Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
Ah me! unfortunate wretch, I am now in danger of even losing part of the principal. Has he no shame? He has loosened all my teeth;
SANNIO
my head, too, is full of bumps with his cuffs; and would he defraud me as well? I shall go nowhere.
245
SYRUS
Just as you please. Have you any thing more to say before I go?
SANNIO
Why yes, Syrus, i’ faith, I have this to request. Whatever the matters that are past, rather than go to law, let what is my own be returned me; at least, Syrus, the sum she cost me.
I know that you have not hitherto made trial of my friendship; you will have no occasion to say that I am unmindful or ungrateful.
250
SYRUS
I’ll do the best I can. But I see Ctesipho; he’s in high spirits about his mistress.
SANNIO
What about what I was asking you?
[Textpart 3]
From any man, when you stand in need of it, you are glad to receive a service;
CTESIPHO
but of a truth it is doubly acceptable, if he does you a kindness who ought to do so. O brother, brother, how can I sufficiently commend you? This I am quite sure of; I can never speak of you in such high terms but that your deserts will surpass it. For I am of opinion that I possess this one thing in especial beyond all others, a brother than whom no individual is more highly endowed with the highest qualities.
255
CTESIPHO
O Syrus, where is Aeschinus?
260
SYRUS
Why, look—he’s at home, waiting for you.
260
CTESIPHO
What’s the matter? ’Tis through him, Syrus, that I am now alive—generous creature! Has he not deemed every thing of secondary importance to himself in comparison with my happiness? The reproach, the discredit, my own amour and imprudence, he has taken upon himself. There can be nothing beyond this; but what means that noise at the door?
SYRUS
Stay, stay; ’tis Aeschinus himself coming out.
[Textpart 4]
Where is that villain?
265
SANNIO
He’s looking for me.He’s looking for me: Donatus remarks upon the readiness with which Sannio takes the appellation of sacrilegus, as adapted to no other person than himself. Is he bringing any thing with him? Confusion! I don’t see any thing.
265
AESCHINUS
Ha! well met; you are the very man I was looking for. How goes it, Ctesipho? All is safe: away then with your melancholy.
