Perde 1
[Textpart 2]
What of the one who was usher to the Music-girl?Usher to the Music-girl. This is said satirically of Phaedria, who was in the habit of escorting the girl to the music-school. It was the duty of the paedagogi, or tutors, to lead the children to school, who were placed under their care. See the speech of Lydus, the paedagogus of Pistoclerus, in the Bacchides of Plautus, Act iii. Sc. 3, where, enlarging upon his duties, he mentions this among them.
GETA
So so, but poorly.
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DAVUS
Perhaps he hasn’t much to give.
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GETA
Why, really, nothing at all, except mere hopes.
DAVUS
Is his father come back or not?
DAVUS
Well, when do you expect your old man?
GETA
I don’t know for certain; but I just now heard that a letter has been brought from him,
and has been left with the officers of the customs: I’m going to fetch it.
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DAVUS
Is there any thing else that you want with me, Geta?
GETA
Nothing, but that I wish you well. (Exit DAVUS.) Hark you, boy (calling at the door). Is nobody coming out here? (A LAD comes out.) Take this, and give it to Dorcium.
[Textpart 3]
That things should have come to such a pass, Phaedria, that I should be in utter dread ,of my father, who wishes me so well, whenever his return comes into my thoughts!
ANTIPHO
Had I not been inconsiderate, I might have waited for him, as I ought to have done.
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PHAEDRIA
What’s the matter?
ANTIPHO
Do you ask the question? You, who have been my confederate in so bold an adventure? How I do wish it had never entered the mind of Phormio to persuade me to this, or to urge me in the heat of my passion to this step, which is the source of my misfortunes. Then I should not have obtained her; in that case I might have been uneasy for some few days;
but still, this perpetual anxiety would not have been tormenting my mind (touching PHAEDRIA).
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ANTIPHO
While I am every moment expecting his return, who is to sever from me this connection.Sever from me this connection. By forcing him to divorce her.
PHAEDRIA
Other men feel uneasiness because they can not gain what they love; you complain because you have too much. You are surfeited with love, Antipho. Why, really, upon my faith, this situation of yours is surely one to be coveted and desired.
So may the Gods kindly bless me, could I be at liberty to be so long in possession of the object of my love, I could contentedly die. Do you, then, form a judgment as to the rest, what I am now suffering from this privation, and what pleasure you enjoy from the possession of your desires; not to mention how, without any expense, you have obtained a well-born and genteel woman, and have got a wife of unblemished reputation:
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