Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
Prithee, father, why so?
ANTIPHO
Because, as it is, the seasoning of your affection has reached my soulHas reached my soul: Meae animae salsura evenit. Literally, the salting has come forth to my soul. This phrase is rendered in Leverett’s Lexicon, I am dejected or I am in an ill humour. That, however, does not appear to be the meaning. The father has had kissing enough from his daughters, but he intends, as it would seem, to compliment them by comparing their kisses to salt, with its refreshing and vivifying powers; and when Philumena asks for one kiss more, he says, No, as it is (ita) their refreshing power has reached my soul. Rost seems to be of this opinion, but he suggests that animae meae are vocatives plural; in that case the passage would mean, as it is, my loves, or my delights, the refreshing salt of your affection has reached me..
PAMPHILA
Sit down here, father.
ANTIPHO
I’ll not sit there; do you sit down; I’ll sit on the benchOn the bench: Subsellium generally means a footstool, used by persons when sitting on a high seat. Here, however, it probably signifies a bench, perhaps placed against the wall in the front of Philumena’s house, where he was about to make a call..
PAMPHILA
Wait till I fetch a cushion.
ANTIPHO
You take kind care of me; I’m nicely seated now as I amNicely seated now as I am: Sat sic fultum est. Literally enough is it thus supported. She has brought out the cushion, and has placed it upon or at the back of the hard bench, which was perhaps something like our garden chair..
PAMPHILA
Do let me, father.
95
ANTIPHO
What need is there?
95
PAMPHILA
There is need.
95
ANTIPHO
I’ll submit to you. (Arranging the cushion.) Yes, this does very well.
95
PAMPHILA
Why, daughters can never take too much care of their parent. Whom is it proper that we should esteem more dear than yourself? And then, in the next place, father, our husbands, for whom you have chosen that we should be the mothers of families.
ANTIPHO
You do as it is proper for good wives to do, in esteeming your husbands,
though absent, just as though they were present.
100
PAMPHILA
’Tis propriety, father, for us to highly honor those who have chosen us as companions for themselves.
100
ANTIPHO
Is there any other person here to listen with his earsTo listen with his ears: Nostris dictis auceps auribus Literacy a fowler for our words; in allusion to the stealthy manner in which the fowler lies in wait for his prey. to our conversation?
PHILUMENA
There’s no one except us and yourself.
ANTIPHO
I wish your attention to be given; for, unacquainted with female matters and ways,
I come now as a pupil to you, my instructresses; in order that each of you may tell me what endowments matrons ought to have, who are the best esteemed.
105
PAMPHILA
What’s the reason that you come hither to enquire about the ways of females?
ANTIPHO
Troth, I’m looking for a wife, as your mother’s dead and gone.
