Wretched creature, I’m quite undone!(Begins to weep.)PERIPHIANES Don’t weep, madam; go in-doors; be of good courage; I’ll find her out.PHILIPPA An Attic citizen from Athens here purchased her Indeed, they said it was a young man who had bought her.PERIPHIANES I will find her; hold your peace. Only do go in-doors, and keep an eye upon this CirceUpon this Circe: He calls her a Circe, because she has laid a spell upon him, as it were by enchantments, for which Circe was famous. Perhaps, too, he calls her a daughter of the Sun, from his not knowing who her father really is, when he has so recently supposed himself to be so., this daughter of the Sun.(She goes into the house, followed by ACROPOLISTIS.)All business laid aside, I’ll give my attention to seeking for Epidicus. If I find him, I’ll make this day become the final one for him.(Exit.)

(Enter STRATIPPOCLES, from the house of CHAERIBULUS.)STRATIPPOCLES(to himself.)The BankerThe Banker: Danista. This was from a Greek word, signifying a banker, or usurer. With an extraordinary degree of carelessness, Cotter takes it to be the proper name of a man, and calls him Danista. is inattentive to me, not to seek the money of me, or bring this woman who has been purchased out of the spoil. But see—here comes Epidicus How’s this, that in gloominess his brow is wrinkled?(at a distance.)EPIDICUS(to himself.)If Jupiter unto himself were to take the eleven GodsThe eleven Gods: He alludes to the eleven who, with Jupiter, made the Dii majores. They are thus enumerated in two rugged lines of Ennius: Juno, Vesta, Ceres, Diana, Minerva, Venus, Mars,Mercurius Jovi, Neptunus, Vulcanus, Apollo. beside himself, even then, all of them would not be able to rescue Epidicus from torture. I’ve seen Periphanes buying the thongs; Apaecides was together with him; now, I do believe that these persons are in search of me. They have found it out; they know that they’ve been imposed upon.STRATIPPOCLES(coming forward.)What are you about, my ready occasion?EPIDICUS That which a wretched fellow is about.STRATIPPOCLES What’s the matter with you?EPIDICUS Why don’t you prepare for me the necessaries for flight before I’m quite undone? For the two fleeced old gentlemen are hunting for me through the city; they are carrying in their hands handcuffs an inch and a half thick. STRATIPPOCLES Be of good heart—EPIDICUS Of course I will, whose freedom is so close at handIs so close at hand: Quoi libertas in mundo sita est. This expression, no doubt, is intended to be used ironically by Epidicus..STRATIPPOCLES I will preserve you. EPIDICUS I’ faith, they’ll do it better for me, if they catch me. But who’s this young woman, this greyish old fellow, too, that’s coming along?(are seen at a distance.)STRATIPPOCLES This is the Banker, and this is the woman whom I purchased out of the spoil.EPIDICUS What, is this she?STRATIPPOCLES It is she. Isn’t she just like what I told you? Look at her.EPIDICUS Is it she?STRATIPPOCLESSurvey her, Epidicus.Part of line 622 in the Latin. Even from her nail to the top of her hair she is most lovely! Is she not? Do look at her! Observe her! You’ll be looking at a picture beautifully painted.EPIDICUS Judging from your words you are foretelling that my hide will be beautifully painted; me, whom Apelles and ZeuxisApelles and Zeuxis: See the Notes to the Pœnulus, l. 1289. He alludes to Periphanes and Apaecides, who will cause his back to be marked with elm-twigs., the pair of them, will be painting with elm-tree pigments.(Enter the BANKER and TELESTIS.)STRATIPPOCLES(to the BANKER.)Immortal Gods! I’m surprised at your slowness. The man that’s spoken of in the proverb with swollen feet, would have got here sooner than you have arrived for me.A BANKER.(pointing to TELESTIS.)I’ faith, ’twas she delayed me.STRATIPPOCLES If indeed you delayed for her sake,because she wished it, you have come too quickly.A BANKER Well, well, dispatch with me and count out the money, that I mayn’t be detaining my friends.STRATIPPOCLES It has been counted out.A BANKER.(giving him a bag.)Take this bag; put it into it.STRATIPPOCLES You come discreetly provided! Wait till I bring out the money to you.