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.STICHUS Master, whether I’m silent or speak, I’m sure you know how many hardships I’ve endured in your service; now, on my arrival home, I wish to spend in freedomTo spend in freedom: Eleutheria. This is, originally, a Greek word. It was also the name of the Goddess of Liberty. this one day after these many hardships.EPIGNOMUS You ask what’s just and right. Stlchus, you may take this day for yourself; I don’t object to it. Go where you like. A cask, too, of old wine, I give you to drink.STICHUS O, grand! I’ll have my mistress this day.EPIGNOMUS Even ten, so long as it is at your own expense.STICHUS What ?EPIGNOMUS What ?STICHUS I’ll go and dine ’Tis thus it pleases me EPIGNOMUS Where do you dine to-day?STICHUS This plan have I thus resolved upon. I have a mistress here in the neighbourhood, Stephanium, the servantmaid of your brother. I’m going to invite her; I’ll take her to a pic-nic entertainmentA pic-nic entertainment: Symbola was the name given to an entertainment to which each of the guests contributed in money or kind; similar in principle, to what we call a pic-nic entertainment. at her fellow-servant’s, Sagarinus We both have the same mistress; we are rivals.EPIGNOMUS Come then, conduct them in. I grant you this day.STICHUSHold me to blame if I don’t make the most of itMake the most of it: Excruciavero. Literally, torment it. He seems to allude to the word dedo, used by his master in the preceding line, I surrender to you this day; that word being especially applied to the surrender or giving-up of prisoners; on which Stichus rejoins, As the day is surrendered to me, I’ll torment it like a real prisoner—meaning I won’t let it pass in quietness. He fully keens his word.. Troth now, I’ll pass through the garden to my mistress, to engage her beforehand for me this evening; at the same time I’ll give my contribution, and bid the dinner to be cooked at Sagarinus’s,or else I’ll go myself and make my marketing as caterer. Sagarinus, a servant for my with stripes to take him home well thrashed, I’ll make all things to be in readiness here; but I’m delaying myself. And don’t you be surprisedDon’t you be surprised: He apologises for introducing slaves carousing on the Roman stage, by reminding the Spectators that the scene is at Athens. where greater freedom and indulgence was allowed to slaves than at Rome. (to the AUDIENCE) that men, who are slaves, drink, court, and give invitations to dinner? This is allowed us at Athens. But when I think of it, rather than meet with censure, there’s here, too, another door to the back buildings of our house. I’ll go that way to market; by that way I’ll bring back the provisions—through the garden there’s a passage that communicates with both houses. (To the SLAVES.) Do you follow me this way. I surely will pull this day to bitsPull this day to bits: Hunc lacero diem. He seems here to continue the metaphor used in ver. 436: I’ll torture this day finely—I’ll get all I can out of it..(Goes into the house of EPIGNOMUS.)

(Enter GELASIMUS.)GELASIMUS(to himself.)I’ve consulted my books; I’m as sure as possible, that by my funny bon mots I shall recover my patronRecover my patron: Regem. In common parlance, rich men were often styled by their dependents and flatterers, rex, my king.. Now I’m going to see whether he has arrived by this from the harbour, that when he comes I may smooth him down with my speeches.EPIGNOMUS Surely, this is Gelasimus, the Parasite, that’s coming.GELASIMUS(to himself.)With lucky auspices, by my troth, this day did I come out of doors; since an omen auspiciously befel meAuspiciously befel me: Quum strena mi obscaevavit. This passage is very obscure, and has puzzled the Commentators, who have generally taken refuge in a various reading, Eum strenue obcaenavit, which seems to make but very poor sense. The research, however, of the indefatigable Ritschel has set that mode of escape entirely at rest. Strena was the name of a New Year’s gift, which was given and received on the Calenus of January, that the year might be commenced under good auspices. Probably from that circumstance, it became synonymous with a good or auspicious omen. Obscaevo is rendered in the Dictionaries, to give a bad omen Such, however, is not necessarily its meaning, in all instances. Scaeva is an omen or augury, whether fortunate or not. Consequently, obscaevo may very reasonably mean, to fall in one’s way as an omen; if so, the expression, as here used, will mean a lucky omen fell in my way.. This was beheld by me; how a weasel carried off a mouse close at my feet. For as she found sustenance for herself this day, so do I hope that I shall do, as the augury predicts.(Sees EPIGNOMUS.) Surely this is Epignomus that’s standing here; I’ll go and address him. My dear Epignomus, how pleased I am to see you now; how my tears are starting forth for very joy. Have you all along enjoyed your health?EPIGNOMUS With care it has been preserved.