Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
This fellow’s my own; he’s swallowing the hook.
LYCO
I beg and request of you that, the person who delivers this letter to you, to him be given up the girl whom I purchased there (which I did there in your presence, and you being the negotiator),
and the golden trinkets and clothes as well. You know already how it was agreed upon. You give the money to the Procurer, and give the young woman to this person. (To CURCULIO.) Where is he himself? Why doesn’t he come?
435
CURCULIO
I’ll tell you; because it is but four days since we arrived in Caria, from India; there he now intends to order a solid golden statue
to be made of Philippean gold, which is to be seven feet high—a memorial of his exploits.
440
LYCO
For what reason this?
CURCULIO
I’ll tell you; why, because within twenty days he singly has subdued the Persians, Paphlagonians, Sinopians, Arabians, Cretans, Syrians, Rhodia and Lycia, Peredia and Bibesia Peredia and Bibesia: Most of these names are real, while some are fictitious—as, for instance, Peredia, Hungry-land, and Bibesia, Thirsty-land. By Centauromachia he perhaps means Thessaly, the country of the Centaurs; though, possibly, this region may have been too near for him to hope to impose upon Lyco.,
Centauromachia and Classia Unomammia Classia Unomammia: Classia is supposed by Schmieder to be used for classis, an army. Unomammia, the land of the one-breasted people, may perhaps be an allusion to the Amazons, who were feigned to be in the habit of cutting off one breast, for the purpose of using the bow with greater adroitness. Conterebromia is a name coined for the occasion, signifying the and of piercing., and all Libya, and all Conterebromia; one half even of all nations has he conquered unaided in twenty days.
445
CURCULIO
Why are you surprised?
LYCO
Why, because if all these people were penned up in a cage
as close as chickens, even so they couldn’t be encompassed in a year. Upon my faith, I do believe that you are That you are: Esse, to be or to eat, according to the context. Limiers suggests that a pun is here in ended. If so, it will admit of either these meanings, that you are his servant or that you eat at his expense. come from him; for you do jabber such nonsense.
450
CURCULIO
Aye, and I can tell you still more, if you like.
LYCO
No; I don’t want it. Follow me this way. I’ll pay you that, on account of which you came;
and lo, I see (from his house.) Save you, Procurer.
455
CAPPADOX
May the Gods prosper you.
455
LYCO
Do you know what this is about which I’m come to you?
CAPPADOX
Say on what you please.
LYCO
You are to receive the money, and to send away the young woman with him. (Pointing to CURCULIO.)
CAPPADOX
But what if I’m bound on oath to another?
