Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
I did very foolishly a while since, in entrusting my purse to Messenio with the money. I suspect he has got himself into some bad house Into some bad house: The ganeae or ganea were, probably, very similar to the popinae, the loose character of which, and the thermopolia, has been alluded to in a preceding Note. or other. (Enter the WIFE of Menaechmus of Epidamnus, from the house.)
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ll look out to see how soon my husband is going to return home.
But here he is; I see him; I’m all right, he’s bringing back the mantle.
705
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
I wonder where Messenio can be walking now.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I’ll go and receive the fellow with such language as he deserves. (Accosting him.) Are you not ashamed to come forward in my presence, you disgraceful man, in that garb?
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What’s the matter?
What thing is troubling you, woman?
710
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you dare, you shameless fellow, to utter even a single word, or to speak to me?
710
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Pray, what wrong have I committed, that I shouldn’t dare to speak to you?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Do you ask me? O dear, the impudent audacity of the fellow!
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Don’t you know, madam, for what reason the Greeks used to say that Hecuba was a bitch Hecuba was a bitch: Hecuba was the daughter of Cisseus or of Dymas, and the wife of Priam, King of Troy. In the distribution of the spoil, after the siege of Troy, she fell to the share of Ulysses, and became his slave, but died soon after in Thrace. Servius alleges, with Plautus, that the Greeks circulated the story of her transformation into a bitch, because she was perpetually railing at them to provoke them to put her to death, rather than condemn her to the life of a slave. According to Strabo and Pomponius Mela, in their time the place of her burial was still to be seen in Thrace. It was called κύνος σημά, the Tomb of the bitch. Euripides, in his Hecuba, has not followed this tradition, but represents her as complaining that the Greeks had chained her to the door of Agamemnon like a dog.?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I don’t know, indeed.
715
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Because Hecuba used to do the same thing that you are now doing. She used to heap all kinds of imprecations on every one she saw; and, therefore, for that reason she was properly begun to be called a bitch.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I can’t put up with this disgraceful conduct of yours;
for I had rather see my life that of a widow, than endure this vile conduct of yours that you are guilty of.
720
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
What is it to me, whether you are able to endure to live in the married state, or whether you will separate from your husband? Is it thus the fashion here to tell these stories to a stranger on his arrival?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What stories? I say, I’ll not endure it henceforth, but live separate rather than put up with these ways.
725
MENAECHMUS SOSICLES
Troth, so far indeed as I’m concerned, do live separate, even so long as Jupiter shall hold his sway.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
By heavens, I’ll certainly now send for my father,
and I’ll tell him your disgraceful conduct that you are guilty of. Go, Decio (calling to a SERVANT), seek for my father, that he may come along with you to me; tell him that occasion has arisen for it. I’ll. now disclose to him this disgraceful conduct of yours.
735
