Scene the Third.
Ibid. l. 10. Only t' unshackle your Rope, that hangs at your Heels.] Dum hanc tibi, quam trahis, rudentem com∣plico. This Cable gives Name to the whole Play, be∣cause upon this, depends the discovery of Palestra; but by the same Reason the Poet might as well have call'd the Play's Name, Portmantle, Casket, &c.
Pag. 197. l. 3. No Man pretending to take 'em away.] Nec Manu asseruntur. The Phrase, Asserere manu, pro∣perly signifies giving Freedom to a Slave, which thing Gripus comically applies to Fishes, and immediately af∣ter, says, Vendo pro meis venalibus; for Slaves were call'd Venales. These are not easily preserv'd in our Tongue.
Pag. 199. l. ult. Will ye put the Bus'ness to the Man of this House?] Trachalio had all the reason that cou'd be, to get the bus'ness referr'd to Demones, he being the only Man he knew thereabouts; and Gripus had as much reason to allow of that Person, since he was forc'd to admit of a Reference, because he was his own Master: These two things ought to be observ'd. Now Tracha∣lio's Design was only to assist the poor Girl, whose In∣terests he had most justly espous'd; but the Poet's De∣sign was greater, to wit, Palestra's discovery, which cou'd not so easily be foreseen by the Spectators. This is one great piece of Art in Dramatick Poetry.