Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
This is the duty of a good servant, to do what I’m intending, not to consider the commands of his master a bore or trouble to him. For that servant who resolves to serve his master with hearty goodwill,
STROBILUS
him it behoves to act expeditiously for his master, slowly for himself; but if he sleeps, let him so sleep as to bethink himself that he is a servant. But he who lives in servitude to one in love, as I am serving, if he sees love overcoming his master, this I think to be the duty of the servant; to restrain him for his safety, not to impel him onwards towards his own inclination.
590
Just as a float of bulrushes is placed beneath boys who are learning to swim, by means of which they may labour less, so as to swim more easily and move their hands; in the same way do I consider that it is proper for the servant to be a buoy to his master thus in love, so as to bear him up lest he should go to the bottom; and so should he learn the will of his master, that his eyes should know what his mouth chooses not to speak.
595
What he orders, he should hasten to perform more swiftly than the swift steeds. He who shall have a care for these things, will escape the castigation of the ox’s hide, nor by his own means will he ever bring the fetters to brightness. Now, my master’s in love with the daughter of this poor man, Euclio; word has just now been brought to my master that she is given to Megadorus here:
600
he has sent me here to spy out, that he may be made acquainted with the things that are going on. Now, without any suspicion, I’ll sit here by the sacred altar By the sacred altar: The Athenians often raised altars to Apollo or Bacchus at their doors. The Romans also had altars in their public streets. On the stage of Comedy there was generally an altar erected in honor of Apollo, προστατηριὸς, that presides.. From this spot I shall be able, in this direction and that, to witness what they are about.
605
[Textpart 2]
O Goddess Faith, do thou but take care not to discover to any person that my gold is there. I have no fear that any one will find it, so well is it concealed in its hiding place.
EUCLIO
By my troth, he will surely have a charming booty there, if any one shall meet with that pot loaded with gold. But I entreat thee, Faith, to hinder that. Now I shall go wash me, that I may perform the sacrifice; so that I may not delay my new connexion by marriage, but that, when he sends to me, he may forthwith take my daughter home. Over and over again now, Goddess Faith, do thou take care that I shall carry away the pot safe from thy Temple.
610
To thy fidelityTo thy fidelity: Tuae fidei. He plays upon the word fides, and flatters himself that his treasure cannot be more secure than when entrusted to the faith of Falt... have I entrusted the gold; in thy grove and Temple is it placed.
615
STROBILUS
Immortal Gods, what a deed did I hear this person speaking of, how that he had hidden here, in the Temple of Faith, a pot filled with gold; prithee, beware you, how you are more faithful to him than to myself! And he, as I fancy, is the father of her whom my master’s in love with.
I’ll go hence into it; I’ll thoroughly ransack the Temple, to see if I can anywhere find the gold, while he’s engaged. But if I do find it, O Goddess Faith, I’ll offer to thee a gallon jug A gallon jug: Congialem. Literally, holding a congius. This contained about nine pints of English measure. By the use of the word fidelia, a jug, he plays on its resemblance to the name of Fides. full of honeyed wine, that I’ll surely offer to thee; but I’ll drink it up myself, when I have offered it.
620
[Textpart 3]
It wasn’t for nothing that the raven was just now croaking on my left handOn my left hand: We cannot fail to remember here the exactly similar expression of Gay, in the fable of the Farmer’s Wife and the Raven: That raven on yon left-hand oak (Curse on his ill-betiding croak!) Bodes me no good. ;
EUCLIO
he was both scratching the ground with his feet and croaking with his voice. At once my heart began to jump about Began to jump about: Ars ludicra here means the art of a ’ludius,’ or stage-player, who moves to and fro and gesticulates-hence cor cœpit artem facere ludicram would strictly mean my heart begins to move to and fro like a play-actor., and to leap within my breast. But why do I delay to run?
625
[Textpart 4]
Out, out, you earthwormEarthworm: He thinks, that in the short space of time during which he has been absent in the Temple, he can only have sprung out of the earth, as he had not seen him a few minutes before; and taking him to be a sort of praestigiator, or juggler, he fancies that he has followed him into the Temple, and purloined the treasure., who have this instant crept out of the earth; who just now were nowhere seen, and now that you are seen shall die for it.
EUCLIO
By my faith, you juggler, I’ll receive you now after a disagreable fashion.
630
STROBILUS
What the curst plague does ail you? What business have you with me, old fellow? Why do you torment me? Why are you dragging me? For what reason are you beating me?
EUCLIO
You out-and-out whipping-post, do you even ask that, you, not thief, but thrice-dotted thief.
STROBILUS
What have I stolen from you?
EUCLIO
Give me that back here, if you please.
STROBILUS
What do you want me to give you back?
EUCLIO
Do you ask me that?
