Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
In the first place of all, Philematium, do you go in-doors; and you, Delphium.
DELPHIUM
We’ll both be obedient to you.
TRANIO
May Jupiter grant it so! Now then, do you give attention as to what I’d have attended to.
In the first place, then, before anything, cause the house to be shut up at once. Take care and don’t let any one whisper a word indoors.
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PHILOLACHES
Care shall be taken.
TRANIO
Just as though no living being were dwelling within the house.
TRANIO
And let no one answer, when the old gentleman knocks at the door.
PHILOLACHES
Anything else?
TRANIO
Order the master-key Order the master-key: Clavem—Laconicam; literally, the Laconian key. This was a kind of key originally invented by the Spartans, by means of which a door could be locked from the outside, but not from within. According to some, this key was called Laconica, from its rough appearance, in allusion to the inelegant exterior of the Spartans. In his Thesmophoriazusae, Aristophanes informs us that these keys had three wards. of the house
to be brought me at once from within; this house I’ll lock here on the outside.
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PHILOLACHES
To your charge I commit myself, Tranio, and my hopes. (He goes into the house, and the things are removed from the stage.)
TRANIO
It matters not a feather whether a patron or a dependant is the nearest at hand for that man who has got no courage in his breast.
For to every man, whether very good or very bad, even at a moment’s notice, it is easy to act with craft; but this must be looked to, this is the duty of a prudent man, that what has been planned and done in craftiness, may all come about smoothly and without mishap;
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so that he may not have to put up with anything by reason of which he might be loth to live; just as I shall manage, that, from the confusion which we shall here create, all shall really go on smoothly and tranquilly, and not produce us any inconvenience in the results. (Enter a BOY, from the house.) But, why have you come out?
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(The BOY shows him the key.) O very well, you’ve obeyed my orders most opportunely.
A BOY
He bade me most earnestly to entreat you some way or other to scare away his father, that he may not enter the house.
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TRANIO
Even more, tell him this, that I’ll cause that he shan’t venture even to look at the house, and to take to flight, covering up his head Covering up his head: With the ancients, when either ashamed or alarmed at anything, it was the custom to throw a part of the dress over the head, as a hood. with the greatest alarm.
Give me the key (taking it), and be off in-doors, and shut to the door, and I’ll lock it on this side. (The BOY goes into the house, and TRANIO locks the door.) Bid him now come forthwith. For the old gentleman here while still alive this day will I institute gamesWill I institute games: , He plays on the double meaning of ludos, which means either tricks, or funerai games in honor of the dead, according to the context. in his presence, such as I fancy there will never be for him when he’s dead. (Moving away.) I’ll go away from the door to this spot; hence, I’ll look out afar
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