Perde 5
[Textpart 4]
Where are you, you who imitate the morals of the MassiliansOf the Massilians: It is not at all settled by Commentators what is the meaning of this line. Massilia, now Marseilles, was a colony of the Phocaeans. Cicero, in his Speech for L. Flaccus, particularly alludes to the strictness of their morals. It is possible that this good character may have passed into a proverb, and that Chalinus banteringly calls Stalino one who cultivates Massilian or the strictest morals. Schmieder, however, thinks that a pun on the word Massilienses is intended, and that as Stalino has met with a mas, or male, where he had hoped to find a female, Chalinus comes forward and asks him what he thinks of the Mas-silians; just as we in a similar case might say (though perhaps rather tamely) the Man-chester people.? Now, if you wish to be taking liberties with me, is a good opportunity
CHALINUS
[ at your risk. By my troth, you are undone. Come, only step this way. Now I fancy that when a witness out of I’ll find thus out of the street I order a murmur I
965
STALINO
Now am I in extreme danger, between the stone and the sacrifice, nor know I which way to fly The wolf-dogs it was
970
CHALINUS
I’ faith, I do think old there now like new.]
STALINO
I’ll go this way. I trust that the omen of a bitch’s barking will prove the betterWill prove the better: It is somewhat difficult to say exactly what he means. In l. 927, he seems to be anneyed at being called back as he is running (probably down one of the streets that debouched on the stage). Revocamen, being called back, was particularly considered as a bad omen among the Romans. He, perhaps, now changes his mind, and says to himself, This is a bad omen; I’ll turn back; and bad as it is, the barking of my wife may prove a better one..
CLEOSTRATA
What are you doing, my husband, my good man? Whence come you in this guise?
What have you done with your walking-stick, or how disposed of the cloak you had?
975
TWO MAID-SERVANTS
While he was playing his loving pranks with Casina, he lost it, I fancy.
CHALINUS
Shall we go to bed again? I am Casina.
STALINO
Away with you to utter perdition!
CHALINUS
Don’t you love me?
CLEOSTRATA
Nay, but answer me; what has become of your cloak?
STALINO
[Upon my faith, wife, the Bacchantes!
BacchantesBacchantes! Bacchantes!: He tries to make an excuse by implication: pretending to be in a fright, he shouts out, wishing them to believe that he has met a gang of Bacchanalian votaries (who were not very particular as to doing mischief to any one they met). Unfortunately for him, a servant-maid suggests that no feast of Bacchus is going on at that time of the year, and that consequently the Bacchantes are not out.!
TWO MAID-SERVANTS
He’s making pretence on purpose
for, upon my word, no Bacchantes are exhibiting at the present time.
980
STALINO
I forgot that. But still, the Bacchantes!—
980
CLEOSTRATA
How, the Bacchantes?
