Perde 1
[Textpart 3]
Things which you don’t hope happen more frequently than things which you do hope. In fine, if you cannot be persuaded by words to believe this to be the truth, judge of my words from facts; consider this instance, who I now am, and who I once was.
SCAPHA
No less than your are now, was I once beloved, and I devoted myself to one, who, faith, when with age this head changed its hue, forsook and deserted me. Depend on it, the same will happen to yourself.
200
PHILOLACHES
I can scarcely withhold myself from flying at the eyes of this mischief-maker.
PHILEMATIUM
I am of opinion that I ought to keep myself alone devoted to him,
since to myself alone has he given freedom for himself alone.
205
PHILOLACHES
O ye immortal Gods! what a charming woman, and of a disposition how chaste! By heaven, ’tis excellently done, and I’m rejoiced at it, that it is for her sake I’ve got nothing left.
SCAPHA
On my word you really are silly.
PHILEMATIUM
For what reason?
SCAPHA
Because you care for this, whether he loves you.
PHILEMATIUM
Prithee, why should I not care for it?
You’ve now got what you wanted; if he didn’t still love you, as much money as he gave for your liberty, he’d lose.
210
PHILOLACHES
Heavens, I’m a dead man if I don’t torture her to death after the most shocking fashion. That evil-persuading enticer to vice is corrupting this damsel.
Scapha, I can never return him sufficient thanks for what he deserves of me;
don’t you be persuading me to esteem him less.
215
SCAPHA
But take care and reflect upon this one thing, if you devote yourself to him alone, while now you are at this youthful age, you’ll be complaining to no purpose in your aged years.
PHILOLACHES
I could wish myself this instant changed into a quinsy, that I might seize the throat of that old witch, and put an end to the wicked mischief-maker.
PHILEMATIUM
It befits me now to have the same grateful feelings since I obtained it, as formerly before I acquired it, when I used to lavish caresses upon him.
220
PHILOLACHES
May the Gods do towards me what they please, if for that speech I don’t make you free over again, and if I don’t torture Scapha to death.
SCAPHA
If you are quite assured that you will have a provision to the end,
