Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
the answer that I have given them, by that opinion they all stand.
250
[Textpart 2]
Palinurus, why do you delay? Why are not the things served out for me which are needed for the breakfast to be prepared for the Parasite when he comes.
PALINURUS
Wait, please, until I interpret his dream. (Pointing to CAPPADOX.)
COOK
Why, you your own self, if you’ve had any dream, always apply to me.
PALINURUS
I confess it.
255
COOK
Be off, then, and serve out the things.
255
PALINURUS
Come now, do you in the meantime relate your dream to him. I give you a substitute better than I am myself; for what I do know, all of it I know from him.
255
CAPPADOX
Let him give his attention then.
CAPPADOX
He does what few do, in being attentive to their masters even. (To the COOK.) Do you give me your attention then.
COOK
Although I don’t know you, I’ll give it you.
CAPPADOX
Last night I seemed in my sleep to behold Aesculapius, seated at a distance far away from me; and it seemed that he didn’t come near me, or set any value upon me.
260
COOK
The other Gods will do the same, you must know; in fact, among themselves they agree with perfect unanimity.
It isn’t to be wondered at, if it fares no better with you. But it had been better for you to pass the night in Jove’s Temple, who has given you his assistance Given you his assistance: — He may either mean that Jupiter has favoured him when he has been guilty of perjury, or that the Procurer must be greatly indebted to that God for having so often lent him his name on his making solemn adjurations to further his base purposes. in your oaths.
265
CAPPADOX
If, indeed, those should wish to sleep there who have been guilty of perjury, it were not possible for room to be found them in the Capitol In the Capitol: Though the Scene is in the Peloponnesus, Plautus makes mention of the Capitol, a part of Rome. Some others of the Italian towns had their Capitols in later times..
COOK
Give your attention to this; ask peace of Aesculapius, lest perchance some great mishap befall you, which has been portended to you in your rest.
270
CAPPADOX
You do well in advising me; I’ll go and pray to him. (Goes into the Temple.)
COOK
And ill speed you with it
PALINURUS
O immortal Gods, whom do I behold? Who’s that yonder?
Isn’t that the Parasite, who was sent to Caria? (Goes to the door.) Hallo, come out, Phaedromus, come out, come out, come out this instant, I say.
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