Perde 5
[Textpart 3]
Come now, Nausistrata, after your usual way, manage to keep her in good-humor with us,
DEMIPHO
and make her do of her own accord what must be done.
785
DEMIPHO
You are now seconding me with your endeavors, just as you assisted me with your moneyWith your money: Colman observes: Alluding to the money borrowed of her to pay Phormio; and as Donatus observes in another place, it is admirably contrived, in order to bring about a humorous catastrophe that Chremes should make use of his wife’s money on this occasion. before.
NAUSISTRATA
I wish to do so; and yet, i’ faith, through the fault of my husband, I am less able than I ought to be.
NAUSISTRATA
Because, i’ faith, he takes such indifferent care of the property that was so industriously acquired by my father; for from those farms he used regularly to receive two talents of silver yearly; there’s an instance, how superior one man is to another.
DEMIPHO
Two talents, pray?
790
NAUSISTRATA
Aye, and when things were much worse, two talents even.
NAUSISTRATA
What! does this seem surprising?
DEMIPHO
Of course it does.
NAUSISTRATA
I wish I had been born a man; I’d have shown—
DEMIPHO
That I’m quite sure of.
DEMIPHO
Forbear, pray, that you may be able to do battle with her; lest she, being a young woman, may be more than a match for you.
NAUSISTRATA
I’ll do as you bid me; but I see my husband coming out of your house. (Enter CHREMES, hastily, from DEMIPHO’S house.)
795
CHREMES
Ha! Demipho, has the money been paid him yet?
795
DEMIPHO
I took care immediately.
CHREMES
I wish it hadn’t been paid him. (On seeing NAUSISTRATA, aside.): Halloo, I espy my wife; I had almost said more than I ought.
