be married at once.APAECIDES I approve of your design.PERIPHIANES For I’ve heard that he’s entangled with love with a certain music-girl, I don’t know who. At that I’m vexed to death.EPIDICUS(apart.)By my troth, all the Deities do aid, amplify, and love me; really, these men themselves are pointing out to me the way by means of which I’m to get the money out of them. Now then, come, equip yourself, Epidicus, and throw your cloak about your neck (suiting the action to the word.)and pretend as though you had been in search of the man all the city over. On with it, if you are going to do it! (He hurries past the OLD MEN as though he didn’t see them, and calls out aloud.) Immortal Gods! I do wish I could meet with Periphanes at home, whom I’m tired with searching for all over the city, throughout the doctors’ shops, throughout the barbers’ shops, in the gymnasium, and in the Forum, at the perfumers’ shops and the butchers’ stallsButchers’ stalls: Lanienas. Madame Dacier thinks that this means a place where arms were sold, and the lanistae, or gladiators exercised themselves., and round about the bankers’ shops.I’m become hoarse with enquiring; I’ve almost dropped down with running.PERIPHIANES Epidicus! EPIDICUS(looking round.)Who is it that’s calling Epidicus back?PERIPHIANES It’s I, Periphanes. APAECIDES And I, Apaecides.EPIDICUS And I, indeed, am Epidicus. But, master, I find that you’ve both met me at the nick of time. PERIPHIANES What’s the matter? EPIDICUS Wait, wait! (puffs and blows.) prithee, do let me get breath!PERIPHIANES By all means, rest yourself.EPIDICUS I’m quite faint; I must recover my breath.APAECIDES Do rest yourself at your leisure.EPIDICUS Lend me your attention. All the men of the army have been remanded home from ThebesRemanded home from Thebes: Madame Dacier supposes, and with fair reason, that in this Epidicus tells what really is the fact..APAECIDES Who knows for certain that this has been done?