Neque ego hac nocte longiorem me vidisse censeo, nisi item unam, verberatus quam pependi perpetem; 280 eam quoque edepol etiam multo haec vicit longitudine. credo edepol equidem dormire Solem, atque adpotum probe; mira sunt nisi invitavit sese in cena plusculum. I don’t think I ever did see a longer night--barring that one when I got whipped and was left strung up till morning. And goodness me, in length this one’s way ahead of even that one. Gad, I certainly do believe old Sol’s asleep, asleep and dead drunk. It’s a wonder if he hasn’t drunk his own health a bit too much at dinner. _Mer._ Ain vero, verbero? deos esse tui similis putas? ego pol te istis tuis pro dictis et male factis, furcifer, accipiam; modo sis veni huc: invenies infortunium. (_aside_) So, you scoundrel? Think the gods are like yourself, eh? By heaven, I’ll give you a reception to match this talk and roguery of yours, you gallows-bird. Just you be good enough to step this way, and you shall meet with a mishap. _Sos._ Ubi sunt isti scortatores, qui soli inviti cubant? haec nox scita est exercendo scorto conducto male. Where are those young blades that hate a lonely couch? Here is your lovely night for gallivanting with an expensive lady. _Mer._ Meus pater nunc pro huius verbis recte et sapienter facit, qui complexus cum Alcumena cubat amans animo obsequens. 290 (_aside_) According to this chap, my father’s making good, intelligent use of his time--loving to his heart’s content with Alcmena in his fond embrace. _Sos._ Ibo ut erus quod imperavit Alcumenae nuntiem. sed quis hic est homo, quem ante aedis video hoc noctis? non placet. Now for the message master told me to give mistress. (_aside as he moves toward house and sees Mercury_) But who’s that fellow in front of the house at this time o’ night? (_halts, frightened_) I don’t like it. _Mer._ Nullust hoc metuculosus aeque. (_aside_) Of all the pusillanimous rogues! _Sos._ Mi in mentem venit, illic homo hoc de umero volt pallium detexere. (_aside_) It looks to me as if this fellow wants to take my cloak off for me. _Mer._ Timet homo: deludam ego illum. (_aside_) Our friend is scared: we’ll have some sport with him. _Sos._ Perii, dentes pruriunt; certe advenientem hic me hospitio pugneo accepturus est. credo misericors est: nunc propterea quod me meus erus fecit ut vigilarem, hic pugnis faciet hodie ut dormiam. oppido interii. obsecro hercle, quantus et quam validus est.