(Pointing.) There’s the old gentleman. (To SIMO.) Well now, I’ve brought you this person.SIMOI’m glad that you’ve arrived safely from abroad, Theuropides. THEUROPIDESMay the Gods bless you.SIMOYour servant was telling me that you were desirous to look over this house.THEUROPIDESUnless it’s inconvenient to you.SIMOOh no; quite convenient. Do step in-doors and look over it. THEUROPIDES(pausing.)But yet—the ladies—SIMOTake you care not to trouble yourself a straw about any lady. Walk in every direction, wherever you like, all over the house just as though it were your own.THEUROPIDES(apart to TRANIO.)Just as though—?TRANIO(whispering.)Oh, take care that you don’t throw it in his teeth now in his concern, that you have bought it. Don’t you see him, how sad a countenance the old gentleman has?THEUROPIDES(apart.)I see.TRANIO(apart.)Then don’t seem to exult, and to be overmuch delighted; in fact, don’t make mention that you’ve bought it.THEUROPIDES(apart.)I understand; and I think you’ve given good advice, and that it shows a humane disposition.(Turning to SIMO.) What now?SIMOWon’t you go in? Look over it at your leisure, just as you like.THEUROPIDESI consider that you are acting civilly and kindly.SIMOTroth, I wish to do so. Should you like some one to show you over.THEUROPIDESAway with any one to showAway with any one to show: He says this, not liking the mention of the word perductor, which, beside meaning an attendant or one to escort, signifies a pander or procurer. So in the next line, perducto means to show over or to act the procurer me over. I don’t want him. SIMOWhy? What’s the matter?THEUROPIDESI’ll go wrong, rather than any one should show me over.Part of line 816b in the Latin. TRANIO(pointing.)Don’t you see, this vestibule before the house, and the piazza, of what a compass it is?THEUROPIDESTroth, really handsome!TRANIOWell, look now, what pillars there are, with what strength they are built, and of what a thickness.THEUROPIDESI don’t think that I ever saw handsomer pillars. SIMOI’ faith, they were some time since bought by me at such a price!TRANIO(aside, whispering.)Don’t you hear—They were once? He seems hardly able to refrain from tears.THEUROPIDESAt what price did you purchase them?SIMOI gave three minae for the two, besides the carriage.(He retires to some distance.)THEUROPIDES(after looking close at them, to TRANIO.)Why, upon my word, they are much more unsound than I thought them at first.