Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
Diddling the old fellows out of their money.
ANTIPHO
Is that quite the thing?
GETA
I’ faith, I don’t know: it’s just what I was told to do.
ANTIPHO
How now, whip-scoundrel, do you give me an answer to what I don’t ask you?
GETA
What was it then that you did ask?
685
ANTIPHO
What was it I did ask? Through your agency, matters have most undoubtedly come to the pass that I may go hang myself. May then all the Gods, Goddesses, Deities above and below, with every evil confound you! Look now, if you wish any thing to succeed, intrust it to him who may bring you from smooth water on to a rock.
685
What was there less advantageous than to touch upon this sore, or to name my wife? Hopes have been excited in my father that she may possibly be got rid of. Pray now, tell me, suppose Phormio receives the portion, she must be taken home by him as his wife: what’s to become of me?
690
GETA
But he’s not going to marry her.
ANTIPHO
I know that. But (ironically)
when they demand the money back, of course, for our sake, he’ll prefer going to prison.
695
GETA
There is nothing, Antipho, but what it may be made worse by being badly told: you leave out what is good, and you mention the bad. Now then, hear the other side: if he receives the money,
she must be taken as his wife, you say; I grant you; still, some time at least will be allowed for preparing for the nuptials, for inviting, and for sacrificing. In the mean time, Phoedria’s friends will advance what they have promised; out of that he will repay it.
700
ANTIPHO
On what grounds? Or what will he say?
GETA
Do you ask the question?
How many circumstances, since then, have befallen me as prodigies? A strange black dogA strange black dog: This omen, Plautus calls, in the Casina, 1. 937, canina scaeva. entered the house; a snake came down from the tiles through the sky-light;Through the sky-light: So in the Amphitryon of Plautus, l. 1108, two great snakes come down through the impluvium, or sky-light. On the subject of the impluvium, see the Notes to the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus, 1. 159. a hen crowed;A hen crowed: Donatus tells us that it was a saying, that in the house where a hen crowed, the wife had the upper hand. the soothsayer forbade it; the divinerThe soothsayer—the diviner: According to some accounts there was this difference between the hariolus and the arus-pex, that the former foretold human events, the latter those relating to the Deities. Donatus has remarked on these passages, that Terence seems to sneer at the superstitions referred to. warned me not: besides, before winter
705
there is no sufficient reason for me to commence upon any new undertaking. This will be the case.
710
ANTIPHO
I only wish it may be the case.
GETA
It shall be the case; trust me for that. Your father’s coming out; go tell Phaedria that the money is found.
[Textpart 5]
Do be quiet, I tell you; I’ll take care he shall not be playing any tricks upon us. I’ll not rashly part with this without having my witnesses;
DEMIPHO
I’ll have it stated to whom I pay it, and for what purpose I pay it.
715
