Perde 1
PHAEDROMUS
Because I’m for having her as my own; I love her equally as well.
PALINURUS
Clandestine courtship is bad; ’tis utter ruin.
PHAEDROMUS
I’ troth, ’tis so as you say.
50
PALINURUS
Has she as yet submitted to the yoke of Venus?
50
PHAEDROMUS
For me she is as chaste as though she were my own sister, unless, indeed, she is any the more unchaste for some kissing.
PALINURUS
Always, do you understand, flame follows very close on smoke; with smoke, nothing can be burnt, with flame, it can.
He who wishes to eat the kernel To eat the kernel: This is exactly our proverb, which implies that labour attends every pursuit—To extract the kernel, you must crack the shell. of the nut, first breaks the nut; he who wishes to seduce, opens the dance Opens the dance: There is an indecent allusion intended in this line, which is somewhat modified in the translation. with kisses.
55
PHAEDROMUS
But she is chaste, and never yet has bestowed her favours upon man.
PALINURUS
That I could believe I could believe: Palinurus thinks it impossible that such a wretch as Cappadox would leave her untouched., if any Procurer had any shame.
PHAEDROMUS
Well, but what think you of her? When she has any opportunity,
she steals away to me; when she has given me a kiss, she’s off again. This happens by reason of this, because this Procurer is lying a-bed ill in the Temple In the Temple: It was the custom of those who wished to ask anything of the Gods, to lie in their Temples, in order that they might receive their answers and instructions in their sleep. of Aesculapius; that fellow is my torturer.
60
PHAEDROMUS
At one time he asks me for thirty minae for her, at another for a great talent; and from him I cannot obtain any fair and just dealing.
PALINURUS
You are too exacting, in requiring that of him which no Procurer possesses.
65
PHAEDROMUS
Now, I’ve sent my Parasite hence to Caria To Caria : Caria was in Asia Minor. Schmieder justly observes, that the Parasite must have used the wings of Daedalus, to go from Epidaurus in the Peloponnesus, to Caria, and discharge his commission and return in four days only. A Roman audience would not, however, be likely to know much about the relative distance of places so far off., to ask for money on loan from my friend; if he doesn’t bring me this, which way to turn myself I know not.
PALINURUS
If you salute the Deities, towards the right Towards the right: Dextrovorsum. A quibble seems to be intended in the use of this word; Palinurus, in saying turn to the right hand, probably meaeis, sarcastically, turn to a right course of life. I think; now this is this altar of Venus before their door.
70
PHAEDROMUS
I have already vowed to bring me To bring me: Me inferre. These words may mean, according to the context, either myself to bring or to bring myself. Phaedromus means to use them in the former sense; but, in his quibbling mood, Palinurus chooses to understand them in the latter. an early breakfast for my Venus For my Venus: By his Venus he means Planesium, with whom he is desperately in love, and for whom and the Procuress he is carrying the jentaculum. This was a meal which, we learn from Martial, was generally taken about three or four o’clock in the morning. It was, however, taken by few but invalids and children. The reason of Phaedromus providing a jentaculum for his mistress is probably the circumstance of the Procurer not being likely to interfere, as he has determined to pass the night in the Temple of Aesculapius..
PALINURUS
What? Will you then be giving up yourself as a breakfast to Venus?
PHAEDROMUS
Myself, and you, and all of these.
