Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
Now, my dear father, do you henceforth be on your guard against him,
CHRYSALUS
for he is forming knavish plans to deprive you of the gold, and has declared that he will have it beyond a doubt. Write legibly.
740
MNESILOCHUS
You only dictate.
CHRYSALUS
And he promises that he will give this gold to me, for me to give away to naughty women, and to consume it and live like a GreekLive like a Greek: It has been before remarked, that the Greek mode of free living had passed into a proverb with the Romans, among whom a person of a licentious mode of life was said congraecare, to live like a Greek. Plautus forgets that the scene is at Athens. in dens of infamy. But, father, do you take care that he does not impose on you this day; I entreat you, do beware.
MNESILOCHUS
Only say on.
745
CHRYSALUS
Just write on, then.
745
MNESILOCHUS
Only say what I am to write
745
CHRYSALUS
But, father, what you promised me I beg that you will remember, that you will not beat him, but keep him in chains at your house at home. Do you give me the wax and cord forthwith. Come, fasten it, and seal it in an instant.
MNESILOCHUS
Prithee, what use is there in this writing after such a fashion,
that he is to give no credence to you, and to keep you in chains at home?
750
CHRYSALUS
Because it pleases me so. Can’t you possibly take care of your own self, and have no thought about me? In confidence in myself I undertook the task, and at my own peril do I carry on the matter.
MNESILOCHUS
You say what’s true.
CHRYSALUS
Give me the tablets.
CHRYSALUS
Give attention now; Mnesilochus, and you, Pistoclerus, do you take care that each of you goes at once and reclines on his couch
with his mistress; so ’tis requisite; and on that same spot where the couches are now laid, do you forthwith commence to carouse.
755
PISTOCLERUS
Anything else?
CHRYSALUS
This, and this especially: when you shall have once taken your places together, don’t you arise anyhow, until the signal shall be given by me.
PISTOCLERUS
O skilful commander!
CHRYSALUS
You ought by this time to have taken your second draught.
