Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
That he shall be healed, I promise that on my word; so with great attention will I treat him for you.
OLD MAN
Why, see! here’s the man himself.
DOCTOR.
Part of line 898 in Latin. Let’s watch what matter he’s about.
[Textpart 5]
By my faith, this day has certainly fallen out perverse and adverse for me,
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
since the Parasite, who has filled me full of disgrace and terror, has made that all known, which I supposed I was doing secretly; my own Ulysses My own Ulysses: He complains that the Parasite, who used to be his adviser, and as good as a Ulysses to him, his king, or patron, has been the cause of all his mishaps., who has brought so great evil on his king—a fellow that, by my troth, if I only live, I’ll soon finish his life Finish his life: Vita evolvam sua. Literally, I will wind him off of his life. He probably alludes to the Parcae, the Fates or Destinies, who were fabled to be the daughters of Nox and Erebus, and of whom, one, named Clotho, held the distaff, and spun the thread of life; another, named Lachesis, wound it off; and the third, called Atropos, cut it off when of the requisite length.. But I’m a fool, who call that his, which is my own.
900
With my own victuals and at my own expense has he been supported; of existence will I deprive the fellow. But the Courtesan has done this in a way worthy of her, just as the harlot’s habit is: because I ask for the mantle, that it may be returned again to my wife, she declares that she has given it me. O dear! By my faith, I do live a wretched man.
905
OLD MAN
Do you hear what he says ?
DOCTOR.
He declares that he is wretched.
OLD MAN
I wish you to accost him.
DOCTOR.
Save you, Menaechmus. Prithee, why do you bare your arm? Don’t you know how much mischief you are now doing to that disease of yours?
910
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why don’t you go hang yourself?
OLD MAN
What think you now?
DOCTOR.
What shouldn’t I think? This case can’t be treated with even ointment of hellebore. But what have you to say, Menaechmus?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What do you want?
DOCTOR.
Tell me this that I ask of you; do you drink white wine or dark-coloured?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What need have you to enquire?
915
Why don’t you go to utter perdition ?
915
OLD MAN
Troth, he’s now beginning to be attacked with the fit.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
Why don’t you ask whether I’m wont to eat dark bread, or purple, or yellow? Or whether I’m wont to eat birds with scales, or fish with wings?
