450 Specimens of Latin Comedy [APRIL, 



WIFE. You trifle still. 



MEN. EPI. Has any of the family -,,v/ 

 Done ought to make you angry ? ,rj 



WIFE. Trifling still. 

 MEN. EPI. Angry with me then 



WIFE. Now you trifle not. 



MEN. EPI. Troth I've done nothing to deserve it of you. 

 WIFE. Trifling again. 



MEN. EPI. What is it gives you pain ? 

 Tell me, my dear. 



PEN. He sooths you : civil creature I 



MEN. EPI. Can't you be quiet? I don't speak to you. (ToPeniculus.) 

 WIFE. Off with your hand. 



PEN. Ay, thus you're rightly served, (aside,) 

 Dine then again in haste when I am absent ! 

 And rally me before the house when drunk ! 

 A wreath too on your head ! 



Peniculus thinks he has got the better of his patron, and that this will 

 be a " knock-down stroke," as Shakspeare says ; but Menaechmus is 

 too much surprised to apply himself to resent the insult. 



By Pollux' Temple ! 



I have not dined to day, nor have I once 

 Set foot within the house. 



PEN. You dare deny it ? 

 MEN. EPI. I do, by Hercules. 



PEN. Consummate impudence ! 

 Did I not see you with a wreath of flowers, 

 Standing before the house here ; when you said 

 My head was turned ; when you denied you knew me, 

 And when you'd pass upon me for a stranger ? 



MEN. EPI. I do assure you, since I slipt away 

 This morning from you, I've not been till now 

 At home. 



PEN. I know you, Sir ; but you knew not 

 I'd wherewithal to take revenge upon you. 

 I've told your wife the whole, by Hercules ! 



The parasite is continually throwing out these provoking innuendoes, 

 with the triumphant confidence of one who delights in bantering an- 

 other with his knowledge of a secret, by the disclosure of which he has 

 it in his power to injure his character or prejudice his interest. But 

 Menaechmus (of Epidamnum), remarkable throughout the play for his 

 coolness of temper and gentlemanly conduct, replies with the innocent 

 curiosity of a mens conscia recti 



What have you told ? 



PEN. I know not. Ask of her. 



MEN. EPI. What's this, my dear ? What is it he has told you ? 

 You answer not why don't you say what 'tis ? 



WIFE. As if you knew not. Why, a robe has been 

 Stolen from me in my house. 



MEN. EPI. A robe stolen from you ? 

 WIFE. Do you ask me ? 



MEN. EPI. la troth, I scarce should ask it, 

 Was I assured it was so. 



PEN. Wicked man ! 



How he dissembles ! but you can't conceal it ; 

 I know the whole affair ; and I have told it 

 All to your wife. 



