1832.] The Menaechmi, of Plautus. 453 



Where would you carry me ? Undone ! help ! help ! 

 Aid me, ye Epidamnians ! Let me go. (To the servant*.) 



MESS. Ye gods, what do I see ! What men are these 

 Who thus unworthily are bearing off 

 My master ? 



MEN. EPI. What will no one dare to help me ? 



MESS. Master, I will, and boldly too. What villainy ! 

 Ye Epidamnians, thus to seize my master, 

 In the open street, by daylight, undisturbed 

 By tumults in your city A free man 

 He entered it then let him go, I say 



MEN. EPI. Whoe'er you are, assist me, I beseech you, 

 Nor let them do such signal outrage on me. 



MESS. Yes ; I'll assist, defend, and succour you. 

 'Tis far more just that I myself should perish, 

 Than suffer you to be thus treated, master : 

 Pluck out that fellow's eye, I beg of you, 

 Who holds you by the shoulder. I'll myself 

 Plant in these rascals' chaps a crop of blows. 

 If you persist in bearing him away, 

 You'll find you'll have the worst of it. Let him go. 



MEN. EPI. I've got hold of the rascal's eye. 



MESS. Why then, 



Let in his head the socket strait appear. 

 Rogues ! rascals ! 



SERVANTS. You'll murder us ! Have mercy ! 



MESS. Let him go then. 



MEN. EPI. What is't you mean, you rascals ! 

 By laying hands on me thus violently ? 

 Curry the scoundrels with your blows. 



MESS. Away, 



Begone, go and be hanged, ye rascals ! 

 You there, that are at last to quit your hold, 

 Take this along with you as a reward. (Strikes him.) 

 So, so : I think I've on this scoundrel's chaps 

 Written in red letters. Troth, I came in time 

 To your assistance, master. 



MEN. EPI. May the gods ! 

 Whoe'er you are, be ever kind to you, 

 Young man. For without you, I ne'er had seen 

 The setting sun this day. 



MESS. By Pollux! therefore, 

 If you do right, you'll give me, Sir, my freedom. 



MEN. EPI. Give you your freedom ! 



MESS. Out of doubt, my master, 

 Since I have saved your life. 



MEN. EPI. How's this ! young man, 

 You are mistaken. 



MESS. I mistaken ! how ? 



MEN. EPI. I swear by father Jupiter, I'm not 

 Your master. 



MESS. Can you say so ? 



MEN. EPI. I don't lie. 

 I never had a servant yet, I say, 

 Who ever did for me, what you have done ? 



MESS. If then you will not own me for your servant, 

 E'en let me. go and have my liberty. 



MEN. EPI. As far as in my power, take your liberty, 



And go where'er you please. 



