(_aside_) The Captain has come just in the nick of time for
me. (_draws Nicobulus farther away_)

_Cleom._

Non me arbitratur militem, sed mulierem,
qui me meosque non queam defendere.
nam neque Bellona mi umquam neque Mars creduat,
ni illum exanimalem faxo, si convenero,
nive exheredem fecero vitae suae.

He takes me for a woman, not a soldier, a woman unable to
defend myself and mine! Now never may Bellona[K] and Mars
trust me more, unless I extinguish his vital spark, once I
come upon him, and unless I disinherit him of his existence!

[Footnote K: The goddess of war.]

_Nic._

Chrysale, quis ille est qui minitatur filio? 850

(_anxiously_) Chrysalus! who's that threatening my son?

_Chrys._

Vir hic est illius mulieris quacum accubat.

(_coolly_) He is the husband of that woman beside your son
on the couch.

_Nic._

Quid, vir?

(_in terror_) What? The husband?

_Chrys._

Vir, inquam.

That is what I say, the husband.

_Nic._

Nuptanest illa, obsecro?

For heaven's sake, is she married?

_Chrys._

Scies haud multo post.

You'll see a little later.

_Nic._

Oppido interii miser.

Oh! This is perfectly agonizing!

_Chrys._

Quid nunc? scelestus tibi videtur Chrysalus?
age nunc vincito me, auscultato filio.
dixin tibi ego illum inventurum te qualis sit?

What now? Do you think Chrysalus is the criminal? Go ahead
now, tie me up and listen to your son. Didn't I tell you
you'd find out what sort he is?

_Nic._

Quid nunc ego faciam?

What shall I do now?

_Chrys._

Iube sis me exsolvi cito;
nam ni ego exsolvor, iam manufesto hominem opprimet.

Kindly have me loosed, and quickly; for if I'm not loosed,
he'll soon be surprising our gentleman red-handed.

_Cleom._

Nihil est lucri quod me hodie facere mavelim,
quam illum cubantem cum illa opprimere, ambo ut necem. 860

There is no amount of money I had rather make to-day than
surprise him with her in his arms, so that I may slay them
both!

_Chrys._

Audin quae loquitur? quin tu me exsolvi iubes?

You hear what he's saying? Why don't you have me loosed?

_Nic._

Exsolvite istum. perii, pertimui miser.

(_to slaves_) Loose him. (_they obey_) This is awful! Dear,
dear, I'm