Perde 3
[Textpart 4]
I’ll be making a great fire here.
DAEMONES
What, to be burning To be burning: Festus tells us that humanum was a mortuary sacrifice, or offering to the dead. In his question, therefore, Daemones inplies a wish to know whether Labrax is about to put an end to himself. It was allowable to drive away those who fled to the altar by the agency of fire. a mortuary sacrifice for yourself?
LABRAX
No, but I’ll burn both of these alive here upon the altar.
DAEMONES
I’d like that. For, by my troth, I’ll forthwith seize you by the head and throw you into the fire,
and, half-roasted, I’ll throw you out as food for the great birds. (Aside.) When I come to a consideration of it with myself, this is that ape, that wanted to take away those swallows from the nest against my will, as I was dreaming in my sleep.
770
TRACHALIO
Aged sir, do you know what I request of you? That you will protect these females and defend them from violence, until I fetch my master.
DAEMONES
Go look for your master, and fetch him here.
775
TRACHALIO
But don’t let him—
775
DAEMONES
At his own extreme peril, if he touches them, or if he attempts to do so.
775
DAEMONES
Due care is taken; do you be off.
TRACHALIO
And watch him too, that he doesn’t go away anywhere. For we have promised either to give the executioner a great talent, or else to produce this fellow this very day.
DAEMONES
Do you only be off. I’ll not let him get away, while you are absent.
TRACHALIO
I’ll be back here soon.
[Textpart 5]
Which, you Procurer, had you rather do, be quiet with a thrashing, or e’en as it is, without the thrashing, if you had the choice?
780
LABRAX
Old fellow, I don’t care a straw for what you say. My own women, in fact, I shall drag away this instant from the altar by the hair, in spite of yourself, and Venus, and supreme Jove.
DAEMONES
Just touch them.
LABRAX
I’ troth, I surely will touch them.
785
DAEMONES
Just come then; only approach this way.
785
LABRAX
Only bid both those fellows, then, to move away from there.
