Perde 2
[Textpart 4]
to create discord and a separation between us; after that, my delight, I shall be always at your side.
420
DINARCHUS
Aye, faith, but I’d rather it were at my couchAt my couch: Adcubuo. There is a play on the resemblance of this word to that used by her, adsiduo, at your side..
PHRONESIUM
Moreover, I wish to sacrifice to-day to the Deities for the child, on this the fifth dayOn this the fifth day: The Greeks sacrificed to the Gods and named their children on the fifth day after their birth; the Romans on the ninth, if a male, on the eighth, if a female., as is proper to be done.
DINARCHUS
I think you ought.
PHRONESIUM
Can’t you venture to give me some trifling present?
425
DINARCHUS
Upon my faith, my delight, I seem to be making a gain for myself when you ask anything of me.
PHRONESIUM
And I, when I’ve got it.
DINARCHUS
I’ll take care it shall be here just now. I’ll send my servant hither.
DINARCHUS
But whatever it shall be, do take it in good part.
PHRONESIUM
I troth, I’m sure that you’ll give all attention to your present, of which I shan’t be ashamed so long as you send it to me.
430
DINARCHUS
Do you wish anything else of me?
PHRONESIUM
That, when you have leisure, you’ll come again to see me.
DINARCHUS
Fare you well.Perhaps part of line 433 (?).
DINARCHUS
O immortal Gods! ’twere the part not of a woman in love,
but of a partner of kindred feelings and confiding, to do what she just now has done for me, in disclosing to me the palming of the child upon the Captain,—a thing that a sister entrusts not to her own born sister. She discloses herself now to me from her very soul,
435
that she will never prove faithless to me so long as she exists. Ought I not to love her? Ought I not to wish her well? I’ll rather not love myself, than that love should be wanting for her. Shall I not send her a present? This instant, then, I’ll order five minae to be brought to her from my house,
440
besides catering to the amount of a mina at least. Much rather shall kindness be shown to her who wishes kindly to me, than to myself, who do every mischief to myself.
445
[Textpart 5]
Give the breast to that child. (To herself, coming forward.) How wretchedly
