Speak out as boldly as you please.EPIDICUS How say you? Have you been well all along?THESPRIO In a varied way. EPIDICUS Those who are well in a varied wayIn a varied way: He puns upon the different meanings of the word varie; and alludes to the checquered or striped state of the slave’s back after whipping. By varie, Thesprio simply means, sometimes well, and sometimes ill., a race of men of the goat kind or of the panther kind, don’t please me.THESPRIO What do you wish me to tell you but that which is fact?EPIDICUS To answer to these thingsPart of the first part of line 19 in the Latin. fairly; how’s our master’s son? Is he well?THESPRIO Stout as a boxer and an athlete. EPIDICUS You’ve brought me joyous tidings on your arrival. But where is he?THESPRIO I came here together with him.EPIDICUS Where is he then? Unless, perchance, you’ve brought him in your wallet, or, perhaps, in your knapsack.THESPRIO May the Gods confound you!EPIDICUS I want to make enquiries of you. Lend me your attention; attention shall be lent you in return.THESPRIO You say what’s lawWhat’s law: The words operam da and operam dabo, used by Epidicus, were terms used in the Roman courts of law: therefore Thesprio says, jus dicis, meaning, you talk like a judge.. EPIDICUS It becomes me to do so.THESPRIO But why now are you acting the Praetor over us?EPIDICUS What other person in Athens will you say is more deserving of it than I?THESPRIO But still, Epidicus, one thing is wanting for your Praetorship.EPIDICUS What, pray? THESPRIO You shall know; two lictorsTwo lictors: The Praetors were attended by lictors As one part of their duty was to scourge refractory slaves, Thesprio means to joke Epidicus, by telling him that he requires the lictors — not to do him honor, but to scourge him. two osier bundles of twigs—EPIDICUS(shaking his fist at him.)Woe unto you! But how say you—?THESPRIO What is it you ask?EPIDICUS Where are the armsWhere are the armns: As Thesprio was his armour-bearer, this question cannot be considered as an impertinent one. of Stratippocles?THESPRIO I’ faith, they’ve gone over to the enemy.EPIDICUS What, his arms? THESPRIO Aye, and quickly too.EPIDICUS Do you say that seriously?THESPRIO Seriously I say it; the enemy have got them.EPIDICUS By my troth, a disgraceful affair.THESPRIO Still, before now, other persons have done the same. This affair will turn out to his honorWill turn out to his honor: Schmieder thinks that in these words there is a covert allusion to the conduct of Terentius Varro, by whose bad management the Romans lost the battle of Cannae, when fighting against Hannibal. The Senate, however, received him with open arms, because he had not despaired of the state..