Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
’Tis a pleasure to me, inasmuch as this falls to your lot from your feelings of affection.
DAEMONES
Come then, Trachalio, if you can, bring that wallet into the house.
TRACHALIO
See the villany of Gripus; inasmuch, Gripus, as this matter has turned out unfortunately for you, I congratulate you.
DAEMONES
Come, then, let’s go, my daughter, to your mother,
who will be better able to enquire of you into this matter from proofs; who had you more in her hands, and is more thoroughly acquainted with your tokens.
1180
TRACHALIO
Let’s all go hence in-doors, since we are giving our common aid.
PALAESTRA
Follow me, Ampelisca.
AMPELISCA
That the Gods favour you, it is a pleasure to me.
GRIPUS
Am I not a blockhead of a fellow, to have this day fished up that wallet?
Or, when I had fished it up, not to have hidden it somewhere in a secret spot? By my troth, I guessed that it would be a troublesome booty for me, because it fell to me in such troublous weather. I’ faith, I guess that there’s plenty of gold and silver there. What is there better for me than to be off hence in-doors and secretly hang myself—
1185
at least for a little time, until this vexation passes away from me?
1190
[Textpart 5]
O ye immortal Gods, what person is there more fortunate than I, who unexpectedly have discovered my daughter? Isn’t it the fact, that if the Gods will a blessing to befall any person, that longed-for pleasure by some means or other, falls to the lot Falls to the lot: He forgets here that Self-praise is no recommendation. of the virtuous?
DAEMONES
I this day, a thing that I never hoped for nor yet believed, have unexpectedly discovered my daughter, and I shall bestow her upon a respectable young man of noble family, an Athenian, and my kinsman. For that reason I wish him to be fetched hither to me as soon as possible,
1195
and I’ve requested my servant to come out here, that he may go to the Forum. Still, I’m surprised at it that he isn’t yet come out. I think I’ll go to the door. (Opens the door, and looks in.) What do I behold? Embracing her, my wife is clasping my daughter around her neck. Her caressing is really almost too foolish and sickening.
1200
[Textpart 6]
’Twere better, wife, for an end to be made at last of your kissing; and make all ready that I may perform a sacrifice, when I come in-doors, in honor of the household Gods, inasmuch as they have increased our family. At home I have lambs and swine for sacred use. But why, ladies, are you detaining that Trachalio? Oh, I see he’s coming out of doors, very seasonably.
1205
TRACHALIO
Wheresoever he shall be, I’ll seek Plesidippus out at once, and bring him together with me to you.
1210
DAEMONES
Tell him how this matter has fallen out about my daughter. Request him to leave other occupations and to come here.
TRACHALIO
Very well Very well: Licet. This word is used by Trachalio in answer to everything that Daemones says to him.
DAEMONES
Tell him that I’ll give him my daughter for a wife.
