there, too, is my master. This was given me as a present. (Points to the cask.) SAGARINUS How? Are you dreaming? STICHUS I’ faith, I’m telling you the truth. SAGARINUS Who then gave you this? STICHUS What matters that to you? I wish us this day to wash away everything of foreign climes. Leave them alone; let’s now attend to Athens ; follow me. Do you at once make haste, and bathe. SAGARINUS I have bathed. STICHUS Very good follow me, then, this. way in-doors, Sagarinus. SAGARINUS Of course, I follow. By my troth, this beginning pleases me as I return home; a happy omen and augury A happy omen and augury : Bona scaeva strenaque. See the Note to l. 460. has met me in my path. (They go into the house of PAMPHILUS.) (Enter STEPHANIUM from the house of EPIGNOMUS.) STEPHANIUM (to the AUDIENCE.) I wish that it may appear wondrous to no one of you, Spectators, why I who live there (pointing to the house of PAMPHILUS) am come out hither from this other house: I’ll inform you thereon. Just now was I sent for to this house by the back way. For as soon as news was brought that the husbands of these ladies were about to come, we all hurried thither. We attended to laying the couches, and setting all in order. Still, amid these duties, I had a care for my friends, Stichus and my fellow-servant Sagarinus, that their dinner should be cooked. Stichus has been caterer; but for cooking it, I’ve appointed one my deputy. Now, I’ll be off hence, and attend to my friends, who, I see, are coming here. (Goes into the house of PAMPHILUS.) (Enter STICHUS and SAGARINUS from the house of PAMPHILUS with provisions, a PIPER following.) SAGARINUS Come, out of doors with you; lead on the procession Lead on the procession : They are about to have their carousal in front of the house. Sagarinus puts on an air of importance, as if mustering all of a large company; whereas the only guests, besides himself, are Stichus and the Piper. Stephanium has gone to dress herself for the occasion. . Stichus, I appoint you commander of the cask. I’m resolved to prove our banquet in every fashion this day. So may the Gods love me, we are well entertained in being feasted in this place. I will that each person that passes by shall be invited to join the banquet. STICHUS Agreed, so long only as, i’ faith, each man comes with his own wine With his own wine : It has been before remarked, that the symbola, or pic-nic was made on these terms. ; for of this, a mouthful shall be given to no person but ourselves, this day. Eating alone Eating alone : Monotrophi. From the Greek word μονοτροφοὶ, eaters alone. , let’s wait upon ourselves. SAGARINUS This banquet, for our means, is quite sufficient, with its nuts, beans, figs Nuts, beans, figs : These articles formed the usual food of the Roman slaves. , a dish of olives, pounded lupines, and a cake. STICHUS It better becomes a man who is a slave to bring his expenses within moderation than beyond. Each one to his own station; they, who have wealth at home, drink from cups, goblets, and bowls; we, if we are now drinking from our Samian jug Samian jug : A plain earthenware goblet, or cup. Reference has been already made to the Samian pottery. The Proverb in this line is similar to ours, of each cutting his cloth according to his measure. , still build our walls according to our means. SAGARINUS But while she who is your mistress and mine is arranging her hair, and bedecking herself, I wish us to have some diversion among ourselves. I appoint you the commander The commander : Strategum. This is a Greek word, signifying the commander of an army. It was usual with the Greeks, Romans, and Jews, to appoint a master of the feast, who probably gave the toasts, looked to the comforts of the guests, and took care that the quality of the wine was satisfactory. See the second Chapter of St. John, v. 8. of this feast. STICHUS Very aptly does it suggest itself to your mind. SAGARINUS Wouldn’t we be more suitably Part of line 703 in the Latin. entertained like Cynics Entertained like Cynics : The absurdities consequent on the unity of place in the Roman Comedy could not possibly be better illustrated than in the present instance. The servants not only carouse in front of their master’s house, but absolutely bring out couches to recline upon. Persons of rigid manners, and especially the Cynic philosophers, persisted in retaining the old posture of sitting at meals; to that circumstance reference is here made. on benches here, than upon couches?