Hallo! Astaphium, do stop a moment, before you go away.ASTAPHIUMWho’s calling me back? DINARCHUSYou shall know; look back this way.ASTAPHIUMWho is it? DINARCHUSOne who wishes many a blessing to yourselves.ASTAPHIUMGive them then, if you wish us to have them.DINARCHUSI’ll let you have them. Only do look back this way.ASTAPHIUMO dear, you’re teazing wretched me to death, whoever you are.(Runs on.)DINARCHUSWorst of women, stop. ASTAPHIUMBest of men, go on; you are troublesome. (Turns round.) Is that Dinarchus? Why, it is he.DINARCHUSHe’s going to your house; and do you give me your hand (holding out his) in return, and walk together with me.ASTAPHIUMI am your servant, and am obedient to your command.(Gives her hand.)DINARCHUSYourself, how are you? ASTAPHIUMI’m well, and am holding by the hand one who’s well. Since you’ve arrived from abroad, a dinner must be givenA dinner must be given: Allusion is here made to the custom of providing an entertainment of welcome, caena viatica, for a friend on his arrival from abroad See the Bacchides, l. 94.DINARCHUSYou speak obligingly. ASTAPHIUMBut, prithee, do let me go whither she ordered me.(Withdrawing her hand.)DINARCHUS(lets go her hand.)Be off then. But how say you—?ASTAPHIUMWhat do you want? DINARCHUSHe, that you are on your road to, who is it that you’re going to fetch?ASTAPHIUMAchiva, the midwife.DINARCHUSYou are an artful damsel.ASTAPHIUMI’m as usual then; that’s my practice.Part of line 131b in the Latin.DINARCHUSYou deceitful hussy, I’ve caught you detected in a lie.ASTAPHIUMHow so, pray? DINARCHUSBecause you said that you were going to bring his own self, and not herself. A woman, then, has been made out of a man. You are an artful one.ASTAPHIUMA conjurer! DINARCHUSBut, pray, tell me, Astaphium who is this person? A new lover?ASTAPHIUMI think that you are a gentleman too much at his ease.DINARCHUSWhy now do you think so?