Perde 2
[Textpart 2]
Give heed, then.
LYSIMACHUS
It shall be carefully done.
DEMIPHO
This day, Lysimachus, I’ve begun to go to school to learn my letters. I know three letters already.
LYSIMACHUS
How? Three letters?
DEMIPHO
A M O [I am in love].
LYSIMACHUS
What! you, in love, with your hoary head, you most shocking old fellow?
305
DEMIPHO
Whether that is hoary, or whether red, or whether black, I’m in love.
LYSIMACHUS
You’re now playing upon me in this, I fancy, Demipho.
DEMIPHO
Cut my throat, if it’s false, what I’m saying. That you may be sure I’m in love, take a knife, and do you cut off
either my finger, or my ear, or my nose, or my lip: if I move me, or feel that I’m being cut, then, Lysimachus, I give you leave to torture me to death here with being in love.
310
LYSIMACHUS
If ever you’ve seen a lover in a picture, why, there he is (pointing at DEMIPHO): for really, in my way of thinking, an antiquated, decrepit old man
is just about the same as though he were a figure painted upon a wall.
315
DEMIPHO
Now, I suppose, you are thinking of censuring me.
LYSIMACHUS
What, I, censure you?
DEMIPHO
Well, there’s no reason that you should censure me. Other distinguished men have done the like before.
It’s natural to be in love, it’s natural, as well, to be considerate. Then, please, don’t reprove me; no inclination impelled me to this.
LYSIMACHUS
Why, I’m not reproving you.
DEMIPHO
But still, don’t you think any the worse of me for acting thus.
LYSIMACHUS
I, think the worse of you? O, may the Deities forbid it.
DEMIPHO
Still, please, only do take care of that.
