Perde 3
[Textpart 5]
Look, his assistant is returning, at last, with the provisions; he’s bringing a train after him. (She goes into the house.)
[Textpart 6]
See, you thief, that you lead on your briars beneath their bannersBriars beneath their banners: This figure is derived partly from gardening, partly from military tactics. The assistants of the Cook are compared to briars, because they tear and carry off everything they meet; and their leader is requested to keep them sub signis, beneath the banners, lest, like soldiers on a march, leaving their ranks, they should stroll about to plunder and steal. The bad character of the hired cooks has been referred to in the Pseudolus. It will be also found enlarged upon in the Aulularia..
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A COOK
But how are they briars?
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OLYMPIO
Because that which they have touched, they instantly seize hold of; if you go to snatch it from them, they instantly rend it; so, wherever they come, wherever they are, with a twofold lossWith a twofold loss: Probably, pilfering in all directions, and then getting paid for their services. do they mulct their masters.
OLYMPIO
Well, well! This way I’m delaying to go meet my master with a magnificent, patrician, and patronizing air. (He struts along.)
STALINO
My good man, save you.
OLYMPIO
I admit that so I amI admit that so I am: Fateor. His conscience pricking him for his disgraceful conduct, he is glad to catch the opportunity of alleging that he really is a bonus vir vice thus paying homage to virtue..
OLYMPIO
You are in love, but I’m hungering and thirsting.
STALINO
You have come capitally provided.
STALINO
But stop you, although you do hold me in contempt—
OLYMPIO
O dear, O dear! your converse has a bad smell to me. (Moving away.)
STALINO
What’s the matter?
OLYMPIO
That’s the matter.
STALINO
Will you not stop there?Part of line 728b in the Latin.
OLYMPIO
Why, really, you are causing me ennui Causing me ennui : This is in Greek in the original—πράνματα μοι παρέχεις. More literally, You give me trouble. It was a phrase generally used by a superior when annoyed by an inferior, and aptly shows the degraded position to which Stalino has reduced himself by his base associations with his servant Olympio. An attempt has been made in the translation, perhaps not very successfully, to portray the impression intended to be conveyed by the passage by the use of the French word ennui..Part of line 728b in the Latin.
STALINO
I shall be giving you a grand coup A grand coup : Μέγα κάκον. Literally, A great mischief., I fancy, if you don’t stand still forthwith. (Catches hold of him.)
OLYMPIO
O mon Dieu O mon Dieu : Ὦ Ζεύ. Literally, O Zeus! or O Jupiter!! Can’t you get away from me, unless you would like me to be sick just now?
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