Why really, upon my faith, on the contrary, while there’s shade in every direction, in spite of it, the sun is always here from morning till night: he stands, like a dun, continually at the door; and I have no shade anywhere, unless, perhaps, there may be some in the well. TRANIO Well now, have you one from Sarsina, if you have no woman of Umbria No woman of Umbria : This is a poor pun upon the different acceptations of the word umbra, which may signify, according to the context, shade, or a woman of Umbria. Simo means it in the former, while Tranio chooses to take it in the latter sense. Simo does not like this attempt at wit, and tells him not to be impertinent. We may here observe, that Plautus was born at Sarsina, a town of Umbria. ? SIMO Don’t be impertinent. It is just as I tell you. TRANIO Still, he wishes to look over it. SIMO He may look over it, if he likes. If there is anything that takes his fancy, let him build after my plan. TRANIO Am I to go and call this person hither? SIMO Go and call him. TRANIO (to himself, as he goes to the other side of the stage to call THEUROPIDES.) They say that Alexander the Great and Agathocles Agathocles : Agathocles rose from the station of a potter to be king of Sicily. achieved two very great exploits; what shall be the lot of myself, a third, who, unaided, am achieving deeds imperishable? This old fellow is carrying his pack-saddle, the other one, as well. I’ve hit upon a novel trade for myself, not a bad one; whereas muleteers have mules to carry pack-saddles; I’ve got men to carry the pack-saddles. They are able to carry heavy burdens; whatever you put upon them, they carry. Now, I don’t know whether I am to address him. I’ll accost him, however. (Calling aloud.) Hark you, Theuropides! THEUROPIDES (coming forward.) Well; who’s calling me? TRANIO A servant most attached to his master. Where you sent me, I got it all agreed to. THEUROPIDES Prithee, why did you stay there so long? TRANIO The old gentleman hadn’t leisure; I was waiting until then. THEUROPIDES You keep up that old way of yours, of being tardy. TRANIO Hark you! if you please reflect upon this proverb: to blow and swallow To blow and swallow : Or exhale and inhale. A proverbial expression, very similar to that in use with us, that a person cannot blow hot and cold at the same time. at the same moment isn’t easy to be done; I couldn’t be here and there at the same time. THEUROPIDES What now? TRANIO Come and look, and inspect it at your own pleasure. THEUROPIDES Very well, you go before me. TRANIO Am I delaying to do so? THEUROPIDES I’ll follow after you. TRANIO (as they advance.) Look, the old gentleman himself is awaiting you before the door, but he is concerned that he has sold this house. THEUROPIDES Why so? TRANIO He begs me to persuade Philolaches to let him off. THEUROPIDES I don’t think he will. Each man reaps on his own farm Reaps on his own farm : A country proverb, meaning every one for himself. . If it had been bought dear, we shouldn’t have had permission to return it on his hands. Whatever profit there is, it’s proper to bring it home. It don’t, now-a-days, befit men to be showing compassion. TRANIO I’ faith, you are losing time while you are talking. Follow me. THEUROPIDES Be it so. TRANIO (to THEUROPIDES.) I’ll give you my services.