Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
I never knew any year worse for money upon interest, than this year has turned out to me. From morning even until night, I spend my time in the Forum;
A BANKER
I cannot lend out a coin of silver to any one. (Enter TRANIO.)
535
TRANIO
Now, faith, I am clearly undone in an everlasting way! The Banker’s here who found the money with which his mistress was bought. The matter’s all out, unless I meet him a bit beforehand,
so that the old man may not at present come to know of this. I’ll go meet him. But (seeing THEUROPIDES) I wonder why he has so soon betaken himself homeward again. I’m afraid that he has heard something about this affair. I’ll meet him, and accost him. But how dreadfully frightened I am! Nothing is more wretched than the mind of a man with a guilty conscience,
540
such as possesses myself. But however this matter turns out, I’ll proceed to perplex it still further: so does this affair require.
545
THEUROPIDES
I met that person from whom I bought this house.
TRANIO
Did you tell him anything about that which I was telling you?
THEUROPIDES
I’ faith, I certainly told him everything.
TRANIO
Woe to unfortunate me!
I’m afraid that my schemes are everlastingly undone!
550
THEUROPIDES
What is it you are saying to yourself?
TRANIO
Why nothing. But tell me, prithee, did you really tell him?
THEUROPIDES
I told him everything in its order, I tell you.
TRANIO
Does he, then, confess about the guest?
THEUROPIDES
Why no; he utterly denies it.
THEUROPIDES
Do you ask me again?
I should tell you if he had confessed it. What now are you of opinion ought to be done?
555
TRANIO
What is my opinion? By my troth, I beg of you, appoint an arbitrator together with him; but take you care that you appoint one who will believe me; you’ll overcome him as easily as a fox eats a pear As a fox eats a pear: This may either mean, very easily indeed, or not at all. It is not clear that a fox will eat a pear; but if he does, his teeth will go through it with the greatest ease. Not improbably, Tranio uses the expression for its ambiguity..
