El soldat fanfarró

In Ephesus, Pyrgopolynices, a boastful and vain soldier, has kidnapped Pleusicles's lover, Philocomasia. To free her, Pleusicles' slave Palestrió sets a trap for her: he pretends that the courtesan Acroteleucia, who pretends to be the wife of the soldier's elderly neighbor, Periplectomen, has fallen madly in love with Pyrgopolynices. This one, convinced of having made a good conquest, unpacks from Philocomasia. Meanwhile, Periplectomen, feigning indignation at the soldier's boldness, prepares a good beating for him.