Perde 2
[Textpart 4]
This person detained me.
LEONIDA
I’ faith, if in fact you were now to say that supreme Jove had detained you,
and he were present to sue for you, you shouldn’t escape the evil consequences. Whip-knave, did you disobey my orders?
415
LIBANUS
Stranger, I’m done for.
THE ASS-DEALER
Prithee, Saurea, for my sake, don’t beat him.
LEONIDA
I wish, now, I had a whip in my hand—
THE ASS-DEALER
Prithee, do be appeased.
LEONIDA
—With which to lash your sides, which have grown callous with blows.
Stand off this way; let me be the death of this fellow who is continually inflaming me with anger—a thief to whom I can never once enjoin a single thing, but that I must command the same things a hundred times, and din them in his earsDin them in his ear: Obganniam. This word literally signifies to bark like a fox.. For that reason, now, by my troth, what with bawling and passion, I cannot endure the labour. Have you, you rascal, (pointing) ordered this dirt to be removed hence from the door?
420
Have you ordered the labours of the spiders to be swept down from the pillars? Have you ordered those bosses on our doorBosses on our door: The bullae, or bosses, here mentioned, were large heads of brass or gilt nails with which the doors of the Romans were ornamented. to be brought to brightness? It’s of no use; I must walk about with a stick, as though I were a lame man. Because only for these single three days I have been giving my constant attendance at the Forum, in order to find some one who requires money upon interest, here,
425
in the meantime, are you sleeping at home, and my master is living in a pigstye, not in a house.(He strikes LIBANUS.) There now, take you that.
430
LIBANUS
Prithee, stranger, do take my part.
THE ASS-DEALER
Saurea, for my sake, I entreat you, do let him go.
LEONIDA
Hark you! has any one paid for the carriage of that olive oil?
LEONIDA
To whom was it given?
LIBANUS
To Stichus himself, your deputy.
LEONIDA
Tut! you’re trying to mollify meTrying to mollify me: Inasmuch as he pretends to be jealous of Stichus enjoying the favour of the pretended Saurea, and being appointed his vicarius, or deputy, in preference to himself.. I know that he is my deputy,
and that there isn’t a servant in the house who is more valuable to his master than he is. But the wines that I sold yesterday to Exaerambus, the wine merchant, has he yet paid Stichus for them?
435
LIBANUS
I think he has, in full; for I saw Exaerambus himself bringing hither his banker.
