Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
Not only for the sake of the face were it right for men to have a mirror for themselves wherein to look at their faces; but one with which they might be enabled to examine the heart of discretion,
PERIPHIANES
and therefore be able to examine the resources of the mind; when they had looked in that, they might afterwards consider how they had once passed their lives in youth. Just as myself, for instance, who, for the sake of my son, began to torment myself in mind, as though my son
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had been guilty of some offence against, me, or as though my own misdeeds had not been most heavy in my youth. In truth, we old fellows are out of our senses sometimes. This, in my own opinion at least, has proved advantageous. But my friend Apaecides is coming with the spoil.
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I’m glad that the negotiator has returned safe.
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APAECIDES
The Gods and Goddesses are favouring you.
PERIPHIANES
The omen pleases me.
APAECIDES
A person with whom all things go on prosperously. But do you order her to be taken in-doors.
PERIPHIANES
Hallo there! come out of doors here, some one. (A SERVANT comes out.) Take that woman into the house!
SERVANT
What do you desire?
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PERIPHIANES
Take care you don’t permit this woman to associate with my daughter, or to see her. Now do you understand? I wish her to be shut up apart in that little chamber; there’s a great difference between the manners of a maiden and a courtesan.
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APAECIDES
You speak cleverly and judiciously; each man cannot keep too strict a guard upon the chastity of his daughter.
Upon my faith, we certainly did forestall this woman from your son just in time.
APAECIDES
Because another person told me that he had just seen your son here.
PERIPHIANES
I’ troth, he was stirring in this business.
APAECIDES
Upon my faith, it really is so, clearly.
You really have a clever servant, and worth any price.
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PERIPHIANES
At his weight in gold he would not be dear.
