Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
As to what you say, I trust that your deeds may be as good as your words.
PSEUDOLUS
I’ faith, you surely know, if I set my plans a-going Set my plans a-going: Mea si commovi sacra. Literally, if I move my sacred things. Lambinus thinks that this may refer to the sacred things dedicated to Bacchus, which no one touched without being punished for it; and even if Bacchus himself attempted to do, confusion and disorder was the consequence.,
after what fashion and how great is the bustle that I am in the habit of causing.
110
CALIDORUS
In you are now centred all the hopes of my existence.
PSEUDOLUS
Is it enough, if I this day make this damsel to be yours, or if I find you twenty minae?
CALIDORUS
’Tis enough, if so it is to be.
PSEUDOLUS
Ask of me twenty minae,
that you may be assured that I’ll procure for you that which I have promised. Ask them of me, by my troth, prithee do; I long to make the promise.
115
CALIDORUS
Will you this day find me twenty minae of silver?
PSEUDOLUS
I will find them; be no more troublesome to me then. And this I tell you first, that you mayn’t deny that it was told you;
if I can no one else, I’ll diddle your father out of the money.
120
CALIDORUS
So far as filial affection is concerned, even my mother as well. May the Gods always preserve you for me. But what if you are not able?
PSEUDOLUS
Upon that matter do you go to sleep with either eye.
CALIDORUS
With the eye or with the ear Or with the ear: To sleep on the ear was a proverbial saying borrowed by the Romans from the Greeks, to denote a sense of complete security Pseudolus say, that the proverb is too vulgar for his refined taste.?
PSEUDOLUS
The latter is too common an expression.
Now, that no one may affirm that it wasn’t told him, I tell you all (to the AUDIENCE), in the presence of the youths in this audience, and of all the people, to all my friends and all my acquaintances I give notice, that for this day they must guard against me, and not trust me.
125
CALIDORUS
Hist! be silent, prithee, by all the powers!
PSEUDOLUS
What’s the matter?
CALIDORUS
There was a noise at the procurer’s door.
PSEUDOLUS
I could only wish it were his legs in preference.
