Classic Jane Austen Book Collection
Aug 22, 2026 · 2 hr 9 min · 8 segments
"Bacchides or, The Twin Sisters" by Titus Maccius Plautus is a classic comedic play that explores themes of mistaken identity, love, and the complexities of relationships. The story revolves around…
DRAMATIS PERSONE
Read by Todd.
Nicobulus, an aged citizen of Athens.
Meselechus, his son.
Read by Greg Giordano.
Philoxenus, another aged citizen of Athens.
Read by Alan
Matchstone.
Pistoclarus, his son.
Read by Mike Manalakis.
Lydus, servant of Philoxenus and tutor of Pistoclarus.
Read by Vocal Penguin.
Chrysalis, servant of Nicobulus.
Read by Jim Locke.
Cleomachus, a captain of Samos.
Read by Rob Marland.
A Parasite of Cleomachus, read by Todd.
Servant of Pistocurus, read by Alan Mapstone.
First Bacchus, twin sister, courtesan, read by Avahi.
Second Bacchus, twin sister, courtesan, read by Sonia.
Stage directions, read by Tchaikovsky.
Scene.
Athens, before the houses of the first Bacchus and Philoxenus, which are in the same street.
is a wonder if the spectators on the benches this day don't hiss and cough and make a snorting noise at this ridiculous sight furrow their brows and with cries with one consent shout all aloud and mutter imprecations hardly in their youth Can beardless actors, or mimics with their beards plucked out, find room upon the stage? Why comes forth this aged and lethargic girl between, who is born upon the ass's back? Listen, I pray, and give me your attention while I tell you the name of this quiet comedy.
"'Tis proper for you to make silence for a divinity.'" it befits not those to use the resources of the voice who come here not to exclaim but to be spectators give me attentive ears but not into my hands i mean i wish my voice as it flies to strike these vacant ears what do you fear ARE THOSE BLOWS MORE HURTFUL WHICH OPEN WHAT IS SHUT, OR WHICH CLOSE WHAT IS OPEN? YOU'RE VERY KIND.
THE INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN DO LOVE YOU DESERVEDLY.
THERE IS PROFOUND SILENCE.
EVEN THE CHILDREN ARE STILL.
AND NOW ATTEND TO A NEW-COME MESSENGER ON A NEW ERRAND.
WHO I AM? why i am come to you i'll tell you in a few words at the same time i'll disclose to you the name of this comedy now behold i shall tell you what you wish to know do you then give me your attention i am a god of nature the foster-father of most mighty bromus he who with a female army gained a kingdom whatever about him renowned nations relate some part at least has been accomplished by my advice That which pleases me is never displeasing to him.
Tis right if one father another father does obey.
Ass-born do the Ionian multitudes style me, because I am born on an ass for my conveyance.
Who I am you understand, if you understand.
Allow me now to tell the name of this quiet play.
At the same time, you may learn why I have come to you.
Tis not to be wondered, then, if hither I have come.
I am bringing them unto you.
What? Have I told a lie? It don't become a god to tell a lie.
But the truth I tell, I bring not them.
but the salacious ass wearied with its journey is bringing to you three if i remember right one you behold see now what on my lips i bring to wit two samian sisters bacchanalians merry courtesans born of the same parents at one time at a twin birth no less alike than milk to milk if you compare it or water to water were you to see them you would think them halved so much would you confuse your sight that you would not be able to distinguish which was which what remains you long to hear now give attention the story of this play i will disclose What country Samos is, is known to all, for seas, lands, mountains, and islands have your legions made easy of access.
There, Solstrata bore to her husband, Phyrgotelus Pyrocles, twin daughters at one birth, and it pleased them, being initiated at the triennial festival of Bacchus, to call after his name the damsels of which they were the parents the parents as often happens gave a turn to their future fortunes a captain carried one of them with him to crete the other of the twins sailed for athens As soon as Nassilicus, the son of Nicopolis, beheld her, he began to love her, and frequently paid her visits.
Meantime, his father sent the youths to Ephesus, to bring back thence some gold, which he himself, some time before, had deposited with Archidamedes, an ancient friend of his, an aged Phoenician.
When, for two years, he had stayed at Ephesias, he received the sad news that Bacchus was gone from Athens, for some sailors of his acquaintance sent him word that she had set sail.
On this, he writes a letter to Pistoclerus, his only friend, the son of Philoxenus, entreating him to seek the fugitive with care and earnestness.
While Pistoclarus is devoting his services to his friend, the twin sisters, who have just returned to Athens, arouse a passion in the seeker.
The one wins Pistoclarus for herself.
The other longs for the coming of Nasilicus.
What wonder if two bewitching, merry, pretty Bacchanats should attract themselves to unfledged bacchanalians and if they should ensnare their decrepit most aged fathers fit subjects for the undertaker bowed down by the weight of their years But see, there's Pistoclerus, who is returning to the Bacchanides so lately found, and in his simplicity is blowing in himself the sparks of passion so lately kindled.
Now I'm off.
Do you attend? Exit.
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DRAMATIS PERSONE
Read by Todd.
Nicobulus, an aged citizen of Athens.
Meselechus, his son.
Read by Greg Giordano.
Philoxenus, another aged citizen of Athens.
Read by Alan
Matchstone.
Pistoclarus, his son.
Read by Mike Manalakis.
Lydus, servant of Philoxenus and tutor of Pistoclarus.
Read by Vocal Penguin.
Chrysalis, servant of Nicobulus.
Read by Jim Locke.
Cleomachus, a captain of Samos.
Read by Rob Marland.
A Parasite of Cleomachus, read by Todd.
Servant of Pistocurus, read by Alan Mapstone.
First Bacchus, twin sister, courtesan, read by Avahi.
Second Bacchus, twin sister, courtesan, read by Sonia.
Stage directions, read by Tchaikovsky.
Scene.
Athens, before the houses of the first Bacchus and Philoxenus, which are in the same street.
is a wonder if the spectators on the benches this day don't hiss and cough and make a snorting noise at this ridiculous sight furrow their brows and with cries with one consent shout all aloud and mutter imprecations hardly in their youth Can beardless actors, or mimics with their beards plucked out, find room upon the stage? Why comes forth this aged and lethargic girl between, who is born upon the ass's back? Listen, I pray, and give me your attention while I tell you the name of this quiet comedy.
"'Tis proper for you to make silence for a divinity.'" it befits not those to use the resources of the voice who come here not to exclaim but to be spectators give me attentive ears but not into my hands i mean i wish my voice as it flies to strike these vacant ears what do you fear ARE THOSE BLOWS MORE HURTFUL WHICH OPEN WHAT IS SHUT, OR WHICH CLOSE WHAT IS OPEN? YOU'RE VERY KIND.
THE INHABITANTS OF HEAVEN DO LOVE YOU DESERVEDLY.
THERE IS PROFOUND SILENCE.
EVEN THE CHILDREN ARE STILL.
AND NOW ATTEND TO A NEW-COME MESSENGER ON A NEW ERRAND.
WHO I AM? why i am come to you i'll tell you in a few words at the same time i'll disclose to you the name of this comedy now behold i shall tell you what you wish to know do you then give me your attention i am a god of nature the foster-father of most mighty bromus he who with a female army gained a kingdom whatever about him renowned nations relate some part at least has been accomplished by my advice That which pleases me is never displeasing to him.
Tis right if one father another father does obey.
Ass-born do the Ionian multitudes style me, because I am born on an ass for my conveyance.
Who I am you understand, if you understand.
Allow me now to tell the name of this quiet play.
At the same time, you may learn why I have come to you.
Tis not to be wondered, then, if hither I have come.
I am bringing them unto you.
What? Have I told a lie? It don't become a god to tell a lie.
But the truth I tell, I bring not them.
but the salacious ass wearied with its journey is bringing to you three if i remember right one you behold see now what on my lips i bring to wit two samian sisters bacchanalians merry courtesans born of the same parents at one time at a twin birth no less alike than milk to milk if you compare it or water to water were you to see them you would think them halved so much would you confuse your sight that you would not be able to distinguish which was which what remains you long to hear now give attention the story of this play i will disclose What country Samos is, is known to all, for seas, lands, mountains, and islands have your legions made easy of access.
There, Solstrata bore to her husband, Phyrgotelus Pyrocles, twin daughters at one birth, and it pleased them, being initiated at the triennial festival of Bacchus, to call after his name the damsels of which they were the parents the parents as often happens gave a turn to their future fortunes a captain carried one of them with him to crete the other of the twins sailed for athens As soon as Nassilicus, the son of Nicopolis, beheld her, he began to love her, and frequently paid her visits.
Meantime, his father sent the youths to Ephesus, to bring back thence some gold, which he himself, some time before, had deposited with Archidamedes, an ancient friend of his, an aged Phoenician.
When, for two years, he had stayed at Ephesias, he received the sad news that Bacchus was gone from Athens, for some sailors of his acquaintance sent him word that she had set sail.
On this, he writes a letter to Pistoclerus, his only friend, the son of Philoxenus, entreating him to seek the fugitive with care and earnestness.
While Pistoclarus is devoting his services to his friend, the twin sisters, who have just returned to Athens, arouse a passion in the seeker.
The one wins Pistoclarus for herself.
The other longs for the coming of Nasilicus.
What wonder if two bewitching, merry, pretty Bacchanats should attract themselves to unfledged bacchanalians and if they should ensnare their decrepit most aged fathers fit subjects for the undertaker bowed down by the weight of their years But see, there's Pistoclerus, who is returning to the Bacchanides so lately found, and in his simplicity is blowing in himself the sparks of passion so lately kindled.
Now I'm off.
Do you attend? Exit.