What’s the matter? PHRONESIUMPrithee, don’t you know?Start of section begins on line 595b in the Latin. He that’s yonder used to live with me; he, there, is the father of my child. He ordered it to be brought up till about a before-daylight breakfastBefore-daylight breakfast: This passage is probably in a corrupt state. If it is not, her meaning seems to be, that the Captain didn’t care much about his child, but took care about its support for a very short period, and no longer. Perhaps, as jentaculum meant an early meal, taken before daylight, she may intend to hint that the Captain, on hearing of her pregnancy, interested himself in her offspring, and contributed to her support and that of the child in the embryo state; but that after it came to light, and required a meal (to speak figuratively), beyond the period of the jentaculum, he took no notice of it, but was ready to allow it to starve.. I waited his coming, I listened to his injunctions; I attended to the child.GETAThe good-for-nothing fellow that I knew so well, prithee, is that he?PHRONESIUMThat’s he. GETAHe looks at me as he groans.He heaved a sigh from the very bottom of his breast. Observe that now; he gnashes his teeth; he strikes his thigh. Prithee, is he derangedIs he deranged: Hariolus. Literally, a soothsayer, or diviner. In their prophetic frenzy, these persons often had the appearance of being mad, and were so considered., that he’s beating his own self?STRATOPHANES(coming forward.)Now will I at once summon up my ungovernable indignation and my wrath from my breast!(To GETA.) Say, whence are you? To whom do you belong? Why have you dared to speak rudely against me?GETAIt’s my pleasure. STRATOPHANESDo you answer me in that way?GETAIn this way (snaps his fingers); I don’t care one straw for you.STRATOPHANES(to PHRONESIUM.)What say you? Why have you dared to say that you love another man?PHRONESIUMI chose to. STRATOPHANESSay you so, indeed? I’ll first make trial of that. Do you, for the sake of such a shabby present,vegetables, and comestibles, and vinegar-water, bestow your love upon an effeminate, frizzle-pated, dark-haunt frequenting, drum-drubbing debaucheeDrum-drubbing debauchee: Typanotriba. Literally, drum, or tambourine beater. He alludes to the eunuch-priests of Cybele, who used to beat tambourines in her procession-probably in allusion to debauchees, emasculated by riot and dissipation., a fellow not worth a nutshell?GETAWhat new thing’s this? Do you dare, you rogue, to speak ill of my master, you spring-head of vice and perjury?STRATOPHANESAdd a single word to that; by the powers, I’ll that instant here with this cut you up into mincemeat upon the spot.(Shaking his sword at him.)GETAOnly touch me; I’ll that instant be making a lamb of you on the spot, and I’ll slice you asunder in the middle. If you have the renown of a warrior with your troops, still I’m a MarsA Mars: In the text Ares. This was the Greek name of Mars the God of War. in the kitchen.PHRONESIUM(to STRATOPHANES.)If you did the thing that’s right, you’d not be abusing my visitors, whose gifts I hold as acceptable and pleasing, and your own which I have received of you as unacceptable.STRATOPHANESThen, i’ faith, I’m both deprived of my presents and undone as well!GETAClearly it is so. PHRONESIUMWhy then are you now here, with your annoyance, who confess that you are worsted in every point?STRATOPHANES(aside.)I’ faith, I’m this day undone, if I don’t drive this fellow away from you.(He approaches GETA.)GETA(holding up his fist.)Only approach this way; only step this way!STRATOPHANESScoundrelly fellow, threatening even? Whom this very, very, very instant I’ll be chopping up into splinters. What business have you coming here? What business have you to approach her? (Pointing to PHRONESIUM.) What business have you, I say, to be knowing my mistress? You shall die this instant if you make the slightest movement with your hand.GETAWhy shouldn’t I move my hand?STRATOPHANESDo as I commanded; stop; I’ll this instant cut you up into mincemeat on the spot.GETA(aside.)I’m done for.Part of line 626 in the Latin.STRATOPHANES’Twere best to be off.Part of line 626 in the Latin.