Perde 1
[Textpart 5]
I forewarn you to be on your guard. I say you must be on your guard, I tell you. Keep watch. Look, now, with those same hands will you this day give me the money
SIMO
By my troth, ’tis a clever mortal if he keeps his word.
PSEUDOLUS
Carry me away to be your slave if I don’t do it.
520
SIMO
You speak kindly and obligingly; for at present you are not mine, I suppose.
PSEUDOLUS
Would you like me to tell you, too, what you will still more wonder at?
SIMO
Come, then; i’ faith, I long to hear it; I listen to you with pleasure.
PSEUDOLUS
Before I fight that battle, I shall first
fight another battle, famous and memorable.
525
PSEUDOLUS
Why, with the procurer your neighbour; by means of stratagem and artful tricks, I’l cleverly bamboozle the procurer out of this music-girl, with whom your son is so desperately in love;
and I surely will have both of these things effected this very day, before the evening.
530
SIMO
Well, if you accomplish these tasks as you say, you will surpass in might King Agathocles King Agathocles: Agathocles was famous for having risen, by his valour and merit, from being the son of a potter to be the King of Sicily.. But if you don’t do it, is there any reason why I shouldn’t forthwith put you in the treadmill?
PSEUDOLUS
Not for one day, but,
i’ faith, for all, whatever the time. But if I effect it, will you not at once give me the money of your own free will for me to pay to the procurer?
535
CALLIPHO
Pseudolus is making a fair claim; say I’ll give it.
SIMO
But still, do you know what comes into my mind? Suppose they have made an arrangement, Callipho,
among themselves, or are acting in concert, and on a preconcerted plan, to bamboozle me out of the money?
540
PSEUDOLUS
Who would be more audacious than myself, if I dared to do such an action? Well, Simo, if we are thus in collusion, or have ever arranged any plan, do you mark me quite all over with elm-tree stripes With elm-tree stripes: Stylis ulmeis, with elm-tree styli. He alludes to the weals produced by flogging with elm-tree rods, which, being long and fine, would resemble the iron stylus used for writing upon was tablets., just as when letters are written in a book with a reed.
SIMO
Now then, proclaim the games as soon as you please.
PSEUDOLUS
Give me your attention, Callipho, I beg you, for this day, so that you may not any way employ yourself upon other business.
