ARG. Health to you, mother.

this fashion!

ART. Health indeed after

PAR. (aside). Demænetus is dead. 'Tis time to betake myself hence: this battle bravely waxes hot. I'll be off to Diabolus. I'll tell him his orders are performed as he desired them; and in the meantime I'll persuade him that we should take a meal, while these people are squabbling. Afterwards, in fine, I'll bring him here to-morrow, to the procuress, that he may give her the twenty minæ, that, in his turn, he in his passion may be enabled to obtain this damsel. I hope that Argyrippus will be able to be prevailed upon to allow him to pass each alternate night with him in her company; for, unless I obtain that, I've lost my patron1; so great is the passion of the man by reason of his love. (He quietly withdraws.)

ART. (addressing PHILENIUM). What business have you to give a retreat here in your house to my husband?

PHIL. Troth, he really will this day be the death of wretched me, through sheer disgust.

ART. (to DEMANETUS). Rise, wencher, be off home.

DEM. I'm undone. ART. Yes, you are?; don't, i' faith, gainsay it, you most vile of all men. Why, the cuckoo's still on his nests. Rise, wencher, be off home.

DEM. Woe to me! ART. You prophesy correctly. Rise, wencher, be off home.

DEM. Step a little this way then.

ART. Rise, wencher, be off home. DEM. Now, prithee, wife

ART. Do you remember now that I'm your wife? It was but just now, when you were heaping abuse upon me, that I wasn't your wife.

ART. Why, pray? Does

DEM. I'm utterly ruined. the breath of your wife smell strong?

DEM. It smells of myrrh. ART. Have you filched my mantle then to be giving to your harlot ?

1 My patron)-Ver. 925. "Regem." Literally, "my king;" the name which Parasites bestowed upon their patrons.

2 Yes, you are)-Ver. 928. He says, "nullus sum," in the sense of "I'm undone;" but she chooses to take it as though he had meant "I am a worthless fellow," which meaning these words are capable of bearing.

3 Cuckoo's still on his nest)-Ver. 929. The cuckoo takes possession of the nests of other birds, and lays its eggs there. Artemona probably alludes to that fact, on seeing her husband under such disgraceful circumstances.

ARG. By the powers-what, did he promise that he would filch your mantle ?

ART. Won't you hold your tongue ?

ARG. I was going to dissuade him, mother. ART. (to ARGYRIPPUS). A pretty son! (To DEMENETUS.) Is it proper for a father to teach these morals to his children? Are you ashamed of nothing?

DEM. I' faith, if there's nothing else, I'm ashamed of you, wife.

ART. With your hoary head, your wife is dragging you, you cuckoo, from dens of infamy.

DEM. The dinner's cooking; mayn't I stop, only to take my dinner?

ART. Faith, you'll dine to-day on a heavy mishap, as you deserve.

DEM. (rising). I shall repose but uncomfortably; my wife is taking me home condemned.

ARG. I told you, father, not to devise ill against my mother.

PHIL. (to DEMENETUS). Do remember about the mantle1, there's a dear.

DEM. (calls out to CLEÆRETA). Won't you order her to go away from here?

PHIL. No, I'll go in, in preference. (To ARGYRIPPUS.) Follow me this way, my life.

ARG. Yes, I follow. ART. (to DEMANETUS). Be off home. PHIL. (to DEMENETUS). Do give me a kiss, at least, before you go.

DEM. (to PHILENIUM). Go hang yourself.

The COMPANY of the COMEDIANS.

(Exeunt.

If this old fellow, unknown to his wife, has been in any way indulging his own inclinations, he has been doing nothing new or wonderful, or otherwise than others are in the habit of doing. No one is there of a disposition so severe, or of a temper so firm, but that he will enjoy himself when he has any opportunity. Now if you wish to interpose in behalf of this old man, so that he be not punished, we think that it can be brought about if you give us loud applause.

1 About the mantle)-Ver. 945. This she says by way of a farewell banter to the old fellow, whom she is too happy to get rid of.

Scene.-Epidaurus, in Peloponnesus; before the houses of PHÆDROMUS and

CAPPADOX, and the Temple of Æsculapius.

THE SUBJECT.

PHÆDROMUS is desperately in love with Planesium, who is in the possession of Cappadox, an avaricious Procurer. Not having the means of obtaining her freedom, Phædromus sends Curculio, his Parasite, to Caria, to borrow the money from a friend. The friend being unable to lend it, Curculio by accident meets a military officer, named Therapontigonus, and is invited by him to dinner. The Captain accidentally mentions to him that he has agreed to purchase Planesium of the Procurer, and that the money is deposited with Lyco, the banker, who has been ordered, on receiving a letter signed with the Captain's signet, to have the young woman delivered to the bearer. While the Captain is overpowered with wine, Curculio steals his signet, and hastens back to Epidaurus, where he forges a letter by means of it, which he delivers to Lyco, as though from the Captain. The money is paid to the Procurer, and Planesium is handed over to Curculio; a condition having been previously made, that if she should turn out to be a free woman by birth, the money shall be repaid to the purchaser. Curculio then delivers Planesium to Phædromus. The same day, the Captain arrives at Epidaurus, and is soon after recognized by Planesium as her brother, through the medium of the ring, which had belonged to her father. To corroborate her assertion, Planesium produces another ring, which Therapontigonus had presented to her when a child as a birthday present. On this, she is given by her brother in marriage to Phædromus; and Cappadox, much against his will, is forced to refund the money to the Captain.

CURCULIO; OR, THE FORGERY.

THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT.

[Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.]

ON an errand of Phædromus, Curculio (Curculio) goes to Caria, that (Ut) he may obtain some money; there he despoils the rival (Rivalem) of Phædromus of his ring. He writes a letter, and seals it with that seal. Lyco, when he sees it, recognizes (Cognoscit) the seal of the Captain; that (Ut) he may send him his mistress, he pays the money to the Procurer. The Captain threatens to summon Lyco (Lyconem) and the Procurer to justice: he himself (Ipsus) discovers his sister that was lost, at whose request (Oratu) he gives her in marriage to Phædromus.

ACT I.-SCENE I. (Before daybreak.)

Enter at one side of the stage РHÆDROMUS, with a lighted torch, and followed by SLAVES with wine and provisions for an entertainment, and PALINURUS on the opposite side.

PAL. Whither away must I say that you are going out of doors at this time o' night, Phædromus, with that dress and with this train1?

PHÆD. Whither Venus and Cupid summon me, and Love persuades me; whether 'tis the midnight or whether the earliest twilight, if the day is fixed for pleading your cause with your antagonist, still must you go where they command you, whether you will or no.

PAL. But pray, praynoying to me.

PHED. Pray

you are an

PAL. Really that is neither pretty nor befitting you to

1 And with this train)—Ver. 2. As it is supposed to be before daybreak, he is holding a lighted torch, and is attended by a train of slaves, who are carrying wine and other provisions for the entertainment, or early breakfast, which he is about to give. He has also a gay dress on for the occasion.

2 If the day is fixed)-Ver. 5. "Status condictus dies." This term properly applies to a day appointed for pleading a cause.