Perde 5
[Textpart 2]
I am as I am.
1180
1st BACCHIS
Step this way in-doors with me, where you may be elegantly received with viands, wine, and unguents.
NICOBULUS
Enough, enough now of your banquets; it matters not to me how I’m received. My son and Chrysalus have choused me out of four hundred Philippeans. If I don’t surely this day put him to the torture, may I never receive as large a sum again.
1st BACCHIS
What, pray, if half the gold is paid you back? Will you go in-doors here with me, and so control your feelings as to forgive them their faults?
1185
NICOBULUS
Certainly not—I won’t—I don’t care—let me alone, now. (Shakes him off.) I had rather punish them both.
PHILOXENUS
Take you care, you good-for-nothing man, that through your own fault you don’t lose even that which the favouring Gods offer you. One half of the gold is offered; take it, and carouse, and enjoy yourself with your partner.
NICOBULUS
What, am I to carouse in that very place where my son is being corrupted?
1190
PHILOXENUS
You must carouse there.
1190
NICOBULUS
Am I to be the witness of it when she is reclining with him at table?
1st BACCHIS
Nay, so far as I’m concerned, i’ faith, I’ll recline at table with your own self.
NICOBULUS
My head does itch soDoes itch so: Being in doubt what to do, he scratches his head, and then tries to turn it off by saying, Bless me, how my head does itch.. (Aside.) I’m a ruined man—I can scarce deny her.
PHILOXENUS
And has it not before this come into your mind, that if, while you live, you enjoy yourself,
that, i’ faith, is for no very long time; and that, if you lose the present day, it can never return to you after you are dead?
1195
NICOBULUS
What am I to do?
PHILOXENUS
What are you to do? Do you even ask it?
NICOBULUS
I should like, and yet I’m afraid.
1st BACCHIS
What are you afraid of?
NICOBULUS
Lest I should be exposed before my son and my servant.
1st BACCHIS
Pray now, my honey; such things do happen. He’s your own son; whence do you suppose that he is to have money, except that only which you give him yourself? Let me obtain pardon of you for them both.
