On my word you really are silly.PHILEMATIUMFor what reason?SCAPHABecause you care for this, whether he loves you.PHILEMATIUMPrithee, why should I not care for it?SCAPHAYou now are free. You’ve now got what you wanted; if he didn’t still love you, as much money as he gave for your liberty, he’d lose.PHILOLACHES(apart.)Heavens, I’m a dead man if I don’t torture her to death after the most shocking fashion. That evil-persuading enticer to vice is corrupting this damsel.PHILOLACHESScapha, I can never return him sufficient thanks for what he deserves of me; don’t you be persuading me to esteem him less.SCAPHABut take care and reflect upon this one thing, if you devote yourself to him alone, while now you are at this youthful age, you’ll be complaining to no purpose in your aged years.PHILOLACHES(apart.)I could wish myself this instant changed into a quinsy, that I might seize the throat of that old witch, and put an end to the wicked mischief-maker.PHILEMATIUMIt befits me now to have the same grateful feelings since I obtained it, as formerly before I acquired it, when I used to lavish caresses upon him.PHILOLACHES(apart.)May the Gods do towards me what they please, if for that speech I don’t make you free over again, and if I don’t torture Scapha to death.SCAPHAIf you are quite assured that you will have a provision to the end, and that this lover will be your own for life, I think that you ought to devote yourself to him alone, and assume the character of a wifeAssume the character of a wife: Capiundos crines. Literally, the hair must be assumed. Festus says that it was usual on the occasion of the marriage ceremony, to add six rows of curls to the hair of the bride, in imitation of the Vestal virgins, who were patterns of purity, and were dressed in that manner. Hence the term capere crines came to signify to become a wife..PHILEMATIUMJust as a person’s character is, he’s in the habit of finding means accordingly; if I keep a good character for myself I shall be rich enough.PHILOLACHES(apart.)By my troth, since selling there must be, my father shall be sold much sooner than, while I’m alive, I’ll ever permit you to be in want or go a-begging.SCAPHAWhat’s to become of the rest of those who are in love with you?PHILEMATIUMThey’ll love me the more when they see me displaying gratitude to one who has done me services. PHILOLACHES(apart.)I do wish that news were brought me now that my father’s dead, that I might disinherit myself of my property, and that she might be my heir.SCAPHAThis property of his will certainly soon be at an end; day and night there’s eating and drinking, and no one displays thriftiness; ’tis downright cramming’Tis downright cramming: Sagina plane est.Sagina was the term applied to the fattening or cramming of animals for the purpose of killing. The use of the term implies Scapha’s notion of the bestial kind of life that Philolaches was leading..PHILOLACHES(apart.)I’ faith, I’m determined to make trial on yourself for the first to be thrifty; for you shall neither eat nor drink anything at my house for the next ten days.PHILEMATIUMIf you choose to say anything good about him, you shall be at liberty to say it; if you speak otherwise than well, on my word you shall have a beating instantly.PHILOLACHES(apart.)Upon my faith, if I had paid sacrifice to supreme Jove with that money which I gave for her liberty, never could I have so well employed it. Do see, how, from her very heart’s core, she loves me! Oh, I’m a fortunate man; I’ve liberated in her a patron to plead my cause for me.SCAPHAI see that, compared with Philolaches, you disregard all other men; now, that on his account I mayn’t get a beating, I’ll agree with you in preference, if you are quite satisfied that he will always prove a friend to you.PHILEMATIUMGive me the mirrorGive me the mirror: Probably a mirror with a handle, such as the servants usually held for their mistresses. There is something comical in the notion of a female coming out into the street to make her toilet., and the casket with my trinkets, directly, Scapha, that I may be quite dressed when Philolaches, my delight, comes here.SCAPHAA woman who neglects herself and her youthful age has occasion for a mirror; what need of a mirror have you, who yourself are in especial a mirror for a mirror.PHILOLACHES(apart.)For that expression, Scapha, that you mayn’t have said anything so pretty in vain, I’ll to-day give something for your savings—to you, my Philematium.