# The Comedies of Plautus (1890)/Volume 2/Mostellaria/Act I

MOSTELLARIA;
OR, THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.
[Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.]
Philolaches has given liberty to (Manumisit) his mistress who has been bought by him, and he consumes all (Omnem) his substance in the absence of his father. When he returns, Tranio deceives the old man (Senem); he says that frightful (Terrifica) apparitions have been seen in the house, and (Et) that at once they had removed from it. A Usurer, greedy of gain (Lucripeta), comes up in the meantime, asking for the interest of some money, and again the old man is made sport of (Lusus); for the servant says that a deposit for a house which has been bought has been taken up (Acceptum) on loan. The old man enquires (Requirit) which it is; he says that of the neighbour next door. He then looks over (Inspectat) it. Afterwards he is vexed that he has been laughed at; still by (Ab) the companion of his son he is finally appeased.
Act I.—Scene I.
Enter, from the house of Theuropides, Grumio, pushing out Tranio.
Gru. Get out of the kitchen, will you; out of it, you whip-scoundrel, who are giving me your cavilling talk amid the platters; march out of the house, you ruin of your master. Upon my faith, if I only live, I'll be soundly revenged upon you in the country. Get out, I say, you steam of the kitchen. Why are you skulking thus?
Tra. Why the plague are you making this noise here before the house? Do you fancy yourself to be in the country? Get out of the house; be off into the country. ​Go and hang yourself. Get away from the door. (Striking him.) There now, was it that you wanted?
Gru. (running away). I'm undone! Why are you beating me? Tra. Because you want it.
Gru. I must endure it. Only let the old gentleman return home; only let him come safe home, whom you are devouring in his absence.
Tra. You don't say what's either likely or true, you blockhead, as to any one devouring a person in his absence.
Gru. Indeed, you town wit, you minion of the mob, do you throw the country in my teeth? Really, Tranio, I do believe that you feel sure that before long you'll be handed over to the mill. Within a short period, i' faith, Tranio, you'll full soon be adding to the iron-bound race in the country. While you choose to, and have the opportunity, drink on, squander his property, corrupt my master's son, a most worthy young man, drink night and day, live like Greeks, make purchase of mistresses, give them their freedom, feed parasites, feast yourselves sumptuously. Was it thus that the old gentleman enjoined you when he went hence abroad? Is it after this fashion that he will find his property well husbanded? Do you suppose that this is the duty of a good servant, to be ruining both the estate and the son of his master? For I do consider him as ruined, when he devotes himself to these goings on. A person, with whom not one of all the young men of Attica was before deemed equally frugal or more steady, the same is now carrying off the palm in the opposite direction. Through your management and your tutoring has that been done.
Tra. What the plague business have you with me or with what I do? Prithee, haven't you got your cattle in the country for you to look to? I choose to drink, to intrigue, to keep ​my wenches; this I do at the peril of my own back, and not of yours.
Gru. Then with what assurance he does talk! (Turning away in disgust.) Faugh!
Tra. But may Jupiter and all the Deities confound you; you stink of garlick, you filth unmistakable, you clod, you he-goat, you pig-sty, you mixture of dog and she-goat.
Gru. What would you have to be done? It isn't all that can smell of foreign perfumes, if you smell of them; or that can take their places at table above their master, or live on such exquisite dainties as you live upon. Do you keep to yourself those turtle-doves, that fish, and poultry; let me enjoy my lot upon garlick diet. You are fortunate; I unlucky. It must be endured. Let my good fortune be awaiting me, your bad yourself.
Tra. You seem, Grumio, as though you envied me, because I enjoy myself and you are wretched. It is quite my due. It's proper for me to make love, and for you to feed the cattle; for me to fare handsomely, you in a miserable way.
Gru. O riddle for the executioner, as I guess it will turn out; they'll be so pinking you with goads, as you carry your gibbet along the streets one day, as soon as ever the old gentleman returns here.
Tra. How do you know whether that mayn't happen to yourself sooner than to me? Gru. Because I have never deserved it; you have deserved it, and you now deserve it.
Tra. Do cut short the trouble of your talking, unless you wish a heavy mischance to befall you.
Gru. Are you going to give me the tares for me to take for the cattle? If you are not, give me the money. Go on, still persist in the way in which you've commenced! Drink, live like Greeks, eat, stuff yourselves, slaughter your fatlings!
Tra. Hold your tongue, and be off into the country; I intend to go to the Piræus to get me some fish for the evening. To-morrow I'll make some one bring you the tares to the farm. What's the matter? Why now are you staring at me, gallows-bird?
​Gru. I' faith, I've an idea that will be your own title before long.
Tra. So long as it is as it is, in the meantime I'll put up with that "before long."
Gru. That's the way; and understand this one thing, that that which is disagreable comes much more speedily than that which you wish for.
Tra. Don't you be annoying; now then, away with you into the country, and betake yourself off. Don't you deceive yourself, henceforth you shan't be causing me any impediment.
(Exit.
Gru. (to himself). Is he really gone? Not to care one straw for what I've said! O immortal Gods, I do implore your aid, do cause this old gentleman of ours, who has now been three years absent from here, to return hither as soon as possible, before everything is gone, both house and land. Unless he does return here, remnants to last for a few months only are left. Now I'll be off to the country; but look! I see my master's son, one who has been corrupted from having been a most excellent young man.
(Exit
Scene II.—Enter Philolaches, from the house of Theuropides.
Phil. (to himself). I've often thought and long reflected on it, and in my breast have held many a debate, and in my heart (if any heart I have) have revolved this matter, and long discussed it, to what thing I'm to consider man as like, and what form he has when he is born? I've now discovered this likeness. I think a man is like unto a new house when he is born. I'll give my proofs of this fact. (To the Audience.) And does not this seem to you like the truth? But so I'll manage that you shall think it is so. Beyond a doubt I'll convince you that it is true what I say. And this yourselves, I'm sure, when you have heard my words, will say is no otherwise than just as I now affirm that it is. Listen while I repeat my proofs of this fact; I want you to be equally knowing with myself upon this matter. As soon as ever a house is built up, nicely polished off, carefully erected, ​and according to rule, people praise the architect and approve of the house, they take from it each one a model for himself. Each one has something similar, quite at his own expense; they do not spare their pains. But when a worthless, lazy, dirty, negligent fellow betakes himself thither with an idle family, then it is imputed as a fault to the house, while a good house is being kept in bad repair. And this is often the case; a storm comes on and breaks the tiles and gutters; then a careless owner takes no heed to put up others. A shower comes on and streams down the walls; the rafters admit the rain; the weather rots the labours of the builder; then the utility of the house becomes diminished; and yet this is not the fault of the builder. But a great part of mankind have contracted this habit of delay; if anything can be repaired by means of money, they are always still putting it off, and don't***do it until the walls come tumbling down; then the whole house has to be built anew. These instances from buildings I've mentioned; and now I wish to inform you how you are to suppose that men are like houses. In the first place then, the parents are the builders-up of the children, and lay the foundation for the children; they raise them up, they carefully train them to strength, and that they may be good both for service and for view before the public. They spare not either their own pains or their cost, nor do they deem expense in that to be an expense. They refine them, teach them literature, the ordinances, the laws; at their own cost and labour they struggle, that others may wish for their own children to be like to them. When they repair to the army, they then find them some relation of theirs as a protector. At that moment they pass out of the builder's hands. One year's pay has now been earned; at that period, then, a sample is on view how the building will turn out. ​But I was always discreet and virtuous, just as long as I was under the management of the builder. After I had left him to follow the bent of my own inclinations, at once I entirely spoiled the labours of the builders. Idleness came on; that was my storm; on its arrival, upon me it brought down hail and showers, which overthrew my modesty and the bounds of virtue, and untiled them for me in an instant. After that I was neglectful to cover in again; at once passion like a torrent entered my heart; it flowed down even unto my breast, and soaked through my heart. Now both property, credit, fair fame, virtue, and honor have forsaken me; by usage have I become much worse, and, i' faith (so rotten are these rafters of mine with moisture), I do not seem to myself to be able possibly to patch up my house to prevent it from falling down totally once and for all, from perishing from the foundation, and from no one being able to assist me. My heart pains me, when I reflect how I now am and how I once was, than whom in youthful age not one there was more active in the arts of exercise, with the quoit, the javelin, the ball, racing, arms, and horses. I then lived a joyous life; in frugality and hardihood I was an example to others; all, even the most deserving, took a lesson from me for themselves. Now that I'm become worthless, to that, indeed, have I hastened through the bent of my inclinations. (He stands apart.)
Scene III.—Enter Philematium and Scapha, with all the requisites for a toilet.
Phile. On my word, for this long time I've not bathed in cold water with more delight than just now; nor do I think that I ever was, my dear Scapha, more thoroughly cleansed than now.
Sca. May the upshot of everything be unto you like a plenteous year's harvest.
Phile. What has this harvest got to do with my bathing?
Sca. Not a bit more than your bathing has to do with the harvest.
Philo. (apart). O beauteous Venus, this is that storm ​of mine which stripped off all the modesty with which I was roofed; through which Desire and Cupid poured their shower into my breast; and never since have I been able to roof it in. Now are my walls soaking in my heart; this building is utterly undone.
Phile. Do look, my Scapha, there's a dear, whether this dress quite becomes me. I wish to please Philolaches my protector, the apple of my eye.
Sca. Nay but, you set yourself off to advantage with pleasing manners, inasmuch as you yourself are pleasing. The lover isn't in love with a woman's dress, but with that which stuffs out the dress.
Philo. (apart). So may the Gods bless me, Scapha is waggish; the hussy's quite knowing. How cleverly she understands all matters, the maxims of lovers too!
Phile. Well now? Sca. What is it?
Phile. Why look at me and examine, how this becomes me.
Sca. Thanks to your good looks, it happens that whatever you put on becomes you.
Philo. (apart). Now then, for that expression, Scapha, I'll make you some present or other to-day, and I won't allow you to have praised her for nothing who is so pleasing to me.
Phile. I don't want you to flatter me.
Sca. Really you are a very simple woman. Come now, would you rather be censured undeservedly, than be praised with truth? Upon my faith, for my own part, even though undeservedly, I'd much rather be praised than be found fault with with reason, or that other people should laugh at my appearance.
Phile. I love the truth; I wish the truth to be told me; I detest a liar.
Sca. So may you love me, and so may your Philolaches love you, how charming you are.
Philo. (apart). How say you, you hussy? In what words did you adjure? "So may I love her?" Why wasn't "So may she love me" added as well? I revoke the present. What I just now promised you is done for; you have lost the present.
​Sca. Troth, for my part I am surprised that you, a person so knowing, so clever, and so well educated, are not aware that you are acting foolishly.
Phile. Then give me your advice, I beg, if I have done wrong in anything.
Sca. I' faith, you certainly do wrong, in setting your mind upon him alone, in fact, and humouring him in particular in this way and slighting other men. It's the part of a married woman, and not of courtesans, to be devoted to a single lover.
Philo. (apart). O Jupiter! Why, what pest is this that has befallen my house? May all the Gods and Goddesses destroy me in the worst of fashions, if I don't kill this old hag with thirst, and hunger, and cold.
Phile. I don't want you, Scapha, to be giving me bad advice.
Sca. You are clearly a simpleton, in thinking that he'll for everlasting be your friend and well-wisher. I warn you of that; he'll forsake you by reason of age and satiety.
Phile. I hope not.
Sca. Things which you don't hope happen more frequently than things which you do hope. In fine, if you cannot be persuaded by words to believe this to be the truth, judge of my words from facts; consider this instance, who I now am, and who I once was. No less than your are now, was I once beloved, and I devoted myself to one, who, faith, when with age this head changed its hue, forsook and deserted me. Depend on it, the same will happen to yourself.
Philo. (apart). I can scarcely withhold myself from flying at the eyes of this mischief-maker.
Phile. I am of opinion that I ought to keep myself alone devoted to him, since to myself alone has he given freedom for himself alone.
Philo. (apart). O ye immortal Gods! what a charming woman, and of a disposition how chaste! By heaven, 'tis excellently done, and I'm rejoiced at it, that it is for her sake I've got nothing left.
Sca. On my word you really are silly.
Phile. For what reason?
Sca. Because you care for this, whether he loves you.
Phile. Prithee, why should I not care for it?
Sca. You now are free. You've now got what you wanted; ​if he didn't still love you, as much money as he gave for your liberty, he'd lose.
Philo. (apart). Heaven's, I'm a dead man if I don't torture her to death after the most shocking fashion. That evil-persuading enticer to vice is corrupting this damsel.
Philo. Scapha, I can never return him sufficient thanks for what he deserves of me; don't you be persuading me to esteem him less.
Sca. But take care and reflect upon this one thing, if you devote yourself to him alone, while now you are at this youthful age, you'll be complaining to no purpose in your aged years.
Philo. (apart). I could wish myself this instant changed into a quinsy, that I might seize the throat of that old witch, and put an end to the wicked mischief-maker.
Phile. It befits me now to have the same grateful feelings since I obtained it, as formerly before I acquired it, when I used to lavish caresses upon him.
Philo. (apart) May the Gods do towards me what they please, if for that speech I don't make you free over again, and if I don't torture Scapha to death.
Sca. If you are quite assured that you will have a provision to the end, and that this lover will be your own for life, I think that you ought to devote yourself to him alone, and assume the character of a wife.
Phile. Just as a person's character is, he's in the habit of finding means accordingly; if I keep a good character for myself I shall be rich enough.
Philo. (apart). By my troth, since selling there must be, my father shall be sold much sooner than, while I'm alive, I'll ever permit you to be in want or go a-begging.
Sca. What's to become of the rest of those who are in love with you?
Phile. They'll love me the more when they see me displaying gratitude to one who has done me services.
​Philo. (apart). I do wish that news were brought me now that my father's dead, that I might disinherit myself of my property, and that she might be my heir.
Sca. This property of his will certainly soon be at an end; day and night there's eating and drinking, and no one displays thriftiness; 'tis downright cramming.
Philo. (apart). I' faith, I'm determined to make trial on yourself for the first to be thrifty; for you shall neither eat nor drink anything at my house for the next ten days.
Phile. If you choose to say anything good about him, you shall be at liberty to say it; if you speak otherwise than well, on my word you shall have a beating instantly.
Philo. (apart). Upon my faith, if I had paid sacrifice to supreme Jove with that money which I gave for her liberty, never could I have so well employed it. Do see, how, from her very heart's core, she loves me! Oh, I'm a fortunate man; I've liberated in her a patron to plead my cause for me.
Sca. I see that, compared with Philolaches, you disregard all other men; now, that on his account I mayn't get a beating, I'll agree with you in preference, if you are quite satisfied that he will always prove a friend to you.
Phile. Give me the mirror, and the casket with my trinkets, directly, Scapha, that I may be quite dressed when Philolaches, my delight, comes here.
Sca. A woman who neglects herself and her youthful age has occasion for a mirror; what need of a mirror have you, who yourself are in especial a mirror for a mirror.
Philo. (apart). For that expression, Scapha, that you mayn't have said anything so pretty in vain, I'll to-day give something for your savings—to you, my Philematium.
Phile. (while Scapha is dressing her hair). Will you see that each hair is nicely arranged in its own place?
Sca. When you yourself are so nice, do believe that your hair must be nice.
Philo. (apart). Out upon it! what worse thing can pos​sibly be spoken of than this woman? Now the jade's a flatterer, just now she was all contradictory.
Phile. Hand me the ceruse.
Sca. Why, what need of ceruse have you?
Phile. To paint my cheeks with it.
Sca. On the same principle, you would want to be making ivory white with ink.
Philo. (apart). Cleverly said that, about the ink and the ivory! Bravo! I applaud you, Scapha.
Phile. Well then, do you give me the rouge.
Sca. I shan't give it. You really are a clever one. Do you wish to patch up a most clever piece with new daubing? It's not right that any paint should touch that person, neither ceruse, nor quince-ointment, nor any other wash. Take the mirror, then. (Hands her the glass.)
Philo. (apart.) Ah wretched me!—she gave the glass a kiss. I could much wish for a stone, with which to break the head of that glass.
Sca. Take the towel and wipe your hands.
Phile. Why so, prithee?
Sca. As you've been holding the mirror, I'm afraid that your hands may smell of silver; lest Philolaches should suspect you've been receiving silver somewhere.
Philo. (apart). I don't think that I ever did see any one procuress more cunning. How cleverly and artfully did it occur to the jade's imagination about the mirror!
Phile. Do you think I ought to be perfumed with unguents as well?
Sca. By no means do so. Phile. For what reason?
Sca. Because, i' faith, a woman smells best when she smells of nothing at all. For those old women who are in the habit of anointing themselves with unguents, vampt up creatures, old hags, and toothless, who hide the blemishes of the person with paint, when the sweat has blended itself with the unguents, forthwith they stink just like when a cook has poured together a variety of broths; what they smell of, you ​don't know, except this only, that you understand that badly they do smell.
Philo. (apart). How very cleverly she does understand everything! There's nothing more knowing than this knowing woman! (To the Audience.) This is the truth, and a very great portion, in fact, of you know it, who have old women for wives at home who purchased you with their portions.
Phile. Come now, examine my golden trinkets and my mantle; does this quite become me, Scapha?
Sca. It befits not me to concern myself about that.
Phile. Whom then, prithee?
Sca. I'll tell you; Philolaches; so that he may not buy anything except that which he fancies will please you. For a lover buys the favours of a mistress for himself with gold and purple garments. What need is there for that which he doesn't want as his own, to be shown him still? Age is to be enveloped in purple; gold ornaments are unsuitable for a woman. A beautiful woman will be more beautiful naked than drest in purple. Besides, it's in vain she's well-drest if she's ill-conducted; ill-conduct soils fine ornaments worse than dirt. But if she's beauteous, she's sufficiently adorned.
Philo. (apart). Too long have I withheld my hand. (Coming forward.) What are you about here?
Phile. I'm decking myself out to please you.
Philo. You are dressed enough. (To Scapha.) Go you hence in-doors, and take away this finery. (Scapha goes into the house.) But, my delight, my Philematium, I have a mind to regale together with you.
Phile. And, i' faith, so I have with you; for what you have a mind to, the same have I a mind to, my delight.
Philo. Ha! at twenty minæ that expression were cheap.
Phile. Give me ten, there's a dear; I wish to let you have that expression bought a bargain.
Philo. You've already got ten minæ with you; or reckon up the account: thirty minæ I gave for your freedom——
Phile. Why reproach me with that?
Philo. What, I reproach you with it? Why, I had rather that I myself were reproached with it; no money whatever for this long time have I ever laid out equally well.
Phile. Surely, in loving you, I never could have better employed my pains.
​Philo. The account, then, of receipts and expenditure fully tallies between ourselves; you love me, I love you. Each thinks that it is so deservedly. Those who rejoice at this, may they ever rejoice at the continuance of their own happiness. Those who envy, let not any one henceforth be ever envious of their blessings.
Phile. (pointing to a couch on the stage). Come, take your place then. (At the door, to a Servant, who obeys.) Boy, bring some water for the hands; put a little table here. See where are the dice. Would you like some perfumes? (They recline on the couch.)
Philo. What need is there? Alone with myrrh I am reclining. But isn't this my friend who's coming hither with his mistress? 'Tis he; it's Callidamates; look, he's coming. Capital! my sweet one, see, our comrades are approaching; they're coming to share the spoil.
Scene IV.—Enter Callidamates, at a distance, drunk, and Delphium, followed by a Servant.
Call. (to his Servant). I want you to come for me in good time to the house of Philolaches; listen you; well then! those are your orders. (Exit Servant.) For from the place where I was, thence did I betake myself off; so confoundedly tired was I there with the entertainment and the discourse. Now I'll go to Philolaches to have a bout there he'll receive us with jovial feelings and handsomely. Do I seem to you to be fairly drenched, my bubsy?
Del. You ought always to live pursuing this course of life.
Call. Should you like, then, for me to hug you, and you me? Del. If you've a mind to do so, of course.
Call. You are a charming one. (He stumbles.) Do hold me up, there's a dear.
Del. (holding him by the arm). Take care you don't fall. Stand up.
Call. O! you are the apple of my eye. I'm your fosterling, my honey. (He stumbles.)
Del. (still holding him up). Only do take care that you ​don't recline in the street, before we get to a place where a couch is ready laid.
Call. Do let me fall. Del. Well, I'll let you. (Lets go.)
Call. (dragging her as he falls). But that as well which I've got hold of in my hand.
Del. If you fall, you shan't fall without me falling with you. Then some one shall pick us both up as we lie. (Aside.) The man's quite drenched.
Call. (overhearing). Do you say that I am drenched, my bubsy?
Del. Give me your hand; I really do not want**you hurt.
Call. (giving his hand). There now, take it.
Del. Come, move on with me.
Call. Where am I going, do you know?
Del. I know.
Call. It has just come into my head: why, of course I'm going home for a booze.
Del. Why yes, really now I do remember that.
Philo. Won't you let me go to find them, my life? Of all persons I wish well to him especially. I'll return just now. (Goes forward towards the door.)
Phile. That "just now" is a long time to me.
Call. (going to the door and knocking). Is there any person here?
Philo. 'Tis he.
Call. (tuning round). Bravo! Philolaches, good day to you, most friendly to me of all men.
Philo. May the Gods bless you. (Pointing to a couch.) Take your place, Callidamates. (He takes his place.) Whence are you betaking yourself?
Call. Whence a drunken man does.
Philo. Well said. But, my Delphium, do take your place, there's a dear. (She takes her place on a couch.)
Call. Give her something to drink. I shall go to sleep directly. (Nods and goes to sleep.)
Philo. He doesn't do anything wonderful or strange. What shall I do with him then, my dear?
Del. Let him alone just as he is.
Philo. Come, you boy. Meanwhile, speedily pass the goblet round, beginning with Delphium.
Scene V.—Enter Tranio, at a distance.
Tra. (to himself). Supreme Jove, with all his might and resources, is seeking for me and Philolaches, my master's son, to be undone. Our hopes are destroyed; nowhere is there any hold for courage; not even Salvation now could save us if she wished. Such an immense mountain of woe have I just now seen at the harbour: my master has arrived from abroad; Tranio is undone! (To the Audience.) Is there any person who'd like to make gain of a little money, who could this day endure to take my place in being tortured? Where are those fellows hardened to a flogging, the wearers-out of iron chains, or those, who, for the consideration of three didrachms, would get beneath besieging towers, where some are in the way of having their bodies pierced with fifteen spears? I'll give a talent to that man who shall be the first to run to the cross for me; but on condition that twice his feet, twice his arms are fastened there. When that shall have been done, then ask the money down of me. But am I not a wretched fellow, not at full speed to be running home?
Philo. Here come the provisions; see, here's Tranio; he's come back from the harbour.
Tra. (running). Philolaches!
Philo. What's the matter? Tra. Both I and you——
Philo. What about "Both I and you?"
Tra. Are undone!
Philo. Why so? Tra. Your father's here.
Philo. What is it I hear of you?
Tra. We are finished up. Your father's come, I say.
Philo. (starting up.) Where is he, I do entreat you?
Tra. He's coming.
Philo. Coming? Who says so? Who has seen him?
Tra. I saw him myself, I tell you.
​Philo. Woe unto me! what am I about?
Tra. Why the plague now do you ask me what you are about? Taking your place at table, of course.
Philo. Did you see him? Tra. I my own self, I tell you.
Philo. For certain? Tra. For certain, I tell you.
Philo. I'm undone, if you are telling the truth.
Tra. What good could it be to me if I told a lie?
Philo. What shall I do now?
Tra. (pointing to the table and couches). Order all these things to be removed from here. (Pointing.) Who's that asleep there?
Philo. Callidamates. Tra. Arouse him, Delphium.
Del. (bawling out in his ear). Callidamates! Callidamates! awake! Call. (raising himself a little). I am awake; give me something to drink.
Del. Awake; the father of Philolaches has arrived from abroad. Call. I hope his father's well.
Philo. He is well indeed; but I am utterly undone.
Call. You, utterly undone? How can that be?
Philo. By heavens! do get up, I beg of you; my father has arrived.
Call. Your father has come? Bid him go back again. What business had he to come back here so soon?
Philo. What am I to do? My father will, just now, be coming and unfortunately finding me amid drunken carousals, and the house full of revellers and women. It's a shocking bad job, to be digging a well at the last moment, just when thirst has gained possession of your throat; just as I, on the arrival of my father, wretch that I am, am now enquiring what I am to do.
Tra. (pointing at Callidamates). Why look, he has laid down his head and gone to sleep. Do arouse him.
Philo. (shaking him). Will you awake now? My father, I tell you, will be here this instant.
Call. How say you? Your father? Give me my shoes, that I may take up arms. On my word, I'll kill your father this instant.
Philo. (seizing hold of him). You're spoiling the whole business; do hold your tongue. (To Delphium.) Prithee, do carry him off in your arms into the house.
Call. (To Delphium, who is lifting him up). Upon my ​faith, I'll be making an utensil of you just now, if you don't find me one. (He is led off into the house.)
Philo. I'm undone!
Tra. Be of good courage; I'll cleverly find a remedy for this alarm. Philo. I'm utterly ruined!
Tra. Do hold your tongue; I'll think of something by means of which to alleviate this for you. Are you satisfied, if on his arrival I shall so manage your father, not only that he shall not enter, but even that he shall run away to a distance from the house? Do you only be off from here in-doors, and remove these things from here with all haste.
Philo. Where am I to be? Tra. Where you especially desire: with her (pointing to Philematium); with this girl, too, you'll be. (Pointing to Delphium.)
Del. How then? Are we to go away from here?
Tra. Not far from here, Delphium. For carouse away in the house not a bitt the less on account of this.
Philo. Ah me! I'm in a sweat with fear as to how these fine words are to end! Tra. Can you not be tranquil in your mind, and do as I bid you?
Philo. I can be. Tra. In the first place of all, Philematium, do you go in-doors; and you, Delphium.
Del. We'll both be obedient to you. (They go into the house.)
Tra. May Jupiter grant it so! Now then, do you give attention as to what I'd have attended to. In the first place, then, before anything, cause the house to be shut up at once. Take care and don't let any one whisper a word in-doors.
Philo. Care shall be taken. Tra. Just as though no living being were dwelling within the house.
Philo. Very well. Tra. And let no one answer, when the old gentleman knocks at the door.
Philo. Anything else?
Tra. Order the master-key of the house to be brought me at once from within; this house I'll lock here on the outside.
​Philo. To your charge I commit myself, Tranio, and my hopes. (He goes into the house, and the things are removed from the stage.)
Tra. (to himself). It matters not a feather whether a patron or a dependant is the nearest at hand for that man who has got no courage in his breast. For to every man, whether very good or very bad, even at a moment's notice, it is easy to act with craft; but this must be looked to, this is the duty of a prudent man, that what has been planned and done in craftiness, may all come about smoothly and without mishap; so that he may not have to put up with anything by reason of which he might be loth to live; just as I shall manage, that, from the confusion which we shall here create, all shall really go on smoothly and tranquilly, and not produce us any inconvenience in the results. (Enter a Boy, from the house.) But, why have you come out? I'm undone! (The Boy shows him the key.) O very well, you've obeyed my orders most opportunely.
Boy. He bade me most earnestly to entreat you some way or other to scare away his father, that he may not enter the house.
Tra. Even more, tell him this, that I'll cause that he shan't venture even to look at the house, and to take to flight, covering up his head with the greatest alarm. Give me the key (taking it), and be off in-doors, and shut to the door, and I'll lock it on this side. (The Boy goes into the house, and Tranio locks the door.) Bid him now come forthwith. For the old gentleman here while still alive this day will I institute games in his presence, such as I fancy there will never be for him when he's dead. (Moving away.) I'll go away from the door to this spot; hence, I'll look out afar in which direction to lay the burden on the old fellow on his arrival. (Exit to a little distance.)
* ↑ Mostellaria) This is a word probably derived from "mostellum," the diminutive of "monstrum," a "spectre" or "prodigy." It was probably coined by Plautus to serve as the title of this Play, which is called by several of the ancient Commentators by the name of "Phasma," "the Apparition."
* ↑ In the country)—Ver. 7. Grumio appears to have been cook and herdsman combined, and perhaps generally employed at the country farm of Theuropides. On this occasion he seems to have been summoned to town to cook for the entertainment which Philolaches is giving to his friends.
* ↑ The iron-bound race)—Ver. 18. The gang of slaves, who, for their malpractices, are working in the country in chains.
* ↑ Live like Greeks)—Ver. 21. "Pergræcamini." Though the Scene is at Athens, Plautus consults the taste of a Roman Audience, as on many other occasions, in making the Greeks the patterns of riotous livers. Asconius Pedianus says that at these entertainments the Greek drank off a cup of wine every time they named a Divinity or mentioned a friend.
* ↑ Riddle for the executioner)—Ver. 52. Riddled with holes by the scourge of the executioner.
* ↑ You carry your gibbet)—Ver. 53. Bearing his own cross; a refinement of torture which was too often employed upon malefactors.
* ↑ Polished off)—Ver. 98. From this passage it would seem that pains were taken to give the houses a smooth and polished appearance on the outside.
* ↑ Walls come tumbling down)—Ver. 114. Warner remarks that a sentiment not unlike this is found in Scripture, Ecclesiastes, x. 18: "By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through." It may be also observed that the passage is very similar to the words of the parable of the foolish man who built his house upon sand, St. Matthew, vii. 26: "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was the fall thereof."
* ↑ Find them some relation)—Ver. 127. In the first year of military service the Roman youths were placed under the tutelage of some relation or friend.
* ↑ In the arts of exercise)—Ver. 147. "Arte gymnasticâ." Literally, "in the gymnastic art."
* ↑ Lived a joyous life)—Ver. 148. "Victitabam volup." Lambious suggests that the true reading here is "baud volup," "not voluptuously."
* ↑ That which stuffs out)—Ver. 164. That is, the body.
* ↑ Assume the character of a wife)—Ver. 220. "Capiundos crines." Literally, "the hair must be assumed." Festus says that it was usual on the occasion of the marriage ceremony, to add six rows of curls to the hair of the bride, in imitation of the Vestal virgins, who were patterns of purity, and were dressed in that manner. Hence the term "capere crines" came to signify "to become a wife."
* ↑ 'Tis downright cramming)—Ver. 230. "Sugina plane est." "Sagina" was the term applied to the fattening or cramming of animals for the purpose of killing. The use of the term implies Scapha's notion of the bestial kind of life that Philolaches was leading.
* ↑ Give me the mirror)—Ver. 242. Probably a mirror with a handle, such as the servants usually held for their mistresses. There is something comical in the notion of a female coming out into the street to make her toilet.
* ↑ Hand me the ceruse)—Ver. 252. White lead, or "cerussa," was used by the Roman women for the purpose of whitening the complexion. Ovid mentions it in his Treatise on the Care of the Complexion, I. 73.
* ↑ A woman smells best)—Ver. 267. Cicero and Martial have a similar sentiment; their opinion has been followed by many modern writers and other persons as well.
* ↑ You to come for me)—Ver. 306. Though none of the Editions say so, it is not improbable that this is said to Phanisens, who, in the sequel, comes to fetch Callidamates home. The duties of the "adversitor" have been alluded to in a previous Note.
* ↑ Not even Salvation)—Ver. 342. See the Captivi, l. 535, and the Note to the passage.
* ↑ Beneath besieging towers)—Ver. 348. "Falæ" were wooden towers, placed on the top of walls or fortified places; of course the attack of these would imply extreme danger to those who attempted it.
* ↑ Twice his feet, twice his arms)—Ver. 351. Some suppose that by "his pedes, his brachia," he means that two nails were to be driven into each leg and foot. It seems more probably that he means two for the feet and two for the hands.
* ↑ Order the master-key)—Ver. 395. "Clavem—Laconicam;" literally, "the Laconian key." This was a kind of key originally invented by the Spartans, by means of which a door could be locked from the outside, but not from within. According to some, this key was called "Laconica," from its rough appearance, in allusion to the inelegant exterior of the Spartans. In his Thesmophoriazusae, Aristophanes informs us that these keys had three wards.
* ↑ Covering up his head)—Ver. 414. With the ancients, when either ashamed or alarmed at anything, it was the custom to throw a part of the dress over the head, as a hood.
* ↑ Will I institute games)—Ver. 417. He plays on the double meaning of "ludos," which means either "tricks," or "funeral games" in honor of the dead, according to the context.