Perde 4
[Textpart 4]
Just as I want you.
MILPHIDIPPA
How do you do, our master-plotter?
PALAESTRIO
I, the master-plotter? Nonsense.
PALAESTRIO
Because, in comparison with yourself, I am not worthy to fix a beam in a wall.
1140
ACROTELEUTIUM
Aye, indeed so.
PALAESTRIO
She’s a very fluent and a very clever hand at mischief. How charmingly she did polish off the Captain.
MILPHIDIPPA
But still, not enough.
PALAESTRIO
Be of good courage all the business is now prospering under our hands. Only do you, as you have begun, still give a helping hand;
for the Captain himself has gone in-doors, to entreat his mistress to leave his house, with her mother and sister, for Athens.
1145
PLEUSICLES
Very good—well done.
PALAESTRIO
Besides, all the gold trinkets and apparel which he himself has provided for the damsel, he gives her to keep as a present for herself—so have I recommended him.
PLEUSICLES
Really, it’s easily done, if both she wishes it, and he desires it as well.
PALAESTRIO
Don’t you know that when, from a deep well, you have ascended up to the top, there is the greatest danger lest you should thence fall back again from the top. This affair is now being carried on at the top of the well. If the Captain should have a suspicion of it, nothing whatever of his will be able to be carried off. Now, most especially, we have need of clever contrivances.
1150
PLEUSICLES
I see that there is material enough at home for that purpose—
three women, yourself the fourth, I am the fifth, the old gentleman the sixth.
1155
PALAESTRIO
What an edifice of stratagems has been erected by us! I know for certain. that any town seems as though it could be taken by these plans: only do you lend your assistance.
ACROTELEUTIUM
For that purpose are we come to you, to see if you wish for anything.
PALAESTRIO
You do what’s à propos. Now to you do I assign this departmentThis department: Impero provinciam. This term was properly applied to the Senate when bestowing a province upon a Proconsul or Propraetor..
ACROTELEUTIUM
General, you shall assign me whatever you please, so far as I am capable.
1160
