Perde 3
[Textpart 3]
What you ought to do; take care and consider.
565
DEMIPHO
Consider what? Why troth, for my own part, I think there’s need for my doing this, going in-doors there, I mean.
LYSIMACHUS
What, is it so, you old wether? Would you be going in?
DEMIPHO
What should I do else?
LYSIMACHUS
First listen to this, and attend; there’s something even before this that I think it proper you should do.
For if you now go in-doors to her, you’ll be wishing to embrace her, chatting with her, and kissing her.
570
DEMIPHO
Really you know my feelings; you understand what I would be at.
LYSIMACHUS
You will be doing wrong.
DEMIPHO
What, with that which you love?
LYSIMACHUS
So much the less reason. Would you, full of hungriness, with a foul breath,
a stinking old fellow, be kissing a woman? And wouldn’t you, as you approached, be setting a female vomiting?
575
DEMIPHO
I’ faith, I’m sure that you’re in love, as you point out these things beforehand to me. What then, if I give a dinner? If you approve of this, let’s lay hold of some cook, who may be cooking away a meal Cooking away a meal: Prandium here does not mean the morning meal, similar to our breakfast, but a feast or banquet in general.
here at your house, even until the evening.
580
LYSIMACHUS
Well, I’m of that way of thinking. Now you are talking wisely, and like a lover.
580
DEMIPHO
Why are we standing here? Why then don’t we be off and procure the provisions, that we may be comfortable?
LYSIMACHUS
For my part, I’ll follow you. And, i’ troth, you’ll be finding out a lodging for her, if you are prudent;
for, i’ faith, she shan’t be at my house a single day beyond the present; I’m afraid of my wife, lest, if she should return from the country to-morrow, she’ll be finding her here.
585
[Textpart 4]
Am I not a wretched mortal, who can rest quietly nowhere? If I’m at home, my mind’s abroad; but if I’m abroad, my mind’s at home.
CHARINUS
To such a degree. has love kindled a flame in my breast and in my heart; did not the tears fall from my eyes, why then, I doubt, my head would be on fire. I cling to hope; safety I’ve lost; whether she’ll return or no, I know not. If my father seizes her, as he has said, then my welfare is gone in exile; but if my companion has done what he promised, then my welfare has not departed.
590
But still, even if Eutychus had had gouty feet, he could have been back from the harbour by this. This is a very great fault of his, that he is too slow, against the wishes of my feelings. But (looking towards the side) isn’t this he whom I espy running? ’Tis he himself; I’ll go meet him. (Clasps his hands.) Thou who art the overlooker of Gods and of men and the mistress of mortals as well, inasmuch as thou hast indulged me in this hope that I entertained, I do return thee thanks. Does any hope remain? Alas! I’m utterly undone. His countenance by no means pleases me!
595
