Perde 5
[Textpart 5]
(To the DOCTOR.) Don’t you hear how deliriously he talks? Why do you delay to give him something by way of a potion, before his raving overtakes him?
DOCTOR.
Stop a little; I’ll question him on some other matters as well.
OLD MAN
You are killing me You are killing me: Occidis fabulans. This remark seems rather to apply to the effect of his chattering, upon the old man himself, who is growing impatient, than upon the supposed madman; though, from the elliptical nature of the expression, the latter may possibly be the meaning. by your prating.
DOCTOR.
Tell me this; are your eyes ever in the habit of becoming hard Of becoming hard: This was supposed to be one of the symptoms of madness.?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What? Do you take me to be a locust To be a locust: The eyes of locusts were considered to be of peculiar hardness. They are very large and prominent. It has been suggested that locusta here means a lobster., you most worthless fellow?
DOCTOR.
Tell me, now, do your bowels ever rumble that you know of?
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MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
When I’m full, they don’t rumble at all; when I’m hungry, then they do rumble.
DOCTOR.
I’ faith, he really gave me that answer not like an insane person. Do you always sleep soundly until daylight? Do you easily go to sleep when in bed?
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
I sleep throughout if I go to sleep if I have paid my money to him to whom I owe it.
May Jupiter and all the Divinities confound you, you questioner.
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DOCTOR.
Now this person begins to rave. (To the OLD MAN.) From those expressions do you take care of yourself.
OLD MAN
Why, he’s now really quite favourable in his language, in comparison with what he was a short time since; for, a little while ago, he was saying that his wife was a raving cur.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What did I say?
OLD MAN
You were raving, I say.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
What, I?
threatened as well to ride me down with your yoked steeds.
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I myself saw you do this; I myself accuse you of this.
MENAECHMUS of Epidamnus.
And I know that you stole That you stole: This expression has been already remarked upon in the Notes to the Trinummus. the sacred crown of Jupiter; and that on that account you were confined in prison; and after you were let out, I know that you were beaten with rods in the bilboes; I know, too, that you murdered your father and sold your mother.
Don’t I give this abuse in answer for your abuse, like a sane person?
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