Perde 2
[Textpart 3]
But why?
405
DEMIPHO
Because, with those good looks, it would be scandalous if she were to be following a matron when she’s walking through the streets; all people would be staring, gazing, nodding, winking, hissing, twitching, crying out, be annoying, and singing serenades at our door; my door, perhaps, would be filled with the charcoal marks With the charcoal marks: Colman, who translated this Play in Thornton’s edition, has this Note here: Some consider these words as alluding to defamatory, rather than commendatory verses, alleging that praise was written in chalk, and scandal in coal. Ilia prius chartâ, mox haec carbone. I have followed the opinion, however, of other Commentators, who suppose that in these cases chalk, or coal, or lighted torches, were used indiscriminately, according to the colour of the ground—as a Poet would write a panegyric in black ink upon white paper, or a lover delineate the name of his mistress with the smoke of a candle on a white-washed ceiling. of her praises;
405
and, according as persons are scandalizing at the present day, they might throw it in the teeth of my wife and myself, that we are carrying on the business of a Procurer. Now what occasion is there for this?
410
CHARINUS
Why, faith, you say what’s just, and I agree with you. But what shall be done with her now?
DEMIPHO
Exactly; I’ll buy for your mother some stout wench of a female slave, not a bad servant, but of ungainly figure,
as befits the mistress of a family—either a Syrian or an Egyptian woman: she shall do the grinding, spin out the yarn, and stand a lashing; and on her account no disgrace at all will be befalling our doors.
415
CHARINUS
What then if she is restored to the person of whom she was purchased?
DEMIPHO
By no means in the world.
CHARINUS
He said that he would take her back, if she didn’t suit.
DEMIPHO
There’s no need of that;
I don’t want you to get into litigation, nor yet your honor to be called in question. I’ troth, I would much rather, if any must be endured, put up with the loss myself, than that disgrace or scandal on account of a woman should be brought upon my house. I think that I am able to sell for you at a good profit.
420
CHARINUS
I’ faith, so long, indeed, as you don’t be selling her at a less price than I bought her at, father.
DEMIPHO
Do you only hold your tongue; there is a certain old gentleman who commissioned me to buy one for him of just that same appearance.
CHARINUS
But, father, a certain young man commissioned me to buy one for him of just that same appearance that she is of.
DEMIPHO
I think that I am able to dispose of her for twenty minae.
CHARINUS
But, if I had chosen, there have been already seven-and-twenty minae offered.
430
CHARINUS
Nay, but I, I say—
DEMIPHO
But you don’t know what I was going to say; do hold your tongue. I can add three minae even to that, so that there will be thirty.
CHARINUS
What are you turning yourself towards?
