Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
Why the plague do you wish to give her to a fellow that carries a shield?
CLEOSTRATA
Because it’s our duty to gratify our only son.
STALINO
But although he is an only one, not a bit the more is he my only son than I am his only father.
It’s more becoming for him to conform to me, than for me to him.
265
CLEOSTRATA
By my troth, sir, you’re providing for yourself a serious piece of trouble.
STALINO
She suspects it, I find that. (To his wife.) What, I, do you mean?
CLEOSTRATA
You; but why do. you stammer so? Why do you wish for this with such anxiety?
STALINO
Why, that she may rather be given to a servant that’s honest, than to a servant that’s dishonest.
CLEOSTRATA
What if I prevail upon, and obtain of the bailiff, that for my sake
he’ll give her up to the other one?
270
STALINO
But what if I prevail upon the armour-bearer to give her up to the other one? And I think that I can prevail upon him in this.
270
CLEOSTRATA
That’s agreed upon. Should you like that, in your name, I should call Chalinus hither out of doors? Do you beg of him, and I’ll beg of the bailiff.
STALINO
I’m quite willing.
CLEOSTRATA
He’ll be here just now. Now we’ll make trial which of us two is the most persuasive. (She goes into the house.)
STALINO
May Hercules and the Gods confound her!—a thing that now I’m at liberty to say. I’m wretchedly distracted with love; but she, as though on purpose, thwarts me. My wife has some suspicion now of this that I’m planning; for that reason is she purposely lending her assistance to the armour-bearer.
275
[Textpart 4]
May all the Gods and Goddesses confound him!
CHALINUS
Your wife said that you were calling me.
STALINO
Why yes, I did order you to be sent for.
280
CHALINUS
Tell me what you want.
280
STALINO
In the first place, I want you to speak to me with a more cheerful countenance.
