Do you say that a mistress was purchased for Philolaches for thirty minae?PHANISCUSI do say so. THEUROPIDESAnd that he gave her her freedom?PHANISCUSI do say so. THEUROPIDESAnd that after his father had departed hence abroad, he has been carousing here continually with your master?PHANISCUSI do say so. THEUROPIDESWell, has he made purchase of the house next door here?PHANISCUSI don’t say so. THEUROPIDESHas he given forty minae, too, to this person, to be as a deposit?PHANISCUSNor yet do I say so.THEUROPIDESAh me! you’ve proved my ruin!PHANISCUSAye, and he has proved the ruin of his father.THEUROPIDESYou prophesy the truth! I could wish it false!PHANISCUSA friend of his father, I suppose? THEUROPIDESAh me! Upon my faith, you do pronounce him to be a wretched father.PHANISCUSWhy 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 HerculesThe 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.THEUROPIDESIf, indeed, this is the truth.PHANISCUSWhat 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 CallidamatesWhy do you knock in this way, when there’s no one in the house?PHANISCUSI fancy that he’s gone elsewhere to carouse. Now then, let’s begone.(They move as if going.)THEUROPIDESWhat, my lad, are you off then?Liberty’s the overcoat for your backThe 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..PHANISCUSNothing 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.) THEUROPIDESWhat are you about?