Perde 4
[Textpart 1]
How so—fly-boat?
PALAESTRIO
This is her maid that is coming out of the house, she that brought that ring which I delivered to you.
PYRGOPOLINICES
I’ faith, she too is a prettyish wench.
PALAESTRIO
This one is a little monkey and an owlAnd an owl: Spinturnicium was the name of some ugly, ill-omened bird; of what kind it is not now known. in comparison with the other.
Do you see how she hunts around with her eyes, and goes fowling about with her ears.
990
[Textpart 2]
My Circus, thenMy Circus, then: This is an allusion to the Circus at Rome, where the public games were exhibited., is before the house, where my sports are to take place. I’ll make pretence, as though I didn’t see them, or knew as yet that they are here.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Hush! let’s quietly listen, whether any mention is made of me.
MILPHIDIPPA
Is there no one near at hand here, to attend to another’s business rather than his own?—
to prowl afterTo prowl after: Aucupo is properly applied to a birdcatcher, or fowler, who watches his nets. me to see what I’m about? No one who is feeding this eveningFeeding this evening: Qui de vesperi vivat suo. She is supposed to mean those who are not out on the hunt for a supper, but have got one of their own at home. These latter persons, she thinks, living at their ease, and not having to satisfy a hungry stomach, are likely to have more leisure for prying into the concerns of other people, than those who are put to their shifts for a meal. at his own expense? I dread such men as these, lest they should now come in the way, or prove an hindrance somehow, should my mistress privately pass from her house this way, who is so enamoured of his person, who so dotes upon this very charming man with his exceeding beauty—the Captain Pyrgopolinices
995
PYRGOPOLINICES
And doesn’t she dote upon me, too? She is praising my beauty.
PALAESTRIO
I’ faith, her language stands in need of no ashesIn need of no ashes: He says that she is so very clean spoken (laute et minime sordide) that she needs no ashes with which to scour her words; the figure being derived from the custom of scouring brass vessels with pounded ashes..Part of line 1000 in the Latin.
1000
PYRGOPOLINICES
For what reason?
PALAESTRIO
Why, because her language is clean spoken and far from slovenly.
Whatever she says about yourself, she handles it in no slovenly way.
And, then, besides, she herself is a very pretty and a very dainty wench.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Troth, indeed, she has made an impression already, Palaestrio, at first sight.
PALAESTRIO
What! before you have seen the other with your eyes?
1005
PYRGOPOLINICES
What I see, in that I have faith for myself; for this mackerel This mackerel: The lacerta was probably a delicate fish, whose name is now unknown, but not so much so as the mullus, the grey mullet, which was very highly esteemed by the Roman epicures., in the absence of the mullet, compels me to be in love with her.
1005
PALAESTRIO
I’ faith, you really mustn’t be falling in love with her, she’s engaged to me. If the other weds you to-day, forthwith I shall take this one for my wife.
PYRGOPOLINICES
Why, then, do you delay to accost her?
