Perde 4
[Textpart 9]
lost so much gold that I so carefully watched? I pinched myself, and my inclinations, and my very heartAnd my very heart: Geniumque meum. Literally, and my Genius, i. e. my social disposition or capacity for enjoyment.! Now others are rejoicing at this, my loss and my misfortune! I cannot endure it.
725
LYCONIDES
What person, I wonder, is this before our house lamenting, and that utters complaints with his moaning? Why,surely, this is Euclio, as I imagine. I’m utterly undone! The thing’s all out; he knows now, as I suppose, that his daughter is brought to bed. I’m in a state of uncertainty now
what I shall do, whether go or remain, accost him or fly.
730
[Textpart 10]
What person is it that speaks there?
LYCONIDES
’Tis I, wretch that I am.
EUCLIO
Yes, and so am I, and wretchedly ruined, whose lot is misfortune so great and sorrow.
LYCONIDES
Be of good courage.
EUCLIO
How, prithee, can I be so?
LYCONIDES
Because that deed which is afflicting your mind, I did it, and I confess it.
EUCLIO
What is it I hear from you?
LYCONIDES
That which is the truth.
735
EUCLIO
What evil, young man, have I deserved, by reason of which you should do thus, and go to ruin both me and my children?
735
LYCONIDES
A Divinity was my prompter; he prompted me to do itPrompted me to do it: Ad illam illexit. Literally, enticed me to her. The humour of the whole scene turns upon Euclio and Lyconides mistaking the meaning of each other—the former thinking that the latter is speaking about the aula, or pot, while the latter fancies that Euclio is amenting the mishap of his daughter. In the Latin language, the word aula is or the feminine gender, by reason of which the misunderstanding is much more natural than it would be in the English language. In consequence, some little latitude in the translation is absolutely necessary to sustain the equivoque of the original.
LYCONIDES
I confess that I have done wrong, and I know that I deserve censure; for that reason I’m come to beseech you, that, with feelings assuaged, you will pardon me.
EUCLIO
Why did you dare do so, to touch that which was not your own?
740
LYCONIDES
What do you wish to be done? The thing has been done; it can’t be undone. I believe that the Gods willed it, for if they hadn’t willed it, I know it wouldn’t have happened.
EUCLIO
But I believe that the Gods have willed that I should be the death of you in fetters.
LYCONIDES
Don’t say that!
EUCLIO
What business then have you to touch what is my own against my will?
