Perde 2
[Textpart 1]
Mostly all menMostly all men: Apaecides has been talking in-doors with Periphanes about his supposed daughter who has lately come home, and is recommending him to atone to Philippa for his conduct to her, by marrying her. It is supposed that Terence had this passage in view in the Andria, l. 637-8. are ashamed when they have no occasion to be; when they ought to be ashamed, then does shame forsake them, when there’s a necessity for their being ashamed. That man, in fact, are you. What is there to be ashamed of
APAECIDES
in your bringing home a wife, poor, but born of good family? Especially her, whose daughter you say this girl is, who is at your house?
170
PERIPHIANES
I have some regard for my son Regard for my son: It was looked upon as a disgraceful thing for a father with grown-up sons to marry again, and thereby introduce a mother-in-law into his family. Apaecides blames Periphanes for this scruple, and hints to him that he ought not to be more ashamed on account of his son, than of his late wife, who, being dead, and for whom he had no hearty liking, could not make him blush at a second marriage..
APAECIDES
But, i’ faith, the wife whom you buried I thought you had felt some respect for;
whose tomb as oft as you see, you straightway sacrifice victims to Orcus; and not without reason, in fact, since you’ve been allowed to get the better of her by surviving her.
175
PERIPHIANES
Ah me! I was a Hercules while she was with me; and, upon my faith, the sixth labour The sixth labour: The sixth labour of Hercules was his combat with the Amazons, when he took Antiope or Hippolyts, their queen, and carried off her girdle. was not more difficult to Hercules than the one that fell to my lot.
APAECIDES
I’ faith, money’s a handsome dowry.
180
PERIPHIANES
Troth, so it is, which isn’t encumbered with a wife.
180
[Textpart 2]
Hist! hist! be silent, and have good courage; with a fair omen have I come out of doors, the bird upon the left hand Bird upon the left hand: Among the Romans the Augur looked to the South, having the East on his left hand, which was considered the auspicious quarter. The Greeks considered birds on the left hand an ill omen.. (Pointing to his head.) I’ve got a sharp knife, with which to embowel the old man’s purse;
EPIDICUS
but see! here he is before the house of Apaecides, the two old fellows, just as I want. Now I shall change me into a leech, and suck out the blood of these who are called the pillars of the Senate.
PERIPHIANES
Let him be married at once.
APAECIDES
I approve of your design.
PERIPHIANES
For I’ve heard that he’s entangled with love with a certain music-girl, I don’t know who. At that I’m vexed to death.
EPIDICUS
By my troth, all the Deities do aid, amplify, and love me; really, these men themselves are pointing out to me the way by means of which I’m to get the money out of them. Now then, come, equip yourself, Epidicus, and throw your cloak about your neck (suiting the action to the word.)
and pretend as though you had been in search of the man all the city over. On with it, if you are going to do it! (He hurries past the OLD MEN as though he didn’t see them, and calls out aloud.) Immortal Gods! I do wish I could meet with Periphanes at home, whom I’m tired with searching for all over the city, throughout the doctors’ shops, throughout the barbers’ shops, in the gymnasium, and in the Forum, at the perfumers’ shops and the butchers’ stalls Butchers’ stalls: Lanienas. Madame Dacier thinks that this means a place where arms were sold, and the lanistae, or gladiators exercised themselves., and round about the bankers’ shops.
195
I’m become hoarse with enquiring; I’ve almost dropped down with running.
200
EPIDICUS
Who is it that’s calling Epidicus back?
PERIPHIANES
It’s I, Periphanes.
APAECIDES
And I, Apaecides.
