Perde 3
[Textpart 4]
That’s not unknown to me: in fine, upon my faith, I would rather run away
SOSIA
than go back, if I knew that I should have to go back there.
425
PARMENO
Why really, but slight causes formerly made you, Sosia, do what now you are threatening to do. But I see Pamphilus himself standing before the door. (To the Attendants, who go into the house of LACHES.) Go in-doors; I’ll accost him, to see if he wants any thing with me.
(Accosts PAMPHILUS.) What, still standing here, master?
430
PAMPHILUS
Yes, and waiting for you.
430
PARMENO
What’s the matter?
430
PAMPHILUS
You must run across to the citadel.To the citadel: This was the fort or citadel that defended the Piraeus, and being three miles distant from the city, was better suited for the design of Pamphilus, whose object it was to keep Parmeno for some time at a distance.
PARMENO
To the citadel? Why thither?
PAMPHILUS
To meet Callidemides, my entertainer at Myconos, who came over in the same ship with me.
PARMENO
Confusion! I should say he has made a vow that if ever he should return home safe, he would rupture meHe would rupture me: He facetiously pretends to think that Pamphilus may, during a storm at sea, have vowed to walk him to death, if he should return home. with walking.
PAMPHILUS
Why are you lingering?
PARMENO
What do you wish me to say? Or am I to meet him only?
PAMPHILUS
No; say that I can not meet him to-day, as I appointed, so that he may not wait for me to no purpose. Fly!
PARMENO
But I don’t know the man’s appearance.
PAMPHILUS
Then I’ll tell you how to know it;
a huge fellow, ruddy, with curly hair, fat, with gray eyes and freckled countenance.
440
PARMENO
May the Gods confound him! What if he shouldn’t come? Am I to wait there, even till the evening?
PAMPHILUS
Yes, wait there. Run!
