Perde 1
[Textpart 3]
Let monarchs keep their kingdoms to themselves, the rich their riches to themselves, to themselves their honors, to themselves their prowess, to themselves their combats, to themselves their battles;
PHAEDROMUS
so long as they abstain from envying me, let each one of them keep what is his own.
180
PALINURUS
Of a truth, I cannot refrain from giving a lecture to my master; for, really, it is good to love in a moderate degree; to distraction, it is not good; but to love to entire distraction, is the thing that my master’s doing.
175
What say you, sir? Have you made a vow, Phaedromus, you’d watch the night through for Venus? For really, upon my faith, before very long hence the dawn will be breaking.
PHAEDROMUS
Do hold your tongue.
PALINURUS
Why hold my tongue? What, are you going to sleep?
PHAEDROMUS
I am asleep; don’t you make a noise.
PALINURUS
Why, but you’re broad awake.
PHAEDROMUS
Aye, but after my own fashion I’m asleep; this is my slumber.
PALINURUS
A word with you, madam; ’tis thoughtlessness to treat amiss one who deserves it not.
185
PLANESIUM
You would be angry, if, when you are eating, he were to drive you away To drive you away: As Palinurus wishes his master to withdraw against the wish of Planesium, she asks him how he would like his victuals to be taken away from him—implying that Phaedromus is as dear to herself as her very sustenance. from your food.
PALINURUS
It’s all over with him. I see that these two are equally in love to distraction; and both of them are mad. D’ye see how intensely they hug each other? They cannot embrace enough. (Addressing them.) Are you going to part yet?
PLANESIUM
No human being has blessings that last Blessings that last: This is like the sentiment in Horace, Book iii., Ode 16: Nihil est ab omni Parte beatum. for ever. To this pleasure, then, is that plague added.
PALINURUS
What say you, you shocking hussy Shocking hussy: Propudium. This was a very harsh term of reproach; and it is not to be wondered at that Phaedromus is angry with Palinurus for using it.? What, you little tipsy ninny Tipsy ninny: Ebriola, and not ebriolae, seems to be the correct reading here. She has perhaps been taking her share of the wine, to which fact he alludes. Persolla means either a little mask or a diminutive person; much as we call a little interfering body a whipper-snapper., are even you with your owlish eyes Owlish eyes: Though grey eyes were admired among the Greeks Palinurus does not intend this as a compliment to Planesium. He perhaps alludes to her intended vocation, as having eyes peculiarly adapted for the night- time. to be calling me a plague, you whipper-snapper?
190
PHAEDROMUS
What, you abusing my own Venus? And really, is a slave well trounced with the rod to be commencing a discussion with myself? But, by the powers, you’ve surely said that to your own misfortune.
There, take that, by way of punishment for this abusive language, that you may be able to put a check upon your speech.
195
PALINURUS
Your aid, I pray, you night-watching Venus.
PHAEDROMUS
What, do you still persist, whip-scoundrel? (Strikes hint.)
PLANESIUM
Don’t, there’s a dear, be beating a stone, lest you should hurt your hand.
PALINURUS
You perpetrate, Phaedromus, a flagitious and a shameful deed of great enormity; one who directs you aright, you pummel with your fists; her you are in love with, a mere nonentity.
