448 Specimens of Latin Comedy [ 



Immortal Gods ! is there a man on whom 

 You've in one day bestowed more good, or one 

 Who less could hope for it ? I've dined, I've drank, 

 I've feasted with my mistress, have borne off 

 This robe, which she no more shall call her own. 



PEN. (apart.} He speaks so softly I can scarce distinguish 

 What 'tis he says : sure, now his belly's full, 

 He talks of me and of my share at dinner. 



MEN. Sos. She told me, I had given her the robe 

 And that I'd stolen it from my wife : tho' I 

 Knew she was wrong, I seemingly assented 

 To all her story, as if both of us 

 Had been joint parties in the whole transaction. 

 Said as she said. What need of many words ? 

 I never in my life have fared so well 

 And at so small expense. 



PEN. I will accost him. 

 I'm out of patience till I quarrel with him. 



MEN. Sos. Who is it that is coming to accost me? 



PEN. Tell me, inconstant, lighter than a feather, 

 Thou worst of men, most wicked of mankind, 

 Base man, deceiver, void of faith and honour ! 

 Have I deserved this of thee ? For what cause 

 Hast thou undone me ? , Say have I deserved, 

 That thou shouldst steal thyself away from me, 

 Now at the Forum ? Thou hast buried too 

 The dinner in my absence, to the which 

 I was joint heir How dare you serve me thus ? 



The unexpected expressions of ignorance and of affront on the part 

 of Menaechrnus, form a striking contrast to the parasite's vociferations 

 of rage and gluttony : 



Prithee, young man, what hast thou to do with me ? 

 Abusing thus a man thou dost not know 

 You'd have me wreak this insult then hereafter ? 

 PEN. You've done that already. 



MEN. Sos. Answer me. 

 Tell me your name, young man. 



PEN. Still mocking me ? 

 As if you did not know my name ? 



MEN. Sos. In troth, 

 I know not till this day I ever saw thee, 

 Nor art thou known to me : whoe'er thou art, 

 It ill becomes thee to be troublesome. 

 PEN. Not know me ? 



MEN. Sos. If I did, I'd not deny it. 

 PEN. Awake, Menaechmus. 



MEN. Sos. Troth, I do not know 

 That I'm asleep. 



PEN. Not know your parasite ? 



MEN. Sos. Thy head is turned, young man, in my opinion. 

 PEN. Answer me, did you not this very day, 

 Steal from your wife that robe, and give't Erotium ? 



MEN. Sos. Neither have I a wife, nor robe have stolen, 

 Nor given to Erotium. 



PEN. Are you mad ? 



Have you your senses ? Why the thing's apparent ! 

 Did I not see you coming from the house, 

 The robe upon you ? 



