Perde 4
[Textpart 10]
Heyday! he hasn’t been sparingHasn’t been sparing: By this expression he means that his son has written a very long letter, as he has been neither sparing of the wax for the table’s, nor of the use of the stylus or pen. of his wax or pen. But whatever it is, I’m resolved to read it through. Attend to me, please, this very instant.
CHRYSALUS
When you choose, read on; I devote to you the attention of my ears.
995
NICOBULUS
Bless me! the letters are small.
CHRYSALUS
To one, indeed, who cannot see well with his eyes but they are quite large enough for one who can see well.
NICOBULUS
Give your attention then.
995
(He reads.) Father, I beseech you, do give two hundred Philippeans to Chrysalus, if you wish me to be safe or alive for you—
CHRYSALUS
By my troth, really a very great mistake,
NICOBULUS
What’s the matter?
CHRYSALUS
He hasn’t first written the salutation to you.
1000
NICOBULUS
I don’t see it anywhere.
1000
CHRYSALUS
Even from its very commencement the letter is an impertinent one.
If you are wise, you’ll not give it; but at the best, if you give it him, why, let him find out some other porter for himself, if he is wise; for I won’t carry it if you order me ever so much. I’ve been quite enough suspected as it is, when I was guiltless of a fault.
NICOBULUS
Listen on now, while I read through what’s written.
1005
(Reading.) I am ashamed, father, to appear before you in your presence; such disgraceful conduct of mine have I heard that you are aware of, that I have formed an intercourse with the wife of a strange Captain.
By my troth, you are not joking there; for I have saved your life from the consequences of this foul deed with two hundred golden Philippeans.
1010
CHRYSALUS
There’s not a particle of these things but what I’ve told him.
NICOBULUS
I confess that I have acted foolishly. But I beseech you, father, do not forsake me, if, in my folly, I have transgressed.
Of fierce desires, and eyes uncontrolled, have I been; I have been urged on to do a deed of which I am now ashamed. It were proper, then, that you should have taken heed before you were ashamed.
1015
CHRYSALUS
All these very same words did I say to him only just now.
