Perde 3
[Textpart 2]
It’s not for sale.
TRANIO
I know that indeed; but the old gentleman
wishes to build a woman’s apartment A woman’s apartment: Gynaeceum. This was a name borrowed from the Greeks, for the apartments in the house which were especially devoted to the use of the females. here in his own house, baths, too, and a piazza, and a porch.
755
SIMO
What has he been dreaming of?
TRANIO
I’ll tell you. He wishes to give his son a wife as soon as he can; for that purpose he wants a new apartment for the women.
But he says that some builder, I don’t know who, has been praising up to him this house of yours, as being remarkably well built; now he’s desirous to take a model from it, if you don’t make any objection—
760
SIMO
Indeed, he is really choosing a plan for himself from a piece of poor workmanship.
TRANIO
It was because he heard that here the summer heat was much modified; that this house was wont to be inhabited each day all day long.
SIMO
Why really, upon my faith, on the contrary, while there’s shade in every direction, in spite of it, the sun is always here from morning till night: he stands, like a dun, continually at the door; and I have no shade anywhere, unless, perhaps, there may be some in the well.
TRANIO
Well now, have you one from Sarsina, if you have no woman of Umbria No woman of Umbria: This is a poor pun upon the different acceptations of the word umbra, which may signify, according to the context, shade, or a woman of Umbria. Simo means it in the former, while Tranio chooses to take it in the latter sense. Simo does not like this attempt at wit, and tells him not to be impertinent. We may here observe, that Plautus was born at Sarsina, a town of Umbria.?
770
SIMO
Don’t be impertinent. It is just as I tell you.
TRANIO
Still, he wishes to look over it.
SIMO
He may look over it, if he likes. If there is anything that takes his fancy, let him build after my plan.
TRANIO
Am I to go and call this person hither?
TRANIO
They say that Alexander the Great and Agathocles Agathocles: Agathocles rose from the station of a potter to be king of Sicily. achieved two very great exploits; what shall be the lot of myself, a third, who, unaided, am achieving deeds imperishable? This old fellow is carrying his pack-saddle, the other one, as well. I’ve hit upon a novel trade for myself, not a bad one;
775
whereas muleteers have mules to carry pack-saddles; I’ve got men to carry the pack-saddles. They are able to carry heavy burdens; whatever you put upon them, they carry. Now, I don’t know whether I am to address him. I’ll accost him, however. (Calling aloud.) Hark you, Theuropides!
780
THEUROPIDES
Well; who’s calling me?
TRANIO
A servant most attached to his master.
Where you sent me, I got it all agreed to.
