The Word Detexere, is a Weavers Term, signifying to Put on to the Loom, and the like. Now Socia seeing Mer∣cury in a remarkable Posture, with his hands lifted up, he pleasantly intimates as tho' he had stood ready to take his Cloak, and new weave it for him; but this is not easily preserv'd in our Tongue. I believe it wou'd have done better, and nigher to the Author's Design, if I had translated it, I'm afraid this Fellow has some great Business with my Cloak.
Ibid. l. 24. Dissociate me to Quintus.] Quintus fiam è Sosiâ. The Jest of this, in the Original, is much great∣er than in the Translation: For it was usual among the Romans, to call their Sons by the Names of Primus, Se∣cundus, Tertius, Quartus, Quintus, Sextus, &c. according to their Births; as likewise their Daughters by the Names of Prima, Secunda, Tertia, Quarta, &c.
Pag. 14. l. 21. Far enough lately.] Verùm longè binc ab∣fuit. As Madam Dacier observes, it is Socia that says this, and not Mercury, as it is in all the common Books.
Pag. 15. l. 19, &c. Whither away, Sirrah? you that car∣ry Fire i' your Lantborn.] Quò ambulas, tu, qui Vulcanum in cornu conclusum geris? I do not see how the Comi∣calness of this Passage can be preserv'd in our Tongue.
Ibid. l. 27, &c. Sirrah, you'll be kick'd. Soc. You lye, Sir, for once.] Verbero. So. Mentiris n•…•…nc jam. The Jest here is wholly lost in the Translation, which con∣sists in the double meaning of the Word Verbero; which is either a Noun, signifying, A Slave that deserves to be beaten; or a Verb, signifying, I beat you. Now Mercury us'd it in the former Sense, and Socia took it in the lat∣ter; and tho' it be but an ordinary Jest, it was agree∣able enough to Socia's Character.
Pag. 16. l. 1, &c. Sirrah, I shall stop that damn'd foul Mouth o' yours. Soc. 'Tis past your skill, Sir. 'Tis kept as well and as clean as any Mans.] Ego tibi istam hodie scele∣stam comprimam linguam. So. Haud potes: bene pudicéque asservatur. This is exactly of the same Stamp with the last; playing upon the double meaning of the Word