 | The Twin Brothers |  |
SCENE II.
Enter MENÆCHMUS SOSICLES with a robe.Men. Sos.
If I return it neatly fitted up,
[speaking to Erotium within.]
So that you scarce shall know it is the same,
And that this very day, shall you not then
Be satisfied?
Pen.
[apart.]
He's carrying the robe
To the embroiderer's—And dinner's done—
The wine drank off, and the poor parasite bilk'd,
By Hercules! if I put up with this,
And not revenge, I'm not the man I am.
Let's first see what he'll do, and then accost him.—
42
Immortal Gods! is there a man on whom
You've in one day bestow'd more good, or one
Who less could hope for it? I've din'd, I've drank,
I've feasted with my mistress, have born 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 stol'n 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 far'd so well,
And at so small expence.
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 deserv'd this of thee? For what cause
Hast thou undone me? Say, have I deserv'd,
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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?
Men. Sos.
Prithee, young man, what hast to do with me?
Abusing thus a man thou dost not know—
You'd have me wreak this insult then hereafter?
Pen.
You have 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, Menæchmus.
Men. Sos.
'Troth, I do not know,
That I'm a-sleep.
Pen.
Not know your parasite?
Men. Sos.
Thy head is turn'd, young man, in my opinion.
Pen.
Answer me, did you not this very day,
Steal from your wife that robe, and give't Erotium?
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Neither have I a wife, nor robe have stol'n,
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?
Men. Sos.
Woe upon thy head!
'Cause you're a rogue, think you we all are such?
Say you, you saw me with this robe upon me?
Pen.
I did, by Hercules!
Men. Sos.
Go, and be hang'd
As you deserve, or else go purge your brain;
For thou'rt the veriest madman I e'er met with.
Pen.
By Pollux' temple, nothing shall prevent me,
From telling to your wife, the whole that's pass'd.
And then shall all this scurril wit retort
Back on yourself. Nor shall you unreveng'd
Have swallow'd down my dinner.
Men. Sos.
What is this?
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But see, the door is opening.—
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