In the scene recently quoted (_Cur._ 279 ff.), Curculio, after his violent
exertions in search of his patron, is for a time apparently unable to
discover him, though he is on the stage all the time. This species of
blindness must be wilfully designed as a burlesque effect and again finds
its echo in low comedy types of today. The breadth and depth of the Roman
stage alone will not account for this either; indeed, its very size could
be utilized to heighten the humor, as the actor peers hither and yon in
every direction but the right one. So Curculio (front) may pass directly
by Phaedromus (rear) without seeing him, to the huge delight of the
audience, and turn back again, while saying (301 ff.):
"Is there anybody who can point out Phaedromus, my guardian angel, to me?
The matter's very urgent: I must find this chap at once.
PALINURUS. (_To Phaedromus._) It's you he's looking for.
PH. What do you say we speak to him? Hello, Curculio, I want you!
CUR. (_Stopping and again looking vainly round._) Who's calling? Who says
"Curculio"?
PH. Somebody that wants to see you.
CUR. (_At last recognizing him when almost on top of him._) Ah! You don't
want to see me any more than I want to see you."
Acanthio in _Mer._ 130 ff. is still more blind to the presence of Charinus
and raises a deal more fuss, as he enters in the wildest haste looking for
Charinus, who is of course in plain sight. Acanthio, with labored
breathing and the remark that he would never make a piper, probably passes
by Charinus and goes to the house.
"AC. What am I standing here for, anyway? I'll make splinters of these
doors without a single qualm. (_Hammers violently. Charinus approaches,
vainly trying to attract his attention._) Open up, somebody! Where's my
master Charinus, at home or out? (_Still hammering._) Isn't anybody
supposed to have the job of tending door?
CH. (_Shouting._) Here I am, Acanthio! You're looking for me, aren't you?
AC. (_Still punishing the door._) I never saw such slovenly management.
CH. (_Finally grabbing and shaking him._) What the deuce has got hold of
you?"[130] And so in the case of practically all the _servi currentes_.
The opening scene of the _Per._ (13 ff.) between two slaves apparently
unable to distinguish each other's features from opposite sides of the
stage affords an opportunity for a similar species of farcical by-play.
Toxilus and Sagaristio stroll slowly in from the different side-entrances,
alternately soliloquizing. Suddenly, when probably fairly close, both look
up and peer curiously at each other:
"TOX. (_Shading his eyes with his hand._) Who's that standing over there?
SAG. Who's this standing over here?
TOX. Looks like Sagaristio.
SAG. I bet it's my friend Toxilus.
TOX. He's the fellow, all right.
SAG. That's the chap, I'm sure.
TOX. I'll go over to him.