Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
What, do you speak, you hobgoblin? You ought at this time of life to have done with these guilty practices. Just as the seasons of the year, so different lines of conduct befit different ages;
EUTYCHUS
but if this is proper, that old fellows should be wenching in their old age, where in the world is our common welfare?
985
DEMIPHO
Alas! wretch that I am! I’m undone.
EUTYCHUS
The young men are more in the habit of giving their attention to following those pursuits.
DEMIPHO
Troth, now, prithee, do take her to yourselves, with pigs and with basket With pigs and with basket: Cum porcis, cum piscinâ. This was probably a countrified expression, analogous to our phrases with bag and baggage, stump and rump..
EUTYCHUS
Restore her to your son;
let him have her, now, as he wishes.
DEMIPHO
So far as I’m concerned, he may have her.
EUTYCHUS
High time, i’ faith, since you haven’t the power of doing otherwise.
990
DEMIPHO
For this injury let him take what satisfaction he likes; only do you make peace, I beg of you, that he mayn’t be angry with me. I’ faith, if I had known it, or if, indeed, he had told me in the slightest way of joke that he was in love with her, I should never have proceeded to take her away from him so in love.
Enitychus, you are his companion, preserve and rescue me, I beg of you. Make this old fellow your client. You shall say that I’m mindful of a kindness.
995
LYSIMACHUS
Entreat him that he’ll pardon his offences and his youthful age And his youthful age: Of course this is said in a tone of keen and well-merited satire..
DEMIPHO
Heyday now, are you still persisting in inveighing against me with your airs? I trust that a like opportunity will befall me as well for returning you a similar compliment.
LYSIMACHUS
I’ve long made an end of those pursuits.
1000
DEMIPHO
And really so shall I from this time forward.
1000
LYSIMACHUS
Not a bit of it. Through usage your inclinations will be leading you to it again.
1000
DEMIPHO
Prithee, do now be satisfied. Rather, scourge me with thongs even, if you like.
LYSIMACHUS
You say right. But that your wife will do, when she comes to know of this.
DEMIPHO
There’s no need for her to come to know of it.
EUTYCHUS
What’s that? She shan’t come to know of it; don’t be afraid.
