Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
I’ll go and meet him. May every happiness attend you, my father.
775
OLD MAN
Happiness attend you. Do I find you in good spirits? Do you bid me be fetched in happy mood? Why are you sorrowful? And why does he (pointing at MENAECHMUS) in anger stand apart from you? Something, I know not what, are you two wrangling about Wrangling about: Velitati estis, literally, have been skirmishing. The figure is derived from the velites, the light-armed soldiers of the Roman army, who were not drawn up in rank and file, but commonly skirmished in front of the main body, attacking the enemy here and there, and when hard pressed, retiring into the vacant spaces of the legion. between you. Say, in few words, which of the two is in fault: no long speeches, though.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
For my part, I’ve done nothing wrong; as to that point do I at once make you easy, father. But I cannot live or remain here on any account; you must take me away hence immediately.
780
OLD MAN
Why, what’s the matter?
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I am made a laughing-stock of, father.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
By him to whom you gave me, my husband.
OLD MAN
Look at that — a quarrel now. How often, I wonder,
have I told you to be cautious, that neither should be coming to me with your complaints.
785
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
How, my father, can I possibly guard against that?
How often have I told you to be compliant to your husband. Don’t be watching what he does, where he goes, or what matter he’s about.
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why, but he’s in love with a courtesan here close by.
790
OLD MAN
He is exceedingly wise: and for this painstaking of yours, I would even have him love her the more.
790
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
He drinks there, too.
OLD MAN
And will he really drink the less for you, whether it shall please him to do so there or anywhere else? Plague on it, what assurance is this? On the same principle, you would wish to hinder him from engaging to dine out,
or from receiving any other person at his own house. Do you want husbands to be your servants? You might as well expect, on the same principle, to be giving him out his task, and bidding him sit among the female servants and card wool.
795
THE WIFE OF MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why, surely, father, I’ve sent for you not to be my advocate, but my husband’s: on this side you stand On this side you stand: It was the custom for the patron, when acting as the counsel, to have his client standing by him while pleading. The wife complains that her father has been sent for by her to act as her own advocate, but that, instead of so doing, he is encouraging her supposed husband in his perverseness., on the other you plead the cause.
OLD MAN
If he has done wrong in anything,
