But my hands shall just now sound again against your cheek, if you don’t let me go.SCELEDRUS(to PALAESTRIO.)Why the plague are you standing idle? Why don’t you hold her on the other side?PALAESTRIO I don’t choose to bring the business down upon my back. How do I know but that this is not Philocomasium, but is some other female that resembles her?PHILOCOMASIUM Will you let me go, or will you not let me go?SCELEDRUS No; by force and against your will, in spite of you, I’ll drag you home, unless you’ll go of your own accord.PHILOCOMASIUM(pointing to the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)This is my lodging here abroadLodging here abroad: Hosticum domicilium, my lodging when abroad.Hostis originally meant merely a foreigner; whereas its later signification was an enemy., at Athens is my home. SCELEDRUSBut your master lives here. (pointing to the CAPTAIN’S house.)PHILOCOMASIUM I have nothing to do with that house, nor do I know or understand yourselves what persons you are.SCELEDRUS Proceed against meProceed against me: Lege agito.Lege agere was a technical expression, meaning to bring an action, or to sue a person at law. It is said to have been the formal expression in commencing an action or suit. at law. I’ll never let you go, until you give me your solemn word that you will go indoors here (pointing to the CAPTAIN’S house) if I let go of you.PHILOCOMASIUM You are compelling me by force, whoever you are. I give you my word, that if you let go of me, I will go into that house where you bid me.SCELEDRUS Then, now I let go of you. PHILOCOMASIUM And, as I’m let go, I’ll go in here. (Runs into the house of PERIPLECOMENUS.)

SCELEDRUS She has acted with a woman’s honour. PALAESTRIO Sceledrus, you’ve lost the prey through your hands; as sure as possible she is the lady of our master. Do you intend to act in this matter with spirit?SCELEDRUS How am I to act? PALAESTRIO Bring me a sword out here from in-doors.SCELEDRUS What will you do with it?PALAESTRIO I’ll break right into the houseInto the house: The mock rage of Palaestrio here is admirably drawn.; and whatever man I see in-doors there caressing Philocomasium, I’ll behead him on the spot.SCELEDRUS And do you think that it was she?PALAESTRIO I’ faith, it was she, sure enough. SCELEDRUS But how she did dissemble.PALAESTRIO Go, bring me a sword out here.SCELEDRUS I’ll have it here this moment.(Goes into the CAPTAIN’S house.)

(PALAESTRIO alone.)PALAESTRIO Beyond a doubt, neither any horse nor foot has so great a degree of boldness in carrying out anything with as much confidence as some women. How cleverly and how skilfully she performed her part in both her characters!—how her wary keeper, my fellow-servant, is being gulled! ’Tis most fortunate that the passage communicates through the party-wall.

(Enter SCLEDRUS from the CAPTAIN’s house.)SCELEDRUS Hallo! Palaestrio, there’s no occasion for the sword.PALAESTRIO How so?—or what’s the matter now?SCELEDRUS Our master’s lady is there, at home.