TRA. (_to himself_). It matters not a feather whether a patron or a dependant is the nearest at hand for that man who has got no courage in his breast. For to every man, whether very good or very bad, even at a moment's notice, it is easy to act with craft; but this must be looked to, this is the duty of a prudent man, that what has been planned and done in craftiness, may all come about smoothly and without mishap; so that he may not have to put up with anything by reason of which he might be loth to live; just as I shall manage, that, from the confusion which we shall here create, all shall really go on smoothly and tranquilly, and not produce us any inconvenience in the results. (_Enter a_ BOY, _from the house._) But, why have you come out? I'm undone! (_The_ BOY _shows him the key._) O very well, you've obeyed my orders most opportunely. BOY. He bade me most earnestly to entreat you some way or other to scare away his father, that he may not enter the house. TRA. Even more, tell him this, that I'll cause that he shan't venture even to look at the house, _and_ to take to flight, covering up his head [5] with the greatest alarm. 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 he 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. In his Thesmophoriazusae, Aristophanes informs us that these keys had three wards.] [Footnote 5: _Covering up his head_)--Ver. 414. With the ancients, when either ashamed or alarmed at anything, it was the custom to throw a part of the dress over the head, as a hood.]