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.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES I, bade you go away a free man?MESSENIO Certainly. MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Why, on the contrary, ’tis most certain that I myself would rather become a slave than ever give you your freedom.

(Enter MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, from EROTIUM’s house.)MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(at the door, to EROTIUM within.) 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.MESSENIO Immortal Gods, what do I see?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES What do you see? MESSENIO Your resemblance in a mirror.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES What’s the matter? MESSENIO ’Tis your image; ’tis as like as possible.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES(catching sight of the other.) Troth, it really is not unlike, so far as I know my own form.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(to MESSENIO.) O young man, save you, you who preserved me, whoever you are.MESSENIO By my troth, young man, prithee, tell me your name, unless it’s disagreable.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. 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.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Why, by my troth, so is mine.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. I am a Sicilian, of Syracuse.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Troth, the same is my native country.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. What is it that I hear of you?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES That which is the fact.MESSENIO(To MENAECHMUS SOSICLES, by mistake.) 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.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES You seem to me to be mad. Don’t you remember that together with me you disembarked from board ship to-day?MESSENIO 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.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. But I say I am. MENAECHMUS SOSICLES What story’s this? Are you Menaechmus?MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. I say that I’m the son of Moschus, who was my father.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Are you the son of my father?MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. 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.MESSENIO 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.BOTH OF THE MENAECHMI. What do you want?