Perde 1
[Textpart 1]
To reprove one’s friend for a fault that deserves it, is a thankless task; but sometimes ’tis useful
MEGARONIDES
and ’tis profitable. Therefore, this day will I soundly reprove my friend for a fault that much deserves it. Unwilling am I, did not my friendship bid me do it. For this faultiness has encroached too much upon good morals, so drooping now are nearly all of them.
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But while they are in this distempered state, bad morals, in the mean time, have sprung up most plenteously, like well-watered plants; nor is there now anything abundant here but these same bad morals. Of them you may now reap a most plenteous harvest:
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and here a set of men are making the favour of a few of much more value than that in which they may benefit the many. Thus private interests outdo that which is to the public advantage—interests which in many points are a hindrance, and a nuisance, and cause an obstruction both to private and to public welfare.
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[Textpart 2]
I wish our household God Household God: Literally, Lar. The Lares were the household Gods, or tutelary Deities of each family. The figures of them were kept, among the Romans, near the hearth, in the Lararium which was a recess formed for that purpose, and in which prayers were offered up on rising in the morning. There were both public and private Lares. The latter were by some thought to have been identical with the Manes, or shades, of the ancestors of the family occupying the house. The public Lares were the Urbani, presiding over the cities; Rustici, over the country; Compitales, over crossroads; and Marini, over the sea. Varro tells us that there were 265 stations for the statues of the Lares at the corner of the streets of Rome. Lar was an Etrurian word, signifying noble, or lord. The Greeks adorned their household Gods with the leaves of the plane-tree, the Romans with ears of corn. This was especially done on entering a new house, on which the wish was expressed that it might turn out prosperous, lucky, happy, and fortunate to the new occupants. Quod bonum, faustum, felix, fortunatumque sit. Callicles here expresses this wish on taking possession of the house which he has just bought of Lesbonicus. to be graced with a chaplet.
CALLICLES
Wife Wife: Being at the door of his house, before shutting it, he calls to his wife within. His kind wish as to the duration of her life he expresses just as he shuts the door. (addressing her within), pay him due respect, that this dwelling may turn out for us prosperous, lucky, happy, and fortunate; and (in a lower voice) that, as soon as I possibly may, I may see you dead and gone.
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MEGARONIDES
This is he who in his old age has become a child Has become a child: He means to say that he has become a boy from the fact of his being in need of correction.—who has been guilty of a fault that deserves correction.
I will accost the man.
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CALLICLES
Whose voice is it that sounds near me?
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MEGARONIDES
Of one who wishes you well, if you are as I desire you to be; but, if you are otherwise, of one who is your enemy, and is angry with you.
CALLICLES
Health to you, O my friend and years’-mate! How are you, Megaronides?
MEGARONIDES
And, i’ faith And i’ faith: Hercle, by Hercules; Ecastor, by Castor, Edepol, by Pollux, or by the temple of Pollux, and Pol, by Pollux, were the every-day oaths in the mouths of the Romans, and were used for the purpose of adding weight to the asseverations of the speaker. A literal translation of them throughout this work would hardly be in accordance with the euphony required by the English ear. They are therefore rendered throughout by such expressions as i’ faith, troth, by my troth, etc. health to you, Callicles!
Are you well? Have you been well?
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CALLICLES
I am well, and I have been still better.
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MEGARONIDES
And how does your wife do? How is she?
CALLICLES
Better than I wish.
MEGARONIDES
’Tis well, i’ faith, for you, that she is alive and well
CALLICLES
Troth, I believe that you are glad if I have any misfortune.
MEGARONIDES
That which I have, I wish for all my friends as well.
CALLICLES
Harkye, how does your wife do?
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