Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
Softly, pray; you are treading on my heels. Don’t you hear me?
CHARINUS
I’ve heard you for some time past.
EUTYCHUS
I want a reconciliation to be made between my father and mother; for now she’s in a passion—
EUTYCHUS
About that woman—
955
CHARINUS
Only do go on.
955
EUTYCHUS
Therefore take care—
955
CHARINUS
Nay, but do go on then; I’ll make her as mild as Juno is when she’s kind to Jupiter.
955
[Textpart 3]
[DemiphoThis, and the next ten lines, are generally looked upon as spurious. They have probably been inserted by some busy interpolater, to supply what Plautus had intended us to suppose as having transpired between Demipho and Lysimachus before they enter., this saying of the wise, I think you have often heard, Pleasure is the bait for misfortune; because, by it, not less are men aught than are fishes with the hook Although aged people fly from it, still you don’t pay that regard to your old age: since it hasn’t even withdrawn love from you, but has forced you to it even more vehemently. Wherefore it utterly confounds yourself and your understanding and your mind, and dazzles your eyesight. Myself too have you brought into great trouble, and I know not what to do,
DEMIPHO
Lysimachus, this is the will of the Gods, not of men. If you reflect upon this with yourself, you will be of opinion that you are not doing right, in censuring so heavily a person your friend and the sharer of your secrets.]
As though you yourself had never done anything like this action.
LYSIMACHUS
By heavens, never. I took care not to do anything: wretch that I am, I am scarcely alive; for my wife is lying all in a ferment about her.
DEMIPHO
But I’ll undertake to clear you, so that she mayn’t be angry.
960
LYSIMACHUS
Follow me—but I see my son coming out.
[Textpart 4]
I’ll go to my father, that he may know my mother’s wrath is appeased. I’ll return just now.
LYSIMACHUS
The beginning pleases me. (Going up to EUTYCHUS.) What are you about? How goes it, Eutychus?
EUTYCHUS
Extremely opportunely have you both met me.
LYSIMACHUS
What’s the matter?
EUTYCHUS
Your wife is peaceful and appeased. Give me your right hands this moment.
965
LYSIMACHUS
The Gods are favouring me.
