Perde 3
[Textpart 5]
Aye, and the same to yourself.
PARDALISCA
That I mayn’t fall down, prithee do hold, hold me.
STALINO
Whatever it is, tell me quickly.
635
PARDALISCA
Do support my throbbing breast, prithee do make a little air with your cloak.
635
STALINO
I’m in alarm as to what is the matter; (aside) unless this woman has been somewhere upsetting herself with the pure creamWith the pure cream: Nisi haec meraclo se uspiam percussit flone Liberi. Literally, Unless she has somewhere struck herself with the nearly unmixed flower of Liber. of Bacchus.
PARDALISCA
Hold my ears, pray do.
STALINO
Away to utter perdition; breast, ears, head, and yourself, may the Gods confound! For, unless I quickly learn from you this matter, whatever it is, I’ll forth with be knocking your brains out, you viper,
you hussey, who have thus far been making a laughing-stock of me.
645
STALINO
What do you want, my servant?
PARDALISCA
You are too angry.
STALINO
You are saying so too soon. But whatever this is, tell it; relate in a few words what has been the disturbance in-doors.
PARDALISCA
You shall know.
Hear this most foul crime which just now in-doors at our house your female slave began to attempt after this fashion, a thing that does not befit the regulations lations of Attica.
PARDALISCA
Fever prevents the use of my tongue.
STALINO
What is it? Can I possibly learn from you what is the matter?
PARDALISCA
I’ll tell you. Your female slave, she whom you intend to give as a wife to your bailiff, in-doors she—
STALINO
In-doors what? What is it?
PARDALISCA
Is imitating the wicked practices of wicked women, in threatening her husband—
