Chrysnotaparoys! Whatever jargon is this?

Queer-looking fellows too to be prowling about my house,

And talking of me. Some maskers my neighbour Chremes hires

To honour the Feast of Bacchus. A stupid, vulgar fashion,

This orientalising, in great vogue too, and still

Gains ground, I fear; and this is one of the gaudy-days.

’Tis well I did not accept his invitation to dine.

Mummery and tomfoolery! Alas, I have been all day

More nervous and anxious than ever. I even thought this morning

I heard my poor son’s voice: so certain I was that I ran