For what reason so? PALAESTRIO Just look on your left hand; who is that lady?SCELEDRUS(looking.) O ye immortal Gods, it really is the lady of my master!PALAESTRIO I’ faith, so she seems to me as well. Do then, now, since so you would have it—SCELEDRUS Do what? PALAESTRIO Die this very instant.PHILOCOMASIUM(advancing.)Where is this faithful servant, who has falsely accused me in my innocence of this most heinous crime?PALAESTRIO See, here he is; ’tis he that told it me,—assuredly ’twas he.PHILOCOMASIUM Villain, did you say that you had seen me next door here kissing?PALAESTRIO Besides, he said it was with some strange young man.SCELEDRUS I’ faith, I did. say so, undoubtedly.PHILOCOMASIUM You, saw me? SCELEDRUS Yes, with these self-same eyes.PHILOCOMASIUM I fancy you will lose those eyes, which see more than what they really do see.SCELEDRUS By my faith, I shall never be intimidated from having seen what I really did see.PHILOCOMASIUM In my foolishness I am delaying too long in parleying with this madman, whom, by the powers, I’ll punish with death.SCELEDRUSForbear to threaten me: I know that the cross will prove my tomb; there are laid my forefathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather. ’Tis not in possibility, however, for these eyes of mine to be dug outTo be dug out: That is, you cannot make me not to have seen what I really did see. by your threats. But I want a few words with you; prithee, Palaestrio, whence came she hither? PALAESTRIO Whence but from our house? SCELEDRUS From our house?PALAESTRIO Do you credit meDo you credit me: Viden? (vides-ne) Literally, do you look at me? The Romans, when they wished to impress any one with the belief that they were speaking seriously and in good faith, used this phrase, or vide me, look at me now. Our expression, do you look me in the face and say so? is somewhat similar.? SCELEDRUS I do credit you: but ’tis a thing to be wondered at, how she has been able to return from that house to ours. For, beyond a doubt, we have neither a terrace to our house, nor any garden, nor any window but what is latticedBut what is latticed: The clathri were a kind of lattice or trellice-work, which, as well as network, was sometimes placed before windows to prevent serpents and other noxious reptiles from getting in.. (To PHILOCOMASIUM.) But, undoubtedly, I did see you in the house next door.PALAESTRIO Do you persist, you rascal, in pretending to accuse her?PHILOCOMASIUM In good sooth, then, the dream has not turned out untrue, that I dreamed last night.PALAESTRIO What did you dream? PHILOCOMASIUM I’ll tell you; but, I pray you, give attention. Last night, in my sleep, my twin-sister seemed to have come from Athens to Ephesus with a certain person, her lover. Both of them seemed to me to be having their lodgings here next door.PALAESTRIO(to the AUDIENCE.)The dream that’s being related is Palaestrio’s—pray, go on.PHILOCOMASIUM I seemed to be delighted because my sister had come, and on her account I seemed to be incurring a most grievous suspicion. For, in my sleep, my own servant seemed to accuse me, as you are now doing, of being caressed by a strange young man, whereas it was that own twin-sister of mine, who had been toying with her own friend. Thus did I dream that I was wrongfully accused of a crime.PALAESTRIO And isn’t just the same thing befalling you when awake, that you speak of as seen in your sleep? Capital; i’ faith, the dream is verified: go in-doors, and pray And pray: After any ill-omened dream, it was the custom to offer corn and frankincense to Jupiter Prodigialis, the disposer of prodigies, and other of the Deities, in order that evil might be averted.. I should recommend that this be told to the Captain. PHILOCOMASIUM I am resolved to do so; nor, in fact, will I allow myself, with impunity, to be accused of disgraceful conduct. (Goes into the CAPTAIN’S house.)

SCELEDRUS I fear for the thing I have done; my back does so tingle all over.