THE ACROSTIC ARGUMENT. [Supposed to have been written by Priscian the Grammarian.]
A SICILIAN merchant (
Mercator) who had two sons, on one being stolen from him (
Ei), ended his life. As a name (
Nomen) for him who is at home, his paternal grandfather (
Avus) gives him that of Menaechmus instead of Sosicles. And (
Et) he, as soon as he is grown up, goes to seek his brother about (
Circum) all countries. At last he comes to
Epidamnus; hither (
Huc) the one that was stoien has been carried. All think that the stranger, Menaechmus (
Menaechmum), is their fellow-citizen, and address him (
Eum)
as such: Courtesan, wife, and father-in-law. There (
Ibi) at last the brothers mutually recognize each other.