I’m neither going to wait for him, nor do I care a straw for him, nor, if he should come, do I want him to be admitted in-doors.EROTIUM By my faith, I shall do that not at all reluctantly. But do you know what I beg you to do?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Only command me what you will.EROTIUM For you to take that mantle which you gave me just now to the embroiderer’sTo the embroiderer’s: Phrygionem. As the natives of Phrygia were very dexterous at embroidering, and their services were much sought for the purposes of luxury, all embroiderers, in time came to be called phrygiones. Cotter renders ad phrygionem here to Phrygia, and so throughout the whole play!, that it may be trimmed again, and that some work may be added which I want.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES I’ faith, you say what’s right; in such a way shall it be disguised that my wife shan’t know that you are wearing it, if she should see you in the street.EROTIUM Then take it away with you just now, when you go away.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES By all means. EROTIUM Let’s go in-doors.(Goes into her house.)MENAECHMUS SOSICLES I’ll follow you this instant; I only wish to speak to this person. So, there! Messenio, step to me this way.MESSENIO What’s the matter?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Listen.MESSENIO What need for it?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES There is need, I know what you’ll say to me—MESSENIO So much the worse.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Hold your tongue I’ve got some spoil; thus much of the business have I begun upon. Go, and, as quick as you can, take away those peopleThose people: By istos he probably means the sailors or perters who were carrying the luggage. at once to an innTo an inn: The accommodation of the taberna diversoria, or diversorium, was generally of a humble kind, and these places were mostly adapted for the poorer classes only.. Then do you take care to come and meet meCome and meet me: That is, as his adversitor, which was the title given to the servant whose duty it was to fetch his master home in the evening. before sunset.MESSENIO Don’t you know that these people are harlots, master?MENAECHMUS SOSICLES Hold your tongue, I say, and go you away from here. It will cost me pain, not you, if I do anything here that’s foolish.This woman is silly and inexperienced. So far as I’ve perceived just now, there’s some spoil for us here.(He goes into the house of EROTIUM.)MESSENIO I’m undone. Are you going away then? He is certainly ruined; the piratical craft is now leading the boat straight to destruction. But I’m an unreasonable fellow to wish to rule my master; he bought me to obey his orders, not to be his commander.(To the ATTENDANTS.) Follow me, that, as I’m ordered, I may come in good time to meet my master.

(Enter PENICULUS.)PENICULUS More than thirty years have I been born yet during that time I never did any more mischievous or more evil trick than this day, when, to my misfortune, I thrust myself into the midst of the assemblyMidst of the assembly: This concio was the sitting of the court for the trial of causes, to which we shall find further reference in the sequel, when it is explained how he happened to lose sight of Menaechmus.. while I was gaping about there, Menaechmus stole away from me,and went, I suppose, to his mistress, and didn’t want to take me. May all the Divinities confound that man who first mischievously devised the holding of an assembly, which keeps men thus engaged. By my troth, is it not fitting that men who are disengaged should be chosen for that purpose? These, when they are cited, if they are not present, let the officers exact the fineExact the fine: He suggests that Menaechmus has possibly been summoned, in his capacity as a citizen, to the concio, for the purpose of being present at the trials going on. The Parasite curses this custom, and wishes that they would summon only the idle men, and not those engaged in the important business of feasting their friends. There is some doubt as to the meaning of census capiant, but it probably signifies let them exact the fine.forthwith the senate Abundance of men are there who every day eat their victuals alone, who have no business, who are neither invited nor invite to feast; these ought to give their attendance at the assembly and the law-courtsAnd the law-courts: The comitia of the Romans have been referred to in a previous Note..If so it had been, this say I shouldn’t have lost my breakfast; to which I deemed myself as much accustomed, as to see myself alive. I’ll go; even yet the hope of the scraps comforts my mind. But why do I see Menaechmus here? He’s coming out of doors with a chaplet on? The banquet is removed; i’ faith, I come just in time to meet him. I’ll watch the fellow, what he’s about, then I’ll go and accost him. (He steps aside.)

Enter MENAECHMUS SOSICLES, from the house of EROTIUM, with the mantle on.)MENAECHMUS SOSICLES(speaking to EROTIUM within.) Can’t you rest content, if this day I bring it you back in good time, nicely and properly trimmed? I’ll cause you to say it isn’t itself, so much shall it be disguised.PENICULUS(apart.) He’s carrying the mantle to the embroiderer’s, the breakfast finished and the wine drunk up, and the Parasite shut out of doors. By my troth, I’m not the person that I am, if I don’t handsomely avenge this injury and myself. ’Tis requisite I should watch I’ll give something.MENAECHMUS SOSICLES(to himself.) O ye immortal Gods! on what man ever have you conferred more blessings in one day, who hoped for less?