Perde 2
[Textpart 8]
So it ought to be.
OLYMPIO
I’ll have that done and well taken care of.
STALINO
I intended, if he had been at home, to send Chalinus to cater with you; that, even in his sadness, I might, in addition,inflict this misfortune upon our foe.
440
CHALINUS
I’ll betake me back again to the wall; I’ll imitate the crab. Their conversation must be secretly picked up by me;
for the one of them is tormenting me, the other wasting me with anguish. Why, this whip-rascal is marching along in his white garbIn his white garb: Lipsius thinks that Olympio has assumed the white dress on becoming the freed-man of Stalino. There is more reason, however, for believing that he has assumed it as his wedding-garment, according to the usual custom among the Romans, with whom the bridegroom, bride, and guests invited to the wedding, were drest in white. So in the Scripture, St. Matthew xxii., 11—12: When the King came in to see the guests, he saw there was a man which had not on a wedding-garment, and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment?, a very receptacle for stripes. My own death I defer; I’m determined to send this fellow to Acheron before me.
445
OLYMPIO
How obsequious have I been found to you! A thing that you especially
desired, that same have I put in your power; this day the object that you love shall be with you, unknown to your wife.
450
STALINO
Hush! So may the Deities kindly bless me, I can hardly withhold my lips from kissing you on account of this, my own delight!
CHALINUS
What? Kiss him? What’s the meaning of this? What’s this delight of yours?
OLYMPIO
Do you love me at all now?
STALINO
Aye, by my faith, myself even less than you. May I embrace you?
STALINO
How, when I touch you, I do seem to myself to be tasting honey!
CHALINUS
I really do think he intends to choke the bailiff.
455
OLYMPIO
Away with you, you lover; get off, with your too close acquaintanceship!
CHALINUS
I’ faith, I think thatI think that: This and the next six lines have been modified in the Translation, as they are replete with gross indecency. this very day they’ll be making terms. Surely,this old fellow is an universal admirer.
465
This is the reason, this is it why he made him his bailiff; some time ago, too, when I came in his way, he wanted to make me his chamberlain upon the like terms.
460
OLYMPIO
How subservient have I proved to you to-day, how attentive to your pleasure!
STALINO
How surely, so long as I live, will I prove more of a well-wisher to you than to my own self!
How will I this day give full many a kiss to Casina! How will I, unknown to my wife, right pleasantly enjoy myself!
