Perde 2
[Textpart 4]
marry Casina. If that’s done, why look, it’s all over with me in my old age! If she does not prevail, there is still some tiny hope in the lots. But if the lots fail me, I’ll make a pillow of a sword, and lay me down upon it. But see, most opportunely Olympio’s coming out of doors.
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[Textpart 5]
By my faith, all in an instant shut me up in a hot furnace,
OLYMPIO
and parch me there for a hard-baked biscuitA hard-baked biscuit: Panis rubidus, literally, red bread, was probably a kind of bread or biscuit, which received its name from its being highly baked, till it was red, or of a deep-brown colour., good mistress, before you shall gain that point of me which you desire.
310
STALINO
I’m all right. My hope’s realized, according as I hear his words.
OLYMPIO
But why do you frighten me about liberty? Why, even though you should oppose it, and your son as well,
against your wills and in spite of you both, for a single pennyFor a single penny: Libella, the same as the as; a small silver coin, the tenth part of the denarius. I can become free.
315
STALINO
What’s this? Who are you wrangling with, Olympio?
OLYMPIO
With the same person that you always are.
STALINO
What, with my wife?
OLYMPIO
What wife are you speaking of to me? Really you are a hunter, as it were:
your nights and days you pass with a female curWith a female cur: Cum cane. Literally, with a bitch an expression too coarse for ears polite..
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STALINO
What does she say? What’s she talking to you about?
OLYMPIO
She’s begging and entreating of me that I won’t be taking Casina as my wife.
STALINO
What did you say after that?
OLYMPIO
Why, I declared that I wouldn’t give way to Jupiter himself, if he were to entreat me.
STALINO
May the Gods preserve you for me!
OLYMPIO
She’s now all in a ferment; she’s swelling so against me.
325
STALINO
By my troth, I could like her to burst in the middle.
OLYMPIO
I’ faith, I fancy she will, if indeed you manage cleverly. But your amorousness, i’ faith, is a cause of trouble to me; your wife is at enmity with me, your son at enmity,
my fellow-servants at enmity.
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