Perde 5
[Textpart 1]
Immortal Gods, with what and how great delights do you present me! I’ve got a four pound pot filled with gold; who there is richer than I?
STROBILUS
What man is there greater than I at Athens now; any one, I mean, to whom the Gods are propitious?
810
LYCONIDES
Why, surely, I seemed just now to hear the voice of some one speaking here.
STROBILUS
Ha! do I not see my master?
LYCONIDES
Do I see Strobilus now, my servant?
STROBILUS
’Tis he himself.
STROBILUS
I’ll accost him.
LYCONIDES
I’ll step outI’ll step out: It must be supposed that Strobilus is a good way down a street, which emerges on the stage right opposite the Spectators; while Lyconides is in the front of the stage, and consequently beyond the nearer end of the street. towards him. I do think that he has been, as I requested him, to the old woman, the nurse herself of this damsel.
STROBILUS
Why don’t I tell him that I’ve found this prize, and speak out? For that reason, I’ll beg of him to make me free. I’ll go and speak to him. (Addressing him.) I’ve found—
LYCONIDES
What have you found?
STROBILUS
Not that which the boys cry out that they’ve found in the beanFound in the bean: This is explained as meaning a little worm or weevil, which boys used to seek for in beans and other pulse, and which they called Midas.
LYCONIDES
And are you trifling with me then, as you are in the habit of doing?
STROBILUS
Master, stop; I’ll speak out then; do listen.
820
LYCONIDES
Come then, tell me.
820
STROBILUS
I’ve found to-day, master very great riches.
820
STROBILUS
A four pound potA four pound pot: Quadrilibris probably alludes to the capacity of the pot, and not its weight. It was probably a jar made to contain four pounds weight of liquid., I say, full of gold!
LYCONIDES
What crime is this that I hear of from you?
STROBILUS
I’ve stolen it from this old fellow, Euclio.Part of line 822 in the Latin.
