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Enter, from her house, the WIFE of MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus, followed by PENICULUS.

THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
And shall I allow myself to remain in wedlock1 here, when my husband secretly pilfers whatever's in the house, and carries it thence off to his mistress?

PENICULUS
Why don't you hold your peace? I'll let you now catch him in the fact; do you only follow me this way. They go to the opposite side of the stage. In a state of drunkenness, with a chaplet on, he was carrying the mantle to the embroiderer's, which he purloined from you at home to-day. But see, here is the chaplet which he had on. Seeing the chaplet on the ground. Now am I saying false? Aha, this way has he gone, if you wish to trace his footsteps. And, by my faith, see, here he comes on his way back most opportunely, but he isn't wearing the mantle.

THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What now shall I do to him?

PENICULUS
The same as usual; abuse him.

THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
So I am resolved.

PENICULUS
Let's step aside this way watch him from ambush. They retire on one side.

1 To remain in wedlock: As already observed in the Notes to the Stichus and the Miles Gloriosus, the facilities for divorce, by reason of incompatibility and other circumstances, were very great among the Romans.

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