Did you see him yourself?PINACIUM Yes, and with pleasure too. GELASIMUS I’ faith, I’ll surely take the broom, and sweep this place with pleasure.PINACIUM He has brought a great amount of silver and gold.GELASIMUS ’Tis right cleverly done. PINACIUM Wool and purple in plenty.GELASIMUS Aye, for me to clothe my carcase with.PINACIUM Couches, adorned with ivory and gold.GELASIMUS I’ll recline at table right regally.PINACIUM Besides—Babylonian coverings for couchesCoverings for couches: Peristromatia,blankets or counterpanes were used among the Romans to cover couches; they were sometimes of the most costly description, and were mostly of purple colour, and frequently richly embroidered with gold. Pliny speaks of Babylonian cloths of divers colours, and in the seventh chapter of Joshua, ver. 24, we read, When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment., and carpets dyed in purple, has he brought.GELASIMUS Abundance of fine things.I’ faith, his business has been successful.PINACIUM Then, as I began to say, female players on the harp, on the pipe, sackbuts tooSackbuts too: Sambucas.Sambuca is supposed to be the same instrument which is mentioned in the third chapter of the Prophet Daniel, and is rendered in our version of the Old Testament by the word sackbut. This instrument was probably introduced into Greece and Rome from Syria or Phoenicia. It is supposed to have been a kind of triangular harp. The word sambucas is substituted in Ritschel’s edition for sambucinas, in the former editions It is probably intended here to have the same meaning—female players on the sambuca, who were also called sambucistriae, and whose performances were highly prized by the Romans as Asiatic luxuries., has he brought with him, of surprising beauty.GELASIMUS Capital! When I’m at my wine, I’ll be quite sportive; then am I in merriest pin.PINACIUM Besides many unguents of numerous kinds.GELASIMUS I’ll not sell my bon mots; I’ll not have an auction now; I’ve got an estate in feeAn estate in fee: Haereditas.A fortune, or an heirdom, just as we say, I have come in to a fortune. He alludes to the pleasant life he anticipates, by spunging on the wealthy Epignomus and his brother.. Let the mischievous hunters of auctions go to perdition. Hercules, I congratulate thee that the tenths which I vowed to thee are increased. ’Tis my hope that at length, by some means or other, I may expel this plaguy famine from my stomach.PINACIUM And then, besides, he has brought some ParasitesBrought some Parasites: The arch boy only adds this to put Gelasimus in a fright, in which he fully succeeds. There was no necessity to import Parasites from Asia to Athens. with him.GELASIMUS Alas! to my confusion, I’m undone.PINACIUM Right funny fellows. GELASIMUS I’ faith, I’ll sweep this dust back, which I just now swept together. (Sweeps it back.)Those bon mots are now on sale, which I was saying I wouldn’t sell. I’m done for: now there is occasion for spiteful persons to rejoice at my misfortune. Hercules, thou who art a God, thou really hast departed not opportunely.PHILUMENA Did you see Pamphilus, the husband of my sister?PINACIUM No. PHILUMENA Isn’t he there?PINACIUM Yes, they said that he had come as well. I ran hither before them, with all speed, that I might bring the welcome tidings.PHILUMENA Go in-doors, Pinacium; bid the servants prepare the sacred thingsThe sacred things: To perform a sacrifice on the safe return of her husband. for me. (To GELASIMUS.) Fare you well!GELASIMUS Do you want me to assist?PHILUMENA I have servants enough in the house.