Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
Is she, pray, a Courtesan, who took it up?
LAMPADISCUS
Yes, she was a Courtesan. But how it happened, I’ll tell you about that matter. I was now winning her over to me by my persuasion. The old woman embraced her knees, weeping and entreating that she would not forsake her; saying that she was her own daughter; and she took a solemn oath to me that she herself had borne her.
565
Her, said she, whom you are in search of, I gave to a friend of mine to bring her up as her own daughter; and she is alive, said she. Where is she? immediately said I.
570
PHANOSTRATA
Preserve me, ye Gods, I do entreat you.
MELAENIS
But me you are undoing!
PHANOSTRATA
You ought to have enquired to whom she gave it.
LAMPADISCUS
I did enquire, and she said to the Courtesan Melaenis.
575
MELAENIS
He has mentioned my name? I’m utterly undone!
LAMPADISCUS
When she mentioned her, I straightway asked, Where does she live? said I; take and show me. She has been carried off hence, says she, to live abroad.
MELAENIS
He’s sprinkling He’s sprinkling: This metaphor, which is also used in the Trinummus, is taken from the custom of throwing cold water on persons when in a fainting state a little cold water now.
LAMPADISCUS
Wherever she has been carried off, thither we will follow. Do you trifle in this fashion? You are undone, if, i’ faith, you don’t disclose this.I insisted to such a degree, that the old woman swore that she would soon inform me.
580
PHANOSTRATA
But you oughtn’t to have let her go.
LAMPADISCUS
She’s all safe; but she said that she wished first to meet a certain woman, a friend of hers, with whom this was a matter of interest in common, and I’m sure she’ll come.
585
MELAENIS
She’ll be discovering me, and adding her own distress to mine.
PHANOSTRATA
Make me acquainted what you now wish me to do.
LAMPADISCUS
Go in-doors, and be of good heart. If your husband shall come, bid him wait at home, lest he should be required by me, if I want him for anything. I’m going to run back to the old woman.
PHANOSTRATA
Lampadio, prithee, do take care.
LAMPADISCUS
I’ll have this matter well managed.
595
PHANOSTRATA
I trust in the Gods and in yourself.
LAMPADISCUS
And I in the same.—that you’ll now go home.
