Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
Capital; let’s go.
760
CHRYSALUS
Do you take care of your duty, and I’ll do mine.
760
[Textpart 5]
A tremendously great business am I undertaking, and I have my fears how in this one day I may accomplish it. But now I have occasion for the old blade to be fierce and savage at me. For it suits not this plan of mine
CHRYSALUS
that the old fellow should be calm when he has beheld me in his presence. I’ll turn him aboutTurn him about: It is not improbable that this figure is borrowed from frying fish in the kitchen—When he is done on one side, I’ll turn him on the Other. this day, finely, if I live. I’ll have him parched as well as ever pea was parchedPea was parched: Frictum cicer, parched vetches. Horace mentions these dainties. They were mostly purchased by the lower orders, and by slaves.. I’ll walk before the door, that when he comes out, at once as he comes up, I may put the lettersPut the letter: His object is to entrap old Nicobulus in such a way that he must of necessity see his son in the company of the damsels, on which he will be inclined the more readily to believe the story that he has formed an intrigue with the wife of the Captain. in his hand.
765
[Textpart 6]
This is a matter of great vexation to me, that Chrysalus has thus escaped me this day.
770
CHRYSALUS
I’m all right: the old fellow is in a passion. Now’s my time for me to accost my man.
NICOBULUS
Who speaks hard by? (Looking round.) Why surely this is Chrysalus, I think.
CHRYSALUS
I’ll accost him.
NICOBULUS
My honest servant, hail to you. What’s doing now? How soon do I set sail for Ephesus, to bring back the gold home from Theotimus? What—silent? I swear by all the Gods, if I didn’t love my son so much as to wish everything done for him that he desires
775
that your sides should be wealed now right well with rods, and that in irons at the mill you should be lingering out your life. I’ve learnt of Mnesilochus all your wicked pranks.
CHRYSALUS
Has he accused me? ’Tis very good; I am a bad one, I am a cursed one—a wicked one. Only reflect upon the matter. I’ll utter not one word.
NICOBULUS
What? Hangdog, do you even threaten meEven threaten me: Nicobulus takes it for a threat, when he tells him specta rem modo only reflect upon the matter.?
785
CHRYSALUS
You’ll find out before long what sort of man he is. He ordered me just now to carry this letter to you. He requested that that which is there written may be done.
CHRYSALUS
Take notice of the seal.
NICOBULUS
I know it. Where is he himself?
I ought to know nothing now; I’ve forgotten everything. I know that I’m a slave; I know not even that which I do know. (Aside.) Now from the springe this thrush is catching at the worm; he’ll be finely noosed this day, so well I’ve set the snare.
790
NICOBULUS
Stay here but a moment; I’ll return to you directly, Chrysalus.
CHRYSALUS
How he does dissemble with me; how ignorant I am of the business he’s about. He has gone to fetch slaves from in-doors to bind me. The ship speeds prosperously on; finely, too, is this craft boarding itCraft boarding it: Pulcre haec confertur ratis. This is a figure taken from naval affairs. Ships were said conferri when they closed together on commencing the engagement.. But I’ll hold my tongue, for I hear the door opening.
795
