Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
By the powers—what, did he promise that he would filch your mantle?
930
ARTEMONA
Won’t you hold your tongue?
ARGYRIPPUS
I was going to dissuade him, mother.
ARTEMONA
A pretty son! (To DEMAENETUS.) Is it proper for a father to teach these morals to his children? Are you ashamed of nothing?
DEMAENETUS
I’ faith, if there’s nothing else, I’m ashamed of you, wife.
ARTEMONA
With your hoary head, your wife is dragging you, you cuckoo, from dens of infamy.
DEMAENETUS
The dinner’s cooking; mayn’t I stop, only to take my dinner?
935
ARTEMONA
Faith, you’ll dine to-day on a heavy mishap, as you deserve.
DEMAENETUS
I shall repose but uncomfortably; my wife is taking me home condemned.
ARGYRIPPUS
I told you, father, not to devise ill against my mother.
PHILENIUM
Do remember about the mantleAbout the mantle: This she says by way of farewell banter to the old fellow, whom she is too happy to get rid of., there’s a dear.
DEMAENETUS
Won’t you order her to go away from here?
ARTEMONA
Be off home.
940
PHILENIUM
Do give me a kiss, at least, before you go.
940
DEMAENETUS
Go hang yourself.
940
PHILENIUM
No, I’ll go in, in preference. (To ARGYRIPPUS.) Follow me this way, my life.
ARGYRIPPUS
Yes, I follow.
The COMEDIANS
If this old fellow, unknown to his wife, has been in any way indulging his own inclinations, he has been doing nothing new or wonderful, or otherwise than others are in the habit of doing. No one is there of a disposition so severe, or of a temper so firm,
but that he will enjoy himself when he has any opportunity. Now if you wish to interpose in behalf of this old man, so that he be not punished, we think that it can be brought about if you give us loud applause.
945
