Perde 3
[Textpart 1]
In wondrous ways In wondrous ways: It is somewhat singular that the same three lines as this and the two following occur in the Mercator, at the beginning of Act II. do the Gods make sport of men, in wondrous fashions do they send dreams in sleep.
DAEMONES
Not the sleeping, even, do they allow to rest. As, for example, I, this last night which has gone by, dreamed a wonderful and a curious dream. A she-ape seemed to be endeavouring to climb up to a swallow’s nest;
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and she was not able thence to take them out. After that, the ape seemed to come to me to beg me to lend a ladder to her. I in these terms gave answer to the ape, that swallows are the descendants of Philomela Of Philomela: The Poets generally represent Progne as changed into a swallow, and Philomela into a nightingale. Ovid, however, on one occasion, mentions Philomela as being changed into a swallow. They were the daughters of Pandion, king of Athens, the native place of Daemones. and of Progne.
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I expostulated with her, that she might not hurt those of my country. But then she began to be much more violent, and seemed gratuitously to be threatening me with vengeance. She summoned me to a court of justice. Then, in my anger, I seemed to seize hold of the ape by the middle, in what fashion I know not;
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and I fastened up with chains this most worthless beast. Now to what purpose I shall say that this dream tends, never have I this day been able to come to any conclusion. (A loud noise is heard in the Temple.) But what’s this noise that arises in this Temple of Venus, my neighbour? My mind’s in wonder about it.
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[Textpart 2]
O citizens of Cyrene, I implore your aid, countrymen, you who are near neighbours to these spots, bring aid to helplessness, and utterly crush a most vile attempt. Inflict vengeance, that the power of the wicked, who wish themselves to be distinguished by crimes, may not be stronger than of the guiltless.
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TRACHALIO
Make an example for the shameless man, give its reward to modest virtue; cause that one may be allowed to live here rather under the control of the laws than of brute force. Hasten hither into the Temple of Venus; again do I implore your aid, you who are here at hand and who hear my cries.
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Bring assistance to those who, after the recognized usage, have entrusted their lives to Venus and to the Priestess of Venus, under their protection.
Wring ye the neck of iniquity before it reaches yourselves.
DAEMONES
What’s all this to-do?
TRACHALIO
By these knees of yours, I do entreat you, old gentleman, whoever you are—
DAEMONES
Nay, but do you let go my knees, then, and tell me why it is that you are making a noise?
TRACHALIO
I do beg and entreat you, that if you hope
this year that you will have abundance of laserwort and silphium Laserwort and silphium: Sirpe and laserpitium seem to be different names for the same plant, laserwort, from which assafœtida is distilled. It grew abundantly in Cyrene, which region Catullus calls Laserpitiferae Cyrenae. The juice of this plant seems to have been used in making certain perfumes, for which reason it was exported to Capua., and that that export will arrive at Capua At Capua—Ver. 631. Capua was the chief city of Campania, in Italy, and was famed for its luxury. It was celebrated for its choice perfumes; and in it there was one great street called Seplasia, which consisted entirely of shops, in which unguents and perfumes were sold. safe and sound, and that you may ever enjoy freedom from diseased eyes—
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DAEMONES
Are you in your senses?
TRACHALIO
—Or whether you trust that you will have plenty of juice of silphium Juice of silphium: Magudaris is the root or juice of the plant called laserpicium., that you will not hesitate to give me the aid which I shall entreat of you, aged sir.
DAEMONES
And I, by your legs, and ancles, and back, do entreat you that, if you hope that you will have a crop of elm-twigs, and that a fruitful harvest of beatings will this year be your lot, you will tell me what’s the matter here, by reason of which you are making this uproar.
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TRACHALIO
Why do you choose to speak me ill? For my part, I wished you everything that’s good.
DAEMONES
And for my part, I’m speaking you well, in praying that things which you deserve may befall you.
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TRACHALIO
Prithee, do prevent this.
