Do you say that a mistress was purchased for Philolaches for thirty minae? PHANISCUS I do say so. THEUROPIDES And that he gave her her freedom? PHANISCUS I do say so. THEUROPIDES And that after his father had departed hence abroad, he has been carousing here continually with your master? PHANISCUS I do say so. THEUROPIDES Well, has he made purchase of the house next door here? PHANISCUS I don’t say so. THEUROPIDES Has he given forty minae, too, to this person, to be as a deposit? PHANISCUS Nor yet do I say so. THEUROPIDES Ah me! you’ve proved my ruin! PHANISCUS Aye, and he has proved the ruin of his father. THEUROPIDES You prophesy the truth! I could wish it false! PHANISCUS A friend of his father, I suppose? THEUROPIDES Ah me! Upon my faith, you do pronounce him to be a wretched father. PHANISCUS Why really, this is nothing at all—thirty minae, in comparison with the other expenses he has incurred in good living. He has ruined his father. There’s one servant there a very great scoundrel, Tranio by name; he could even waste the revenue of a Hercules The revenue of a Hercules : It was the custom with many to devote to Hercules the tenth part of their possessions. Consequently, the revenues belonging to the Temples of this Deity would be especially large. . On my word, I’m sadly distrest for his father; for when he comes to know that things have gone on thus, a hot coal will be scorching his breast, poor man. THEUROPIDES If, indeed, this is the truth. PHANISCUS What am I to gain, that I should tell a lie? (Knocks again at the door.) Hallo, you! is any one coming to open this door? ANOTHER SERVANT of Callidamates Why do you knock in this way, when there’s no one in the house? PHANISCUS I fancy that he’s gone elsewhere to carouse. Now then, let’s begone. (They move as if going.) THEUROPIDES What, my lad, are you off then? Liberty’s the overcoat for your back The overcoat for your back : Schmieder thinks this is said insultingly to Phaniscus. It would, however, appear otherwise: Phaniscus having no paennla, or overcoat, on, Theuropides, who thinks him a very worthy fellow, says, My good fellow, your freedom would make yon a very fine overcoat. . PHANISCUS Nothing have I with which to cover my back, except to pay respect and service to my master. (Exeunt PHANISCUS and SERVANT.) THEUROPIDES (to himself.) By my troth, I am undone! What need is there of talking? According to the words I have heard, I surely haven’t lately voyaged hence to Aegypt, but even to some desolate land and the most remote shores have I been borne about, so much am I at a loss to know where I now am. But I shall soon know; for see, here’s the person of whom my son bought the house. (Enter SIMO.) THEUROPIDES What are you about?