Perde 4
[Textpart 10]
I beseech you, father, to consider that it is enough that Chrysalus
NICOBULUS
has reproached me with many cutting words, and by his advice has made me a better man, so that ’tis right that you should return him sincere thanks.
1020
CHRYSALUS
Is that written there?
NICOBULUS
Look and see, then you’ll know.
CHRYSALUS
He that has so offended, how humble to all he is, and of his own accord.
NICOBULUS
Now, father, if even yet I may be allowed to ask anything of you, do give me two hundred Philippean pieces, I do entreat you.
1025
CHRYSALUS
By my troth, now, not one even, if you are wise.
NICOBULUS
Let me read on. (Reading.) In set formIn set form: Of course the oath would be the more solemn in such case. I have taken an oath that I would give this to the woman this day before nightfall,
ere she leaves me. Now, father, have a care that I be not forsworn, and take me hence away from her as soon as you can, on whose account I have incurred so much loss and guilt. Take care and let not the two hundred pieces be a cause of annoyance to you; I will repay you innumerable times as much, if I live.
1030
Farewell, and do attend to these matters. Now, Chrysalus, what do you think?
1035
CHRYSALUS
I won’t give you one bit of advice this day, and I won’t run the risk, that if any mistake is made, you should say that you had done it by my counsel. But, as I conceive, if I were in your place,
I would rather give the gold than suffer him to be corrupted. There is a twofold choice consider which you would adopt; either to lose the gold, or for a lover to be forsworn. I neither order you, nor forbid you, nor do I persuade you.
1040
NICOBULUS
I’m sorry for him.
CHRYSALUS
You don’t do anything surprising—he is your son.
If still more must be lost, ’tis better for it to go, than for this disgrace to be everywhere proclaimed.
1045
NICOBULUS
By my troth, I certainly had much rather he had been at Ephesus, so long as he was well, than that he had returned home. But why don’t I hasten to get rid of that which is doomed to be squandered away?
I’ll bring you just now from in-doors twice two hundred Philippeans, both those which, a little time since, to my sorrow, I promised to the Captain, and these others. Wait there; I’ll be out to you, Chrysalus, this instant.
1050
CHRYSALUS
Troy is laid waste, the chiefs have razed Pergamus. I knew some time ago that I should be the ruin of Pergamus.
I’ faith I wouldn’t dare make a bet with him who should say that I was deserving of severe torture; so great confusion am I making. But the door makes a noise; the plunder’s being brought forth from Troy. For the present I’ll hold my tongue.
1055
NICOBULUS
Take you this gold, Chrysalus; go, carry it to my son.
