when my husband secretly pilfers whatever’s in the house, and carries it thence off to his mistress?PENICULUS Why don’t you hold your peace? I’ll let you now catch him in the fact; do you only follow me this way. (They go to the opposite side of the stage.) In a state of drunkenness, with a chaplet on, he was carrying the mantle to the embroiderer’s, which he purloined from you at home to-day.But see, here is the chaplet which he had on. (Seeing the chaplet on the ground.) Now am I saying false? Aha, this way has he gone, if you wish to trace his footsteps. And, by my faith, see, here he comes on his way back most opportunely, but he isn’t wearing the mantle.THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. What now shall I do to him?PENICULUS The same as usual; abuse him.THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. So I am resolved.Part of line 569 in the Latin.PENICULUS Let’s step aside this way watch him from ambush. (They retire on one side.)

(Enter MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.)MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(to himself.) How we do practise a custom here that is very foolish and extremely troublesome, and how even those who are the most worthy and greatMost worthy and great: Optumi maximi. This was properly an epithet of Jupiter, and is, perhaps, satirically applied to the little Gods, the great men of Rome. In the previous line he uses morus, the Greek word μωρός, signifying foolish, on account of its resemblance to the word mores, manner or custom. do follow this habit: all wish their dependants to be many in number; whether they are deserving or undeserving, about that they don’t enquire. Their property is more enquired about, than what the reputation of their clients is for honor. If any person is poor and not dishonest, he is considered worthless; but if a rich man is dishonest, he is considered a good client. Those who neither regard laws nor any good or justice at all, the same have zealous patrons. What has been entrusted to them, they deny to have been so entrusted; men full of litigation, rapacious, and fraudulent; who have acquired their property either by usury or by perjury; their whole pleasure is in litigation. When the day for trial is appointed, at the same time it is mentioned to their patrons, in order that they may plead for them, about what they have done amiss. Before the peopleBefore the people: It is thought that he here refers to the three modes of trial in civil cases among the Romans — apud populum, before the people in the Comitia centuriata, or full assembly; in iure, before the Praetor, or his delegates, the Recuperatores or Iudices selecti, commissioned judges; and before the Aedile, or city officer. He says, that on being summoned to the concio, a cliens or dependant suddenly accosted him, and insisted on his defending him, which greatly detained him, but that in spite of the worthlessness of his client’s cause, he was at last successful in effecting a compromise., or at law before the Praetor, or before the Aedile, is the cause tried. Just so, this day, a certain dependant has kept me very much engaged, nor was it allowed me to do what I wished, or in company with whom I wished; so fast did he stick to me, so much did he detain me. Before the Aedile, in behalf of his doings, very many and very disgraceful, did I plead his cause; a compromise I obtained, obscure and perplexed—more than enough I said, and than I needed to say, that surety for himThat surety for him: He probably means that he gained time for his client to pay the debt, on condition of his giving bail or security that be would do so within a certain time. might end this litigation. What did he do? Well, what? He gave bail. And never did I at any time see any person more clearly detected;three very adverse witnesses against all his misdeeds were there. May all the Gods confound him, he has so spoilt this day for me; and myself as well, who ever this day beheld the Forum with my eyes. I ordered a breakfast to be prepared; my mistress is expecting me, I’m sure; as soon as ever I had the opportunity, I made haste immediately to leave the Forum. Now, I suppose, she’s angry with me; the mantle, however, will appease her that I gave her, the one I took away to-day from my wife and carried to Erotium here.PENICULUS(apart to the WIFE.) What say you now?THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(apart.) That I’m unfortunately married to a worthless fellow.PENICULUS(apart.) Do you perfectly hear what he says?THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(apart.) Quite well.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. If I am wise, I shall be going hence in-doors, where it may be comfortable for me.PENICULUS(coming forward)Stop; on the contrary, it shall be uncomfortable.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. she is very sorrowful; this doesn’t quite please me, but I’ll speak to her.Tell me, my wife, what is it amiss with you?PENICULUS(to the WIFE.) The pretty fellow’s soothing you.MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. Can’t you cease being annoying to me? Did I address you?THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.(turning away from MENAECHMUS.) Take yourself off—away with your caresses from me. Do you persist in it?MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. Why are you offended with me?THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus. You ought to know. PENICULUS The rascal knows, but he pretends not to know.