Mostellaria, or The Haunted House (332-364b)

Give me your hand; I really do not want ⋯ you hurt.

There now, take it.

Come, move on with me.

Where am I going, do you know?

I know.

It has just come into my head:

why, of course I’m going home for a booze.

Why yes, really now I do remember that.

Won’t you let me go to find them, my life? Of all persons I wish well to him especially. I’ll return just now.

That just now is a long time to me.

Is there any person here?

’Tis he.

Bravo! Philolaches,

good day to you, most friendly to me of all men.

May the Gods bless you. (Pointing to a couch.) Take your place, Callidamates. (He takes his place.) Whence are you betaking yourself?

Whence a drunken man does.

Well said. But, my Delphium, do take your place, there’s a dear.

Give her something to drink.

I shall go to sleep directly.

He doesn’t do anything wonderful or strange.

What shall I do with him then, my dear?

Let him alone just as he is.

Come, you boy. Meanwhile, speedily pass the goblet round, beginning with Delphium.

Supreme Jove, with all his might and resources, is seeking for me and Philolaches, my master’s son, to be undone.

Our hopes are destroyed; nowhere is there any hold for courage; not even Salvation[*] now could save us if she wished. Such an immense mountain of woe have I just now seen at the harbour: my master has arrived from abroad; Tranio is undone! (To the. AUDIENCE.) Is there any person who’d like to make gain of a little money,

who could this day endure to take my place in being tortured? Where are those fellows hardened to a flogging, the wearers-out of iron chains, or those, who, for the consideration of three didrachms, would get beneath besieging towers[*], where some are in the way of having their bodies pierced with fifteen spears? I’ll give a talent to that man who shall be the first to run to the cross for me;

but on condition that twice his feet, twice his arms[*] are fastened there. When that shall have been done, then ask the money down of me. But am I not a wretched fellow, not at full speed to be running home?

Here come the provisions; see, here’s Tranio; he’s come back from the harbour.

Philolaches!

What’s the matter?