Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
For, i’ faith, you really for sure are not in your senses, Menaechmus, who are now uttering curses against your own self.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Alas! By my faith, a very silly fellow, and an annoyance to me.
CYLINDRUS
He’s in the habit of often joking with me in this fashion. How very droll he is, when his wife isn’t present. How say you—?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What do you mean, you rascal?
CYLINDRUS
Has this that you see
been provided in sufficient quantity for three persons, or am I to provide still more for yourself and the Parasite and the lady?
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MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What ladies—what Parasites are you talking about?
MESSENIO
What, you villain, urges you to be an annoyance to him?
CYLINDRUS
Pray what business have you with me? I don’t know you; I’m talking to this person, whom I do know.
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
By my troth, you are not a person in his right senses, that I know for sure.
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CYLINDRUS
I’ll have these things cooked directly; there shall be no delay. Don’t you be going after this anywhere at a distance from the house. Do you want anything?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
You to go to utter and extreme perdition.
CYLINDRUS
I’ faith, ’twere better for you to go in-doors at once and take your place,
while I’m subjecting these things to the strength of the fire Strength of the fire: Vulcani ad violentiam. Literally to the violence of Vulcan, the God of fire. I’ll go in-doors now, and tell Erotium that you are standing here, that she may fetch you away hence, rather than you be standing here out of doors.
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MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Is he gone then? He is gone. By my faith, I find by experience that your words are not untrue.
MESSENIO
Do you only be on your guard;
for I do believe that some woman in the harlot line is living here, as, in fact. this madman said, who has just gone away from here.
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MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
But I wonder how he came to know my name.
MESSENIO
I’ faith, ’tis far from surprising: courtesans have this custom; they send servant-boys and servant-girls down to the harbour;
if any foreign ship comes into port, they enquire of what country it is, and what its name is; after that, at once they set themselves to work, and fasten themselves upon him; if they inveigle him, they send him home a ruined man. Now in this harbour there stands a piratical craft,
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