Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
and shall mention exactly everything that’s in it. Is a sorceress to have it?
1140
DAEMONES
She shan’t get it, unless she tells the truth; in vain will she In vain will she: By this he clearly means to say that conjuring is all nonsense, and that she has no chance of telling what is in it merely by guessing. be conjuring. Unloose the wallet, then (giving it to GRIPUS), that as soon as possible I may know what is the truth.
GRIPUS
Take it Take it: Hoc habe. This, though not adopted by Fleckeisen, seems to be the right reading, and we have followed the conjecture of the learned Rost in adopting it. Gripus undoes the strap, then holds the wallet to his master, saying, Take it, it’s unfastened. Daemones takes it, and at once draws out the casket, on seeing which Girpus makes an exclamation of surprise and disappointment., it’s unfastened. (DAEMONES takes out the casket.) Alas, I’m undone; I see the casket.
PALAESTRA
That is it. O my parents, here do I keep you locked up;
here have I enclosed both my wealth and my hopes of recognizing you.
1145
GRIPUS
Then, by my faith, the Gods must be enraged with you, whoever you are, who fasten up your parents in so narrow a compass.
DAEMONES
Gripus, come hither, your cause is being tried. (To PALAESTRA.) Do you, young woman, away at a distance there say what’s in it, and of what appearance; mention them all.
By my troth, if you make ever so slight a mistake, even if afterwards you wish, madam, to correct yourself, you’ll be making a great mistake.
1150
GRIPUS
You demand what’s real justice.
TRACHALIO
By my troth, then, he doesn’t demand yourself; for you are the opposite of justice.
DAEMONES
Now then, say on, young woman. Gripus, give attention and hold your tongue.
PALAESTRA
There are some trinkets.
DAEMONES
See, here they are, I espy them.
GRIPUS
In the first onset I am worsted;
(takes hold of the arm of DAEMONES) hold, don’t be showing.
1155
DAEMONES
Of what description are they? Answer in their order.
1155
PALAESTRA
In the first place, there’s a little sword of gold, with an inscription.
DAEMONES
Just tell me, what the characters are upon that little sword.
PALAESTRA
The name of my father. Next, on the other side, there’s a little two-edged axe, of gold likewise, with an inscription: there on the axe is the name of my mother.
