The Comedies of Plautus, Vol. II

25 Pa. Woe to me, poor wretch, who must perish because of a worthless 180

But is Philocomasium still here? Pe. When

Pa. Go, I beg you, order her to cross over here as quickly as she can, so that the

may see her at home, unless she really wants us, who are slaves,
to be given to the cross because of her love, along with all our fellow slaves.
30 Pe. I have already said that; unless you want something else. Pa. I do. Say this 185

make sure that she does not stray from her feminine nature in any way, 185^a
and that she continues to cultivate their art and discipline. Pe. In what

Pa. That she overcomes the man who saw her here with words, so that he did not see her.
Even if she were seen here a hundred times, let her deny it.
35 She has a face, a tongue, perfidy, malice, and boldness,
self-assurance, firmness, and fraudulence. 189^a
Whoever accuses her, let her defeat him with her own oath:
she has at home a heart that is false-speaking, false-acting, and false-swearing,
at home, deceits; at home, charming deeds; at home, fallacies.
40 For a woman never asks the gardener for anything if she is wicked:
she has a garden at home and condiments for every kind of malicious 195

Pe. I will announce these things, if she is here. But what is it, Palae- 199

that you are turning over in your heart? Pa. Be silent for a moment,
while I summon plans to my mind and while I deliberate