Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
Now, when I think of it, this fellow wishes to take my mantle off once moreTake my mantle off once more: Detexere. This term was properly applied to the act of taking cloth, when woven, from off the loom. Sosia here uses it in the sense of stripping himself of It..
MERCURY
The fellow’s afraid; I’ll have some sport with him.
295
SOSIA
I’m quite undone, my teeth are chattering. For sure, on my arrival, he is about to receive me with the hospitality of his fist. He’s a merciful person, I suppose; now, because my master has obliged me to keep awake, with his fists just now he’ll be making me go to sleep. I’m most confoundedly undone. Troth now, prithee, look, how big and how strong he is.
295
MERCURY
I’ll talk at him aloud, he shall hear what I say. Therefore indeed, in a still greater degree, shall he conceive fears within himself. (In a loud voice, holding up his fists.) Come, fists, it’s a long time now since you found provision for my stomach; it seems to have taken place quite a long time ago, when yesterday you laid four men asleep, stript naked.
300
SOSIA
I’m dreadfully afraid
lest I should be changing my name here, and become a QuintusA Quintus: This is a poor attempt at wit. Mercury tells his fists that they thrashed four men into a lethargy yesterday; on which Sosia, in his apprehension, says that in that case he shall have to change his own name to Quintus; which signified the fifth, and was also in use as a name among the Romans; implying thereby that he shall be the fifth to be so mauled. instead of a Sosia. He declares that he has laid four men asleep; I fear lest I should be adding to that number.
305
MERCURY
Well, now then for it. This is the way I intend.
SOSIA
He is girded tight; for sure, he’s getting himself ready.
MERCURY
He shan’t get off without getting a thrashing.
SOSIA
What person, I wonder?
MERCURY
Beyond a doubt, whatever person comes this way, he shall eat my fists.
SOSIA
Get out with you, I don’t wish to eat at this time of night; I’ve lately dined. Therefore do you, if you are wise, bestow your dinner on those who are hungry.
310
MERCURY
The weight of this fist is no poor one.
SOSIA
I’m done for; he is poising his fists.
MERCURY
What if I were to touch him, stroking him down Stroking him down: He probably alludes to the soporific power of his caduceus, or wand., so that he may go to sleep?
SOSIA
You would be proving my salvation; for I’ve been watching most confoundedly these three nights running Three nights running: He alludes to the length of the night, which was prolonged by Jupiter for the purpose of his intrigue. According to other writers, it was on the occasion when Hercules was begotten, seven months before this period, that three nights were made into one..
MERCURY
My hand refuses to learn to strike his cheek; it cannot do a disgraceful action.
Hand of mine, of a changed form must he become whom you smite with this fist.
SOSIA
This fellow will be furbishing me up, and be moulding my face anew.
MERCURY
The man that you hit full, his face must surely be boned.
