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MEG. There's nobody." lo<br />
Another old stage friend is the detected plotter trying to lIe out<br />
of an embarrassing situation. He is lineally descended from<br />
Tranio in the Most. Tranio has just induced his master Theopropides<br />
to pay forty minae to the money-lender on the pretext that<br />
Theopropides' son Philolaches has bought a house (659 ff.) :<br />
"TH. In what neighborhood did my son buy this house ?<br />
TR. (Aside to audience in comic despair, with appropriate<br />
gesture.) See there now ! I'm a goner !<br />
TH. (Impatiently.) Will you answer my question ?<br />
TR. Oh yes, but (Stammering and displaying symptoms of acute<br />
embarrassment) I-I'm trying to think of the owner's name.<br />
(Groans.)<br />
TH. Well, hurry up and remember it '<br />
TR. (Rapidly, aside.) I can't see anything better to do than<br />
tell him his son bought the house of our next-door neighbor here.<br />
(With a shrug.) Thunder, I've heard that a steaming lie is the best<br />
kind. (Mock-heroically.) 'Tis the will of the gods, my mind's<br />
made up.<br />
TH. (Who has been frowning and stamping in impatience.)<br />
Well, well, well ! Haven't you thought of it yet ?<br />
TR. (Aside.) Curses on him ! (Finally turning and<br />
bursting out SUddenly.) It's op.r next-door neighbor here-your<br />
son bought the house from him. (He sees that the lie goes and sighs "<br />
with relief.) "l1<br />
Another variation on this theme is the futile effort of the plotter<br />
to get rid ' of a character armed with incriminating evidence.<br />
Again we quote Most. (573 ff.), where Tranio is conversing with<br />
Theopropides. The money-lender from whom young Philolaches<br />
has borrowed appears on the other side of the stage. Tranio espies<br />
him. He must keep him away from the old man. With a<br />
hurried excuse he flies across to meet Mis argyrides.<br />
"TR. ( Taking Misargyrides' arm and attempting to steer him offstage.)<br />
I was never so glad to see a man in my life.<br />
MIS. (Suspiciously, holding back.) What's the matter ?<br />
TR. (Confidentially.) Just step this way. (Looks back apprehensively<br />
at Theopropides, who is regarding them suspiciously.)<br />
lOCf. Mil. 596 ff., Most. 454 ff., Trin. 517 ff.<br />
"Cf. Mer. 748 ff., Men. 607 ff.<br />
42
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