Because I don’t wish to perish alone; I’d like you to perish with me, well-wisher with well-wisher.THESPRIO(tearing himself away from EPIDICUS.)Away with you from me to utter and extreme perdition with those terms of yours!EPIDICUS Be off, then, if you are in great haste about anything.THESPRIO(aside.)I never met with any person from whom I parted with greater pleasure.(Goes into the house of CHAERIBULUS.)EPIDICUS(to himself.)He’s gone away from here; you are now alone. In what plight this matter is, you now see, Epidicus. Unless you have some resources in your own self, you are done for. Ruination so great is impending over you—unless you support yourself stoutly, you cannot hold up; to such a degree are mountains of misfortune threatening to tumble on you. Neither does any plan just now please me by means of which to find myself disengaged from my entanglement. To my misfortune, by my trickeries I have forced the old man to imagine that he was making purchase of his own daughter; whereas he has bought for his own son a music-girl whom he was fond of, and whom on his departure he commissioned me about. He now, to please his fancy, has brought another one from the army. I’ve lost my hide, for when the old man finds out that he has been played tricks with, he’ll be flaying my back with twigs. But still, do you take all precautions.(He stands still and thinKs.)That’s of no use! clearly this head of mine is addled! You are a worthless fellow, Epidicus. (In another tone.) What pleasure have you in being abusive? Because you are forsaking yourself. What am I to do? Do you ask me the question? Why you yourself, in former days, were wont to lend advice to others. Well, well; something must be found out. But why delay to go meet the young man, that I may know how the matter stands? And here he is himself. He is in a grave mood. He’s coming with Chaeribulus, his year’s-mate. I’ll step aside here, whence at my leisure I’ll follow their discourse.(He steps aside.)

(Enter STRATIPPOCLES and CHAERIBULUS.)STRATIPPOCLES I’ve told you all the matter, Chaeribulus, and I have fully disclosed to you the sum of my griefs and loves.CHAERIBULUS You are foolish, Stratippocles, beyond your age and lineage. Does it shame you, because you have bought a captive girl, born of good family, from among the spoil? Who will there be to impute it as a fault to you?STRATIPPOCLES Through doing this, I’ve found that those who are envious are all enemies to me; but I’ve never offeredNever offered violence: This is a very important passage, as it relieves the Audience from the apprehension they might otherwise feel in the Fifth Act, that Stratippocles had unconsciously been guilty of incest. or criminal assault against her chastity.CHAERIBULUS Then, so far, in my opinion at least, you are a still more deserving man, inasmuch as you are temperate in your passion.STRATIPPOCLES He effects nothing who consoles a desponding man with his words: he is a friend, who, in dubious circumstances, aids in deed when deeds are necessary.CHAERIBULUS What do you wish me to do?STRATIPPOCLES To lend me forty minae of silver,to be paid to the Banker from whom I borrowed it on interest.CHAERIBULUS On my word, if I had it, I would not deny you.STRATIPPOCLES What then does it signify your being bounteous in talk, if all aid in the matterIf all aid in the matter: The same sentiment occurs in the Trinummus, l. 439. is dead outright.CHAERIBULUS Why faith, I myself am quite wearied and distracted with being dunned.STRATIPPOCLES I had rather my friends of that sort were thrust into a furnace than into litigationInto litigation: Quam Foro. Literally, than in the Forum. He plays on the resemblance of the words furno, oven or furnace, and Foro, the Forum. He had rather see his friends dead outright, than worried by their creditors..But now I could wish to buy me the assistance of Epidicus at a weighty price, a fellow whom I’ll hand over well-liquored with stripes to the bakerTo the baker: For the purpose of taking his place at the hand-mill for grinding corn, which was probably done in the same building where the bread was baked, and was a most laborious operation., unless he this day finds me forty minae before I’ve mentioned to him the last syllable of the sum. EPIDICUS(apart.)The matter’s all right; he promises well; he’ll keep faith, I trust.(Ironically.)Without any expenditure of my own, an entertainmentAn entertainment: As already mentioned, symbola was a club entertainment, or pic-nic (in the original sense of the word), where each provided his own share of the provisions. is already provided for my shoulder-blades. I’ll accost the man. (He goes up to STRATIPPOCLES.) The servant Epidicus wishes health to his master Stratippocles, on his arrival from abroad.STRATIPPOCLES(turning round.)Where is he?EPIDICUS Here he is; I’m delighted that you have returned safe.STRATIPPOCLES I believe you as much in that as I do myself.EPIDICUS Have you been well all along?