Menaechmi, or The Twin Brothers (1055-1084b)

For this reason, because I rescued you, you set me at liberty. When I said that I was going for the money and the luggage, you ran before to meet me as quickly as you could, in order that you might deny what you did.

I, bade you go away a free man?

Certainly.

Why, on the contrary, ’tis most certain that I myself would rather become a slave than ever give you your freedom.

If you are ready to swear by your eyes, by my troth, not a bit the more for that reason, most vile woman, will you make it that I took away the mantle and the bracelet to-day.

Immortal Gods, what do I see?

What do you see?

Your resemblance in a mirror.

What’s the matter?

’Tis your image; ’tis as like as possible.

Troth, it really is not unlike, so far as I know my own form.

O young man, save you, you who preserved me, whoever you are.

By my troth, young man, prithee, tell me your name, unless it’s disagreable.

I’ faith, you’ve not so deserved of me, that it should be disagreable for me to tell what you wish. My name is Menaechmus.

Why, by my troth, so is mine.

I am a Sicilian, of Syracuse.

Troth, the same is my native country.

What is it that I hear of you?

That which is the fact.

I know this person myself (pointing to the other MENAECHMUS); he is my master, I really am his servant; but I did think I belonged to this other. (To MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, by mistake.) I took him to be you; to him, too, did I give some trouble. (To his master.) Pray, pardon me if I have said aught foolishly or unadvisedly to you.

You seem to me to be mad. Don’t you remember that together with me you disembarked from board ship to-day?

Why, really, you say what’s right—you are my master; (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) do you look out for a servant. (To his master.) To you my greetings (to MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus) to you, farewell. This, I say, is Menaechmus.

But I say I am.

What story’s this? Are you Menaechmus?

I say that I’m the son of Moschus, who was my father.

Are you the son of my father?

Aye, I really am, young man, of my own father.

I don’t want to claim your father, nor to take possession of him from you.

Immortal Gods, what unhoped-for hope do you bestow on me, as I suspect. For unless my mind misleads me, these are the two twin-brothers; for they mention alike their native country and their father. I’ll call my master aside—Menaechmus.

What do you want?