Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
I’ll not sell my bon mots; I’ll not have an auction now; I’ve got an estate in feeAn estate in fee: Haereditas. A fortune, or an heirdom, just as we say, I have come in to a fortune. He alludes to the pleasant life he anticipates, by spunging on the wealthy Epignomus and his brother..
GELASIMUS
Let the mischievous hunters of auctions go to perdition. Hercules, I congratulate thee that the tenths which I vowed to thee are increased. ’Tis my hope that at length, by some means or other, I may expel this plaguy famine from my stomach.
385
PINACIUM
And then, besides, he has brought some ParasitesBrought some Parasites: The arch boy only adds this to put Gelasimus in a fright, in which he fully succeeds. There was no necessity to import Parasites from Asia to Athens. with him.
GELASIMUS
Alas! to my confusion, I’m undone.
PINACIUM
Right funny fellows.
GELASIMUS
I’ faith, I’ll sweep this dust back, which I just now swept together. (Sweeps it back.)
Those bon mots are now on sale, which I was saying I wouldn’t sell. I’m done for: now there is occasion for spiteful persons to rejoice at my misfortune.
Hercules, thou who art a God, thou really hast departed not opportunely.
395
PHILUMENA
Did you see Pamphilus, the husband of my sister?
390
PHILUMENA
Isn’t he there?
390
PINACIUM
Yes, they said that he had come as well. I ran hither before them, with all speed, that I might bring the welcome tidings.
PHILUMENA
Go in-doors, Pinacium; bid the servants prepare the sacred thingsThe sacred things: To perform a sacrifice on the safe return of her husband. for me. (To GELASIMUS.) Fare you well!
GELASIMUS
Do you want me to assist?
PHILUMENA
I have servants enough in the house.
GELASIMUS
In good sooth, Gelasimus, I doubt you have come to but little purpose, if neither he that is here gives you any aid, nor yet he that’s coming.
I’ll off indoors to my booksTo my books: These were probably pamphlets, filled with jokes and funny stories, which Parasites would study for the entertainment of the patrons whom they were to amuse by way of return for their dinner. These books perhaps occupied the same position as the Joe Millers did in this country during the last century, and the Academies of Compliments in the century before. Indeed, the latter, in all their amplitude, would have been invaluable to a Parasite, as they contain directions how to court a lady, ask a riddle, sing a funny song, put a posy on a ring, direct a letter, and a hundred other things., and take my instructions from the cleverest sayings; for if I don’t drive away those fellows, the Parasites that are coming, most surely I’m undone.
400
