Just so; it differs mighty little from stalking.ASTAPHIUMPrithee, do follow me in-doors, my love.STRATILAX(holding out some money to her.)Take this for thyself; keep it as a ledgerAs a ledger: In his bungling, he calls arrhabo, a pledge or earnest, rhabo, which had no meaning. Of course this cannot be literally translated, but something tantamount is given in the Translation, in order to convey the spirit, by making him miscall pledge ledger. for thee, that thee mayst give me thy company this night.ASTAPHIUM(taking the money.)You are the death of me, with your ledger. What kind of beast am I to say that is? Thy don’t you say pledge?STRATILAXThe r I make a saving of; just as the PraenestinesThe Praenestines: In the Trinummus, l. 609, he jokes at the expense of the people of Praeneste, for using the expression tammodo. Here he says that they were in the habit of calling ciconia, a stork, conia. They are also alluded to, apparently as braggarts, in the Fragment at the beginning of the Bacchides. have conia, for ciconia.ASTAPHIUMPrithee, do follow me. STRATILAXI’ll wait here a little for Strabax, till he comes from the farm.ASTAPHIUMWhy, Strabax is at our house. He has just come from the farm.STRATILAXWhat, before he went to his own mother? Alas, the man’s worth nought, i’ faith.ASTAPHIUMWhat now, your old habit?STRATILAXWell, I’ll say nought. ASTAPHIUMPrithee, do come indoors. Give me your hand.(Takes his hand.)STRATILAXWell, take it. (To the AUDIENCE.) I’m being led off into a public-house, where I shall be but poorly entertained for my money.(They go into the house of PHRONESIUM.)

(Enter DINARCHUS.)DINARCHUS(to himself.)There’s not a person born, nor will there be born, nor can there be found one, to whom I would now wish praises to be given, or on whom attentions bestowed, rather than on Venus. Ye great Gods, how joyous I am, and how I’m transported with joyousness! Such great tidings of joy has Cyamus brought to me this day; that my presents have been esteemed and deemed acceptable by Phronesium. While this now is a delight, then besides this in especial is rare honey-drink to me, that the Captain’s presents are held as disagreable and not acceptable. I’m all enraptured! The ball’s my ownthe ball’s my own: Mea pila est. A figure derived from the game of bandy-ball, which appears to have been played by striking the ball with the fists, as we do with the feet. See the Rudens, l. 721, and the Note. W have a similar proverbial saying: He has the ball at his foot.; if the Captain’s sent adrift, the woman will be mine. I’m saved, because I’m going to ruin; if I didn’t go to ruin, it’s clear I should die. Now I’ll keep watch, what’s going on there, who goes into the house, who comes out of doors; from here at a distance will I observe what is to be my lot. Because I’ve got nothing, my feelings remind me of one thing; I’ll do everything by begging.

(Enter ASTAPHIUM, from the house of PHRONESIUM.)ASTAPHIUM(speaking to her MISTRESS as she comes out.)I’ll cleverly do my duty, mistress; do you only take care that in-doors you do yours as well; love that which you ought, your own interest; clean that fellow thoroughly out. Now, while it pleases the fellow, while he has got something, adapt the opportunity to that purpose. Display all your charms to your lover that you may heighten his joys. I meantime will stay here behind and watch at this door so long as he is thus transporting his presents home to you; nor, in the meantime, will I admit any one from there to you who may cause you annoyance. Do you go on, just as you please. Are you not diddling these fellows?DINARCHUSHow now, Astaphium, tell me, who is this fellow that’s on the road to ruin?ASTAPHIUMPrithee, were you here?DINARCHUSWhat—am I troublesome?ASTAPHIUMMore now than you were; for unless a person is of use to us, he is troublesome to us. But, prithee, do lend me your attention, that I may say what I want.DINARCHUSWhy, what is it? Does it concern myself?ASTAPHIUMNot a rap. But what hauls he is making present of in-doors. DINARCHUSHow? Some new lover?ASTAPHIUMA fresh one, and a brimming treasure she has hit upon.DINARCHUSWho is he?