Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
That I should loveThat I should love: Eo mi amare. It is much more easy to guess at the sense of this passage, than at what is really the proper reading of it as it is evidently corrupt. for this! I’m taking an atonement for my offences to my mistress! That that may be taken by her in kindly part which I’ve squandered before, I’ll add this as well.
STRATOPHANES
But what’s this? I see the mistress and her maid before the house. I must accost her. (Addressing them.) What are you doing here?
895
PHRONESIUM
Don’t speak to me.
STRATOPHANES
You are too angry.
PHRONESIUM
Leave me alone. Can’t you possibly cease to be an annoyance to me?
STRATOPHANES
What is the matter, my dear little Astaphium?
ASTAPHIUM
I’ faith, she’s angry with you with good reason.
PHRONESIUM
What, I? I’m not even half spiteful enough to. wards that fellow.
STRATOPHANES
My love, if I have at all offended before,
I present you with this mina of gold. If you smile upon me, deign me a look.
900
PHRONESIUM
My hand forbids me to believe anything, before it holds in its possession. We require food for the child; we require it for the dameFor the dame: Matri. Literally, the mother. as well, that bathes the child; we require it for the nurseFor the nurse: Even in those days, nurses were famed for their toping propensities. See the Andria of Terence, l. 229., as well, that she may have a leather bottle full of old wine in ample style, that night and day she may tipple; we stand in need of fire; we want coals, too;
we want swathes, napkins, the cradle, the cradle-bed; oil we want; the child requires flour, for pap; all day we are wanting something; never, in the same one day, can our task be performed, but what there’s always need of something; for the children of officers cannot be reared upon medlarsUpon medlars: It is not known whether setanium or setanum here means medlars or onions. Some Commentators think it means an inferior kind of pulse, used as food for the children of the poor..
905
STRATOPHANES
Look upon me then. Take this (presenting the money), with which to satisfy these necessities.
PHRONESIUM
Give it me, although it’s very little.
910
STRATOPHANES
Whatever you shall order, shall be given at your demand. Give me a kiss now. (Tries to kiss her.)
PHRONESIUM
Leave me alone, I say! You are a nuisance!
STRATOPHANES
It’s no use, I’m not loved by her; the day wears apace. More than ten pounds of silver have I lost in this short time by reason of my passion.
PHRONESIUM
Take this, and carry it away in-doors. (ASTAPHIUM carries it in.) (Enter STRABAX, from the house.)
STRABAX
Where in the world is my mistress?
I get on with no business, either in the country or here, at this rate; I’m spoiling with mouldiness, I’m grown so dreadfully numbed with lying waiting here upon the couch. But look, I perceive her. Hallo! sweetheart, what are you about?
915
