Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
It were enough to tell an untaught, thoughtless, silly girl the same thing so many times over; really, in fact, I do imagine that I’m quite looked upon by you as a blockhead and a country booby.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
Although I do drink wine, still I’m not in the habit of swallowing down your commands together with it. I really had fancied that both myself and my ways had now been sufficiently proved by you; for, as for me, I’ve attended you now these five years; whereas, in that time, a cuckoo even, I do believe, if he had gone to school, could by now have been made to know his letters well; while, in the meantime, whether speaking or not speaking Or not speaking: Schmieder thinks, that by this expression Sophoclidisca alludes to the habitual taciturnity of Lemniselene; indeed, her quiet and inoffensive disposition is observable throughout the Play. In the concluding Scene the Procurer calls her ignavis. lump of laziness., you have not made yourself acquainted with my disposition.
170
Can you not hold your tongue? Can you not cease advising me? I remember, and I know, and I understand, and I keep in mind; i’ faith, you are in love, poor thing; on that account your mind’s disturbed. I’ll cause that that shall be calmed for you.
175
LEMNISELENE
Wretched is the person that’s in love.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
Good for nothing, indeed, he certainly is,
who is in love with nothing. What need has that person of life? I ought to go, that I may prove obedient to my mistress; that through my aid she may the sooner become a free woman. I’ll go meet this Toxilus, however; his ears I’ll stuff with what has been enjoined upon me.
180
[Textpart 2]
Are these things quite clear and certain to you—do you quite remember and understand them?
PAEGNIUM
Better than you who have instructed me.
TOXILUS
Say you so, you whip-rascal?
PAEGNIUM
I really do say so.
185
TOXILUS
What did I say then P
185
PAEGNIUM
I’ll tell it to her all correctly.
185
TOXILUS
I’ faith, you don’t know it.
PAEGNIUM
Troth now, lay me a wager that I don’t remember and know it all.
TOXILUS
Why, for my part, I’ll lay a wager with you on this, whether you know your own self, how many fingers you have this day upon your hand.
PAEGNIUM
Without hesitation—if you are desirous to lose.
TOXILUS
A fair truce rather let there be.
PAEGNIUM
For that reason, then, do you let me go.
TOXILUS
I both bid and permit you.
But I wish you so to attend to it, that you are back home while I’m thinking that you are there.
190
