Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
for him to give to his bailiff. But he is in love with her himself.
195
MYRRHINA
Pray, do hold your tongue.
CLEOSTRATA
But here we may speak at present; we are alone—
MYRRHINA
It is so. But whence did you get her? For a good wife ought to have no property
unknown to her husband; and she who has got any, it is not to her credit, for she must either have purloined it from her husband, or obtained it by unfaithfulness. Whatever is your own, all that I take to be your husband’s.
200
CLEOSTRATA
Surely, you’re saying all this out of opposition to your friend.
MYRRHINA
Do hold your tongue, will you, simpleton, and attend to me. Do you forbear to oppose him, will you. Let him love on; that which he chooses let him do, so long as nothing’s denied you at home.
CLEOSTRATA
Are you quite in your senses? For really, you are saying these things against your own interest.
MYRRHINA
Silly creature, do you always take care and be on guard against this expression from your husband—
CLEOSTRATA
What expression?
MYRRHINA
Woman! out of doors with you!Woman! out of doors with you: I foras, mulier. This was the technical form used on occasions of divorce or separation.
CLEOSTRATA
’St! be quiet.
MYRRHINA
What’s the matter?
MYRRHINA
Who is it that you see?
CLEOSTRATA
Why look, my husband’s coming; go you in-doors. Make all haste; be off, there’s a dear.
MYRRHINA
You easily prevail; I’m off.
CLEOSTRATA
At a future time, when you and I shall have more leisure, then I’ll talk to you. For the present, adieu!
MYRRHINA
Adieu! (Goes into her house. CLEOSTRATA stands aside.)
[Textpart 3]
I do believe that love excels all things and delights that are exquisite. It is not possible for anything to be mentioned, that has more relish and more that’s delicious in it. Really, I do much wonder at the cooks, who employ sauces so many,
