THEU. In what neighbourhood did my son buy this house? TRA. (_aside_). Just see that, now! I'm undone! THEU. Are you going to tell me that which I ask you? TRA. I'll tell you; but I'm thinking what was the name of the owner. (_Pretends to think._) THEU. Well, call it to mind, then. TRA. (_aside_). What am I to do now, except _put_ the lie upon this neighbour of ours next door? I'll say that his son has bought that house. I' faith, I've heard say that a lie piping-hot is the best _lie_; this is piping-hot; although it is at a distance off, it scorches badly. Whatever the Gods dictate, that am I determined to say. THEU. Well now? Have you recollected it by this? TRA. (_aside_). May the Gods confound that fellow!--no, this _other_ fellow, rather. (_To_ THEUROPIDES.) Your son has bought the house of this next-door neighbour _of yours_. THEU. In real truth? TRA. If, indeed, you are going to pay down the money, then in real _truth_; if you are not going to pay it, in real truth he has not bought it. THEU. He hasn't bought it in a very good situation. TRA. Why yes, in a very good one. THEU. I' faith, I should like to look over this house; just knock at the door, and call some one to you from within, Tranio. TRA. (_aside_). Why just look now, again I don't know what I'm to say. Once more, now, are the surges bearing me upon the self-same rock. What now? I' faith, I can't discover what I am now to do; I'm caught in the fact. THEU. Just call some one out of doors; ask him to show us round. TRA. (_going to the door of_ SIMO's _house_). Hallo there, you! (_Turning round_.) But there are ladies here; we must first see whether they are willing or unwilling. THEU. You say what's good and proper; just make enquiry, and ask. I'll wait here outside until you come out. TRA. (_aside_). May all the Gods and Goddesses utterly confound you, old gentleman! in such a fashion are you thwarting my artful plans in every way. Bravo! very good! Look, Simo himself, the owner of the house, is coming out of doors. I'll step aside here, until I have convened the senate of council in my mind. Then, when I've discovered what I am to do, I'll join him. (THEUROPIDES _and_ TRANIO _stand at a distance from_ SIMO's _house, in opposite directions_, THEUROPIDES _being out of sight_.) [Footnote 1: _As a fox eats a pear_)--Ver. 543. This may either mean, very easily indeed, or not at all. It is not clear that a fox will eat a pear; but if does, his teeth will go through it with the greatest ease. Not improbably, Tranio uses the expression for its ambiguity.] [Footnote 2: _Friend Saturides_)--Ver. 552. A nickname coined by the author, from "satur," "brimful," of money, probably.] [Footnote 3: _Commence the attack_)--Ver. 564. "Pilum injecisti." Literally, "you have thrown the dart." "To throw the dart" was a common expression, signifying to make the first attack;" as the darts were thrown before recourse was had to the sword.]