Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
But what is this piece of business that Bacchis has just now been telling me in-doors here? (pointing to her house.) A thing I never supposed would come to pass, that he, in her lifetime, could possibly prevail upon his feelings
PHILOTIS
to take a wife.
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PARMENO
To take, indeed!
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PHILOTIS
Why, look you, has he not taken one?
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PARMENO
He has; but I doubt whether this match will be lasting.
PHILOTIS
May the Gods and Goddesses grant it so, if it is for the advantage of Bacchis. But why am I to believe it is so? Tell me, Parmeno.
PARMENO
There is no need for its being spread abroad; ask me no more about it.
PHILOTIS
For fear, I suppose, it may be made public. So may the Gods prosper me, I do not ask you in order that I may spread it abroad, but that, in silence, I may rejoice within myself.
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PARMENO
You’ll never speak me so fairly, that I shall trust my back to your discretion.
PHILOTIS
Oh, don’t say so, Parmeno ;Don’t say so, Parmeno: She says this ironically, at the same time intimating that she knows Parmeno too well, not to be sure that he is as impatient to impart the secret to her as she is to know it. Donatus remarks, that she pretends she has no curiosity to hear it, that he may deem her the more worthy to be intrusted with the secret.
as though you were not much more impatient to tell me this, than I to learn what I’m inquiring about.
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PARMENO
She tells the truth there; and that is my greatest failing. (To PHILOTIS.) If you give me your word that you’ll keep it a secret, I’ll tell you.
PHILOTIS
You are now returning to your natural disposition. I give you my word; say on.
PHILOTIS
I’m all attention.
PARMENO
Pamphilus was in the height of his passion for Bacchis here,
when his father began to importune him to take a wife, and to urge those points which are usual with all fathers, that he himself was now in years, and that he was his only son, that he wished for a support for his declining years.
He refused at first. But on his father pressing more urgently, he caused him to become wavering in his mind, whether to yield rather to duty or to love. By hammering on and teazing him, at last the old man gained his point; and betrothed him to the daughter of our next-door neighbor here (pointing to the house of PHIDIPPUS).
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This did not seem so very disagreeable to Pamphilus, until on the very point of marriage, when he saw that all was ready, and that no respite was granted, but marry he must; then, at last, he took it so much to heart, that I do believe if Bacchis had been present, even she would have pitied him.
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Whenever opportunity was afforded for us being alone, so that he could converse with me, he used to say: Parmeno, I am ruined! What have I done! Into what misery have I plunged myself! Parmeno, I shall never be able to endure this. To my misery, I am undone!
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