Perde 4
[Textpart 7]
The mistress is going away.
PERISTRATA
What, going away? Call her.
LYCISSA
Dorippa! Dorippa!
DORIPPA
What nuisance is this? Who’s calling me back?
PERISTRATA
I’m not a nuisance, but a well-wisher; and it’s your friend Peristrata addresses you. Prithee, do stay.
DORIPPA
Why, Peristrata—i’ faith, I didn’t know you: dreadful vexation is tormenting and agitating me.
PERISTRATA
This I enquire about—prithee don’t deny me. I heard you just now; tell me what annoyance is troubling you.
DORIPPA
Peristrata, so may the Gods prosper your only son, do kindly lend me your attention; none could be given me more agreably: our ages are alike; together we grew up; we have husbands alike in age; with no one do I converse with greater pleasure. I’m really annoyed with good reason. What now would your feelings be, if at this time of life your husband Demipho were to bring a mistress before your eyes?
PERISTRATA
Has he brought one?
PERISTRATA
She’s at your house?
DORIPPA
At my house; aye, and cooks were hired; a banquet was being prepared, if my coming hadn’t upset everything. Venus and Cupid are tormenting the wretched old fellow at an unseasonable time.
PERISTRATA
But these things are trifles, Dorippa. I wish that I wasn’t more wretched.
PERISTRATA
Really trifles.
DORIPPA
What worse could your husband do?
PERISTRATA
Aye, worse than worse.
DORIPPA
What is it? Prithee do say. As you to me, so I to you, let’s give advice to each other what needs to be done, It’s an old saying, that, he’s truly wise who is wise at the risk of another.
PERISTRATA
Dorippa, I have an only son; do you know that?
