Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
Troth, and so do I, when I reflect of what breeding we and the others are. We were born in that station, that it befits us to be unblemished by faultiness.
1185
HANNO
Jupiter, who dost preserve and feed the race of men, through whom we pass this mortal life, in whose hands are the hopes of life in all men, prithee, do grant this day as a prosperous one
for my fortunes! Those whom I’ve missed for many years,
and whom when little I lost from their native land, to them restore their liberty, that I may be sure that for an indomitable sense of duty there is a reward.
1190
AGORASTOCLES
I’ll engage that Jove shall do it all; for to me he is indebted To me he is indebted: This impious expression is out of character with Agorastocles, and the latter portion of the line is supposed to be spurious., and stands in awe of me.
HANNO
Prithee, do hold your peace.
AGORASTOCLES
Kinsman, do not weep.
ANTERASTYLIS
As it is a pleasure for a man, my sister, if he succeeds in anything, to have the credit of victory, just so did we this day among the rest excel them all in beauty.
ADELPHASIUM
Sister, you are more silly than I could wish. Prithee, do you really think yourself a beauty,
if your face has not been besmeared with soot Besmeared with soot: Douza informs us that it was the custom of the young men to divert themselves at the expense of those courtesans who were not handsome, by daubing their faces with soot and dirt.?
1195
AGORASTOCLES
O kinsman! O kinsman, dearest of all kinsmen Dearest of all kinsmen: Patruissime. A word coined by Plautus for the occasion. to me!
1195
HANNO
What is it, son of my cousin? My son, tell me, what is it you wish?
1195
AGORASTOCLES
Why, really, I do wish you to attend to this.
HANNO
Why, really, I am attending to it.
AGORASTOCLES
Kinsman, kinsman, dearest of all kinsmen to me!
AGORASTOCLES
She’s a clever and a nice girl. How shrewd she is!
HANNO
She has her father’s disposition in being shrewd.
AGORASTOCLES
How’s that? This long time, i’ faith, she has surely used up your shrewdness.
’Tis from here (pointing to himself) she now derives her shrewdness; ’tis from here her sense; whatever she does shrewdly, through my love does she act so shrewdly.
1200
