Make haste. STRATIPPOCLES It’s at home. (Goes into the house of CHAERIBULUS.) EPIDICUS (looking steadily at TELESTIS.) Have I the use of my eyes quite unimpaired, or is it otherwise? Do I not behold in you, Telestis, the daughter of Periphanes, born at Thebes of your mother Philippa, and conceived at Epidaurus? TELESTIS What person are you who are making mention of the name of my parents and my own? EPIDICUS Don’t you know me? TELESTIS Not, indeed, so far as recurs to my mind just now. EPIDICUS Don’t you remember my bringing you a crescent upon your birthday, and a little gold ring for your finger? (STRATIPPOCLES returns with the money.) TELESTIS I remember it. What, are you that person? EPIDICUS I am, and (pointing to STRATIPPOCLES, at a distance) he there is your brother by another mother and the same father. TELESTIS (in agitation.) What of my father? Is he alive? EPIDICUS Be of calm and composed feelings; hold your peace. TELESTIS The Gods will that from being lost I should be saved, if you speak the truth. EPIDICUS I have no occasion to be telling untruths to you. STRATIPPOCLES (to the BANKER.) Take this money, Banker; here are forty minae. If any piece shall be doubtful I’ll change it. (Gives him the money.) A BANKER You do well. Kindly farewell. (Exit.) STRATIPPOCLES (to TELESTIS.) Now then you are my own— TELESTIS Why yes—sister, i’ faith, that you may know it as well. Greetings to you, brother. STRATIPPOCLES (to EPIDICUS.) Is this woman in her senses? EPIDICUS In her senses, if she calls you her brother. STRATIPPOCLES How’s this? Have I just now become her brother while going in-doors and coming out? EPIDICUS What good fortune there is, do you in silence keep your peace thereon and rejoice. STRATIPPOCLES Sister, you have both lost and found me! EPIDICUS Simpleton, hold your tongue! Through my endeavours, there’s ready for you at home, in fact, a Music-girl for you to make love to; I too, through my endeavours, have restored your sister to liberty. STRATIPPOCLES Epidicus, I confess— EPIDICUS Be off into the house, and order the water to be made warm The water to be made warm : A bath was usually taken by the middle and upper classes immediately on arriving from a journey. for her. The rest I’ll let you know afterwards, when there’s leisure. STRATIPPOCLES Follow me this way, sister. EPIDICUS I’ll bid Thesprio I’ll bid Thesprio : Thesprio only appears once, and that at the beginning of the Play. This is certainly a prevalent fault with Plautus, who does not make the most of his characters. Artotrogus, the Parasite, in the Miles Gloriosus, is lost to us after the First Scene. Sceparnio only appears in the First and Second Acts of the Rudens, and the honest Grumio is lost sight of after the First Act of the Mostellaria. It is not a sufficient excuse to plead that Artotrogus and Thesprio are what were called personae protaticae, characters whose business it is to introduce the plot, and do no more; even though this example is followed by Terence, who similarly introduces Sosia in the Andria, Davus in the Phormio, and Philotis in the Hecyra. come across to you. But remember, if the old gentlemen are at all savage, you, with your sister, to run and help me. STRATIPPOCLES That will be easy. (He and TELESTIS go into the house of PERIPHANES.) EPIDICUS (going to the door of the house of CHAERIBULUS.) Thesprio, come this way through the garden. Come to my rescue at home! The matter’s of importance! (To himself.) I care much less for the old fellows than I did just now. I’ll return in-doors, that the strangers may be attended to on their arrival. I’ll tell these same things that I know, in-doors to Stratippocles. I shall not take to flight; I’m determined to be there at home, and he shan’t throw it in my teeth