Perde 1
[Textpart 3]
It befits not me to concern myself about that.
PHILEMATIUM
Whom then, prithee?
Philolaches; so that he may not buy anything except that which he fancies will please you. For a lover buys the favours of a mistress for himself with gold and purple garments. What need is there for that which he doesn’t want as his own, to be shown him still? Age is to be enveloped in purple; gold ornaments are unsuitable for a woman. A beautiful woman will be more beautiful naked than drest in purple.
Besides, it’s in vain she’s well-drest if she’s ill-conducted; ill-conduct soils fine ornaments worse than dirt. But if she’s beauteous, she’s sufficiently adorned.
290
PHILOLACHES
Too long have I withheld my hand. (Coming forward.) What are you about here?
PHILEMATIUM
I’m decking myself out to please you.
PHILOLACHES
You are dressed enough. (To SCAPHA.) Go you hence in-doors, and take away this finery. (SCAPHA goes into the house.) But, my delight,
my Philematium, I have a mind to regale together with you.
295
PHILEMATIUM
And, i’ faith, so I have with you; for what you have a mind to, the same have I a mind to, my delight.
PHILOLACHES
Ha! at twenty mine that expression were cheap.
PHILEMATIUM
Give me ten, there’s a dear; I wish to let you have that expression bought a bargain.
PHILOLACHES
You’ve already got ten minae with you; or reckon up the account:
thirty minae I gave for your freedom—
300
PHILEMATIUM
Why reproach me with that?
300
PHILOLACHES
What, I reproach you with it? Why, I had rather that I myself were reproached with it; no money whatever for this long time have I ever laid out equally well.
PHILEMATIUM
Surely, in loving you, I never could have better employed my pains.
PHILOLACHES
The account, then, of receipts and expenditure fully tallies between ourselves;
you love me, I love you. Each thinks that it is so deservedly. Those who rejoice at this, may they ever rejoice at the continuance of their own happiness. Those who envy, let not any one henceforth be ever envious of their blessings.
305
PHILEMATIUM
Come, take your place, then. (At the door, to a SERVANT, who obeys.) Boy, bring some water for the hands; put a little table here. See where are the dice. Would you like some perfumes? (They recline on the couch.)
