Act II, Scene III

Menaechmus Sosicles, Messenio.

Men. Sos. Is he gone then? He is gone. By my faith, I find by experience that your words are not untrue.

Mess. Do you only be on your guard; for I do believe that some woman in the harlot line is living here, as, in fact this madman said, who has just gone away from here.

Men. Sos. But I wonder how he came to know my name.

Mess. I' faith, 'tis far from surprising: courtesans have this custom; they send servant-boys and servant-girls down to the harbour; if any foreign ship comes into port, they enquire of what country it is, and what its name is; after that, at once they set themselves to work, and fasten themselves upon him; if they inveigle him, they send him home a ruined man. Now in this harbour there stands a piratical craft, against which I really think that we must be on our guard.

Men. Sos. I' troth, you really counsel aright.

Mess. Then, in fine, shall I be sure that I've counselled aright, if you are rightly on your guard.

Men. Sos. Be silent for a moment, then; for the door makes a noise. Let's see who's coming out from there.

Mess. Meanwhile, I'll lay this down. (He puts down the wallet.) Do you keep watch upon these things, if you please, you sailors.