Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
The son of MegalobyzusSon of Megalobyzus: The priests of Diana at Ephesus are supposed to have been eunuchs, and the priestesses virgins. Taubmann thinks that Megabyzus, which ought to be read here, was a general name of the priests of Diana; and that the words Megabyzi filius, a son of Megabyzus, have the same import as the word Megabyzus itself. It may, however, mean that Theotimus was a priest, and not of necessity that his father was so., who is now living at Ephesus, a man most dear to the Ephesians.
NICOBULUS
By my troth, he’ll surely turn out very much more dear to meMore dear to me: The pun here perpetrated answers equally well in English. if he shall chouse me out of all that gold.
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CHRYSALUS
But it is stowed away in the very temple itself of the Goddess Diana; there they keep guard at the public expenseAt the public expense: The ancients used to place a guard, at the public expense, at the gates of their temples, as great quantities of property or value were there deposited as in places of safety..
NICOBULUS
You kill me outright; much more safely would it have been kept in private hands.
But haven’t you brought any of the gold home here?
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CHRYSALUS
O yes; but how much he has brought, I don’t know.
NICOBULUS
How’s that?—not know?
CHRYSALUS
Because Mnesilochus went privately by night to Theotimus; and didn’t wish to entrust it to me, nor to any one in the ship. For that reason I don’t know
how much he has brought, but he hasn’t brought very much.
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NICOBULUS
Do you think it was even a half?
CHRYSALUS
By my troth, I know not; but I don’t think it.
NICOBULUS
Does he bring a third part?
CHRYSALUS
Troth, I think not; but I do not know the truth. Indeed, I know nothing at all about the gold, except that I do know nothing about it.
Now, you yourself must take a voyage there on board ship, to carry home this gold from Theotimus; and, hearkye—
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NICOBULUS
What do you want?
CHRYSALUS
Take care and remember to carry your son’s ring.
NICOBULUS
What need is there of the ring?
CHRYSALUS
Because that is the token agreed on with Theotimus, that the person who brings it to him,
to him he is to give up the gold.
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NICOBULUS
I’ll remember it, and you advise me well. But is this Theotimus rich?
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