[82.] Carry me off)—Ver. 881. Madame Dacier says that Antipho is so rejoiced here at Geta’s news, that he jumps upon his shoulders, and is carried off in triumph, which was a sort of stage-trick, and was very diverting to the Audience. On this, Colman observes: “I believe Madame Dacier has not the least foundation for this extraordinary piece of information; and I must confess, that I have too high an opinion, both of the Roman audience and actors, to believe it to be true.”
[83.] That as to what)—Ver. 898. Lemaire suggests that he is about to say: “that as to what was agreed upon between us, I may take home this young woman, and make her my wife.”
[84.] Is she not genteel-looking)—Ver. 904. Patrick has the following note here: “One can not conceive any thing more happy or just than these words of Chremes. Demipho’s thoughts are wholly taken up how to recover the money, and Phormio is equally solicitous to retain it; but Chremes, who had just left his daughter, is regardless of their discourse, and fresh from the impressions which she had made on him, longs to know if his brother’s sentiments of her were equally favorable, and naturally puts this paternal question to him.”
[85.] Transferred to my account)—Ver. 921. “Rescribere argentum,” or “nummos,” meant “to transfer,” or “set down money to the account of another person in one’s banker’s books.” A passage in the Asinaria of Plautus, l. 445, seems to have the same meaning.
[86.] For the well portioned)—Ver. 939. Though Colman thinks otherwise, it is pretty clear that he alludes to Nausistrata in these words.
[87.] To be carrying off)—Ver. 954. Patrick has the following note here: “The different characters of the two brothers are admirably preserved throughout this Scene. Chremes stands greatly in awe of his wife, and will submit to any thing rather than the story should come to her ears; but Demipho can not brook the thoughts of losing so much money, and encourages his brother to behave with spirit and resolution, promising to make up matters between him and his wife.”
[88.] Dead and gone)—Ver. 965. “E medio excedere,” was an Euphemism signifying “to die,” which it was deemed of ill omen to mention.
[89.] Those who have)—Ver. 1025. He here uses the terms which it was customary to employ in the celebration of a public funeral. See also the form of proclaiming an auction, at the end of the Menæchmi of Plautus.
[90.] Have him victimised)—Ver. 1027. “Mactatus” was the term applied to the pouring of wine and frankincense on the victim about to be sacrificed, on which it was said to be “magis auctus,” “increased,” or “amplified;” which, in time, became corrupted into the word “mactatus,” or “mactus.”
[91.] Grant us your applause)—Ver. 1054. Thus concludes the last, and certainly not the least meritorious of the Plays of our Author; indeed, for genuine comic spirit, it may challenge comparison with the Eunuch, which is in general considered to be the best.