Perde 2
[Textpart 4]
Preserve me from it, you would say still more, if you were to hear everything from me. For there every other tree has been blasted with lightning;
STASIMUS
the hogs die The hogs die: From Pliny the Elder we learn that angina, or swelling of the throat, was a common distemper among hogs. there most shockingly of inflammation in the throat; the sheep are scabby, as bare of all wool, see, as is this hand of mine. And then, besides, there is not one of the Syrian natives The Syrian natives: He makes mention of the Syrians, because living in a hot climate, they would be most likely to be able to endure extreme heat., a race which is the most hardy of men, who could exist there for six months; so surely do all die there of the solstitial fever The solstitial fever: He seems to mean, that if a person went to live there at the beginning of the year, he could not possibly live there beyond six months, being sure to die of fever at the time of the Solstice, or Midsummer..
540
PHILTO
I believe, Stasimus I believe, Stasimus: Philto only says so for peace sake, as no man in his senses was likely to believe a word of it. As he does not want the piece of land for his son, he wishes to make no words about it., that it is so; but the Campanian But the Campanian: He just makes this remark casually, probably to show Stasimus that he knows about things in general as well as he does. Some think, however, that he intends to correct Stasimus, and to tell him that even the Campanians, who were considered an effeminate race, could boast of more hardihood than the Syrians. race much outdoes that of the Syrians in hardiness. But, really, that piece of land, as I have heard you describe it, is one to which it were proper for all wicked men to be sent for the public good. Just as they tell of the Islands of the Blest,
545
where all meet together who have passed their lives uprightly: on the other hand, it seems proper that all evildoers should be packed off there, since it is a place of such a character.
550
STASIMUS
’Tis a very receptacle of calamity. What need is there of many words? Look for any bad thing whatsoever, there you may find it.
PHILTO
But, i’ faith, you may find it there and elsewhere too.
555
STASIMUS
Please, take care not to say that I told you of this.
555
PHILTO
You have told it me in perfect secrecy.
STASIMUS
For he, indeed (pointing at LESBONICUS), wishes it to be got rid of from himself, if he can find any one to impose upon To impose upon: Os quoi sublinat—literally, can besmear his face. This expression alludes to the practical joke of making a fool of a person by painting his face while he is asleep. about it.
PHILTO
I’ faith, this land shall never become my property.
STASIMUS
Aye, if you keep in your senses.
(Aside.) I’ faith, I have cleverly frightened I have cleverly frightened: As before remarked, he is probably much mistaken in thinking so. the old fellow away from this land; for, if my master had parted with it, there is nothing for us to live upon.
560
PHILTO
Lesbonicus, I now return to you.
LESBONICUS
Tell me, if you please, what has he been saying to you?
PHILTO
What do you suppose? He is a man He is a man: His meaning seems to be, he is a man, with feelings like ourselves, and naturally wishes for his freedom,; he wishes to become a free man, but he has not the money to give.
LESBONICUS
And I wish to be rich, but all in vain.
565
STASIMUS
You might have been, if you had chosen; now, since you have nothing, you cannot be.
LESBONICUS
What are you talking about to yourself, Stasimus?
STASIMUS
About that which you were saying just now: if you had chosen formerly, you might have been rich; now you are wishing too late.
PHILTO
No terms can be come to with me about the marriage-portion;
