Perde 2
[Textpart 13]
Hallo! Palaestrio, there’s no occasion for the sword.
PALAESTRIO
How so?—or what’s the matter now?
SCELEDRUS
Our master’s lady is there, at home.
470
PALAESTRIO
What? At home?
470
SCELEDRUS
She’s lying on the sofa.
470
PALAESTRIO
Faith, but you’ve certainly brought on yourself a disagreable affair, according to what you report.
PALAESTRIO
Inasmuch as you have dared to touch that lady next door here.
SCELEDRUS
I’ faith, I fear it much. But no one shall ever make her to be any other than her own twin-sister.
PALAESTRIO
’twas she, in troth, that you saw toying: and, in fact, ’tis plain that it is she, as you remark.
SCELEDRUS
What was there more likely than that I should have been undone, if I had spoken of it to my master.
475
PALAESTRIO
Then, if you’re wise, you’ll hold your tongue. It befits a servant to know of more than he speaks. I’m going to leave you, that I may not at all participate in your designs. And I shall go to our neighbour here; these turmoils of yours don’t please me.
My master, if he comes, should he inquire for me, I shall be there; send for me next door.
480
[Textpart 14]
Well, he’s off; nor cares he any more for his master’s business than if he were not in his service. For sure she really is now here in-doors in the house, for I myself found her just now lying down in our house.
SCELEDRUS
I am resolved now to employ myself in watching.
485
[Textpart 15]
Faith, but these men here, these servants of my neighbour the Captain, take me not to be a man, but a woman, so much do they trifle with me. My lady guest, who came here yesterday from Athens with the gentleman, my guest,
PERIPLECOMENUS
is she to be mauled about and made fun of here in the street—a lady, free-born and free?
490
SCELEDRUS
By my troth, I’m undone. He’s coming in a straight line up towards me. I fear that this matter may cause me great trouble, so far as I have heard this old gentleman speak.
PERIPLECOMENUS
I’ll up to this fellow. Was it you, Sceledrus, source of mischief, that were just now
making fun of my lady guest before the house?
495
