What, I? I’m not even half spiteful enough to. wards that fellow.STRATOPHANESMy love, if I have at all offended before, I present you with this mina of gold. If you smile upon me, deign me a look.PHRONESIUMMy hand forbids me to believe anything, before it holds in its possession. We require food for the child; we require it for the dameFor the dame: Matri. Literally, the mother. as well, that bathes the child; we require it for the nurseFor the nurse: Even in those days, nurses were famed for their toping propensities. See the Andria of Terence, l. 229., as well, that she may have a leather bottle full of old wine in ample style, that night and day she may tipple; we stand in need of fire; we want coals, too; we want swathes, napkins, the cradle, the cradle-bed; oil we want; the child requires flour, for pap; all day we are wanting something; never, in the same one day, can our task be performed, but what there’s always need of something; for the children of officers cannot be reared upon medlarsUpon medlars: It is not known whether setanium or setanum here means medlars or onions. Some Commentators think it means an inferior kind of pulse, used as food for the children of the poor..STRATOPHANESLook upon me then. Take this (presenting the money), with which to satisfy these necessities.PHRONESIUM(taking it.)Give it me, although it’s very little.STRATOPHANESWhatever you shall order, shall be given at your demand. Give me a kiss now. (Tries to kiss her.) PHRONESIUMLeave me alone, I say! You are a nuisance!STRATOPHANES(aside.)It’s no use, I’m not loved by her; the day wears apace. More than ten pounds of silver have I lost in this short time by reason of my passion.PHRONESIUM(giving the money to ASTAPHIUM.)Take this, and carry it away in-doors. (ASTAPHIUM carries it in.) (Enter STRABAX, from the house.) STRABAX(to himself.)Where in the world is my mistress? I get on with no business, either in the country or here, at this rate; I’m spoiling with mouldiness, I’m grown so dreadfully numbed with lying waiting here upon the couch. But look, I perceive her. Hallo! sweetheart, what are you about?STRATOPHANESWhat fellow is that? PHRONESIUMOne that, upon my honor, I love far more than yourself. STRATOPHANESThan myself? In what way?PHRONESIUMWhy, this way, that you are not to be troublesome to me. (Moves as if going.) STRATOPHANESAre you going now, after you’ve got the gold?PHRONESIUMWhat you’ve given me, I’ve put away in-doors.STRABAXCome here, sweetheart; I’ve got something to say to you.PHRONESIUMWhy, I was just coming to you.STRABAXTo me, my charmer?Appears to be part of 921 in the Latin.PHRONESIUMIn serious truth, i’ faith.STRABAXAlthough I seem a simpleton to you, I like myself to have a bit of recreation. For pretty though you are, you are so to your own loss, unless I amuse myself a bit with you.PHRONESIUMShould you like me to embrace you and give you a kiss?STRABAXDo whatever you like, I’ll deem it agreable.