Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
that they don’t employ this one seasoning, which excels them all. For where love shall be the seasoning, that I do believe will please every one; nor can there be anything relishing or sweet, where love is not mixed with it. The gall which is bitter, that same it will make into honey; a man from morose into one cheerful and pleasant. This conjecture do I form rather from myself at home than from anything I’ve heard;
220
STALINO
who, since I’ve been in love with Casina, more than in my young days have excelled Neatness herself in neatness; I give employment to all the perfumers; wherever an unguent is excellent, I perfume myself, that I may please her. And I do please her, as I think. But inasmuch as she keeps living on, my wife’s a torment. (Catches sight of his WIFE, and speaks in a low voice.) I espy her standing there in gloominess. This plaguy baggage must be addressed by me with civility. (Going towards her.) My own wife and my delight, what are you about?
225
CLEOSTRATA
Get you gone, and keep your hand off!
STALINO
O fie! my Juno. You shouldn’t be so cross to your own Jupiter. Where art come now?
230
CLEOSTRATA
Let me alone. (Moves as if going.)
CLEOSTRATA
I shan’t stay.
STALINO
I’ troth, then I’ll follow you. (Follows her.)
CLEOSTRATA
Prithee, are you in your senses?
STALINO
In my senses, inasmuch as I love you.
CLEOSTRATA
I don’t want you to love me.
STALINO
You can’t have your way there.
CLEOSTRATA
You plague me to death.
STALINO
I only wish you spoke the truth.
CLEOSTRATA
There I believe you. (Moves on.)
STALINO
Do look back, O my sweet one.
235
CLEOSTRATA
About as much, I suppose, as you are to me. Whence is this strong smell of perfumes, prithee?
235
STALINO
O dear, I’m undone; to my misfortune, I’m caught in the fact. Why delay to rub it off my head with my cloak? (Rubs his head with his cloak.) May good MercuryMay good Mercury: He probably mentions Mercury, as being the tutelary Divinity of tradesmen. confound you, you perfumer, who provided me with this.
CLEOSTRATA
How now, you worthless grey gnat!Worthless grey gnat: Being both troublesome and insignificant. I can hardly restrain myself from saying what you deserve.
In your old age, good-for-nothing, are you walking along the streets reeking with perfumes?
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