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.(PHILUMENA and PINACIUM go into the house.)GELASIMUS(to himself.)In good sooth, Gelasimus, I doubt you have come to but little purpose, if neither he that is here gives you any aid, nor yet he that’s coming.I’ll off indoors to my booksTo my books: These were probably pamphlets, filled with jokes and funny stories, which Parasites would study for the entertainment of the patrons whom they were to amuse by way of return for their dinner. These books perhaps occupied the same position as the Joe Millers did in this country during the last century, and the Academies of Compliments in the century before. Indeed, the latter, in all their amplitude, would have been invaluable to a Parasite, as they contain directions how to court a lady, ask a riddle, sing a funny song, put a posy on a ring, direct a letter, and a hundred other things., and take my instructions from the cleverest sayings; for if I don’t drive away those fellows, the Parasites that are coming, most surely I’m undone. (Exit.)

(Enter EPIGNOMUS and STICHUS, followed by some SLAVES.)EPIGNOMUS Inasmuch as, my business prosperously carried on, I am returned safe home, thanks do I return to Neptune and to his tempests; to Mercury as wellTo Mercury as well: Mercury was the God of traffic and gain, and the guardian of tradesmen He was said to receive his name from merx,traffic or merchandise. See the comical prayer of the cheating tradesman to his tutelar Divinity, in the Fasti of Ovid, B. 5, l. 675 et seq., who in my traffic has aided me, and by my profits has rendered my property fourfold. Those whom formerly I affected with sorrow at my departure, the same shall I now make joyous at my arrival. But already have I met my connexion Antipho, and from bad terms have I returned to friendship with him.See, prithee, what money can effect. Since, my affairs prospering, he sees that I’ve returned, and brought home great wealth, without any mediators, there on board the ship, upon the deck, we have returned to friendship and good feeling.Both he and my brother dine with me this day; for yesterday we were both in the same harbourIn the same harbour: He here alludes to the custom in those times of lying at anchor during the night, and sailing in the day-time only, as it is clear that reference cannot here be made to the harbour from which they originally set out, as that was in Asia, and they could not have reached Athens from Asia within twenty-four hours. Epignomus and his brother appear to have freighted two ships with the valuable property which they had acquired in partnership. together; but to-day my ship weighed anchor a little the soonest. Take these people in-doors, Stichus, whomThese people whom: He alludes to the female slaves which have been already mentioned, consisting of harpers and music-girls, one of whom we shall shortly find to have attracted the admiration of Antipho. I’ve brought with me.