Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
I know this—all procuresses are light of faith, and the weight of a water-gnat Weight of a water-gnat: Tipulae, a water-gnat, or waterspider. This is a very pretty illustration. On a sunny day these little animals may be seen in hundreds skating over the surface of still water. Warner suggests that this simile may have been a proverbial one. is not more light than is the word of a procurer.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
Tell me, there’s a dear.
245
PAEGNIUM
Tell me, there’s a dear.
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SOPHOCLIDISCA
I don’t want to be your dear.
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PAEGNIUM
You’ll easily prevail upon me in that.
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SOPHOCLIDISCA
Keep it yourself.
PAEGNIUM
And you be mum about this.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
It shall be kept a secret.
PAEGNIUM
It shall not be known.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
I’m carrying this letter to Toxilus, your master.
PAEGNIUM
Be off; he’s there at home. And I am carrying this pinewood tablet sealed, to Lemniselene, your mistress.
SOPHOCLIDISCA
What’s written there.
PAEGNIUM
If you don’t know, pretty much like yourself, I don’t know,
except soft words, perhaps.
250
SOPHOCLIDISCA
I’m off.
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PAEGNIUM
And I’ll be off.
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SOPHOCLIDISCA
Move on then.
250
[Textpart 3]
To Jove the opulent, the renowned, the son of Ops The son of Ops: He seems to intend a jingle on the resemblance between Jove the opulent and the son of Ops. The Goddess Ops of the Romans was the same Divinity as the Rhea of the Greeks, and was daughter of Cœlus and Terra, and became the mother of Jupiter by her husband Saturn. She was also known by the name of Cybele, Bona Dea, Magna Mater, and Tellus., the strong, the mighty in power, who riches, hopes, kind plenty does bestow, joyously and gratefully do I offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
SAGARISTIO
inasmuch as in a friendly way they have bestowed for my friend this opportunity of satisfying his necessity and of borrowing the money, so that I can lend him aid in his need. Whereas I no more dreamed, or thought, or imagined that I should have this opportunity—that same has now fallen from heaven as it were.
255
For my master has sent me to Eretria Eretria: This was a city in the island of Eubœa, on the Eastern coast of Greece; he has given me the money to purchase some trained oxen for him; but he said that the fair would take place seven days hence;
