Perde 4
[Textpart 2]
Have a care, if you please.
ERGASILUS
Yes, by Alatrium!
HEGIO
Why are you swearing by foreign cities?
ERGASILUS
Why, because they are just as disagreable as you were declaring your fare to be.
ERGASILUS
Because that you don’t believe me at all in what I say in sober earnestness. But of what country was Stalagmus, at the time when ne departed hence?
ERGASILUS
But now he is not a Sicilian—he is a Boian; he has got a Boian woman.Got a Boian woman: There is an indelicate meaning in the expression Boiam terere. The whole line is intended as a play upon words. Boia means either a collar, which was placed round a prisoner’s neck, or a female of the nation of the Boii in Gaul. Boiam terere may mean either to have the prisoner’s collar on, or, paraphrastically, to be coupled with a Boian woman. Ergasilus having seen Stalagmus in the packet-boat with this collar on, declares that Stalagmus is a Sicilian no longer, for he has turned Boian having a Boian helpmate. A wife, I suppose, has been given to him for the sake of obtaining children.
HEGIO
Tell me, have you said these words to me in good earnest?
890
ERGASILUS
In good earnest.
890
HEGIO
Immortal Gods, I seem to be born again, if you are telling the truth.
ERGASILUS
Do you say so? Will you still entertain doubts, when I have solemnly sworn to you? In fine, Hegio, if you have little confidence in my oath, go yourself to the harbour and see.
HEGIO
I’m determined to do so. Do you arrange in-doors what’s requisite. Use, ask for, take from my larder what you like; I appoint you cellarman.
ERGASILUS
Now, by my troth, if I have not prophesied truly to you, do you comb me out with a cudgel.
HEGIO
I’ll find you in victuals to the end, if you are telling me the truth.
ERGASILUS
Whence shall it be?
HEGIO
From myself and from my son.
ERGASILUS
Do you promise that?
ERGASILUS
But I, in return, promiseI, in return, promise: Ergasilus says, Do you really promise me this fine entertainment? To which, Hegio answers, Spondeo, I do promise. On this, Ergasilus replies, that your son really has returned, I answer you, respondeo, or, as he intends it to be meant, I promise you once again, or in return for your promise. you that your son has arrived.
