I don’t deny that it has been as you say; undoubtedly, we have lived heartily, just as we pleased; but, Simo, in such a way has the breeze now forsaken our ship— SIMO What’s the matter? In what way? TRANIO In a most shocking way. SIMO What, wasn’t it hauled ashore Wasn’t it hauled ashore : It was the custom, when ships were not in use, especially in the winter time, to draw them up on shore, by means of rollers placed beneath them. in safety? TRANIO Ah me! SIMO What’s the matter? TRANIO Ah wretched me! I’m utterly undone! SIMO How so? TRANIO Because a ship has come, to smash the hull of our ship. SIMO I would wish as you would wish, Tranio, for your own sake. But what is the matter? Do inform me. TRANIO I will inform you. My master has arrived from abroad. SIMO In that case, the cord will be stretched for you; thence to the place where iron fetters clink; after that, straight to the cross. TRANIO Now, by your knees, I do implore you, don’t give information to my master. SIMO Don’t you fear; he shall know nothing from me. TRANIO Blessings on you, my patron. SIMO I don’t care for clients of this description for myself. TRANIO Now as to this about which our old gentleman has sent me. SIMO First answer me this that I ask you. As yet, has your old gentleman discovered anything of these matters? TRANIO Nothing whatever. SIMO Has he censured his son at all? TRANIO He is as calm as the calm weather is wont to be. Now he has requested me most earnestly to beg this of you, that leave may be given him to see over this house of yours. SIMO It’s not for sale. TRANIO I know that indeed; but the old gentleman wishes to build a woman’s apartment A woman’s apartment : Gynaeceum. This was a name borrowed from the Greeks, for the apartments in the house which were especially devoted to the use of the females. here in his own house, baths, too, and a piazza, and a porch. SIMO What has he been dreaming of? TRANIO I’ll tell you. He wishes to give his son a wife as soon as he can; for that purpose he wants a new apartment for the women. But he says that some builder, I don’t know who, has been praising up to him this house of yours, as being remarkably well built; now he’s desirous to take a model from it, if you don’t make any objection— SIMO Indeed, he is really choosing a plan for himself from a piece of poor workmanship. TRANIO It was because he heard that here the summer heat was much modified; that this house was wont to be inhabited each day all day long.