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Plautus, Titus Maccius, 254 BC-184 BC

"The Captiva and the Mostellaria"

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 [6] 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._)
[Footnote 1: _Not even Salvation_)--Ver. 342. See the Captivi, 1.
535, and the Note to the passage.]
[Footnote 2: _Beneath besieging towers_)--Ver 348. "Falae" 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.]
[Footnote 3: _Twice his feet, twice his arms_)--Ver. 351. Some
suppose that by "bis pedes, bis brachia," he means that two nails were
to be driven into each leg and foot. It seems more probable that be
means two for the feet and two for the hands.]
[Footnote 4: _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.


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