Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
Upon my faith, Libanus, it really were better for you now to be waking,
LIBANUS
and to be devising some plan for procuring the money. A long time has now elapsed, since you parted with your master and went to the Forum. For that end that you might devise some plan for procuring the money, there till this time of day have you been sleeping at your ease. Why don’t you away with all slothfulness from yourself, and remove all sluggishness,
250
and betake yourself again to your former dexterous ingenuity. Preserve your master; take you care, too, how you do the same that other servants are wont, who employ a clever ingenuity in cheating their master? Whence shall I get it? Whom shall I diddle out of it? Whither shall I steer this fly-boat? ’Tis settled, ’tis confirmed by auspices; on each side do the birds give good omens.
255
The woodpecker and the crow are on my right, the raven, as well, upon my left. They are persuading me to it: i’ faith, I’m resolved to follow your advice. (Starts and listens.) But what means this, that the woodpecker is tapping the elm-tree? That’s not for nothing. Troth, for certain, so far as I can gather omens from augury, the rods are in readiness for my own back, or for Saurea the chamberlain.
260
But what means this that Leonida is running this way out of breath? I fear that this bodes ill for my trumped-up schemes
265
[Textpart 2]
Where now shall I find Libanus, or my master’s son, that I may make them more mirthful than is Mirth herselfMirth herself: Lubentia, or Venus lubentina, was the Goddess of pleasure, mirth, and delight.? Great booty and a triumph do I bring them on my arrival.
LEONIDA
Inasmuch as together with me they drink, together with me they are wont to wench, why, this booty that I’ve got, together with them will I share it.
270
LIBANUS
This fellow has been robbing a house, if he has been acting after his usual manner. Woe to the person that has so carelessly kept the door!
LEONIDA
I could be ready to be a slave for an age, if I could only meet with Libanus.
LIBANUS
I’ faith, with my assistance, indeed, you shall never be free a bit the sooner.
275
LEONIDA
I’d give two hundred teeming lashesTeeming lashes: Plagas praegnantes. Literally, pregnant stripes—blows that generate other blows. on my back as well.
LIBANUS
He’s giving away all his substance, for he carries his treasures on his backTreasures on his back: Talk of giving,—he says, stripes on his back are all that he has to give..
LEONIDA
But if time should intervene upon this opportunity, never, upon my faith, will he hereafter obtain it again, even with white horsesWith white horses: White horses were most esteemed by the ancients, and were supposed to excel others in swiftness..
He’ll be deserting his master in the siege; he’ll be increasing the courage of the foe. But if with me he is desirous to seize hold upon this opportunity which has presented itself, very great bounties brimful of joyousness, will he, together with myself, be producing for his masters, both for the son and the father. So that, for life, they will be indebted to us both,
280
bound by our services.
285
LIBANUS
He’s talking of persons being boundTalking of persons being bound: He catches, or pretends to catch, the two last syllables of the word devincti, obligated, and then says that Leonida is speaking of people being vincti, chained or bound. This he deems, or pretends to deem, to be ominous of ill., I don’t know who. I don’t like it; I fear for us in common, lest he may have been cheating in some cheatery.
285
LEONIDA
I’m utterly undone, unless I find Libanus at once, wherever in the world he is.
LIBANUS
This fellow’s looking out for an accomplice, to unite with himself in a bad design. I don’t like it: ’tis a portentous sign that instant, when a person trembles that sweatsPerson trembles that sweats: Probably Leonida is out of breath and in a perspiration; Libanus considers this as a bad omen. By his remark he is supposed to allude to the sudiculum, a kind of scourge, which received its name from making those sweat who were punished with it..
LEONIDA
But why, as I hasten, do I loiter here with my feet, and make myself so bounteous with my tongue? Why don’t I bid it be quiet, that in its talkativeness is wearing out the day?
290
LIBANUS
Upon my faith, an unfortunate man, to check his patroness; for if he has done anything roguishly, his tongue perjures itself in his behalf.
