Neque ego hac nocte longiorem me vidisse censeo, nisi item unam, verberatus quam pependi perpetem; 280 eam quoque edepol etiam multo haec vicit longitudine. credo edepol equidem dormire Solem, atque adpotum probe; mira sunt nisi invitavit sese in cena plusculum.

I don’t think I ever did see a longer night—­barring that one when I got whipped and was left strung up till morning.  And goodness me, in length this one’s way ahead of even that one.  Gad, I certainly do believe old Sol’s asleep, asleep and dead drunk.  It’s a wonder if he hasn’t drunk his own health a bit too much at dinner.

Mer.

  Ain vero, verbero? deos esse tui similis putas?
  ego pol te istis tuis pro dictis et male factis, furcifer,
  accipiam; modo sis veni huc:  invenies infortunium.

(aside) So, you scoundrel?  Think the gods are like yourself, eh?  By heaven, I’ll give you a reception to match this talk and roguery of yours, you gallows-bird.  Just you be good enough to step this way, and you shall meet with a mishap.

Sos.

  Ubi sunt isti scortatores, qui soli inviti cubant?
  haec nox scita est exercendo scorto conducto male.

      Where are those young blades that hate a lonely couch?  Here
      is your lovely night for gallivanting with an expensive lady.

Mer.

  Meus pater nunc pro huius verbis recte et sapienter facit,
  qui complexus cum Alcumena cubat amans animo obsequens. 290

      (aside) According to this chap, my father’s making good,
      intelligent use of his time—­loving to his heart’s content
      with Alcmena in his fond embrace.

Sos.

  Ibo ut erus quod imperavit Alcumenae nuntiem.
  sed quis hic est homo, quem ante aedis video hoc noctis? non placet.

Now for the message master told me to give mistress. (aside as he moves toward house and sees Mercury) But who’s that fellow in front of the house at this time o’ night? (halts, frightened) I don’t like it.

Mer.

  Nullust hoc metuculosus aeque.

      (aside) Of all the pusillanimous rogues!

Sos.

  Mi in mentem venit,
  illic homo hoc de umero volt pallium detexere.

      (aside) It looks to me as if this fellow wants to take my
      cloak off for me.

Mer.

  Timet homo:  deludam ego illum.

      (aside) Our friend is scared:  we’ll have some sport with
      him.

Sos.