Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
a simpleton to trust this money to me whose propensity he knew; for this money I shall misapply in some other purpose: there were no oxen for me to buy. Now I’ll both promote the success of my friend, and will give my inclination full enjoyment. The pleasures that belong to a long time will I serve up in a single day. Crack, crack Crack, crack: Tax, tax. The noise of the cracking of the whip. it will be upon my back; I don’t care.
SAGARISTIO
Now, to a person that is my friend I shall present these trained oxen from out of my purse; for this, in fact, is a delightful thing, handsomely to bite your thrice-dotted niggardly, antiquated, covetous, spiritless people, who against their servant seal up the saltcellar with the salt. It’s a virtue, when occasion prompts, to hold them in contempt. What will he do to me? He’ll order me to be beaten with stripes, the fetters to be put on. I may get a beating.
265
Don’t let him fancy that I shall go begging to him. Woe be unto him! Nothing new can now be inflicted upon me but what I have already experienced it. But see, here comes Paegnium, Toxilus’s boy.
270
[Textpart 4]
My task that was set me I’ve finished; now I’m hastening home.
SAGARISTIO
Stop, although you are in haste—Paegnium, listen to me.
PAEGNIUM
You ought to buy a person, for you to desire to be obedient to you.
SAGARISTIO
Stop there, I say.
PAEGNIUM
You’d be giving some trouble, I fancy, if I were to be owing you anything,
who are now so troublesome.
275
SAGARISTIO
You rascal, will you look back then?
275
PAEGNIUM
I am aware of what age I am; for that reason you shall get off for this abuse with impunity.
SAGARISTIO
Where is Toxilus, your master?
PAEGNIUM
Wherever he pleases, and he don’t ask your advice.
SAGARISTIO
Won’t you tell me, then, where he is, you villain?
PAEGNIUM
I don’t know, I say, you elm-twig spoiler Elm twig spoiler: Ulmitriba. This word is composed of the Latin ulmus, an elm, and the Greek τριβὼ, to rub or wear; and may mean either one beaten or rubbed with elm-twigs, or one that wears elm-twigs..
SAGARISTIO
You are abusive to your senior.
280
PAEGNIUM
As you deserved it first, do you put up with it. My master bade me hold my labour at his bidding, my tongue in freedom.
280
SAGARISTIO
Will you not tell me, where is Toxilus?
PAEGNIUM
I tell you that—you may go to perdition everlasting.
SAGARISTIO
This day you shall be flogged with a rope’s end.
