I’ faith, I think it ought to be done. Meantime, I’ll take possession of this altar Take possession of this altar : When a person took refuge at an altar, he could not be brought to justice, or have violence offered to his person. According to some writers, there were always two altars on the stage of Comedy, one on the right hand, sacred to Apollo, and one on the left, devoted to that Divinity or Hero in honor of whom the Play was being acted. . (Runs to the altar.) THEUROPIDES Why so? TRANIO You can understand nothing. Why, that those may not be able to take refuge here whom he shall give up for examination, I’ll keep guard here for you; so that the examination may not come to nothing. THEUROPIDES Get up from the altar. TRANIO By no means. THEUROPIDES Prithee, don’t you take possession of the altar. TRANIO Why so? THEUROPIDES You shall hear; why, because I especially want this, for them to be taking refuge there. Do let them; so much the more easily shall I get him fined before the judge. TRANIO What you intend to do, do it. Why do you wish to sow further strife? You don’t know how ticklish a thing it is to go to law. THEUROPIDES Just get up, (beckoning) this way; it’s, then, to ask your advice upon something that I want you. TRANIO Still, as I am, I’ll give my advice from this spot: my wits are much sharper when I’m sittings Sharper when I’m sitting : Warner suggests that a little raillery is intended here, upon the custom of sitting when dispensing justice and paying adoration to the Gods. . Besides, advice is given with higher sanction from holy places With higher sanction from holy places : The ancients made use of sacred places for the purpose of debating on affairs of importance in, as being likely to add weight and authority to their judgment. The Roman Senate often met in the Temples, and there administered justice and gave audience to ambassadors. . THEUROPIDES Get up; don’t be trifling. Just look me in the face. TRANIO (looking at him.) I am looking. THEUROPIDES Do you see me? TRANIO I do see—that if any third person were to step in here, he would die of hunger. THEUROPIDES Why so? TRANIO Because he would get no profit; for, upon my faith, we are both artful ones. THEUROPIDES I’m undone! TRANIO What’s the matter with you? THEUROPIDES You have deceived me. TRANIO How so, pray? THEUROPIDES You’ve wiped me clean You’ve wiped me clean : Emungo, to wipe the nose for a person, also meant to cheat or impose upon him; probably, by reason of the state of helplessness it implied in the party who was so treated. . TRANIO Consider, please, if it wasn’t well done; is your nose running still? THEUROPIDES Aye, all my brains besides have you been wiping out of my head as well. For all your villanies I have discovered from their very roots; and not from the roots, indeed, i’ faith, but even from beneath the very roots. Never this day, by my troth, will you have planned all this without being punished. I shall at once, you villain, order fire and faggots Order fire and faggots : Though a suppliant could not be removed from the altar by force, still it was allowable to burn him away, by surrounding him with fire. to be placed around you. TRANIO Don’t do it; for it’s my way to be sweeter boiled than roasted. THEUROPIDES Upon my faith, I’ll make an example of you.