中文导读
《吹牛军人》是普劳图斯最著名的喜剧之一，也是"吹牛士兵"（alazōn / miles gloriosus）这一人物类型的经典文本。主角皮尔戈波利尼克斯（Pyrgopolynices）是一个自吹自擂的罗马军官，声称自己单手击败了整支军队、赢得了所有女人的心——实际上他是一个被手下和情妇耍得团转的傻瓜。
剧情围绕一个骗局展开：皮尔戈波利尼克斯看上了邻居普勒西克勒斯（Pleusicles）的未婚妻菲洛科马西乌姆（Philocomasium），把她从雅典绑架到了以弗所。普勒西克勒斯的奴隶帕莱斯特里奥（Palaestrio）设计了一个复杂的欺骗计划：他让一个妓女假扮成一位富有的外国贵妇，声称对皮尔戈波利尼克斯一见钟情，把他引出家门，让普勒西克勒斯趁机带着未婚妻逃跑。
帕莱斯特里奥是普劳图斯笔下最精彩的"聪明奴隶"（servus callidus）之一——他能说会道、足智多谋、把所有人都玩弄于股掌之间。这种"奴隶比主人更聪明"的角色设定是普劳图斯喜剧的核心，后来被莫里哀和哥尔多尼继承。"吹牛军人"的人物类型——从塞万提斯的堂吉诃德到莫里哀的斯嘎纳奈尔（Sganarelle）——几乎都回响着皮尔戈波利尼克斯的影子。
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Miles Gloriosus
Prologue
The scene is Ephesus. Pyrgopolynices, a boastful soldier,
has carried off Philocomasium, the betrothed of Pleusicles,
from Athens. Pleusicles, aided by his clever slave Palaestrio,
has come to Ephesus to recover her.
Act I
Pyrgopolynices enters, accompanied by his parasite Artotrogus,
who feeds his vanity with extravagant flattery.
PYRGOPOLYNICES: Tell me, Artotrogus—who is the bravest man
in the world?
ARTOTROGUS: Why, you are, of course! Who else could have
defeated the entire Persian army with his left hand?
Who else could have slain the elephant with a single blow?
Who else—forgive me—could have won the hearts
of every woman in Asia?
PYRGOPOLYNICES: You are too modest. I have also conquered
the Syrians, the Carians, the Cilicians—
and I have the scars to prove it.
ARTOTROGUS (aside): Scars from falling down the stairs,
more likely!
Act II
Palaestrio explains the situation to the audience.
He has devised a plan to rescue Philocomasium.
PALAESTRIO: The soldier is vain, stupid, and lustful.
These are his weaknesses, and I shall exploit them all.
I will send him a woman who pretends to be a rich foreign lady,
madly in love with him. While he is distracted,
my master will escape with his betrothed.
Act III
Palaestrio recruits Acroteleutium, a courtesan,
to play the part of the lovesick foreign lady.
PALAESTRIO: Here is what you must do. Write him a letter—
no, better yet, send him your maid with a message.
Tell him you are a wealthy woman from another city,
that you have heard of his exploits, that you have fallen
in love with him, and that you must see him immediately.
ACROTELEUTIUM: And when he comes?
PALAESTRIO: Keep him occupied. Flatter him.
Tell him he is the handsomest man you have ever seen.
Keep him there until my master and his lady are safely gone.
Act IV
The plan works perfectly. Pyrgopolynices receives the message
and is beside himself with joy.
PYRGOPOLYNICES: A rich woman! In love with me!
It was only a matter of time. No woman can resist
my charms. I must go to her at once!
PALAESTRIO (aside): The hook is set. Now we must reel him in.
Act V
While Pyrgopolynices is with the "rich lady,"
Pleusicles and Philocomasium make their escape.
When the soldier returns, he finds the house empty.
He is then confronted by the woman's "husband" and his slaves,
who beat him and warn him never to chase other men's wives again.
PYRGOPOLYNICES: I have been deceived! That woman was not
a rich lady—she was a courtesan! And Palaestrio—
that slave has made a fool of me!
PALAESTRIO (from a distance): Farewell, great hero!
May your future conquests be as glorious as your past ones!