← Menaechmi · Contents

Menaechmi · 1852

The Acrostic Argument

by Plautus c. 254 – 184 BC

Translated by Henry Thomas Riley (1852)


A Sicilian merchant (Mercator) who had two sons, on one being stolen from him (Ei) ended his life. As a name (Nomen) for him who is at home, his paternal grandfather (Avus) gives him that of Menaechmus instead of Sosicles. And (Et) he, as soon as he is grown up, goes to seek his brother about (Circum) all countries. At last he comes to Epidamnus; hither (Huc) the one that was stolen has been carried. All think that the stranger, Menaechmus (Menaechmum), is their fellow-citizen, and address him (Eum) as such: Courtesan, wife, and father-in-law. There (Ibi) at last the brothers mutually recognize each other.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Plautus. Menaechmi, The Acrostic Argument. Translated by Henry Thomas Riley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/work/plautus-menaechmi-riley/2/.

Chicago

Plautus. Menaechmi, The Acrostic Argument. Translated by Henry Thomas Riley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/work/plautus-menaechmi-riley/2/.

Read this with the Codex →