and whatever lie he shall tell, to it I must agree.PYRGOPOLINICES What was it I was saying?ARTOTROGUS O, I know what you were going to say just now. I’ faith ’twas bravely done; I remember its being done.PYRGOPOLINICES What was that? ARTOTROGUS Whatever it was you were going to say.PYRGOPOLINICES Have you got your tabletsGot your tablets: The tabulae, or tabellae, used by the ancients for the purpose of writing, were pieces of wood, mostly of an oblong shape, covered with wax, on which an impression was made with the stylus, or iron pen. They were sometimes made of ivory, but more frequently of citron-wood, beech, or fir The inside only of the tablet was covered with wax, the outer consisting of wood. The leaves were fastened at the back with wires, and opened and shut like the books of the present day. There was a raised margin to each leaf of the tablet, for the purpose of preventing the wax of the one from rubbing against the other. From two to five, six, or even more of these leaves were joined together, which were accordingly called diptycha, triptycha, and so on. Those tablets which contained legal documents were pierced through the outer edges with holes, through which a triple thread or string was passed, on which a seal was placed, in order to prevent forgery and to show that the deed was duly executed.? ARTOTROGUS Are you intending to enlistIntending to enlist: Rogare. Soldiers, when enlisted, were asked (regabantur) whether they would take the oath. Hence the word rogare means something tantamount to our word enlist, or recruit.The Parasite asks him if he is going to enlist, as the tablets would be wanted in the Forum, or Court of justice, for the purpose of taking down the oaths, and entering the names as the parties were sworn.? I have them, and a pen as well. PYRGOPOLINICES How cleverly you do suit your mind to my own mind.ARTOTROGUS ’Tis fit that I should know your inclinations studiously, so that whatever you wish should first occurShould first occur: Praevolat mihi. Literally, should fly to me beforehand. to me.PYRGOPOLINICES What do you remember? ARTOTROGUS I do remember this. In Cilicia there were a hundred and fifty men, a hundred in Cryphiolathronia Cryphiolathronia: This word is mere gibberish: it is compounded of Greek words, which would make it to mean the place of hidden secrecy. The part of the flatterer seems to be a little overdone here., thirty at Sardis, sixty men of Macedon, whom you slaughtered altogether in one day.PYRGOPOLINICES What is the sum total of those men?ARTOTROGUS Seven thousand. PYRGOPOLINICES It must be as much: you keep the reckoning well.ARTOTROGUS Yet I have none of them written down; still, so I remember it was.PYRGOPOLINICES By my troth, you have a right good memory.ARTOTROGUS(aside.) ’Tis the flesh-pots ’Tis the flesh-pots: Offae monent.Offa properly means a lump of flesh, from which it came to signify victuals in general. give it a fillip.PYRGOPOLINICESSo long as you shall do such as you have done hitherto, you shall always have something to eat: I will always make you a partaker at my table.ARTOTROGUS Besides, in Cappadocia, you would have killed five hundred men altogether at one blow, had not your sabre been blunt.PYRGOPOLINICES I let them live, because I was quite sick of fighting.ARTOTROGUS Why should I tell you what all mortals know, that you, Pyrgopolinices, live alone upon the earth, with valour, beauty, and achievements most unsurpassed? All the women are in love with you, and that not without reason, since you are so handsome. Witness those girls that pulled me by my mantle yesterday. PYRGOPOLINICES What was it they said to you?ARTOTROGUSThey questioned me about you. Is Achilles here? says one to me. No, says I, his brother is. Then says the other to me: By my troth, but he is a handsome and a noble man. See how his long hair becomes him. Certainly the women are lucky who share his favours.PYRGOPOLINICES And pray, did they really say so?ARTOTROGUS They both entreated me to bring you past to-day by way of a sightBy way of a sight: Pompam. Strictly speaking, this word means the escort of a procession, whence it came to signify the procession itself. to them.PYRGOPOLINICES ’Tis really a very great plague to be too handsome a man.ARTOTROGUS They are quite a nuisance to me; they are praying, entreating, beseeching me, to let them see you; bidding me be fetched to them; so that I can’t give my attention to your business.PYRGOPOLINICES It seems that it is time for us to go to the Forum, that I may count out their pay to those soldiers whom I have enlisted of late.For King Seleucus Seleucus: The King of that part of Asia Minor where Ephesus was situated. entreated me with most earnest suit that I would raise and enlist recruits for him. To that business have I resolved to devote my attention this day.ARTOTROGUS Come, let’s be going then. PYRGOPOLINICES Guards, follow me. (Exeunt.)

(The prologue. Prologue: As the Prologue of the play commences with the Second Act. it may appear to be misplaced; but it really is properly placed here, as the preceding act is introductory, and has nothing to do with the plot, being void of incident. Its purpose is to acquaint us with the character of the Captain, who is to be duped and punished in the piece according to his desert. Enter PALAESTRIO.)PALAESTRIO To tell the subject of this our play, I have all willingness, if you will but have the kindness to listen to it. But he who does not wish to listen, let him arise and go out, that there may be room where he may sit who does wish to listen. Now I will disclose to you both the subject and the name of the play which we are just now about to act, and for the sake of which you are now seated in this mirthful placeThis mirthful place: He alludes to the theatres, where scenic representations took place on public festivals.,