Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
I’ faith, I know the name: (aside) for with that same name,
LYCO
when I wrote, I filled four whole sides Four whole sides: Ceras. Waxed sides of a tablet.. (To CURCULIO.) But why are you seeking for Lyco?
410
CURCULIO
I’ve been ordered to deliver this letter to him.
LYCO
What person are you?
CURCULIO
His freed-man, whom all call Summanus Summanus: There was a Divinity of this name. See the Bacchides, l. 895 (Act IV., Sc. 8) The name, as here coined by Curculio, would perhaps, answer to the English Mr. Keep-tight-in-hand..
LYCO
Summanus, my greetings. But why Summanus? Let me know.
CURCULIO
Because, when in my drunken fit I’ve gone to sleep, I summane I summane: Summano Literally, I keep my hands upon. For the purpose of keeping up the spirit of the passage, the liberty has been taken of coining a word. The Parasite seems to allude, somewhat obscurely, to the trick he has played the Captain Therapontigonus. the garments; for that reason do all people call me Summanus.
415
LYCO
’Twere better for you to look out for entertainment for you somewhere else; really in my own house I have no room for a Summanus. But I am the person that you are looking for.
CURCULIO
Prithee, are you he,
CURCULIO
Therapontigonus requested me to give you a hearty greeting, and to deliver this letter.
420
CURCULIO
Just so. Take it, recognize the seal. Do you know it? (LYCO takes the letter.)
LYCO
Why should I not know it? On which, a man, holding a shield, is cleaving an elephant asunder with a sword.
CURCULIO
What’s written there he bade me request you to do immediately, if you wished for his esteem.
425
LYCO
Step aside; I’ll look what’s written in it.
CURCULIO
By all means, at your pleasure, so long as I receive of you that which I’m come for.
LYCO
Therapontigonus Platagidorus, the Captain, his guest, sends to his host Lyco, at Epidaurus,
