Perde 3
[Textpart 4]
among kings in arms, by his skill in war, gained vast wealth?
450
PERIPHIANES
Aye, if you were to hear of my achievements, drop ping your hands you would run off home.
A CAPTAIN
I’ faith, I’m rather in search of one to whom to speak of my own, than of one to be speaking of his to me.
PERIPHIANES
This is not the place for it.
Do you then look out for another person, into whom to stuff your scraps of nonsense Your scraps of nonsense: Centones. These were properly patchwork tales, or poems, made up of scraps from various works..
455
And yet this is folly, for me to impute that to him as a fault, which I myself used to do in my youth when I was a soldier; in recounting my battles I used to tear out men’s ears by the roots, when I had once begun.
A CAPTAIN
Lend your attention, that you may learn what I’ve come to you about. I’ve heard that you have purchased my mistress.
PERIPHIANES
Heyday! now at last I know who he is; the officer whom Epidicus was telling me about a short time since. (To the OFFICER.) Young man, it is
as you say; I have purchased her.
460
A CAPTAIN
I want a few words with you, if it is not inconvenient to you.
460
PERIPHIANES
Upon my faith, I don’t know whether it’s convenient or not, until perhaps you say what you want.
A CAPTAIN
I want you to transfer her to me, and take the ransom.
PERIPHIANES
You may have her.Part of line 463 in the Latin.
A CAPTAIN
But why should I hesitate to speak out to you? I wish at once to make her my freed-woman, that she may be my mistress That she may be my mistress: The swaggering, careless character of the Captain, is admirably depicted here, as he does not hesitate to tell a perfect stranger, and him an aged man, his intentions, at the possible risk of shocking him..
PERIPHIANES
I’ll make short work with you; she was bought for me for fifty minae of silver; if sixty minae are paid down to me, I’ll let the damsel employ your holidays Employ your holidays: The feriae, or holidays, are mentioned in the Captivi, l. 473. See the Note to the passage.,
and so assuredly so, that, if you like, you may remove her from this country.
470
A CAPTAIN
Is she then purchased by me?
PERIPHIANES
On those terms you may have her.
You have made a good bargain.
Hallo there! bring out of doors the Music-girl you took in. The harp, too, as well, that was thrown in with her, I’ll make you a present of it for nothing.
