Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
To me? You gave money for the child’s food.
935
STRABAX
Now, if you hope to have her, another mina of gold is requisite.
STRATOPHANES
A sore mishap upon these people, and a weighty one!
STRABAX
By all means, keep that by way of provision for your own journey. Part of line 937 in the Latin.
STRATOPHANES
What does she owe you?
STRABAX
Perfumes, her favours, and kisses.
PHRONESIUM
He answers him like for like. (To STRATOPHANES.) But now, at all events, if you do love me,
do you give me some little trifle from your most abundant treasures.
940
STRATOPHANES
Do say, there’s a dear, what it is that I’m to give you; only say. If I have it left, you shall have it.
PHRONESIUM
Mere kickshawsMere kickshaws: Κάμπας. This is from the Greek καμπὴ, a caterpillar, and means nonsensical, trifling stuff. He gives her a hint, in the next line, to beware of the great teeth of the countrymen. you’re talking about. Be off, be off.
STRATOPHANES
I’ve considered this over with myself.Part of line 942 in the Latin. A corrupt passage. My good sir, take you care, will you, that she don’t inflict a wound upon you, whose teeth are made of iron.
She’s allowing access to her to all in common.
You take your hand off of her.
STRABAX
Then, by my troth, do you take that, with a hearty punch, warlike man!
945
STRATOPHANES
I’ve given her gold.
STRATOPHANES
And I a mantle and a purple garment.
STRABAX
And I, sheep and wool; and many other things that she shall ask for I’ll give. ’Twere better for you to contest it with me with minae than with menacesWith minae than with menaces: Melius, te minis certare mecum, quam minaciis. He plays upon the resemblance of the word minis, with minae, to minaciis, with threats, and means that money is more likely than menaces to have weight with Phronesium..
