Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
that profligate has persuaded him, I’m quite sure. But look—I see Syrus coming this way, I shall now know from him where he is. But, i ’faith, he is one of the gang; if he perceives that I am looking for him, the rascal will never tell me. I’ll not let him know what I want.
360
SYRUS
We just now told the old gentleman the whole affair just as it happened;
I never did see any one more delighted.
DEMEA
O Jupiter! the folly of the man!
SYRUS
He commended his son. To me, who put them upon this project, he gave thanks—
DEMEA
I shall burst asunder.
SYRUS
He told down the money instantly,
and gave me half a mina besides to spend. That was laid out quite to my liking.
370
DEMEA
Very fine—if you would wish a thing to be nicely managed, intrust it to this fellow.
SYRUS
Ha, Demea! I didn’t see you; how goes it?
DEMEA
How should it go? I can not enough wonder at your mode of living here.
SYRUS
Why, really silly enough, and, to speak without disguise, altogether absurd. (Calls at the door of MICIO’S house.) Dromo, clean the rest of the fish; let the largest conger-eel play a little in the water; when I come back it shall, be boned;It shall be boned: The operation of boning conger-eels is often mentioned in Plautus, from whom we learn that they were best when eaten in that state, and cold. not before.
375
DEMEA
Is profligacy like this—
SYRUS
As for myself, it isn’t to my taste,
and I often exclaim against it. (Calls; at the door.) Stephanio, take care that the salt fish is well soaked.
380
DEMEA
Ye Gods, by our trust in you! Is he doing this for any purpose of his own, or does he think it creditable to ruin his son? Wretch that I am! methinks I already see the day when Aeschinus will be running away for want,
to serve somewhere or other as a soldier.Serve somewhere or other as a soldier: See a similar passage in the Trinummus of Plautus, l. 722, whence it appears that it was the practice for young men of ruined fortunes to go and offer their services as mercenaries to some of the neighboring potentates. Many of the ten thousand who fought for the younger Cyrus at the battle of Cunaxa, and were led back under the command of Xenophon (as described in his Anabasis) were, doubtless, of this class.
385
SYRUS
O Demea! That is wisdom indeed, not only to look at the present moment, but also to look forward to what’s to come.
385
DEMEA
Well—is this Music-girl still with you?
SYRUS
Why, yes, she’s in-doors.
