I’m trifling about it. The more I stop, the greater the risk that’s run.CHARINUS(apart.)He brings news of some misfortune, I know not what.ACANTHIO(to himself.)His knees are failing this runner. I’m undone, my spleen is in rebellionSpleen is in rebellion: He alludes to the expansion of the spleen by the act of running fast., it’s taking possession of my breast. I’m done up, I can’t draw my breath. A very worthless piper should I be.I’ faith, not all the baths will ever remove this lassitude from me. Am I to say that my master Charinus is at home or abroad?CHARINUS(apart.)I’m doubtful in my mind what the matter is; I’d like for myself to learn of him, that I may become acquainted with it.ACANTHIO(to himself.)But why still standing here? Why still hesitating to make splinters of this door? (Knocks at the door of DEMIPHO’S house, and calls.) Open the door, some one. Where’s my master, Charinus? Is he at home or abroad? Does any one think fit to come to the door?CHARINUS(presenting himself.)Why, here am I, whom you’re looking for, Acanthio.ACANTHIO(not seeing him.)There is nowhere a more lazy management than in his house.CHARINUSWhat matter is afflicting you so terribly?ACANTHIO(turning round.)Many, master, both yourself and me.CHARINUSWhat’s the matter? ACANTHIOWe are undone.CHARINUSThat beginning do you present unto our foes.ACANTHIOBut your own self it has befallen, as fate would have it. CHARINUSTell me this matter, whatever it is.ACANTHIOQuietly—I want to take a rest.(He pants.)CHARINUSBut, i’ faith, do take the skirt of your coatSkirt of your coat: Laciniam. The laciniae were the angular extremities of the pallium, and the toga, one of which was brought round over the left shoulder. It was generally tucked into the girdle, but was sometimes allowed to hang loose. From the present passage, we may conclude that it was sometimes devoted to the purposes of a pocket-handkerchief., and wipe the sweat from off you.ACANTHIOFor your sake, I’ve burst the veins of my lungs; I’m spitting blood already.(He spits.)CHARINUSSwallow Aegyptian resin with honey; you’ll make it all right.ACANTHIOThen, i’ faith, do you drink hot pitchDrink hot pitch: Commentators have been at a loss to know why Acanthio should be so annoyed at the recommendation of Charinus, and why he should answer him in these terms. The ingenious Rost seems in a great measure to have hit upon the true meaning of the passage. Charinus tells him that a mixture of resin and honey is good for the lungs. Now, from what Pliny says, B. 24, ch. 6, we should have reason to suppose that some kinds of resin were used in diseases of the lungs. But, on the other hand, Aristotle, in his History of Animals, B. 8, ch. 24, mentions a certain resin called sandonache, which was of a poisonous nature. Acanthio, then, may have been frightened from a previous knowledge of the doubtful nature of resins as a remedy; he may also have heard that the Egyptians preserved their mummies with honey and resin, and his stomach may have revolted at swallowing such a mixture; and, thinking that his master is trifling with him, he answers him in anger. The latter explanation will appear the more probable when we remember, that as honey and resin were used for the embalming of the higher classes, the bodies of the poorer persons in Egypt were preserved by being dipped in pitch; and though this did not suggest itself to Rost, it is not improbable that the servant intends by his answer to repay his master in the same coin. Perhaps he may have imagined that his master intended him to swallow the mixture in a hot, melted state, just as when it was injected into the mummies. Persons convicted of blasphemy were sometimes condemned to swallow melted pitch; then your troubles will vanish.CHARINUSI know no one a more tetchy fellow than yourself.ACANTHIOAnd I know no one more abusive than yourselfCHARINUSBut what if I’m persuading you to that which I take to be for your benefit? ACANTHIOAway with benefit of that sort, that’s accompanied with pain.CHARINUSTell me, is there any good at all that any one can enjoy entirely without evil; or where you mustn’t endure labour when you wish to enjoy it?ACANTHIOI don’t understand these things; I never learnt to philosophize, and don’t know how. I don’t want any good to be given me, to which evil is an accompaniment.CHARINUS(extending his hand.)Come now, Acanthio, give me your right hand.ACANTHIOIt shall be given; there then, take it.(Gives his hand.)CHARINUSDo you intend yourself to be obedient to me, or don’t you intend it?